When you apply for a home equity loan the lender requires that your home be used as collateral. This type of loan is considered a second mortgage.

Decline in Home Values

Some homeowners have had a difficult time qualifying for home equity loans during the credit crunch because of falling home values. But if you have good credit and a decent amount of equity, there is a chance you can get approved to borrow money.

It’s never a good idea to borrow money if you don’t need to. But if you are house rich and cash poor, a home equity loan can be useful if you need to make home improvements, pay college costs, or even consolidate high-interest debt.

When considering a home equity loan keep in mind the following pros and cons. Pros include:

• Home equity loans usually have much lower interest rates than credit cards and rates are often fixed.
• Interest paid on home equity loans is tax deductible.
• Depending upon how much equity you have you may qualify for a sizable amount of money.

Among the cons of getting a home equity loan are:

• If your property values declines significantly, you could end up owing more on your mortgages than your home is worth. This is commonly referred to as being upside down on a mortgage.
• Borrowing money by using your home as collateral is risky. If you can’t afford to keep making payments on a home equity loan, you could end up losing your property.

Access to a Line of Credit

Keep in mind that home equity loans differ from home equity lines of credit (HELOCs). A line of credit also allows you to tap into your home equity, but it is set up so you can draw on the money as you need it instead of taking a lump sum. Both home equity loans and HELOCs usually have shorter terms of repayment than first mortgage loans.

Tighter Lending Standards

Some people who were previously approved for HELOCs have had their lines of credit frozen because banks have tightened up on lending. In other cases people who have strong credit histories have been denied HELOCs because banks are reluctant to extend credit.

Shop around to compare home equity loans to find the best deals. Familiarize yourself with all the terms before signing up.

About 65% to 75% of mortgage loans modified through the government’s loan modification program but not backed by the federal government are expected to go into default, according to a report from credit-rating agency Fitch Ratings.

Too Much Debt

The report said that the main reason many home loans modified through the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) are expected to go bad is because borrowers don’t receive help with other debt problems.

“Many of these borrowers still have very heavy levels of other debt, auto loans, credit cards and other expenses” Diane Pendley, a Fitch managing director, told CNNMoney. “We’re talking borrowers who don’t have cash reserves. If they did, they wouldn’t be in this position in the first place. It doesn’t take much for them to get in the same situation again.”

Mortgage Lenders Foreclose

A homeowner who defaults on a home loan that has been modified is likely to face foreclosure.  Mortgage lenders are probably not going to give homeowners a second modification deal.

Asking for a Short Sale

Homeowners who find themselves in the position of defaulting on a mortgage loan that was previously modified, may be able to negotiate a short sale. A short sale occurs when a mortgage lender agrees to let you sell a home for less than what is owed on it. Mortgage lenders sometimes agree to short sales rather than deal with foreclosing on a property mortgage loan.

If you are about to default on a home loan that has been modified consider the following things that could help you arrange a short sale:

• Mortgage lenders are more likely to approve a short sale if you already have a buyer lined up
• It may take several attempts to contact your mortgage lender before getting approval for a short sale
• You must provide all documentation requested as soon as possible if a short sale has been approved

Arrange a Deed-in-Lieu Deal

In some cases you may be able to get your mortgage lender to agree to a deed-in-lieu deal. That occurs when you give back your property to the lender because you can’t afford to make monthly payments on a home mortgage. The mortgage lender is then free to sell the property to try and pay off the balance of your home loan.

There is  no guarantee that your mortgage lender is going to agree to a short sale or deed-in-lieu. But if you truly believe that you are going to default on a home loan that has already been modified, contact your mortgage lender to discuss your options.

If you were expecting mortgage rates to begin rising this year, you may have to wait a while longer. Current mortgage rates are surprisingly low, with 30-year fixed-rate home loans averaging 4.86% and 15-year rates averaging 4.24%. Many economists had expected mortgage rates to rise to around 6% this year, but the European debt crisis has resulted in investors pouring money into American bonds, which has helped lower mortgage rates.

Time for a Home Refinance?

The lower mortgage rates mean you can still get a good deal on a refinance. “It’s another very good opportunity for anyone who hasn’t yet been able to refinance — or has missed other chances,” Keith Gumbinger, vice president of HSH Associates, told MarketWatch. “Rates have unexpectedly returned to near 50-year lows due to the overseas mess, but it’s worth noting that such sudden declines have proven fleeting in the past, with rates bouncing higher just as soon as a permanent (or potentially permanent) solution has been identified.”

Get a Mortgage to Buy a Home

Current mortgage rates are also good news for people applying for a loan to purchase a home. Getting pre-approved for a mortgage loan can improve your chances of having an offer for a house accepted by the sellers. Some real estate agents won’t even work with you unless you have a letter from a mortgage lender that shows you have been preapproved for a home loan.

