real estate investment counseling.

Real estate brokers and sales agents Skip Navigation Links Latest Numbers U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook www.bls.gov Search the Handbook BLS Home | OOH Home | Frequently Asked Questions | A-Z Index | Contact Us Printer-friendly version ( HTML ) -- PDF ) -- Real Estate Brokers and Sales Agents Nature of the Work Working Conditions Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement Employment Job Outlook Earnings Related Occupations Sources of Additional Information Significant Points Real estate brokers and sales agents often work evenings and weekends and usually are on call to suit the needs of clients. A license is required in every State and the District of Columbia. Although gaining a job may be relatively easy, beginning workers may face competition fromwell-established, more experienced agents and brokers in obtaining listings and in closing an adequate number of sales. Employment is sensitive to swings in the economy, especially interest rates; during periodsof declining economic activity and increasing interest rates, the volume of sales and the resultingdemand for sales workers fall. Nature of the Work [ About this section ] Back to Top One of the most complex and significant financial events in peoples lives is the purchase or sale of a home or investment property. Because of this complexity and significance, people typically seek the help of real estate brokers and sales agents when buying or selling real estate. Real estate brokers and sales agents have a thorough knowledge of the real estate market in their communities. They know which neighborhoods will best fit clients needs and budgets. They are familiar with local zoning and tax laws and know where to obtain financing. Agents and brokers also act as intermediaries in price negotiations between buyers and sellers. Real estate agents usually are independent sales workers who provide their services to a licensed real estate broker on a contract basis. In return, the broker pays the agent a portion of the commission earned from the agents sale of the property. Brokers are independent businesspeople who sell real estate owned by others; they also may rent or manage properties for a fee. When selling real estate, brokers arrange for title searches and for meetings between buyers and sellers during which the details of the transactions are agreed upon and the new owners take possession of the property. A broker may help to arrange favorable financing from a lender for the prospective buyer; often, this makes the difference between success and failure in closing a sale. In some cases, brokers and agents assume primary responsibility for closing sales; in others, lawyers or lenders do. Brokers supervise agents who may have many of the same job duties. Brokers also supervise their own offices, advertise properties, and handle other business matters. Some combine other types of work, such as selling insurance or practicing law, with their real estate business. Besides making sales, agents and brokers must have properties to sell. Consequently, they spend a significant amount of time obtaining listings—agreements by owners to place properties for sale with the firm. When listing a property for sale, agents and brokers compare the listed property with similar properties that recently sold, in order to determine a competitive market price for the property. Once the property is sold, both the agent who sold it and the agent who obtained the listing receive a portion of the commission. Thus, agents who sell a property that they themselves have listed can increase their commission. Most real estate brokers and sales agents sell residential property. A small number—usually employed in large or specialized firms—sell commercial, industrial, agricultural, or other types of real estate. Every specialty requires knowledge of that particular type of property and clientele. Selling or leasing business property requires an understanding of leasing practices, business trends, and the location of the property. Agents who sell or lease industrial properties must know about the regions transportation, utilities, and labor supply. Whatever the type of property, the agent or broker must know how to meet the clients particular requirements. Before showing residential properties to potential buyers, agents meet with them to get a feeling for the type of home the buyers would like. In this prequalifying phase, the agent determines how much the buyers can afford to spend. In addition, the agent and the buyer usually sign a loyalty contract which states that the agent will be the only one to show houses to buyers. An agent or broker then generates lists of properties for sale, their location and description, and available sources of financing. In some cases, agents and brokers use computers to give buyers a virtual tour of properties in which they are interested. With a computer, buyers can view interior and exterior images or floor plans without leaving the real estate office. Agents may meet several times with prospective buyers to discuss and visit available properties. Agents identify and emphasize the most pertinent selling points. To a young family looking for a house, they may emphasize the convenient floor plan, the areas low crime rate, and the proximity to schools and shopping centers. To a potential investor, they may point out the tax advantages of owning a rental property and the ease of finding a renter. If bargaining over price becomes necessary, agents must follow their clients instructions carefully and may have to present counteroffers in order to get the best possible price. Once both parties have signed the contract, the real estate broker or agent