| Typically the quickest and easiest way to get hard cash from your home, a home equity loan
uses the equity you've built up in your home to provide money for any reason. Home improvements, debt consolidation,
a dream vacaation...a home equity loan could help you get the cash you need. |
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Appraisal In real estate, an estimate of the quality or value of property; the process by which conclusions of the value of property are obtained; also refers to the report setting forth the estimate of value together with the basis for such conclusions. | |
Fair Market Value The price at which property is transferred between a willing buyer and a willing seller, each of whom has a reasonable knowledge of all pertinent facts and neither being under any compulsion to buy or sell. | |
Interest-only payments Mortgage payments that include only interest. No loan amortization occurs and, thus, the homeowner does not accrue any equity (unless the home value increases). | |
Points Points are also called discount points, mortgage points, loan discount points, loan origination fees, or maximum loan charges. Points are prepaid interest assessed at closing by the lender and or the broker. A point is equal to 1 percent of the loan amount. Lenders consider mortgage points as interest that you pay in advance. As a result, the more points you pay when you close the loan, the lower your interest rate. The IRS considers points to be a form of prepaid interest. Discount fees are totally tax deductible for the year the loan is closed for tax purposes, while origination points are tax deductible over two years (half for the year the loan is closed, and half in the year following). | |