You can search for mortgage rateshere to get started on the process of getting preapproved. Getting a preapproval letter doesn’t mean you have to actually apply for a home loan with a particular mortgage lender when you are ready to buy. Any preapproval you get probably expires in about three months time, but you may be able to get an extension if necessary.

Documentation Is Important

 Whether you want to do a home refinance or buy a house, you need to provide documentation of your income to mortgage lenders. You need to show proof that you are employed or have a steady income. Mortgage lenders also want to know that you aren’t carrying too much debt relative to your income. Among the financial documents you might have to provide are tax returns, W-2 statements, bank account statements, and recent pay stubs.

Don’t Waith Too Long

Current mortgage rates are very attractive if you want to refinance or buy a home. But don’t expect mortgage rates to remain at such low levels for the long-term. Get moving if you want to lock in a mortgage deal before interest rates begin rising.

Current mortgage rates are low and it seems like it might be a good time to refinance your home loan. You’ve even begun to gather quotes from several local mortgage lenders advertising competitive mortgage rates. But does it make sense to do a mortgage refinance at this time?

Use a Loan Calculator

It is important to determine the amount of time it’s going to take to recoup any money you put out to refinance. Use the “Is it time to refi?” loan calculator to compare several mortgage quotes. The following example walks you through the steps of using the loan calculator.

Existing Home Mortgage

First, the loan calculator asks for information about your existing mortgage.

• What is the original term of your home mortgage? For this example let’s use 30 years.
• What is the original amount of your mortgage loan? Our example uses $250,000.
• What is the current balance of your home loan?  ($175,000)
• How long have you had the mortgage? (8 years)
• What is your current interest rate? (7%)

New Home Loan 

Next, the loan calculator needs information about the new mortgage.

• What is the amount of the new loan? ($175,000)
• What is the new mortgage term? (15 years)
• What is the interest rate on the new loan? (5%)
• How much are the estimated closing costs? (2%)
• How long do you plan to remain in the home after doing a mortgage refinance? (10 years)

How Much Would You Save?

When you run the numbers in the loan calculator, you get a report detailing your potential savings. Using the numbers in this example you would go from having a monthly mortgage payment of $1,663 to paying $1,384. Over the 10-year period that you plan to remain in the home you would save $33,524 due to the decreased monthly mortgage payment.

Reducing Mortgage Loan Principal

The loan calculator also gives an analysis of the reduction of loan principal. In this scenario if you refinanced and stayed in the home for 10 years the principal would be reduced by $101,667. However, if you did not refinance your mortgage, the principal would be reduced by $111,194 over the 10-year period.

Total Savings

The last part of the report shows that the estimated cost of refinancing is $3,500, which is based on the 2% closing costs. It also shows that the total amout that would be saved by refinancing would be $20,497.

Applying for a mortgage loan can be an intimidating process if you aren’t sure what to do. That’s why it’s important to assemble a team of knowledgeable professionals to help you through the mortgage loan application process. The team you choose should include some of the following professionals.

Mortgage Lender

Before you even begin to hunt for  a home it’s important to choose a reputable mortgage lender who is willing to commit to loaning money to you. An experienced mortgage broker can help you shop for home loans from a variety of lenders.

You can also go directly to mortgage lenders to inquire about mortgage rates and terms. Choose a mortgage loan officer who can explain the different programs and takes time to assess you needs.

Real Estate Agent

A knowledgeable real estate agent can help you find listings in the area you want to buy a home. Agents should have information about recent purchasing activity in the area and access to the Multiple Listinig Service (MLS).

Avoid choosing an agent who haven’t sold any homes in the area you are interested in or who seems green about what’s involved with the home buying process. Another red flag is when a real estate agent won’t take your calls or spend much time helping you.

Real Estate Attorney

Find an attorney that specializes in real estate transactions before you get to the point of making an offer on a home. It’s important to have an attorney who can review your offer to purchase a home. An attorney will review all paperwork, prepare and register legal documents, and make sure you get a clean title to the property you buy. Your attorney is also going to be present when you close on the deal.

Home Inspector

Once you make an offer on a home you should make the deal contingent on having it inspected by a qualified professional. A home inspector goes through the property you want to buy and looks for areas that could be trouble, such as faulty wiring, bad plumbing, or a leaky roof. Most states require home inspectors to be licensed so only use one who has credentials that are up to date.

Getting a home loan to purchase a house is a huge investment of your time and money. Make sure you are getting the proper guidance from people who are qualified so you don’t run into problems later.

Are you unemployed and need help with a mortgage loan? Get in line. Many homeowners have been frustrated with unsuccessful attempts to get help with troubled home loans.

