05
Jul
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage, ,

Top Uses Of A HELOC

Homeowners who have equity built up in their homes can tap into that equity using a home equity line of credit, or HELOC. This financial tool can be a great way to accomplish a number of financial goals. Here are four excellent uses of a HELOC for homeowners to consider. Consolidating Costly Debts Credit card debt and other types of consumer loans are costly, unless a debtor is lucky enough to have a no-interest card. Borrowers can consolidate that debt into a HELOC, which is much more affordable because it is a secured debt. This advantage only works if the…
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24
Apr
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage, ,

Equity Loan and HELOC vs. Reverse Mortgage – What’s the Difference?

There are times in our lives when the idea of freeing up cash becomes desirable or necessary. Near retirement, this is a common consideration. The typical financial tool that many retirees want to know about is a reverse mortgage, but it's not the only equity tool available. Equity Loan The equity loan, or second mortgage, is essentially an additional fixed interest loan attached to the home. However, unlike the first mortgage which was used to buy the home, the second mortgage can be used for other purposes such as putting in a pool, redesigning the home to make it more accessible, or to pay for a dream vacation. This kind of loan…
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27
Mar
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage, ,

Over 5 Trillion Dollars In Home Equity May Lead To More Cash Out Transactions

US homeowners now have over 5 trillion dollars in home equity which is a very large amount of money! So this year may be the year for a lot of cash out refinances and other home equity mortgage products. Most often, when you are purchasing a home, you are buying at or below the appraised value and you are making a down payment. The good news is this means you have "instant equity" in your home. And over time you build more equity as you make your monthly mortgage payments as well as any potential home price appreciation. This build…
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11
May
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips,

How to Smartly Leverage Your Home Equity

So you've been a homeowner for some time. You've been faithfully paying off your mortgage for years, and you have a fair bit of equity built up in your home – and that makes you proud. But now, you're wondering what good equity is if you're not using it. How do you actually use home equity? And how do you leverage it to get a high return for low risk? Here are just a few options you may want to consider if you're looking for something to do with your equity. Use A Home Equity Loan Or HELOC To Pay…
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27
Mar
By Jim Hasek
Around The Home, ,

Spring DIY Projects: How to Build a Treehouse That the Kids Will Love

If you have children, no home is complete without a treehouse. Besides the fact that treehouses provide kids with hours of entertainment, they can also confer ancillary benefits that are hard to quantify. For starters, treehouses can improve property values by boosting curb appeal. When building any type of treehouse, keep the following tips in mind. Location, Location, Location Before you head off to Home Depot and get all the necessary supplies, you need to spend some serious time storyboarding the build process. Pick a tree with low, sprawling branches such as an oak or a maple. Furthermore, consider issues…
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12
Dec
By Jim Hasek
Around The Home, ,

Three Hot Renovations That Will Boost Your Home’s Value Without Breaking the Bank

Are you feeling the "renovation itch" or perhaps looking for a fun project that you can take on which will provide you with a return on your investment? There are numerous home upgrades and renovations that can add value to a home without costing a large sum of money to complete. Let's take a look at three popular home renovations that can increase your home equity without draining your bank account. Paint Your Home Inside and Out Painting the interior or exterior of your home costs very little when compared to how much it can freshen up your home's appearance…
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