What is home equity?
Home equity refers to the share of your home you own. If you own the home free and clear of any liens, you have 100% equity. If you have an existing mortgage, you can calculate your home equity by taking your home’s current market value and subtracting the remaining balance of any loans.
This means that every time you make a monthly payment on your existing mortgage, you’re building equity in your home. And if you make a down payment, you’ll have built-in equity from the day you move in.
For instance, if you purchase a $250,000 home with a $50,000 down payment, you’ll already have 20% equity in your home.
The more you pay into your home, the more your home equity will increase. That said, your home equity can fluctuate over time. This is due to the rise and fall of home values in your area. Your equity will be highest when housing prices rise and lowest when the real estate market cools.
Home equity loans and home equity lines of credit allow you to convert this equity into cash. You can use these financing options to cover home improvements, but you’re also free to use your home equity to consolidate debt or cover an unexpected purchase. It can also be used to set up an emergency fund, buy a new car, truck, boat, or RV, pay for college tuition, or cover an unexpected purchase. The choice is yours!
How does a home equity loan work?
In a home equity loan, you’ll be accessing the equity in your home and converting it into cash. You’ll receive the loan amount in a single, lump-sum payment. You’ll then pay back the loan (both the principal and interest) over a predetermined loan period, which can range anywhere from five to thirty years, depending on your lender.
The exact eligibility requirements vary by lender, but most lenders will require applicants to have at least 20% equity in the home.
The amount of your loan will be determined by your combined loan-to-value ratio. This is the ratio between your home’s appraised value and the amount you currently owe on the home.
Lenders will also look at things like your employment history, credit history, debt-to-income ratio, and other financial factors, just as when you applied for a mortgage. These factors can influence your loan term, interest rate, or even the amount of the loan.
The drawback is that you’re using your home as collateral on the loan. If you’re unable to consistently make payments on your loan, the lender can foreclose on your home. That’s especially important to think about if you’re still making regular mortgage payments.
How to calculate home equity
A home equity loan works by tapping into your existing home equity. But how much equity do you have in your home? It’s quite simple. Just subtract the amount you owe on your mortgage from your home’s current value.
Make sure you’re subtracting your mortgage balance from your home’s current value, not the original purchase price. The resulting figure will tell you how much equity you have.
For example, imagine you have a home that is currently valued at $300,000. Your current mortgage balance is $125,000. This means that you have a total of $175,000 in equity. Assuming your lender allows you to borrow 80% of your equity, you can receive a home equity loan as high as $140,000.
How do you determine your home’s value? Your lender will conduct an appraisal before issuing the loan. Some programs require a full appraisal while others, such as CCM Equity Express, use an Automated Valuation Model.
If you’re looking for a preliminary ballpark, you might browse real estate sites to get a general idea of what to expect. Just remember that this value may not be what your lender will use to determine your loan.
Types of home equity loans
Not all home equity loans will work the same way. If you want to borrow money from the equity in your home, you might consider one of the following home equity loan options. Each of these options has unique features and pros and cons, so make sure to learn as much as possible about these loan programs before applying.
HELOC vs. home equity loan
Which home equity loan program is best for you? Many homeowners are torn between a home equity loan and a home equity line of credit. But these two loan programs are very different. Here’s how to compare the two.
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Home equity loan
A home equity loan will typically offer the following features:
- A single, lump-sum payment
- Repaid in fixed payments over a predetermined loan term
- A fixed interest rate
- Predictable payment structure
A home equity loan can, therefore, be the best option for those who need a specific amount of money. If you’re looking to pay for a one-time expense, a home equity loan can provide you with the necessary funds.
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Home equity line of credit
By contrast, a home equity line of credit offers features that include:
- A revolving line of credit rather than a lump-sum payment
- Flexible borrowing and repayment options
- Variable interest rates
However, some HELOC programs (including the CCM Equity Express) offer fixed rates. The larger point is that a HELOC provides flexible funding for borrowers who are uncertain of their actual financing needs, which is common when completing certain home improvement projects.
Tap into the money you already have
Home equity is yours, so why not tap into your home’s value as a source of financing? This is especially true when home values rise dramatically. Now may be the perfect time to access your home equity through a loan or line of credit.
Thanks to the CCM Equity Express, it has never been easier to gain access to fast financing. And unlike other HELOC programs, you will get the advantage of a fixed interest rate. To learn more, contact CrossCountry Mortgage today to find the option that fits your needs.