Recent changes in the government’s Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) are aimed at allowing borrowers who have been laid off and are underwater on mortgage loans to receive modifications.

Help with Mortgage Loans

The Obama administration’s plan includes local housing agency intiatives, homebuyer tax credits, mortgage loan modifications, refinancing, and community development programs. Depending upon a borrowers situation, they may receive assistance with remaining in a home or relocating to more affordable housing.

HAMP has helped more than 4 million homeowners refinance mortgage loans. Another million are saving an average of $500 a month due to mortgage modifications.

Help for Unemployed

So exactly how can the changes to the program help if you are unemployed?

1. Depending upon your situation you may qualify to have mortgage payments reduced for three to six months while you hunt for a new job.
2. If you don’t find employment or find a job with less income, you could be considered for a permanent mortgage loan modification or HAMP’s alternatives to foreclosure program.
3. Mortgage loan servicers may receive incentives for writing down your principal. They also are being encouraged to extinguish second liens, which could help borrowers who want to complete short sales.
4. Mortgage servicers may receive incentives for improving communication with borrowers.

Is It Enough?

The government’s mortgage loan modification program has hit snags along the way. Critics say mortgage loan servicers were slow to respond and not enough people have been helped, something the Obama administration has acknowledged.

Others say the recent changes in HAMP are only a stopgap since unemployment benefits are no longer going to be factored into income when deciding if a borrower qualifies for a having mortgage loan payments reduced. So far unemployment benefits could be factored into income as long as borrowers could prove the payments would last for nine months. 

Mortgages and Long Term Unemployment

“Any programs that give people breathing space while they’re out looking for work … are a positive thing,” Mark Pearce, the top N.C. mortgage regulator and a leader in national foreclosure-prevention efforts, said in the Miami Herald. However, ”This program doesn’t address the folks that are unemployed for a longer period of time.”

Educating yourself about how mortgage loans work should happen before you end up in negotiations to by a home. The following guide discusses some common mortgage terms you should understand as you work toward becoming a homeowner.

1. Amortization schedule shows how your monthly mortgage payment is split between principal and interest. Over time as the loan balance decreases, the amount of payment that goes toward the principal increases. Use a mortgage payment calculator to figure out an amortization schedule.
2. Appraisal is a report that puts a value on a property. The home value is determined by looking at the features of a home, as well as looking at sales of comparable properties in the same area.
3. Closing costs are fees associated with borrowing a mortgage loan. Some closing costs are nonrecurring fees, such the amount you pay for a title search. Other closing costs may be prepaid fees that recur over the life of the loan, such as property taxes and insurance premiums.
4. Down payment is the amount of cash you have to pay toward the purchase of a home. This money is due at closing and is not included in the home loan.
5. Escrow account is where money is set aside out of your monthly mortgage payments to cover property taxes and insurance. Most banks set up mortgage payments to include these fees, as well as principal and interest.
6. Fixed-rate mortgages have monthly payments that remain the same throughout the term of the loan. It’s common for these home loans to have terms of 15 or 30 years, but other terms may be available.
7. Home inspection is a thorough examination of a home to see if it structurally sound, in need of repair, or has other problems that need to be addressed. Always get a home inspection, even if you are purchasing new construction.
8. Mortgage insurance (MI) is a policy that covers the lender if you default on a home mortgage. MI is required when you have a down payment that is less than 20% of the purchase price.
9. Pre-approval occurs when a mortgage lender reviews your completed loan application and detailed financial information and has approved you for a loan of a certain amount.
10. Mortgage rate lock occurs when a mortgage lender agrees to guarantee the interest rate for a specific period of time. Most mortgage lenders require you to pay a fee to lock in the rate.

These are just few of the mortgage terms you may encounter. Review the glossary of terms to learn more about mortgage loans.

Many people dream of owning a home. They do whatever they can to scrape together a down payment on a mortgage loan and work many years to pay it off. But should you buy a home or continue to rent? Here are some things to consider.

1. Are you ready for the responsibility? Owning a home involves a variety of chores and financial investments. Are you ready to do yard work, home repairs, and other tasks that you currently don’t have to think about because you have a landlord? If you are not willing to do the work, or can’t afford to pay someone else to do it, you may not be ready for homeownership.
2. Do you have enough saved up for a down payment on a home loan? The larger the down payment, the smaller your monthly payments are going to be. Mortgage lenders also look more favorably on people who have a sizable down payment, healthy income, and low levels of debt.
3. Have you done your homework to understand the different types of mortgage products available? Just because your friend got a 15-year mortgage loan doesn’t mean that’s the right product for you. Knowledge is power and can keep you from getting into the wrong type of mortgage.
4. Do you need assistance from a first-time homebuyer program in your community? You may be able to get free advice from a housing counselor or help with a down payment.
5. Do you plan to use the first-time homebuyer tax credit? If so, you need to have a contract on a home before May 1, 2010, and must close on the home before July 1, 2010. If you qualify for the tax credit, you could receive up to $8,000.
6. Have you shopped around for mortgage quotes to get an idea of how much you can borrow? Compare offers from several mortgage lenders before choosing one to do business with.
7. Have you carefully researched the neighborhood you want to move to? Have a real estate agent do a comparative analysis of homes that are similar to what you want to purchase. Ask about foreclosure rates in the area and whether there is any data on how many homes are underwater on mortgages.

