A cash out refinance mortgage loan is a great option if you have accrued a lot of equity in your home. If you owe $75,000 on a home that is worth $125,000, you could refinance the amount you owe and take up to $50,000 in a cash loan against the equity in your house. The money can be used to consolidate debts, do a remodeling project, or even invest. As great as a cash out refinance can be, there are a few things to think about before you decide to take out this type of loan.
How high are the fees to refinance?
Taking out a home equity loan usually costs less in fees than a refinance. Refinancing your home can cost you quite a bit when you consider higher loan fees and the possibility of points. If you already have a good interest rate on your loan, refinancing so that you can get a cash out option, might mean paying a higher interest rate on a new loan. In that situation, you might want to consider taking out a home equity loan instead of a cash out refinance mortgage loan.
How fast do you need the money?
When you take out a home equity loan, it takes less time to see your money. Often, it only takes 5 days to close. Cash out refinance mortgage loans can take a lot longer, so if you need the money immediately, it probably isn’t the best option.
Protect yourself from scam artists.
There are lenders that practice something called loan flipping. They convince you to refinance your house, taking out a bit of equity for a project or two. A few months later they approach you to refinance again, convincing you to take out more cash from the equity in your house. Their scheme is to keep having you refinance, tacking on large fees and possibly increasing your interest rate until you are so far in debt that you end up losing your house. This particular scam has been played against many elderly homeowners with devastating results.
Taking cash against the equity in your house can be a wise move, but always compare taking a cash out refinance mortgage loan against the option of taking out a home equity loan and choose the plan that is best for you.
3 Ways To Get The Lowest Interest Rate On Your Car Loan
If you're like the average American, chances are you buy a new car every five years or so. Most people need an auto loan when they buy a new vehicle, whether it's a car, truck, SUV or van and since the interest on auto loans can add up over time--especially on a five or seven year loan!--it's important to try and get the lowest rate possible on your car loan. So find a low rate car loan by…
Getting your loan before you shop!
If you wait until you get to the car lot to think about financing, the dealer will try and push "dealer financing" on you. That's because his financing usually comes with extra "padding" to make you pay more--and to boost his bottom line. The interest rate on dealer financing is often 3% higher than financing from a bank, credit union and or online loan company. So get a loan before you shop for a car. Another bonus: you'll have more negotiating power for the price of the car since the dealer knows you're a financially stable customer.
Knowing the current rates!
You'll never know if you're getting a good deal unless you know the going rates for car loans! Search the web, call around to local banks and ask friends or family what the current interest rates are for car loans. Be sure to compare apples to apples by considering things like loan term, since longer term loans often have lower rates. Your credit history will have an effect on your rate, too.
Comparison shopping!
Get quotes from as many lenders as possible. Check with your current bank, credit unions, online lending services and other loan companies. Get at least 3 or 4 different loan quotes so you can compare rates, terms and fees. Let them know you're shopping around and that you've received better offers. It's possible they'll lower your rate or drop your fees to get your business.
You may also want to consider an online lending service that allows you to compare rates between multiple banks and loan companies at one time, since they're a convenient way to shop around without getting multiple hits on your credit report.