An Introduction to Home Equity Loans.

By Michael Press

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Whether you need money for medical bills, college, or home repairs, a home equity loan might be the right choice for you. A home equity loan is a loan in which the borrower uses the equity in his or her home as collateral. There are two types of home equity loans; closed-end home equity loans, and open-end home equity loans.

The closed end home equtiy loan is like a traditional loan, and is commonly called a "second mortgage". With the closed end home equity loan, the borrower recieves the full loan amount at the time of the loan's closing. The loan is then to be paid back by the borrower in monthly payments. The monthly payments are fixed, and the loan has to be paid in full during a specific period of time, usually 10-15 years.

An open end home equity loan is a lot more flexible compared to a closed end home equity loan. But instead of getting a lump-sum amount like the closed end loan, the borrower gets a line of credit. With an open end home equity loan, the borrower can choose how much money to borrow against the home's equity. The borrower can also choose when to borrow the money. Open end home equity loans usually have a variable interest rate.

When shopping around for a home equity loan, be very carefull of the scams that exist. Some lenders try to take advantage of borrowers with bad credit or little income. They may lend you a loan that you can't possiblly afford. It is important to pick a reputable lender by doing your research. Just because a lender has the lowest closing costs does not make that lender the best choice.

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