There are a lot of things to consider before taking the leap from renting to homeownership. Avoid feeling pressured to buy a home because everyone tells you that is the American dream. You may be content to continue renting a while. Consider all your options carefully so that you have no regrets in the future.

The troubled economy has caused some homeowners to consider accelerating their mortgage loan payments. Although many financial experts caution against paying off a home loan early, many people are ignoring that advice and focusing on owning their homes faster.

Mortgage Interest

One of the most common reasons given to discourage people from paying off a mortgage early is because they won’t be able to deduct the interest they paid on their income tax returns.

Before you accept this argument hook, line, and sinker, use a mortgage payment calculator to see if the amount of interest you can deduct on a tax return beats what you can save on interest by aggressively attacking mortgage principal.

Saving and Investing

Another argument against paying off a home mortgage early involves the notion that you could earn more by investing the money you would put toward extra payments. In some cases you would earn more by investing the money. But it’s important to stay true to yourself and decide what type of risk you want to take with your cash.

Are you going to feel more secure with your money in the stock market or some other type of investment, or are you going to be happier knowing that you are going to own your home free and clear in a few years? Only you can decide if mortgage acceleration is right for your situation.

How to Accelerate Mortgage Loan Payments

If paying off a home mortgage early appeals to you, consider these popular methods:

• Make mortgage loan payments biweekly instead of monthly. This amounts to making 13 payments a year instead of only 12. Although many banks offer to set up biweekly payments for a fee, you can do it on your own. Simply cut your monthly home loan payment in half and pay that amount every two weeks.
• Use bonuses, tax refunds, and other windfalls to pay down your home loan. Make sure you direct the mortgage lender to apply the funds to your principal.
• Refinance mortgage to pay it off in 15 years. Depending upon how much principal you owe, expect to see the monthly payments increase. Make sure you have the income to support the higher mortgage payments.

Pay off Other Debt

Finally, when deciding whether or not to pay off a mortgage loan early, consider whether or not you have other debts. If you have high interest credit card debt or other loans, use extra cash to pay them off before turning your attention to acclerating mortgage payments. 

Having bad credit can keep you from qualifying for a home loan.  But that doesn’t mean you can’t work toward becoming a homeowner. Consider renting a house that gives you an option to buy it.

What Is a Lease-Option?

A rent-to-own or lease-option deal allows you to rent a home and pay extra each month toward purchasing the property at a later date for a specific price. When you sign the lease the seller requires you to pay an option fee of up to 5% of the purchase price.

Lease-options specify a period of time that you have to decide whether or not to actually buy the property. If you don’t excercise your option to purchase the home, you lose the option fee and the additional money paid toward the purchase. 

Why Rent-to-Own?

A rent-to-own deal can allow you “try out” a house and neighborhood before committing to buying property there. Also, if you can’t get a mortgage loan because of bad credit, a lease-option gives you time to save up money for a down payment. You also can work on cleaning up bad credit, although rent payments are not factored into the credit scoring formula, according to the Mortgage Professor. Having good credit and a hefty down payment improves the chances of a mortgage lender giving you a home loan down.

Deals Can Backfire

Use caution when entering into a rent-to-own deal. Make sure you understand all the terms and use an attorney to review the contract. Some problems that can derail your plans to buy a home this way include losing your option fee and rent payments by falling behind on rent payments. The deal also dies (and you lose the money) if you get evicted. Make sure that any home you lease-option isn’t in the foreclosure process so you don’t lose your money.

Falling Home Values

Also keep in mind that signing a lease-option contract could backfire if real-estate prices continue to drop. The home’s value could fall below the purchase price by the time you actually have to make a decision to buy it. A recent report by Fiserv and Moody’s Economy.com said the average home price in the U.S. is likely to fall 6% by 2011.

Lease-options can work in your favor if you know what you’re doing. But don’t get in over your head just because you are too eager to buy a house when you really can’t afford one. You can rent a place while taking the time to repair credit and save up a down payment without getting into a contract that could result in losing your shirt.