Mortgage & Refinancing Information

Home Equity Line of Credit - Great Idea for Rainy Day Emergencies


Most Americans tend to live on a paycheck-to-paycheck basis, and the typical household has nearly $10,000 in credit card debt. Adding to that is the fact that Americans are saving money at the lowest rate in history. We spend what we earn, when we earn it, and there's little or nothing available when a disaster or an emergency strikes. How can the average American make sure there will be money available for that "rainy day" emergency?

One possible solution would be to open a home equity line of credit. The equity in a home is the difference between the value of the home in the market and the amount owed on the mortgage. Rising real estate prices across the country have left Americans with record amounts of home equity, and record numbers of homeowners are borrowing against the equity in their home. There are two main types of home equity loans; the traditional loan and the line of credit. The traditional loan lends a fixed amount of money that is repaid at a fixed interest rate over a fixed amount of time. This is ideal when the money is borrowed for a specific purpose, such as a home-remodeling project.

The home equity line of credit, on the other hand, gives the borrower great flexibility. The amount of money is capped at a certain amount, but the borrower writes checks to use the money when they need it. The borrower only makes payments when he or she actually writes a check to use some of the money, and the interest rate on the loan is adjustable. The line of credit is the perfect source of funds for that "rainy day" emergency. The costs of obtaining a line of credit are minimal, and the paperwork is much less involved than the paperwork associated with obtaining a primary mortgage. The beauty of a line of credit is that there are no additional costs if the money isn't used. The homeowner is under no obligation to use any of the money, but he or she can simply sleep soundly, knowing that it is available should an emergency arise in the future.

Americans, as a group, tend not to save much of what they earn. But even poor savers who own their own homes can prepare themselves for unexpected financial emergencies by taking out a home equity line of credit. One never knows when an emergency will strike, but it is always a good idea to be prepared to face one.

©Copyright 2005 by Retro Marketing.

Charles Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing, a firm devoted to informational Websites, including End-Your-Debt.com, a Website devoted to debt consolidation information and HomeEquityHelp.net, a site devoted to information on home equity loans.


MORE RESOURCES:

Congress may have to approve a 'TARP 2,' economist says
BloggingStocks - 22 hours ago
... it is clear we will need more money to purchase toxic assets, improve bank capitalization and allocate funds for home mortgage refinance programs, ...


Is Now the Right Time to Refinance Your Mortgage?
Eastside Business Journal, Washington - Nov 18, 2008
By Rick Hubbert How do you know when it is the right time to refinance? Some believe that if homeowners can shave one point (1%) off their existing rate, ...


Center for Responsible Lending and Industry Groups Urge HUD to ...
MarketWatch - Nov 20, 2008
... to help the largest possible numbers of at-risk borrowers. This is not the appropriate time to permit the lapse of a viable mortgage refinance option.


Should Obama name FDIC's Bair as a Special Advisor for Mortgage ...
BloggingStocks - Nov 18, 2008
Although he has shown support for mortgage refinance programs aimed at achieving lower payments - - 'payment relief' in Washingtonspeak - - Paulson has ...


National housing crisis exacting heavy toll in Riverside County
Press-Enterprise, CA - Nov 11, 2008
By DUANE W. GANG Riverside County remains at the forefront of the national housing crisis with thousands of homeowners in the unenviable position of owing ...


Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Firstwatch column: Firstwatch: What's ...
Trading Markets (press release), CA - Nov 20, 2008
... counselors will be there to conduct loan workout sessions, provide information about financial literacy programs and offer mortgage refinance options. ...


De-Leverage Your Wallet
Motley Fool - Nov 20, 2008
I also caution against opening new lines of credit if you plan to get a loan (car, mortgage, refinance) in the next six months or so. ...


Mortgage Applications Down 43.4% Year on Year
HNN Huntingtonnews.net,  USA - Nov 6, 2008
By David M. Kinchen The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008 released its Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending ...


When refinancing mortgage makes sense
Chicago Tribune, United States - Nov 14, 2008
But you don't have to be in financial trouble to benefit from mortgage refinance, real estate experts say. "At this point, there are thousands of good ...


Local mall operator says it's at risk for default
Boston Globe (registration), United States - Nov 12, 2008
... on school loans are waived..and a government backed mortgage refinance program to give homeowners a chance to stay in their homes to pay their debts. ...

Mortgage-Refinance - Google News

home | site map
© 2006