The Internet Diversion Portal

Present Ideas for Men

October 31st, 2008

Buying a present for a man can be a bit tricky. You could go down the funny novelty route and get them a silly present, you could go all out and buy them something well made, expensive yet boring or you could go down the ’safe’ route and get them the standard pack of socks, a tie or pair of cufflinks.

What if there was another route you could take? One which offered innovation and unique ideas? You might take it if you knew that it would cost you less and you didn’t even need to leave your seat either. RedSave.com take their customers in just the right direction for finding the perfect present and upon visiting their homepage it’s easy to find men’s gifts. Simply click ‘For Men’ on the left hand navigation column and browse through the thumbnails. If you see a product you’re particularly interested in then click the thumbnail and read through the comprehensive information and product specifications available.

There are useful quality items like black leather briefcases and rechargeable shavers if you’re looking for a practical present, or there are the more fun items like the bottle opener ring or the beer machine which brews your own beer. Whatever you choose, ordering the gift is safe and easy with the virtual shopping basket facility and checkout process secured using McAfee and GeoTrust to scrobble your data before it’s sent over the web.

Redsave have found the secret to buying gifts for men and while they’re not letting on what that is, they’re sharing the fruits of their labor with the world!

Flexible Mortgage Tips

October 31st, 2008

Outlined below are some useful flexible mortgage tips. The most prominent addition in recent years to the mortgage industry has been the flexible mortgage. As the name implies, it offers greater flexibility than the traditional mortgage.

Flexible mortgages are fast becoming the most popular way of taking out a new mortgage. The reason for this is that this type of mortgage allows you to take control of your mortgage and not the other way round.

Unlike some traditional mortgage loans that still charge mortgage interest on an annual basis, fully flexible mortgages calculate interest daily, which means that any overpayments you make are immediately credited against your loan, thus reducing your interest costs. It means you get the maximum benefit from your overpayment benefits immediately, since you don’t need to wait for an annual interest calculation.

Many self-employed people whose income varies from one month to the next find flexible mortgages particularly helpful. They can make overpayments when earnings are at the annual peak and cut payments when earnings fall again.

Some flexible mortgages allow you to withdraw sums you have overpaid into your mortgage account for emergencies.

A flexible mortgage allows you to make additional or lump sum payments in excess of your scheduled amount, enabling you to pay off your mortgage early. By reducing the capital amount of your mortgage in this way, you are also reducing your monthly interest payments. You may take this money back at any stage or use it to take a repayment “holiday”.

This gives you the flexibility to manage your mortgage payments to suit your cash flow needs as your circumstances change. These Flexible Mortgages allow you to repay capital early, take back some cash you have paid in and postpone payments. Some are run as substitutes for current and savings accounts, so all your money is working to minimise interest on the mortgage.

Some mortgage lenders offer a current account arrangement with their flexible mortgages. You can pay your monthly salary into the account thereby reducing the amount outstanding and the interest payments. For the rest of the month, you can use the account for day-to-day expenses and to pay direct debits. Some lenders require borrowers to pay in their salaries as soon as the account is up and running.

The advantage of a flexible mortgage is that all money is controlled within one account and savings can be used to offset the debt. With flexible mortgages interest is only paid on the balance outstanding at the end of each day, leading to less overall interest payments.

The flexible mortgage allows you to pay the mortgage back quicker than your agreed monthly repayments stipulate. Traditional mortgages would charge you for repaying early, but with a flexible mortgage you can repay early, save on the interest, and reduce the total amount owing.

Truly flexible mortgages will allow you to underpay – however this will only usually be offered if you have overpaid enough to cover the difference. In the same way as you can with underpaying, if you are keeping up with repayments and have ideally overpaid, you will be able to payment holidays.

The flexible mortgage will not charge you for moving mortgage lenders as most traditional mortgages will. You are free to overpay, underpay and swap mortgage lenders without financial penalties.

There are no standard repayment methods. Each mortgage provider will specify the extent of flexibility on its Flexible Mortgage and the interest rate may be variable or fixed.

Before taking out a flexible mortgage, make sure you are aware of how you handle your finances. If you are inclined to raid your savings on a regular basis, a flexible loan is unlikely to suit you.

Most mortgage lenders offer an annual statement showing the balance of the account, the number of overpayments you have made and how much interest you have saved.

Many flexible mortgage providers now offer tracker rates, so you can now enjoy the elements of a flexible loan while following the rise and fall of interest rate movements.

