Bad Credit Home Equity Loan: The Negative And Positive Sides Of Home Equity Loans

by Jonathan Drake

Residence owners with credit crunch can make use of the bad credit home equity loans. The only difference from other loans is that these are protected by a second mortgage on the borrower's residence. Hence, in these kinds of loans the residence is used as guarantee assets to cover the peril of the lender. Unlike a revolving credit line a home mortgage loan gives cash for a preset time. For Home Equity, up to 85% of the market value of borrower's residence may be considered.

Home equity loans may be used for various purposes, such as remodeling, repairs, vehicle purchases, retreats, tax payments, and more. The interest rate on home equity loans is far lower than the rate on other loans such as credit cards. The positive aspects of home equity loans are the low interest rates charged by lenders, since in this particular case, the loan is secured and so the risk is low for the lenders. But the lenders won't lose any opportunity to charge higher interest rates in bad credit home equity loans.

The argument for the higher rate of interest is that the lender holds the second mortgage and not the first one, plus the lender is in a high-risk zone because of the bad credit history of the borrower. The second most important point in favor of a bad credit home equity loan is that it is available in both fixed and adjustable rates; thirdly, the interest paid on home equity loans can be used as a tax deduction. Finally, the borrower can get the maximum benefit from his home without selling it.

But these loans have a darker side too. The negative point for a home equity loan is that it is so easy to get that it could prompt the borrower to seek the loan even if he doesn't need it.

Secondly, the lender deducts some latent charges. But the worst aspect of home equity loans is that the borrower can't hold or delay the payments, or the home may face foreclosure and the lender has the power of mortgage modification.

An option for those with poor credit histories is a home equity loan designed specifically for such people. The borrower should be cautious, however, because although the loan can improve their credit history and relieve their debt, it is secured by a second home mortgage.

Homeowners on the verge of foreclosure can rely on equity loans for consolidation. A home mortgage loan lets you have money for a certain period of time than a revolving credit line. One big plus is the cheap interest rates charged by the lenders, as the loan is not unsecured; the lender's risk is reduced. Nevertheless, the lender will not hesitate to charge a heavier interest rate with a bad credit home equity loan. The worst feature of home equity loans is that the borrower cannot stop or be late in their payments, or the home might encounter foreclosure and the lender has the right of mortgage modification.

Published January 20th, 2009

Filed in Real Estate