Home equity is the difference between what you owe on your mortgage and the fair market value of your home. Cashing out on home equity for debt consolidation is continuing to gain popularity. The typical way to cash out on home equity is to either refinance an existing first mortgage or take out a second mortgage.
Many people wonder why the interest rates for second mortgages are higher than those for first mortgages. The reason for this is a second mortgage is a subordinate loan secured by the same property as the first mortgage. Thus, if the mortgage isn't paid and there is a foreclosure on the property, the first lender is paid off before the second lender. As a result, second mortgages entail more risk for the lender. To offset the risk, lenders charge higher interest rates for second mortgages than for first mortgages.
According to Bankrate , lines of credit and second mortgages have become increasingly common since the mid- 1980s as property values have skyrocketed and the owners have learned about managing personal debt . Among the reasons for this increase in popularity: attractive interest rates and tax deductibility . Many times, homeowners can deduct up to 100 % of the interest paid on mortgage loans from their taxes.If you need to call your home equity and first home rates are lower than current rates , it's probably cheaper to get a second mortgage even though interest rates are higher. If you have a specific purpose for the loan that requires a specific amount of money, home equity loan , also known as an installment loan home equity ( HEIL ) , may be your best bet. These lines of credit ( HELOC ) are useful for those who have an occasional or ongoing need for money because the interest is charged only on the amount of capital used .
Compare the annual percentage rate ( APR ) , the cost of credit once a year , when shopping for a second mortgage. Unlike home equity loans , which include the total credit costs for the loan, the advertised APR for home equity credit lines is based on the mortgage interest alone. For a true comparison of credit costs , compare other charges like points and closing costs , which will add to the cost of your loan.






