Archive for July, 2005

Home Equity Loans Have Advantages Over 401(K) Loans

Saturday, July 16th, 2005

Anytime anyone takes out a loan, they seek out the best deal. After all, no one is eager to pay more in interest and fees than he or she has to. And anyone who has a lot of debt, be it credit card debt or a student loan, would be wise to consolidate that debt into a smaller, less expensive payment plan. One such source of funds would be to borrow from a 401(K) fund, which most employed persons can obtain through their place of work. Since the interest rate on Federally funded student loans increased July 1, 2005, many who missed the deadline may be wondering - Is a 401(K) loan a good debt consolidation option? We have previously pointed out the…

Home lenders told that markets may be peaking

Saturday, July 16th, 2005

The banking industry has been warned by federal banking regulators to be careful when issuing mortgages and home equity loans. Real estate prices have reached record levels during the last two years, and there are indications that the market may be reaching its peak. Purchasing a home is easier than ever; banks, credit unions and other financial institutions now offer dozens of different mortgage options. Most anyone can find something that will work…

Beware of the home equity stripping scam!

Sunday, July 3rd, 2005

The market for home equity loans and mortgage refinancing has been booming during the last five years. This increase in lending can be attributed to favorable interest rates and the aggressive pursuit of home loan customers by banks that aren’t investing in tech stocks anymore. The combination of agreeable lenders and low interest rates are certainly good for anyone seeking a home loan. Those considering borrowing against their equity should also be aware that the increased market for refinancing has led to fierce competition among those who offer home loans. And when the competition increases, so does the incidence of loan scams. Buyers should beware of…