Our economy, particularly the housing industry, has been deeply badgered by large amounts of job losses, foreclosures and home values being decimated as if by overnight.

The reports coming out of Washington for the last 12 months attest to the brutal facts that an insignificant amount of homeowners facing foreclosure received mortgage assistance.

This has created a whirlwind of lawmakers trying to explore financial alternatives within the Obama administration aimed at helping the remaining 96 percent who may still lose their homes.

Reports show that currently there are 2 million housing entities in the United States in foreclosure or bank-owned with more surely to follow.

The government’s current solutions have been futile at saving homes from this foreclosure epidemic and that there is an anticipated 8 million foreclosures looming on the horizon as the economy falters according to Citigroup analysts.

Which brings us to the subject of short sales. There was approximately 500,000 home sales in 2009 that were filed as short sales. The National Association of Realtors said this was close to 10 percent of homes sold for the entire year.

Not surprising is the attitude adjustment from banks who are beginning to go along with short sales in increasing numbers, Bloomberg.com says.

Comparative reports show that in the first 6 months of 2009, short sales tripled to 40,000 which were far lower in 2008 as previously discussed by the St. Louis Refinancing Group.

However, according to data from the Office of Thrift Supervision and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, in the first half of 2009 there were 25 foreclosures started or completed for each short sale transaction.

“It’s really finally dawning on banks that they’re better off with a short sale,” said Richard Green, director of the Lusk Center for Real Estate at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. Mr. Green continues: “I think banks were in denial.”

Let’s also consider the unrealized benefits for homeowners doing a proper short sale. They actually retain control of the sale just like any other home sale not to mention relieving themselves of any social stigma associated with a foreclosure.

But what if one wants to purchase another home. Would a short sale derail this future action? If payments were never 30 days late and no pay back was required by the lender, Fannie Mae guidelines may allow you to buy another home immediately or no longer than 3 years.

On the other hand, if your payments are in arrears yet a short sale is granted by your lender, you may qualify to buy another home with a Fannie-Mae backed mortgage within two years, regardless of whether the home is your primary residence.

Of course, if you do a foreclosure, with certain restrictions, you may be eligible to buy another home in 5 years if the home was your primary residence. Without restrictions, the wait is 7 years.

Finally, for those investors out there where this house is not their primary residence, your wait would be 7 years according to Fannie Mae’s guidelines.

The market is changing mainly brought on by political pressure. Hence, the Obama administration is now advocating short sales as an alternative to imminent foreclosure.

There have been finalized guidelines carefully defined by the Treasury Department for utilizing short sales under the Making Homes Affordable program.

Participating servicers under the new Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternative (HAFA) program have been urged by the administration to adopt short sales as a real alternative to foreclosure.

This new program known as HAFA was executed to assist distressed homeowners who were not able to qualify for a temporary or permanent loan modification under the (HAMP) Home Affordable Modification Program.

Learn more about the best St Louis Mortgage loan. Stop by Floyd J. Tapia’s site where you can find out all about a St Louis Mortgage Refinancing and what a new home loan or refinancing can do for you.

How do you know when you are ready to be a homeowner? There is a lot more to this question that you might thing. For instance, the true cost of home ownership will be much more than your mortgage payments. If you want to shop for your own house, please take the time to figure out how much it willreally cost you in the long run. Then you can make an informed decision.

A year or so ago, everybody was taking out loans that did not require a down payment. This option is very rare today. So before you are able to get a loan, you probably need to be able to put 20 percent of your home price down. The good news is this should give you home equity right away. The bad news is that you may deplete your savings. Please consider the other ccosts of home ownership before you decide to wipe out your cash account. Nobody wants to be broke when they own a home these days.

How long do you plain to stay? In my experience, people do better when they can live in their home for several years. If your expect a transfer or job change in the next few years, you should probably consider the advantages of renting. It will be much eaiser and cheaper to leave a lease than a home you own!

Many home shoppers only think about their mortgage payments. They have not considered property taxes which can cost thousands of dollars a year. Many homeowners were fine paying their mortgage bill every month. But when the end of the year rolled around they were unprepared for tax bills. If you do not have your taxes paid in an escrow account, can you set aside enough cash to cover your tax bills every year.

Are you ready to start paying repair bills. You cannot call somebody to complain about broken appliances. You will be reponsible for getting things fixed or replaced now. I have known many home owners who actually reduced their comfort level because they could not afford to get things fixed in a timely manner.