must make sure that all special terms of the contract are met before the closing date. For example, the agent must make sure that the mandated and agreed-upon inspections, including that of the home and termite and radon inspections, take place. Also, if the seller agrees to any repairs, the broker or agent must see that they are made. Increasingly, brokers and agents are handling environmental problems as well, by making sure that the properties they sell meet environmental regulations. For example, they may be responsible for dealing with lead paint on the walls. While loan officers, attorneys, or other persons handle many details, the agent must ensure that they are carried out. Working Conditions [ About this section ] Back to Top Advances in telecommunications and the ability to retrieve data about properties over the Internet allow many real estate brokers and sales agents to work out of their homes instead of real estate offices. Even with this convenience, much of the time of these workers is spent away from their desks—showing properties to customers, analyzing properties for sale, meeting with prospective clients, or researching the state of the market. Agents and brokers often work more than a standard 40-hour week. They usually work evenings and weekends and are always on call to suit the needs of clients. Although the hours are long and frequently irregular, most agents and brokers have the freedom to determine their own schedule. Consequently, they can arrange their work so that they can have time off when they want it. Business usually is slower during the winter season. Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement [ About this section ] Back to Top In every State and the District of Columbia, real estate brokers and sales agents must be licensed. Prospective agents must be high school graduates, be at least 18 years old, and pass a written test. The examination—more comprehensive for brokers than for agents—includes questions on basic real estate transactions and laws affecting the sale of property. Most States require candidates for the general sales license to complete between 30 and 90 hours of classroom instruction. Those seeking a brokers license need between 60 and 90 hours of formal training and a specific amount of experience selling real estate, usually 1 to 3 years. Some States waive the experience requirements for the brokers license for applicants who have a bachelors degree in real estate. State licenses typically must be renewed every 1 or 2 years; usually, no examination needs to be taken. However, many States require continuing education for license renewals. Prospective agents and brokers should contact the real estate licensing commission of the State in which they wish to work in order to verify the exact licensing requirements. As real estate transactions have become more legally complex, many firms have turned to college graduates to fill positions. A large number of agents and brokers have some college training. College courses in real estate, finance, business administration, statistics, economics, law, and English are helpful. For those who intend to start their own company, business courses such as marketing and accounting are as significant as courses in real estate or finance. Personality traits are equally as important as ones academic background. Brokers look for applicants who possess a pleasant personality, are honest, and present a neat appearance. Maturity, good judgment, trustworthiness, and enthusiasm for the job are required in order to encourage prospective customers in this highly competitive field. Agents should be well organized, be detail oriented, and have a good memory for names, faces, and business particulars. Those interested in jobs as real estate agents often begin in their own communities. Their knowledge of local neighborhoods is a clear advantage. Under the direction of an experienced agent, beginners learn the practical aspects of the job, including the use of computers to locate or list available properties and identify sources of financing. Many firms offer formal training programs for both beginners and experienced agents. Larger firms usually offer more extensive programs than smaller firms. More than a thousand universities, colleges, and junior colleges offer courses in real estate. At some, a student can earn an associates or bachelors degree with a major in real estate; several offer advanced degrees. Many local real estate associations that are members of the National Association of Realtors sponsor courses covering the fundamentals and legal aspects of the field. Advanced courses in mortgage financing, property development and management, and other subjects also are available. Advancement opportunities for agents may take the form of higher rates of commission. As agents gain knowledge and expertise, they become more efficient in closing a greater number of transactions and increase their earnings. In many large firms, experienced agents can advance to sales manager or general manager. Persons who have received their brokers license may open their own offices. Others with experience and training in estimating property value may become real estate appraisers, and people familiar with operating and maintaining rental properties may become property managers. (See the Handbook statements on property, real estate, and community association managers ; and appraisers and assessors of real estate . ) Experienced agents and brokers with a thorough knowledge of business conditions and property values in their localities may enter mortgage financing or real estate investment counseling. Employment [ About this section ] Back to Top In 2004, real estate brokers and sales agents held about 460,000 