Terms and Limitations of a Second Home Mortgage

Getting into a second home mortgage is a big financial undertaking. You need to take the whole process seriously. Understand that there is a chance that you can lose your home if you default on your second mortgage. Many people wrongfully believe that there is no way they can lose their home if they default on a second home mortgage. This is not true and can be very damaging if you believe this myth.

Understand all the Terms

There are many costs, fees and rates involved in a second mortgage home loan. You have to make sure that you understand them all. You will have to watch for:

- interest rates
- penalties
- bundled options
- appraisal fees
- application costs
- points
- closing costs

All of these things can add up and make a second mortgage quite costly. It is your responsibility to watch them and make sure they are reasonable. You can always negotiate with the lender to get costs reduced. Work the deal in your favor by pointing out things that make you less of a risk, like:

- good credit
- low debt
- steady income

Watch for Hidden Costs

Sometimes costs may not be spelled out clearly. They may be hidden in small print or somewhere within the contract where they do not stand out. Two main things you will need to keep an eye out for are balloon payments and voluntary insurance.

Balloon payments are common. They are a large payment you make to end the loan. Usually you get low monthly payments in return for a balloon payment at the end of the loan. However, you have to be able to afford this payment or you default on the loan.

Voluntary insurance is often bundled into the loan. It may be something you need, but it may also be coverage you already have. It is voluntary, but usually is included unless you specifically state you do not want it.

Limitations

One last thing you should understand about a second mortgage home loan is that there are limits. You can not just borrow however much you want. There are second mortgages that allow you to borrow up to 125% of your homes equity. Usually, though, you will be limited in the amount you can borrow. Additionally, you can have problems securing good rates if you have bad credit. You have to shop around and make sure that you completely understand the contract before closing the loan.

A second mortgage home loan is a great option for extra cash. If you understand the process and the idea of a second mortgage then you will be able to utilize it better and get the most from it.