Also consider homeowners association fees. In some neighborhoods, these are moderate, but in some neighborhoods they can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars every year. And things can get reallly ugly when these are not paid.

Almost all homeowners must also carry homeowners insurance policies. The cost depends upon many factors, but it is usually a few thousand dollars a year. Renters buy renters insurance, but that is usually very cheap since it only covers contents.

Now many realtors will cite the tax benefits of property taxes and mortgage interest. But you can only take advantage of this if yours are higher than the standard deduction that everybody gets to take.

I understand the advantages of home ownership. But I also understand that the decision to buy your own house should not be made lightly. Make sure you really figure out how much it will cost you to own before you buy.

Is it time for you to buy or rent a house?

Lots of us have had to make a big decision in our lives. Many of us have had to make this decision a few times. Should we rent or buy a home? It may seem like the answer should be obvous, but it really is not. If you are thinking about your options, consider some of the real costs of home ownership.

You will probably need a large down payment. Most of those 0 money down schemes are gone. These days, a twenty percent down payment is back in fashion. Do you have this money? And after you put down this large amount, will you have any savings left? I think we have all learned that it does not do to be house poor in this day and age.

Think about the length of time you plan to live in the house you want to buy. Home owners, who stay put for years and decades, tend to be more satisfied with their purchases. If there is some chance you will have a job change or transfer in the next few years, you should weight that in your decision. It is so much easier to get out of a lease than a home purchase! It should be obvoius that you will not be able to get any guarantees that your home will sell for a good price when you need it to.

Lots of ads promote the advantages of purchasing your own home by comparing rent vs. mortgage payments. I think these really attract people, but those people are a little naive. Even if loan payments are $100 cheaper than rent, that will not cover insurance, property taxes, upkeep, and repairs. You have to realize how many bills that home owners have to pay before you know if this is a good time for you to buy.

Beyond mortgage and taxes, you will have other expenses. When your roof leaks or your dishwasher fails you will not have a landlord to call. Instead you must call a repair company. Do you have cash set aside for emergency repairs?

Some neighborhood associations also charge large fees. Make sure you understand how much they charge. In some places, this is very modest, but in others it is quite large. These fees pay for upkeep of common areas, swimming pools, etc. They must be paid every year in most places.

If you purchase a home, you will also need to purchase a homeowners insurance policy. Premiums will depend upon many things, but expect to set aside more than a thousand dollars a year for this. Almost all lenders will require coverage. Even if you are one of the lucky ones who can own a home without a mortgage, you will still probably want to cover this large asset.

Now many realtors will cite the tax benefits of property taxes and mortgage interest. But you can only take advantage of this if yours are higher than the standard deduction that everybody gets to take.

Do not misunderstand me. You will enjoy many things about buying your own home. I just want buyers to understand the real costs associated with this very large purchase. Before you buy a home, please take the time to understand how it will affect your budget for other things you need and enjoy.

Find a Texas Real Estate professional.

Are you looking into buying a new home or investing in real estate? If you are, you may be turned off by the real estate prices you see on the market. This doesn’t mean that now isn’t the time to buy a home, but it does mean that you may be looking in the wrong place. Instead of visiting the online websites of realtors or flipping through their brochures, place your focus on foreclosure properties. Foreclosure properties are often considered a great buy, as they are easy to find and affordable.

One of the most popular ways that foreclosures are bought and sold is at an auction. This auction typically takes place at a county, town, or village government offices, such as the clerk’s department. As for how you can find these foreclosure auctions, they are often advertised in local newspapers. You can also search local court records, as foreclosures are public notice.

One of the few downsides to buying a home at a foreclosure auction is the inspection, as you aren’t typically granted one. Most bidders are bidding on the home as-is, as-is isn’t so bad, but it may be if you haven’t seen the property. With that said, since foreclosures are public notice, you should be able to get the address of the property in question. You will want to do a drive by, although you should not judge a book by its cover, a drive by can give you an idea of what to expect. When you have doubts, it may be best to move on and target other auctions.

If you decide to attend a foreclosure auction, the last thing you want to do is just show up unless you are scouting to see how an auction works. When you are serious about purchasing a foreclosed property at an auction, you need to be prepared. This preparation involves having financing lined up. Many will require that you either have the money on hand or show proof that you do have the financial resources needed to follow through with the sale. Contingency loans are generally prohibited. Check deposits are sometimes required before you can even place a bid.