jobs; real estate sales agents held approximately 24 percent of these jobs. Many worked part time, combining their real estate activities with other careers. About 6 out of 10 real estate agents and brokers were self-employed. Real estate is sold in all areas, but employment is concentrated in large urban areas and in rapidly growing communities. Most real estate firms are relatively small; indeed, some are one-person businesses. By contrast, some large real estate firms have several hundred agents operating out of numerous branch offices. Many brokers have franchise agreements with national or regional real estate organizations. Under this type of arrangement, the broker pays a fee in exchange for the privilege of using the more widely known name of the parent organization. Although franchised brokers often receive help in training sales staff and running their offices, they bear the ultimate responsibility for the success or failure of their firms. Real estate brokers and sales agents are older, on average, than most other workers. Historically, many homemakers and retired persons were attracted to real estate sales by the flexible and part-time work schedules characteristic of the field. These individuals could enter, leave, and later return to the occupation, depending on the strength of the real estate market, their family responsibilities, or other personal circumstances. Recently, however, the attractiveness of part-time real estate work has declined, as increasingly complex legal and technological requirements are raising startup costs associated with becoming an agent. Job Outlook [ About this section ] Back to Top Employment of real estate brokers and sales agents is expected to grow about as fast as average for all occupations through the year 2014, because of the increasing housing needs of a growing population, as well as the perception that real estate is a good investment. Relatively low interest rates should continue to stimulate sales of real estate, resulting in the need for more agents and brokers. In addition, a large number of job openings will arise each year from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force. However, job growth will be somewhat limited by the increasing use of technology, which is improving the productivity of agents and brokers. For example, prospective customers often can perform their own searches for properties that meet their criteria by accessing real estate information on the Internet. The increasing use of technology is likely to be more detrimental to part-time or temporary real estate agents than to full-time agents, because part-time agents generally are not able to compete with full-time agents who have invested in new technology. Changing legal requirements, such as disclosure laws, also may dissuade some who are not serious about practicing full time from continuing to work part time. This occupation is relatively easy to enter and is attractive because of its flexible working conditions; the high interest in, and familiarity with, local real estate markets that entrants often have; and the potential for high earnings. Therefore, although gaining a job as a real estate agent or broker may be relatively easy, beginning agents and brokers may face competition from their well-established, more experienced counterparts in obtaining listings and in closing an adequate number of sales. Well-trained, ambitious people who enjoy selling—particularly those with extensive social and business connections in their communities—should have the best chance for success. Employment of real estate brokers and sales agents often is sensitive to swings in the economy, especially interest rates. During periods of declining economic activity and increasing interest rates, the volume of sales and the resulting demand for sales workers falls. As a result, the earnings of agents and brokers decline, and many work fewer hours or leave the occupation altogether. Earnings [ About this section ] Back to Top The median annual earnings of salaried real estate sales agents, including commissions, were $35,670 in May 2004.The middle 50 percent earned between $23,500 and $58,110 a year.The lowest 10 percent earned less than $17,600, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $92,770.Median hourly earnings in the industries employing the largest number of real estate sales agents in May 2004 were as follows: Residential building construction $54,770 Offices of real estate agents and brokers 37,970 Activities related to real estate 32,460 Lessors of real estate 25,840 Median annual earnings of salaried real estate brokers, including commission, were $58,720in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $33,480 and $99,820 a year.Median annual earning of real estate brokers were $61,550 in offices of real estateagents and brokers and $44,920 in activities related to real estate. Commissions on sales are the main source of earnings of real estate agents and brokers.The rate of commission varies according to whatever the agent and broker agree on, the typeof property, and its value. The percentage paid on the sale of farm and commercialproperties or unimproved land is typically higher than the percentage paid for selling a home. Commissions may be divided among several agents and brokers. When the property issold, the broker or agent who obtained the listing usually shares the commission with thebroker or agent who made the sale and with the firm that employs each of them. Although anagents share varies greatly from one firm to another, often it is about half of the totalamount received by the firm. Agents who both list and sell a property maximize their commission. Income usually increases as an agent gains experience, but