If you simply want to be able to make the odd lump-sum repayment or to overpay on a regular basis, it may be a good idea to look at what else is on offer in the mortgage market. As the flexible mortgage becomes even more popular, many lenders are offering conventional mortgages with flexible elements.

You may freely reprint this article provided the author’s biography remains intact:

About The Author

John Mussi is the founder of Direct Online Loans who help UK homeowners find the best available loans via the http://www.directonlineloans.co.uk website.

Mortgage: Effective Household Investment for Financial Autonomy

October 29th, 2008

If finances had a copyright, we would have bought it by now. But it is hardly sold anywhere near the place we live. So, when we decide to take a mortgage it becomes highly perplexing for it is something you are not used to. Taking out a mortgage is not like an everyday errand. Mortgage in the simplest terms mean long-term loan used to finance the purchase of real estate. As the borrower, or mortgagor, you repay the lender, or mortgagee, the loan principal plus interest, gradually building your equity in the property. In a mortgage, you can use your property but not the title of it. When you pay the mortgage, you own the property.

You must have heard that interest rates on mortgage are at their lowest. There is no doubt that they are declining, lending new opportunities to homeowners to get the financial funding they require. Mortgage has become more competitive and easy to get. Competition among loan lender is rising therefore it has lot of potential for homeowners. So it is no surprise to know that mortgage is mounting among people.

Today’s consumers have many different mortgage types to select from. Mortgages have been flavoured with different interest rates for the benefit of the mortgage applicants. The more recognized mortgage types are fixed, variable and balloon mortgage.

Mortgage has been publicized everywhere as a real good loan plan for every homeowner. However, it is essential to realize that mortgage is in itself a very exhaustive term. There are innumerable sub categories.

Mortgage types are meant to be for your benefit. Two major types of mortgages are available – repayment and interest only mortgage. Repayment mortgage is the traditional, old fashioned mortgage where the property is guaranteed and is yours only at the end of the loan term provided you repay the loan. The monthly payment on Mortgage compiles capital repayment and interest payments. Capital repayments repay the loan amount your have taken. Interest payments provide repayments for the interest on the loan. Every month you keep on paying a little of both the loan and the interest till the whole loan is repaid.

Interest only mortgage is a relatively new term. In an interest only mortgage the capital is not repaid directly. The capital on a mortgage term is repaid at the end of the mortgage term while simultaneous investments are made to an investment fund. The idea is to make this fund flourish so that at the end of the term there is enough money to pay the mortgage and also leave capital for your personal usage. The term ‘interest only mortgage’ might seem inviting but the capital has to be paid at the end of the mortgage term.

Interest only mortgage comes in all shapes and sizes. However, this kind of mortgage is not meant for every borrower. Each Interest only mortgage is meant to cater to the needs of a specific kind. It is very fundamental to learn about the interest only mortgages before you apply for one. The interest only mortgages are endowment mortgage, individual savings account mortgage, pension mortgages.

In this highly elaborate work structure of mortgages it is pivotal to find the precise mortgage. Precise mortgage type requires some basic steps which begin with knowing what you want. Loan borrower must be very clear about their requirements and their limitations. Once you know which mortgage type to take – make comparisons. Compare the mortgage types. Mortgage is essentially a buyer’s market. Shop around. Compare the APR. The real comparison is through comparing the APR, which is the annual percentage rate. The APR takes all the costs into account: the application fee, the mortgage lenders valuation and so on.

A mortgage broker is a good idea with respect to mortgage. A mortgage broker is a licensed company or an individual that gets the best mortgage plan available at the best possible rates. Mortgage broker signifies convenience. They will do the legwork for you. Usually mortgage brokers don’t cost any extra fee because they usually work on the fees given by the mortgage lender. However, sometimes you can get a better deal by going to the mortgage lender directly.

Mortgage and bad credit are very compatible. The only thing a loan borrower can do is to be open and honest about their bad credit status. Hiding your credit status would only go against your mortgage claim, when there are in fact easier ways to get a mortgage with bad credit.

Mortgage is like easy if you make the right choice. Getting a good mortgage is directly dependent on your knowledge of a mortgage. To know every nook and cranny of mortgage can be not possible. Since even the most judicious professionals may also not be aware of some of the mortgage details. However, basic mortgage knowledge will not only protect you against fraud and abuse but also stimulate financial gains. So maybe you don’t have the copyright to financial sense; you can still find a mortgage.

After having herself gone through the ordeal of loan borrowing, Natasha Anderson understands the need for good quality loan advice. Her articles endeavor to provide you the wise counsel in the most elementary way for the benefit of the readers. She hopes that this will help them to locate the loan that beseems their expectations. She works for the Uk secured loans web site.