As for the auction itself it depends, it’s not uncommon for bids to be sealed. Once everyone has placed a bid, the highest bidder will be announced. For bids that are not sealed, the auctioneer will start with a figure, often around $1,000 or less and the bidding will continue on. If you are the winner bidder, it is important to know that you may not be able to move into your new home right away. In fact, it is likely that you will be unable to do so. Many states give current occupants a redemption period or a grace period, this is where they can still fight to keep their home. After this point has passed, you can start the eviction process if the current occupants don’t leave voluntarily.

As was previously stated, you may want to attend a foreclosure auction and just sit on the sidelines. You should be allowed to do so and if you are unfamiliar with the buying and selling of real estate, foreclosures, or auctions, you can learn a lot. This knowledge is important, as many bidders will be investors looking to turn a profit, not buy their first home.

For more information on real estate investing and to get your free newsletter to to: www.realestateinvestingnewsletter.com

Want to find out more about finding foreclosures, claim your free newsletter on real estate investingreal estate auctions, then visit NANCY GEILS’s site on how to choose the best strategy and get free training keyword #2 for your investing needs.

Are you looking into buying a new home or investing in real estate? If you are, you may be turned off by the real estate prices you see on the market. This doesn’t mean that now isn’t the time to buy a home, but it does mean that you may be looking in the wrong place. Instead of visiting the online websites of realtors or flipping through their brochures, place your focus on foreclosure properties. Foreclosure properties are often considered a great buy, as they are easy to find and affordable.

One of the most popular ways that foreclosures are bought and sold is at an auction. This auction typically takes place at a county, town, or village government offices, such as the clerk’s department. As for how you can find these foreclosure auctions, they are often advertised in local newspapers. You can also search local court records, as foreclosures are public notice.

One of the few downsides to buying a home at a foreclosure auction is the inspection, as you aren’t typically granted one. Most bidders are bidding on the home as-is, as-is isn’t so bad, but it may be if you haven’t seen the property. With that said, since foreclosures are public notice, you should be able to get the address of the property in question. You will want to do a drive by, although you should not judge a book by its cover, a drive by can give you an idea of what to expect. When you have doubts, it may be best to move on and target other auctions.

If you decide to attend a foreclosure auction, the last thing you want to do is just show up unless you are scouting to see how an auction works. When you are serious about purchasing a foreclosed property at an auction, you need to be prepared. This preparation involves having financing lined up. Many will require that you either have the money on hand or show proof that you do have the financial resources needed to follow through with the sale. Contingency loans are generally prohibited. Check deposits are sometimes required before you can even place a bid.

As for the auction itself it depends, it’s not uncommon for bids to be sealed. Once everyone has placed a bid, the highest bidder will be announced. For bids that are not sealed, the auctioneer will start with a figure, often around $1,000 or less and the bidding will continue on. If you are the winner bidder, it is important to know that you may not be able to move into your new home right away. In fact, it is likely that you will be unable to do so. Many states give current occupants a redemption period or a grace period, this is where they can still fight to keep their home. After this point has passed, you can start the eviction process if the current occupants don’t leave voluntarily.

As was previously stated, you may want to attend a foreclosure auction and just sit on the sidelines. You should be allowed to do so and if you are unfamiliar with the buying and selling of real estate, foreclosures, or auctions, you can learn a lot. This knowledge is important, as many bidders will be investors looking to turn a profit, not buy their first home.

For more information on real estate investing and to get your free newsletter to to: www.realestateinvestingnewsletter.com

Want to find out more about finding foreclosures, claim your free newsletter on real estate investingreal estate auctions, then visit NANCY GEILS’s site on how to choose the best strategy and get free training keyword #2 for your investing needs.

SSCRA or the Soldier and Sailor Civil Relief Act were signed by President Bush on December 2003. The main point for this act was to set new legislation to simplify or ease both legal and economic burdens to military personnel whether active or retired.

What is the SSCRA

SSCRA addresses the inability of military men to meet financial obligations when they are in active duty. Financial obligations to include rentals, leases, mortgages, credit card payments and other similar transactions. The SSCRA also stretches to cover the dependents of the military men in question under the same guidelines.

SSCRA covers those under active duty, to include out on basic training exercises or assigned in the field. Often veterans miss the chance to pay their financial obligations since they are unable to do so during the line of duty. The SSCRA aims to provide legislation to these individuals so that they are given consideration regarding deadlines and payment due dates.

