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The difference between home equity loan and home line of credit.

Once you have built up equity in your home, you have the privilege of applying for a home equity line of credit, which allows you to borrow the money you need.
Most financial insititutions ( banks, savings and loans ) have entered the home equity market, so you have plenty of options when you shop for the best loan.

In effect, a home equity loan is a second mortgage on your home. You usually get a line of credit up to 70 percent or 80 percent of the appraised value of your home, minus whatever you still owe on your first mortgage.

For example, if your home is worth $100,000 and you owe $20,000 on your mortgage, you might receive a home equity line of credit for $60,000 because your lender would subtract your $20,000 owed on the first mortgage from your $80,000 worth of equity.
You will qualify for a loan not only on the value of your home but also on your creditworthiness. For instance you must prove that you have a regular source of income to repay a home equity loan.

The difference between the two kind of credits is easy: the home equity loan has a fixed rate and the home equity line of credit has a rate that fluctuate and it’s better indicate to consolidate other debts than the credit cards.
The home equity line of credit is an ” on demand” source of funds that you can access and pay back as needed.

You only pay interest if you carry a balance because these line of credits are essentially a revolving line of credit, like a credit card but with a much lower rate because the line of credit is secured by your home.

Like other mortgages, the home equity loan requires you to go through an elaborate process to qualify for an open line of credit. You will usually need a home appraisal and must pay legal and application fees and closing costs.

Because a home equity loan is backed by your home as collateral, it is considered more secure by lenders than unsecured debt, such as credit card debt. Further, because the loans are less risky for banks, you benefit by paying a much lower interest rate than you would on credit cards or most other kinds of loans.

Home equity loans can therefore offer extremely attractive rates when the prime interest rate is low, but subject you to much higher interest costs if the prime shoots up.

You can tap the credit line simply by writing a check, and you can pay back the loan as quickly or as slowly as you like, as long as you meet the minimum payment each month.

Loan Analyzis: Home Equity Loans Versus Revolving Home Lines of Credit

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Homeowners looking to tap into the equity in their homes are faced with choosing between a home equity loan and a home equity line of credit (HELOC). This can be a difficult decision, as each type of second mortgage loan has distinct benefits, and both are tax-deductible, but if you understand the basic differences in their structure, you can make an intelligent decision for you, your family and your financial future.

According to Bankrate, a revolving line of credit is an agreement to lend a specific amount to a borrower and to allow that amount to be borrowed again once it has been repaid. With a HELOC, you can borrow money against your equity up to a certain pre-determined amount. There is no set repayment schedule and in many cases, you are only responsible for paying the interest on what you borrow for the first several years. A HELOC has an adjustable interest rate, which is typically tied to the prime rate. Home equity lines of credit are best suited for homeowners who want the flexibility to borrow various amounts of money at staggered intervals. Because they are structured much like credit cards, home equity lines of credit are not the most prudent choice for homeowners who would be tempted to spend carelessly.

Home equity loans are lump sum loans with fixed interest rates and fixed payment schedules. With each monthly payment, you are paying down both the principal and the interest. A home equity loan makes the most sense for those who need access to cash in a lump sum and are using the money for long-term purposes, such as a home remodel or debt consolidation. They are also a smart choice for homeowners wary of variable interest rates.

Whichever type of loan you chose, you need to keep in mind that your home is the collateral. In a recent column on MSN Money, Andrew Analore, editor of Inside B&C Lending, an Inside Mortgage Finance publication, states, People sometimes dont understand that their house is on the line if, for some reason, they are unable to pay for their new computer or big-screen television. It is always a smart idea to evaluate if what you are borrowing for is worth tapping into your most valuable asset.