To find a Secured loan or mortgage that best suits your needs visit http://www.ukfinancewprld.co.uk

New Home Loan – 3 Tips To Speed Up The Mortgage Loan Approval Process

October 29th, 2008

Imagine this: you’ve found the perfect house, and feel lucky because the interest rates happen to be at an all time low. So you submit your mortgage loan application, and then…wait. The next week, interest rates go up a point, but you’re still waiting. Another point would mean a significant amount in the monthly payment you will pay, and you groan when you open the newspaper and find that indeed it has gone up again.

Can this be avoided?

Luckily, there are some steps that you can take to speed up the process of your loan application! Here are a few suggestions.

First of all, if you haven’t yet started shopping for your new home, you should consider shopping for a home LOAN before the home. It is possible to be approved for a mortgage loan before you ever find your home, and this will accomplish two things. First of all, it will allow you to lock in an interest rate, which will completely eliminate the “waiting” game mentioned above. In addition, if a seller sees that you are pre-approved, he will be more likely to negotiate with you because he will view you as a “serious” buyer.

If you’ve already found your dream house and still need to get a mortgage loan approval, there are some steps that you can take to speed up the process.

You should be sure that anytime the mortgage company calls you, that you return their call as soon as possible, and then provide whatever documentation or data they need. Remember, if they call you for something that generally means that they won’t be able to move forward on your loan until they receive it.

Next, you can make things easier for the mortgage company by providing them with a file containing all of the information that you know they will needorganized and easy-to-read. For example, you should include your tax returns, income statements, employment records, credit reports, explanation of bad marks on your credit reports, bank and investment records, the contract for your new home, all bank records, and cancelled checks or other evidence of your current mortgage or rental payments. This will save the time of the mortgage company having to ask you for all of this paperwork.

Finally, it won’t hurt to call and check the progress every now and then. Mortgage lenders process thousands of loan applications, and you can make sure that yours doesn’t sit on the bottom of the stack by calling attention to it with a phone call.

To view our recommended sources for home mortgage loans, visit: Recommended Mortgage Lenders Online.

Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan Guide, an
informational website with articles and the latest news about various types of loans.

A Hud Reverse Mortage For Retirement?

October 24th, 2008

HUD reverse mortgages can be a great tool for Seniors that are looking for additional funds for retirement. Through a HUD reverse mortgage, seniors can tap into the equity from their homes without having to make repayments.

HUD Reverse Mortgage Eligibility

Homeowners must meet the following criteria in order to be eligible for a HUD reverse mortgage:

- Homeowner must be age 62 or older.

- The home must be owned free and clear or have a mortgage balance that can be paid from equity.

- The home must be a principal residence.

- The property must be a single-family home, a one-to-four unit dwelling with one unit occupied by the applicant, a manufactured home (mobile home), or a unit in condominiums or Planned Unit Developments.

- The property must meet minimum property standards.

Homeowners that qualify can receive payments in a lump sum, on a monthly basis, or on an occasional basis as a line of credit. At a later date the payment options can be restructured if circumstances change.

Guidelines on HUD Reverse Mortgage Amounts

The amount that can be borrowed on a HUD reverse mortgages is determined by the following criteria:

- The borrower’s age – The older the borrower the more that can be borrowed against the value of the home

- The loan interest rate – Obviously the lower the interest rate the more that can be borrowed.

- The home’s value – There is no hard limit for home value to qualify for a HUD reverse mortgage, but the amount that may be borrowed is capped by the maximum FHA mortgage limits for an area. This means that owners of a high priced home can’t borrow any more than the owners of homes valued at the FHA limit.

There are no asset or income limitations on borrowers receiving a HUD reverse mortgage.

Unlike ordinary home loans, a HUD reverse mortgage does not require repayment as long as the home remains the borrowers primary residence. When the home is sold the Mortgage company recovers their principal, plus interest, and the remaining value of the home goes to the homeowner or to his or her survivors. Should the sales proceeds not cover the amount owed, HUD will pay the mortgage company for any shortfall.

The Federal Housing Administration, which is part of HUD, collects an insurance premium from all borrowers to provide this coverage. Typically the mortgage company pays for this insurance and charges it to the borrower’s principal balance. This FHA reverse mortgage insurance can make HUD’s reverse mortgage program less expensive to borrowers than private programs without FHA insurance.