One focus of the SSCRA for military personnel/dependents includes leasing/renting of a property for residential purpose. (not to exceed more than $1,200 a month) Also the conditions must be met and the transaction must be first made before the service man is enlisted into active duty or departs for basic training.

Once on active duty, it’s almost impossible for them to settle the obligation. On this note, the service man must send a request of being under the protection of the SSCRA to the court when he or she receives an eviction notice. If the judge finds sufficient grounds which merits the protection from SSCRA then the court may postpone the eviction until the term of duty of the personnel expires.

Advantage of SSCRA for veterans on active duty

Most of the military personnel in active duty will not have the ability to fulfill their financial obligations to various institutions like credit cards, banks, insurance or mortgage lenders. The SSCRA aims to provide a form of security to these men on duty on active duty.

SSCRA will provide enough “elbow room” for military personnel to be given extended deadlines for payments, foreclosures and mortgage transactions when they are in the line of duty. However, not all veterans are given the privilege of being under the protection of the SSCRA; some criteria and requirements must be met for both the transaction and the personnel before they are granted protection.

Interest Rates and SSCRA

Members on active duty who are unable to pay mortgages and who are facing foreclosure may then invoke the protection of the SSCRA to avoid such problems. Qualified debts are those incurred prior to service men coming into the line of duty. Also, the request will only be valid if the personnel are in the line of duty when the request was made which limited them from settling the said obligation.

Once qualified, the service member needs to send a letter to the lender/bank requesting that their interest rate be capped to 6% according to the provision stated in SSCRA. Also, they may should send a photocopy of the military order to the lender as proof that they are on military duty as stated in their letter of request. the process can take up to 3 months to complete.

Foreclosure and the SSCRA

The SSCRA also helps cover the military personnel under the obligation of a mortgage, trust deed or security of property for any financial obligation. The SSCRA simply states that the personnel are valid for protection under the SSCRA if the obligation and the property were done prior to their military service.

The provision states that prohibition of foreclosure or sale of mortgage property without the presence of the borrower, the military personnel in this case, whether in a judicial or a non-judicial foreclosure. It is also stated in the SSCRA that maturity dates and deadlines will be given an extension when the military personnel is in active duty until they are released from their given designation.

Even if the maturity date or the date of foreclosure is extended due to the military personnel’s inability to pay, the court will try to achieve a compromise agreement from both parties requiring the mortgage lender to pay at least half of the amount due while the mortgage holder extends the deadline or put a stay on the foreclosure or sale of the property.

Doc Schmyz has worked with investors all over the US and Canada. His free website shares Real estate investing information for all over the US. Find real estate information by state

Are you looking into buying a new home or investing in real estate? If you are, you may be turned off by the real estate prices you see on the market. This doesn’t mean that now isn’t the time to buy a home, but it does mean that you may be looking in the wrong place. Instead of visiting the online websites of realtors or flipping through their brochures, place your focus on foreclosure properties. Foreclosure properties are often considered a great buy, as they are easy to find and affordable.

One of the most popular ways that foreclosures are bought and sold is at an auction. This auction typically takes place at a county, town, or village government offices, such as the clerk’s department. As for how you can find these foreclosure auctions, they are often advertised in local newspapers. You can also search local court records, as foreclosures are public notice.

One of the few downsides to buying a home at a foreclosure auction is the inspection, as you aren’t typically granted one. Most bidders are bidding on the home as-is, as-is isn’t so bad, but it may be if you haven’t seen the property. With that said, since foreclosures are public notice, you should be able to get the address of the property in question. You will want to do a drive by, although you should not judge a book by its cover, a drive by can give you an idea of what to expect. When you have doubts, it may be best to move on and target other auctions.

If you decide to attend a foreclosure auction, the last thing you want to do is just show up unless you are scouting to see how an auction works. When you are serious about purchasing a foreclosed property at an auction, you need to be prepared. This preparation involves having financing lined up. Many will require that you either have the money on hand or show proof that you do have the financial resources needed to follow through with the sale. Contingency loans are generally prohibited. Check deposits are sometimes required before you can even place a bid.

As for the auction itself it depends, it’s not uncommon for bids to be sealed. Once everyone has placed a bid, the highest bidder will be announced. For bids that are not sealed, the auctioneer will start with a figure, often around $1,000 or less and the bidding will continue on. If you are the winner bidder, it is important to know that you may not be able to move into your new home right away. In fact, it is likely that you will be unable to do so. Many states give current occupants a redemption period or a grace period, this is where they can still fight to keep their home. After this point has passed, you can start the eviction process if the current occupants don’t leave voluntarily.

