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Home Owners Make use of your home equity to consolidate your credit card debts

With the ease of getting credit like the pre-approved cards nowadays, it is not surprise to learn that the average American family in credit card debt carries a balance of 4000 on several credit cards from month to month.

While 4000 is not a big sum, that figure accounts for the national average and many families in reality own more than that. If your family is in credit card debt, you might need to consolidate your credit card debts before your credit card companies suck you dry of your money by charging you high interest and late fees penalty.

One of the best methods to consolidate your credit card debt is to apply for a home equity loan provided you own a home. Using your home as mortgage, youll be able to get a lower interest rate loan than that of credit cards companies.

With the loan, you can repay your credit card debts (which are of higher interest) and pay off just your home loan that is of lower interest. By doing this, you will pay lesser money in the long run because of the savings on the interest and the late fees penalty charge by your credit card companies.

You will also get to enjoy longer repayment period, and enable you to get back to your normal lifestyle again.

While you can make use of your equity to clear your debts, remember to learn the lesson of not to overspend. Because if you run into financial trouble again and fail to pay your home loan, you take the risk of losing your home altogether.

Home equity loan is only a tool to help you get back to debt-free life. You still got to put in effort, be discipline and keep to your financial plan and budget such that you can clear your home loan and live a debt-free life again.

Home Improvement Advice: Home Equity Credit Lines Versus Fixed Rate Second Mortgages

Are you thinking about mining the equity for a home improvement loan, but are wondering if you have missed the boat not doing a refinance and cashing out? There are still many home equity loans available that may suit your needs without breaking the bank with payments. “Home-equity loans have been growing at a large clip for years,” notes Wells Fargo spokeswoman Mary Berg. “It’s definitely slowed, but people are still borrowing. They’re finding other products that are more flexible in this rate environment.” Its true that there are many options for consumers these days and home equity loans are available as a credit line with variable interest, as a fixed rate mortgage, and you can even find a second mortgage with interest only payments for a set period.

A home equity line of credit generally has a variable interest rate tied to the prime index, which is published daily in the Wall Street Journal. The rate is dictated by the Federal Reserve. This loan works differently from a standard second mortgage. The HELOC is a revolving line of credit that works like a credit card, but is secured by your home. You are able use the line for as long as the draw period lasts. Although the rates are better than credit cards, there is still a variable interest rate and variable payments. This can be a good loan for home improvements if you plan on paying it off in a short period of time. Some HELOCs have interest-only payments for the first few years as incentive to utilize the product.

If you would rather have a fixed payment to hedge against inflation and the fact that all your bills will continue to increase, a standard second mortgage with a fixed interest rate may work best for you. The payments may be higher than a loan with an interest only payment period, but you can be certain of how much you are paying monthly down the road as well. An adjustable rate mortgage in a market with rising interest rates can be daunting.

Keep in mind with all second mortgages you are borrowing against your house, which means if the payments become too much for you to handle, you will lose your home. If you are smart about utilizing your equity, however, it can be used to your advantage.

Home Equity Loans Versus Consumer Credit Counseling for Debt Consolidation

With the recent bankruptcy reforms, some consumers might turn to consumer credit counseling to get out of their heavy debt. But, do not forget one of your biggest assets is the home in which you live. While consumer credit counseling does work for many people, some mortgage industry experts think a home equity loan could erase your debt faster and improve your credit almost immediately.

First, lets talk about Consumer Credit Counseling. When a consumer signs up for Consumer Credit Counseling, or CCC for short, the CCC agency contacts each of the creditors and negotiates lower interest rates or no interest at all, and sets up a payment schedule. In severe cases, the National Foundation for Consumer Credit Counseling shows consumers should participate in a Debt management plan or DMP.

“A DMP is a systematic way to pay down your outstanding debt through monthly deposits to the agency, which will then distribute these funds to your creditors. By participating in this program, you may benefit from reduced or waived finance charges and fewer collection calls. And when you have completed your payments, we’ll help you reestablish credit.”

“When you use a credit-counseling service to structure a debt-management plan, the accounts included in that plan are usually noted on your credit report as “not being paid as agreed, says Don Taylor, Ph.D. “These creditors may also report that the payments are being received through a credit-counseling service.”

A consumer choosing to use a home equity loan to eliminate debt, pays off the debt immediately. Experts say “After using the funds from a 2nd mortgage to repay credit cards, many make the mistake of closing the credit accounts. However, if hoping to boost credit rating, closing older accounts will have a counter-effect. For this matter, never close accounts. If unable to use restraint with credit, cut or destroy the credit cards.” Another benefit to using a home equity loan is the IRS allows you to deduct the interest from your debt consolidation whereas CCC usually requires you to pay some interest, and personal credit card interest is no longer a valid tax deduction.

“Once credit accounts are paid in full, and homeowners begin making regular payments toward reducing the balance on the 2nd mortgage, a noticeable credit score increase will begin to occur. The key to boosting credit rating is keeping low balances, paying bills on time, and avoiding late payments.”

Many reputable debt management companies can help you deal with your debt problems. You can work with a credit counselor to create your own plan to pay off bills. Companies can also help you reduce your debt through debt management plans, consolidation loans, or debt negotiations. While each program has its own benefits, they can all help you get out of debt sooner

Credit Counseling

Credit counselors work with you privately over the phone, email, or in person to develop a financial plan for you. They will identify areas of savings and create a debt payment plan.

They can also recommend services that might help you, such as debt management plans or debt consolidation loans. Services are explained, and specific companies might be recommended. You should still research other debt service companies before signing up with a recommended one.

Debt Management Plans

Debt management plans receive a monthly payment from you which they pay your unsecured debts with. They also negotiate lower rates and fees with your creditors. Most debt management plans can get you out of unsecured debt in less than five years and have a minimal impact on your credit score.

Debt Consolidation Loans

Debt consolidation loans are handled by you. Paying off your short term debt with a home equity loan or personal loan can lower your interest rates and monthly payments. You can further reduce monthly payments by picking longer terms for your loans. To minimize the affect on your credit score, close paid off accounts.

Debt Negotiations

Debt negotiation companies reduce your debt through agreements with your creditors. Not all of your lenders will agree to reduce your loan amount, but many will if they believe you might declare bankruptcy. With reduced debts, you can pay off your debt sooner.

However, debt negotiation will remain on your credit history for seven years. You will be able to get credit within a couple of years, but at subprime rates. Reduced debt also has to be declared on your federal and state taxes as income.

No matter which debt management option you choose, research several companies before you sign up. Make sure their rates and services are reasonable. If you have questions, request additional information, which is free from reputable companies.