Charles Kirkendall writes about reverse mortgages and other Senior financial issues. Visit www.reverse.settle-today.com for more information and resources on reverse mortgages.

Fees Paid To Brokers By Mortgage Lenders Are Far Too High

October 24th, 2008

Procuration fees paid by some sub-prime lenders are too high.

Fact.

There can be no justification for some of the fees paid by lenders. Proc fees of 2.75%-plus are simply deplorable when it is clients who will ultimately pay the price through an extra loading on the interest rate they pay, be it at the front end or – as is more common with some lenders – at the back end after an initial deep discount.

Traditionally, high proc fees were justified by the relative complexity and extent of the work undertaken by the intermediary on behalf of customers with specialist financial needs; for those customers with more heavily impaired credit backgrounds, there was more work so the fee was higher.

But advances in technology mean obtaining the required information is now relatively straightforward so how on earth can lenders still justify paying fees of 2.75% or more?

Consumer protection is paramount. Those lenders that continue to hide behind the excuse that the fees they pay impact only on their own profit and loss accounts are fooling nobody. In the end it’s the client that pays.

It’s a sorry state of affairs when a lender’s only method of attracting business is to pay a high fee.

The sooner the Financial Services Authority wakes up and takes a look at some of the players in this often murky sector, the better.

It’s time for a change and we need it right NOW.

Mark Anthony Harrison has worked in financial services for over 16 years, mostly in banking but more recently with his own company http://www.capitalmortgagesolutions.co.uk.

How To Determine The Price Of Your Home

October 24th, 2008

Why is it that some homes sit on the market for a year while others sell like hot cakes? Frustrated sellers will blame a bad market, while a good real estate professional will tell you that many times, a slow sale is often attributed to the listing price.

If a home is overpriced, buyers will stay away. But, if the price is competitive with similar homes in the area and “shows” better than the competition, it will have a better chance of being sold quickly.

The secret is perfecting a technique that’s as American as apple pie: comparative shopping.

Although comparing houses with different styles, square-footages and locations is challenging, real estate professionals still feel it’s one of the best methods to use when determining a home’s market value.

A responsible real estate agent will effectively evaluate a home’s worth through a process known as Comparative Marketing Analysis (CMA). Taking a look at assets, such as a swimming pool, bigger than normal living spaces, a fantastic view, adjacent city parks and other attractions, the agent will begin to compare your home with similar properties, called “comparables,” that have sold in the area within the last six months. Typically, the agent is able to recommend a realistic price range that will ensure you top dollar and a reasonably

However, factors such as the amount of time needed to sell your home can alter the agent’s price recommendation dramatically.

Typically, people should check with real estate offices in the community to determine the typical duration that listings are on the market. Sales associates will explain that the marketing “norms” vary with prices and properties. Based on this criteria, the agent feels confident that he or she will be able to sell it for a price that both you and the buyer will be happy with. However, if you’re under time constraints because of unexpected job changes or moving agreements you’ve made on another property, this will narrow your chances of selling the home for top dollar in the market.

Assuming you have sufficient time to market the home, here are a few small steps you and your agent can take to finding the right price for your property.

The best comparisons can be made with similar homes that have been sold within the last 45 days as opposed to the standard six months. Any longer and other factors, such as the economy, could cloud your view of how much your home is really worth.

Another good benchmark is to review the selling prices of homes that have just been sold and are pending closes. Most MLS services provide information on deals pending that most real estate agents should be able to shore with you.

A good rule of thumb before setting a price is to make 20 comparisons of comparable properties within a one-mile radius of your house. Once completed you can feel comfortable that the price you’ve picked is a good gauge of the home’s worth and won’t discourage qualified buyers.

Being open and honest about what you see as the home’s greatest strengths and biggest weaknesses will also help an agent get a better feel for how to best evaluate (or assess) and market your home. Think of your home as if you were the buyer. If your home is listed at the right price, you’re well on your way to a speedy and fruitful sale.

About The Author

W. Troy Swezey is the author of “HOW TO DETERMINE THE PRICE OF YOUR HOME.” As a Realtor at Century 21 Paul & Associates, he has helped many individuals with their real estate needs. Visit his web site to download his free e-book, “REAL ESTATE SECRETS EXPOSED.” http://www.TroyIsMyRealtor.com or mail to: TroyC21@usa.net

Buying a Home? Don’t Get Saddled with Two Mortgage Payments

October 23rd, 2008

I have a lot of friends and family who are currently buying houses. Many of them have had a problem with timing. In other words, they buy a house and sign a contract that says that they have to pay the seller in 30 days. (Incidentally, it’s never wise to go less than 45 days.) Now, it takes two to three weeks to sell their house, and they sign a 30-45 day contract, so they don’t get their money in time to help finance the down payment for the house they are buying. The answer to this problem is simple. Get a bridge loan.