As was previously stated, you may want to attend a foreclosure auction and just sit on the sidelines. You should be allowed to do so and if you are unfamiliar with the buying and selling of real estate, foreclosures, or auctions, you can learn a lot. This knowledge is important, as many bidders will be investors looking to turn a profit, not buy their first home.

For more information on real estate investing and to get your free newsletter to to: www.realestateinvestingnewsletter.com

Want to find out more about finding foreclosures, claim your free newsletter on real estate investingreal estate auctions, then visit NANCY GEILS’s site on how to choose the best strategy and get free training keyword #2 for your investing needs.

Have you looked into buying foreclosed homes as a way to make some money or maybe just to get yourself a nice home at a cheap price? If you have, you may be surprised to know that it’s not as easy as you may think. Foreclosed properties are often available for sale at a steeply discounted price. With that said, buyers need to be aware that buying and living in a foreclosed property isn’t as easy as it sounds. That is why some buyers rather opt for properties that are referred to as REOs. These properties are real estate owned.

As previously stated, buying and moving into a foreclosed home isn’t always as easy as it sounds. Some states tend to draw out the process, you need to know that just because you are the winning bidder at a foreclosure auction, doesn’t mean that you can move in right away. In fact, you may still end up with no home. Why? Because many states have redemption laws. These laws gives delinquent borrowers time to get their mortgage back in good standing.

It’s also important to know that many people don’t want to leave their homes. While many will do so when faced with a legal eviction notice, you may be surprised how many occupants put up a fight. In fact, there are even cases where lawsuits were brought against the new buyers! If you are unable to afford the cost of legal representation, foreclosures may not be in your best interest.

Liens and back taxes also need to be examined. Depending on the state in question, buyers of foreclosure properties may be responsible for any outstanding liens or back taxes. Don’t let this come as a surprise to you after the fact. If you’re not careful, this can significantly increase the cost of a foreclosure, possibly making it no longer affordable. For your own personal protection, always consult with a professional before buying a foreclosed property, especially at a real estate auction.

The buying of foreclosures can be considered a risky business, there are many homeowners who opt to purchase real estate owned (REO) home or property. these properties are owned by the original lenders. During this process, the lender is commonly referred to as the investor. Often times, the lender in question will buy back the home at a real estate auction. This is often done when not enough interest in generated in the auction or when the bids are anticipated to be or are low.

Many experts state that buying a REO home is the best way to buy a property that is in trouble. Why? Because at this stage, the home is likely cleared of all occupants. Financial lenders often have the means and the power to evict all occupants, even those who are against leaving. The only individuals you should have to deal with are the investors, which would be the bank. In rare events, a bank may turn over the sale of the home to a real estate agent. However, since real estate agents take a percentage of each sale, the asking price of an REO home is likely to increase. For the best price, deal with banks directly.

How you can find real estate own properties? Visit all local banks in your area, ask if there are any real estate owned properties currently available for sale. If so, request information on those properties. The online websites of nationally owned, but locally operated banks can be examined as well. Many times, REO properties are listed for sale online. Remember, the same information can be acquired by scheduling an in person meeting with the bank’s loan officer or real estate advisor.

An important warning, whenever you are interested in buying a home, whether it be through a traditional real estate agent sale, an REO, or a foreclosed property, never enter into any agreements without the proper legal knowledge. Always hire or consultant with an attorney who specializes in real estate or foreclosures.

For more free training on Real Estate Investing go to my site: www.investingwiththestars.net/season3

Want to find out more about real estate investing. Join my Free Webinar Seriesreak estate investing, then visit NANCY GEILS’s site on how to choose the best real estate strategies for buying and selling housesforeclosures and REOs for your investing needs

SSCRA or the Soldier and Sailor Civil Relief Act were signed by President Bush on December 2003. The main point for this act was to set new legislation to simplify or ease both legal and economic burdens to military personnel whether active or retired.

What is the SSCRA

SSCRA addresses the inability of military men to meet financial obligations when they are in active duty. Financial obligations to include rentals, leases, mortgages, credit card payments and other similar transactions. The SSCRA also stretches to cover the dependents of the military men in question.

SSCRA covers those under active duty, to include out on basic training exercises or assigned in the field. Often veterans miss the chance to pay their financial obligations since they are unable to do so during the line of duty. The SSCRA aims to provide legislation to these individuals so that they are given consideration regarding deadlines and payment due dates.

