Mortgage & Refinance Information
Home   >>   Loans   >>   Mortgage & Refinance

Home Equity Loans - Research Your Lender Carefully


Real estate prices are rising across the country, and Americans are tapping into their home equity like never before. Americans took out $431 billion in home equity loans in 2004, and that amount may increase in 2005. The reasons vary; some are using the money for home improvement, others are using the money to buy real estate, and some are taking reverse mortgages in order to enjoy a better retirement. With interest rates still near historic lows and the bull real estate market continuing, more and more predatory lenders are entering the lending profession.

Most lenders are honest, and prospective borrowers will probably not have any problems resulting from taking out a loan with a national bank. On the other hand, newer, smaller, and less honest lenders are advertising aggressively and may grab your attention by offering terms that seem more favorable than those offered by the larger banks. Sometimes, these terms sound too good to be true, and they often are. Here are a few things to watch out for when taking out a home loan:

  • A promised low interest rate "disappears", only to be replaced with a higher figure on the contract at closing time. The borrowers, who expected to close right then and there, feel pressured to sign and often accept the higher interest rate.


  • Previously unmentioned fees turn up on the application at closing. Again, by presenting these previously undisclosed fees at closing time, the borrower is pressured to sign.


  • Blanks on the application form. It's hard to believe that a lender would present a blank form and assure the borrower that the blanks will be filled in later, but this actually happens, and borrowers actually sign such deals. Remember, your signature on the form constitutes your agreement to the terms, even if the terms are filled in later.


  • These problems can be avoided by taking a few simple precautionary steps. Ask about the total fees and interest rates ahead of time. Inform your lender that you fully expect to see those same figures on the documents at closing, and make it clear that you will not sign documents that state otherwise. Make certain that you have provided honest information to the lender. Refuse to sign any blank documents. These things may seem obvious, but when closing approaches, borrowers tend to get in a hurry, as they are eager to get the closing out of the way. Borrowing against your home is not something to take lightly; you can lose your home if you unknowingly sign a predatory document. Take your time.

    ©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:

    Waco banks seeing a boom in mortgage refinance applications
    Waco Tribune Herald, TX - Jan 2, 2009
    By Mike Copeland With mortgage rates hitting record lows, Mary Jo Teakell is seeing a growing backlog of refinance applications. “We’re quite busy right now ...


    Now May Be Good Time To Refinance Home
    KMBC.com, MO - 12 hours ago
    KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- There aren't many bright spots in this economic recession, but one might be the fact that mortgage rates are at near-record lows. ...


    Lending Mortgage, Refinance, Equity Loan
    Kitchener, Ontario Canada, Canada - Jan 1, 2009
    The City of Kitchener is a city in southwestern Ontario, Canada. It was the Town of Berlin from 1854 until 1912 and the City of Berlin from 1912 until 1916. ...


    Bad Credit Mortgage Refinance Loan- 3 Most Important Items to Get ...
    CrunchGear, NY - Dec 23, 2008
    Ultimately if you are looking to do a bad credit mortgage refinance loan you need to keep several things in mind to ensure that you don’t get taken for a ...


    Local mortgage refinance bids soar
    Cape Cod Times, MA - Dec 11, 2008
    By Sarah Shemkus The allure of low interest rates has spurred a surge in mortgage refinancing applications at local banks in the past two weeks. ...


    Mortgage Refinance Online
    PWO, France - Dec 18, 2008
    If you want to consolidate debt or get cash to pay for home improvements, you can apply for a mortgage refinance online that offers you a cash back option, ...


    What’s A Divorce Got to Do with Your Mortgage Refinance?
    PWO, France - Dec 12, 2008
    When you’re the aggrieved partner, you silently wish that things will suddenly take a better turn, especially with an unpaid mortgage. Refinance plans have ...


    TopNews

    Don't miss the mortgage refinance window
    Barre Montpelier Times Argus, VT - Jan 4, 2009
    By AMY HOAK MarketWatch - Published: January 4, 2009 CHICAGO — Lured by low mortgage rates, many homeowners have been rushing to refinance. ...
    Mortgage Rates Hit 37-Year Low Poynter.org
    A toast to low mortgage rates MarketWatch
    US mortgage rates drop to lowest in 37 years Forbes
    all 387 news articles


    Florida Mortgage Broker now offering FHA Loans
    Search By Headlines (press release), NV - Dec 23, 2008
    Simply said, the FHA mortgage refinance loans are the complete replacement of the current mortgage that you have. It's important to know that FHA loans can ...


    PC World

    New Year's Resolutions: Fix Your Finances
    PC World - Jan 4, 2009
    ... tie-ins to various offers that might help in your endeavors--a credit card with a lower interest rate, for example, or a favorable mortgage refinance. ...

    Mortgage-Refinance - Google News


    site map © 2006 Online-Information-Directory.com