Now, in order to make this strategy work, you need a considerable amount of equity in your current home. Let’s say, for example, you are selling a $200,000 home, and you owe $110,000. You have $90,000 in equity (200,000 value minus your debt of 110,000). A bridge loan uses the equity in your home to “bridge” the gap between the sale of your home and the purchase of your new home.

Here’s how it works. A bank will loan you 80 percent of the value of your current home, or $160,000 in our example (200k times 80% is 160,000). $110,000 will go toward paying off your current lender, the one you owe $110,000. The remaining $50,000 is yours to use for down payment money on your new purchase and moving expenses, or for any reason you like. The beauty of these loans is that they are treated like home equity lines by the lender. In other words, you pay interest-only on the loan (probably 4-6 percent). So, if you had to pay 4 percent, interest-only on a $160,000 bridge loan, your payment would be $533.00 per month.

Wait one more minute, though. Another thing about bridge loans that makes them a truly marvelous tool is that your payments are deferred for up to 90 days. Imagine getting $160,000 from a lender to help you pay off a mortgage, put money down on a new house, and have left over expense money, and you don’t make a single payment for three months. Wow, this is true power! So, in the long run, you may wind up never making a payment on your bridge loan. Outside of some small fees to get it, you are basically getting free money, because you will sell your house for $200,000 and pay off your bridge loan.

Meanwhile, you now have just your new first mortgage on your beautiful new home.

EzineArticles Expert Author Mark Barnes

Mark Barnes is the author of the new novel, The League, the first work of fiction, based on fantasy football. He is also an investment real estate and home loan finance expert. Learn more about this suspense thriller at http://www.sportsnovels.com Get his free mortgage finance course at http://www.winningthemortgagegame.com

5 Things In Selecting The Best Mortgage – You Should Know

October 21st, 2008

Your goal is not only to find the best rates and programs, by searching through a huge number of lenders products, and save yourself thousands of dollars on mortgage payments every year, but also, to save time and hassle by simplifying the loan process and reducing the paperwork. Here are some things you can keep in mind when selecting a mortgage provider.

1. Shop For Rates

You should get instant online free quotes, and be able to apply securely online.

2. Apply Online

Be able to use a secure online application and let a qualified loan specialist help you find the best loan program.

3. Get Prequalified

Find out how much money you can borrow for your next home purchase!

4. Get Pre-Approved

Get free, no obligation pre-approved commitment letter that you qualify.

5. Loan Processing And Approval

This is when your loan is processed, goes through underwriting and final approval.

Taking these steps will be in you best interest to secure a mortgage that will benefit you and your family. It will also help to save you money

About The Author

Paul Kellum represents a full service mortgage broker / banker with a track record of over 10 years. We service loans relating to residential properties, including purchases, refinance, home equity loans, and home equity line of credit (HELOC), and debt consolidation. You can search and securely apply for the program that best fits your client’s financial needs: www.loans-mortgage-refi.com/index.html

Decision Time: Home Equity Loan or Home Equity Line of Credit?

October 20th, 2008

Home equity loans and home equity lines of credit continue to grow in popularity. According to the Consumer Bankers Association, during 2003 combined home equity line and loan portfolios grew 29%, following a torrid 31% growth rate in 2002. With so many people deciding to cash in on their home’s equity value, it seems sensible to review the factors that should be weighed in choosing between out a home equity loan (HEL) or a home equity line of credit (HELOC). In this article we outline three principal factors to weigh to make the decision as objective and rational as possible. But first, definitions:

A home equity loan (HEL) is very similar to a regular residential mortgage except that it typically has a shorter term and is in a second (or junior) position behind the first mortgage on the property – if there is a first mortgage. With a HEL, you receive a lump sum of money at closing and agree to repay it according to a fixed amortization schedule (usually 5, 10 or 15 years). Much like a regular mortgage, the typical HEL has a fixed interest rate that is set at closing for the life of the loan.

In contrast, a home equity line of credit (HELOC) in many ways is similar to a credit card. At closing you are assigned a specified credit limit that you can borrow up to – not a check. HELOC funds are borrowed “on demand” and you pay back only what you use plus interest. Depending on how much you use the HELOC, you will have a minimum monthly payment requirement (often “interest only”); beyond the minimum, it is up to you how much to pay and when to pay. One more important difference: the interest rate on a HELOC is adjustable meaning that it can – and almost certainly will – change over time.