One focus of the SSCRA for military personnel/dependents includes leasing/renting of a property for residential purpose. (not to exceed more than $1,200 a month) Also the conditions must be met and the transaction must be first made before the service man is enlisted into active duty or departs for basic training.

Once on active duty, it’s almost impossible for them to settle the obligation. On this note, the service man must send a request of being under the protection of the SSCRA to the court when he or she receives an eviction notice. If the judge finds sufficient grounds which merits the protection from SSCRA then the court may postpone the eviction until the term of duty of the personnel expires.

Advantage of SSCRA for veterans on active duty

Often military personnel on active duty will not have the ability to fulfill their financial obligations to various institutions like credit cards, banks, insurance or mortgage lenders. The SSCRA aims to provide a form of security to these men on duty on active duty.

SSCRA will provide enough “elbow room” for military personnel to be given extended deadlines for payments, foreclosures and mortgage transactions when they are in the line of duty. However, not all veterans are given the privilege of being under the protection of the SSCRA; some criteria and requirements must be met for both the transaction and the personnel before they are granted protection.

SSCRA and Interest Rates

Members on active duty who are unable to pay mortgages and who are facing foreclosure may then invoke the protection of the SSCRA to avoid such problems. Qualified debts are those incurred prior to service men coming into the line of duty. Also, the request will only be valid if the personnel are in the line of duty when the request was made which limited them from settling the said obligation.

Once qualified, the service member needs to send a letter to the lender/bank requesting that their interest rate be capped to 6% according to the provision stated in SSCRA. Also, they may should send a photocopy of the military order to the lender as proof that they are on military duty as stated in their letter of request. the process can take up to 3 months to complete.

Foreclosure and the SSCRA

The SSCRA can also help cover the military member under the obligation of a mortgage, trust deed or security of property for any financial obligation. The SSCRA simply states that the personnel are valid for protection under the SSCRA if the obligation and the property were done prior to their military service.

The provision states that prohibition of foreclosure or sale of mortgage property without the presence of the borrower, the military personnel in this case, whether in a judicial or a non-judicial foreclosure. It is also stated in the SSCRA that maturity dates and deadlines will be given an extension when the military personnel is in active duty until they are released from their given designation.

Even if the maturity date or the date of foreclosure is extended due to the military personnel’s inability to pay, the court will try to achieve a compromise agreement from both parties requiring the mortgage lender to pay at least half of the amount due while the mortgage holder extends the deadline or put a stay on the foreclosure or sale of the property.

Doc Schmyz has invested all over the US. He built a free free website shares Real estate investing information for all over the US. Find real estate information by state

A HELOC is a home equity line of credit. This is one way some people use to borrow money for large purchases such as their children’s college education or a large purchase that they would not otherwise use their credit card to purchase. Because this is a variable interest rate loan it will have some tie in with current mortgage rates.

You will have to submit a credit report and also bank statements and all that goes into the loan process. But it is really dependent on your home equity. Your loan will be for a percentage of what you have in your home equity. This is the difference of the market value of your home compared with what you owe the lender who holds the note on your home.

This is the amount you will apply for with a home equity loan. The collateral of course is your property. Keep in mind of the mortgage rates – if you fail to make the payments then the land will be foreclosed on. The first lender will get paid first and then the people who hold the note on the home equity loan.

The home equity deal works as a line of credit does. You only pay what you take out on the loan. You do not have to take the full amount of the loan out at any time.

The interest rate you pay will be based on the prime market value at the time. This rate may be different than the current GIC rates, but it will be a variable interest rate. So you are taking a risk that the interest rates will stay low but they might shoot up also. One advantage this type of loan has over the basic credit card is that you can write off the interest on your income tax.

This is one reason some find it to their advantage to take out this type of loan verses using their credit cards. Some might be surprised to know that there was a time when people could deduct interest paid on credit cards from their income tax liability.

So if you are looking at a home equity line of credit you need to make sure you have a secure job. You definitely want to have at least six months of income liquid to pay your bills in case you lose your job or some other emergency occurs. You want to make sure you are counting the costs of such a loan. You will want to make sure the reason you are taking the loan is important enough to cover all the planning you will have to do.

You have to always remember this loan is based on your home equity. And it means you are putting your home on the line. Make sure you are sure you can pay the loan back so you will not lose your home.

Do your banking where it counts. Invest your money somewhere that gives you the best return. We offer some of the best mortgage rates and GIC rates. Check us out today!