So, once you’ve decided that tapping your home’s equity is a smart move, how do you decide which route to go? If you take time to honestly assess your situation using the following three criteria, you will be able to make a sound and reasoned decision.

1. Certainty or Flexibility: Which do you value the most?! For many borrowers, this is the most important factor to consider. Your home is collateral for either type of home equity borrowing and, in a worst case scenario, it could be seized and sold to satisfy an outstanding unpaid loan balance. People do remember the double-digit interest rates of the early 1980’s and, for many, the mere prospect of interest costs on a variable-rate home equity line of credit rising rapidly beyond their means is reason enough for them to opt for the certainty of a fixed rate HEL.

>From the borrower’s perspective, “certainty” is the main virtue of a fixed-rate home equity loan. You borrow a specific amount of money for a specific period of time at a specific rate of interest. You repay the loan in precise monthly installments for a precise number of months. For many, knowing exactly what their future obligations will be is the only way they can borrow against the equity in their home and still sleep at night.

A home equity line of credit, in contrast, is short on certainty but long on the virtue of flexibility. With a HELOC you borrow funds on an irregular schedule that meets your needs at adjustable interest rates that can change quickly. Loan repayment is also flexible: you typically are required to make only relatively small “interest-only” monthly payments on a HELOC. However, you have flexibility to make any size payment above the interest-only minimum or payoff the loan at your will.

2. Do you need money for a one-time, lump-sum payment or will your cash needs be intermittent over several months or years? Home equity loans are best suited for one-time payment needs (a good example is consolidating debt by paying off several high-rate credit cards at one time). This is because at the time you close on a HEL, you will be provided with a lump-sum check in the amount you’ve borrowed (less closing costs). While it may be empowering to have that much money handed over to you, be humbled by the fact that you will immediately begin incurring interest costs on the entire balance.

When you close on a HELOC, on the other hand, you will be given a checkbook (or debit card) that you use only as needed. So, for instance, if you’re embarking on a multiyear home improvement project for which you’ll be writing checks at varying times, a HELOC might be best. Similarly, a credit line is probably best for paying sporadic college expenses. Interest on a HELOC is only charged from the time that your HELOC checks clear the bank and only on amounts actually disbursed…not the value of the entire credit line.

3. Do you possess sufficient financial self-discipline for a HELOC? Financially-disciplined borrowers can have the best of both worlds…almost. By taking out a HELOC but paying it back according to a self-imposed fixed amortization schedule they can enjoy both the flexibility of borrowing cash only as needed and the certainty of a fixed repayment schedule. HELOCs are typically more efficient in terms of lower closing costs and a lower initial interest rate. Also, a HELOC may be somewhat easier for borrowers to qualify for since the low, flexible monthly payments mean debt to income ratios that loan officers look at are more favorable for the borrower.

The one big factor not within the HELOC borrower’s control is the interest rate (see #1 above). Interest rates will almost certainly change over the life of a HELOC. This means that a self-imposed “fixed” amortization schedule may need to be periodically refigured. Numerous internet sites provide free, powerful mortgage calculators that can assist you in preparing updated amortization schedules whenever needed. Some lenders are also meeting borrowers’ demand for greater certainty by providing HELOC products that can be converted (for a fee) into a fixed rate loan when the borrower elects.

As mentioned earlier, HELOCs are much like credit cards and the similarity extends to spending temptation. If you are a person who has trouble keeping credit card debt under control and you haven’t taken steps to change habits, then a HELOC probably isn’t a smart choice.

You might be wondering which home equity product most people actually choose. According to the Consumer Bankers Association 2002 Home Equity Study, home equity lines of credit account for 28% of consumer credit accounts followed by personal loans (23%) and regular home equity loans (16%). In terms of dollar value, home equity credit accounts (HELs and HELOCs together) represent a full 75% of consumer credit portfolios with HELOCs having a 45% share of the market and HELs a 30% share. Of course, the popularity of HELOCs may subside if interest rates continue to rise.

Whichever home equity product you decide on be certain to shop for the best deal possible. The market is extremely competitive and there are many non-traditional options, including on-line lenders and credit unions, which should be considered in addition to your local bank.

About The Author

Tim Paul has more than 25 years executive financial management experience. His recent area of focus has been to develop and catalog proven strategies for financially savvy persons to get the most from their home equity credit lines. His website is www.sagetips.com.

mail@sagetips.com

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