individual motivation,economic conditions, and the type and location of the property also affect earnings.Sales workers who are active in community organizations and in local real estate associationscan broaden their contacts and increase their earnings. A beginners earnings often areirregular, because a few weeks or even months may go by without a sale. Although some brokersallow an agent to draw against future earnings from a special account, the practice is notcommon with new employees. The beginner, therefore, should have enough money to live forabout 6 months or until commissions increase. Related Occupations [ About this section ] Back to Top Selling expensive items such as homes requires maturity, tact, and a sense of responsibility.Other sales workers who find these character traits important in their workinclude insurance sales agents ; retail salespersons ; sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing ; and securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents .Although not involving sales, the work of property, real estate, and community association managers ,as well as appraisers and assessors of real estate, requires an understanding of real estate. Sources of Additional Information [ About this section ] Back to Top Disclaimer: Links to non-BLS Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement. Information on licensing requirements for real estate brokers and sales agents is available from most local real estate organizations or from the State real estate commission or board. More information about opportunities in real estate is available on the Internet site of the following organization: National Association of Realtors. Internet: http://www.realtor.org OOH ONET Codes [ About this section ] Back to Top 41-9021.00, 41-9022.00 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook , 2006-07 Edition , Real Estate Brokers and Sales Agents , on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ ocos120.htm (visited December 29, 2005 ). Last Modified Date: December 20, 2005 Occupations: Management | Professional | Service | Sales | Administrative | Farming | Construction | Installation | Production | Transportation | Armed Forces Related Links: Tomorrow's Jobs | OOH Reprints | Important Info | How to Order a Copy | Teacher's Guide to OOH Additional Links: Career Guide to Industries | Career articles from the OOQ | Employment Projections | Publications Home | BLS Home Back to Top www.dol.gov Frequently Asked Questions | Freedom of Information Act | Customer Survey Privacy & Security Statement | Linking to Our Site | Accessibility U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections Suite 2135 2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20212-0001 URL: http://www.bls.gov/OCO/ Phone: (202) 691-5700 Fax: (202) 691-5745 Do you have a question about the Occupational Outlook Handbook ? Technical (web) questions: webmaster@bls.gov Other comments: feedback@bls.gov Occupations: Management Professional Service Sales Administrative Farming Construction Installation Production Transportation Armed Forces Related Links: Tomorrow's Jobs OOH Reprints Important Info How to Order a Copy Teacher's Guide to OOH Additional Links: Career Guide to Industries Career articles from the OOQ Employment Projections Publications Home BLS Home

land for sale agents

Land for Sale in UK - Self Build Home Information Land for Sale UK - Self Build Self Build Land - Welcome! What kind of land buyer are you? In our recent market research, the conclusion was reached that the people visiting our site can be categorised into two main groups. We gave these groups the titles "Land Investors" and "Self Builders". In order to better cater for your particular needs we urge you to read on and decide which category you fall into. Land Investors "Land Investors" are people looking for a good return in the medium to long term. People looking to enter this market can do so for an investment of as little as £10,000 and could walk away with £100,000. The reason for this massive increase of value is dependant upon planning permission being acquired. Land investors buy a plot of land for around £10,000 without any planning permission, and should planning permission be gained the government states that it is normal to get development gains of 300%. The reason why not everyone invests this way is that planning permission is not guaranteed for any bit of land. The best chances of getting planning permission lie with open field plots next to existing housing developments in areas of high housing needs. As plots in such good locations like this are hard to come by we recommend you use an agent that specialises in these high potential plots, such as investment land for sale agents PropertySpy , as we are focused on the self builder market. Self Builders "Self Builders" are people looking for land that already has outline planning permission. The two reasons behind this are that either a particular individual wants to build a house for themselves to their specifications within two years, or they are interested in making a smaller profit in a short time period. A self builder will typically pay from £100,000 for a plot of land with outline planning permission. On top of the initial land investment, the cost of designing and building the house will fall to the self builder. It is important to see that if your motives behind self building are financial that profit is in no way guaranteed in fact a loss may even be made. If, for example, the cost of building overran, or the work took longer than expected, the cost would still fall to the self builder. It is not uncommon for a project to cost £280,000 but the property at the end of it to only be worth £240,000. The self builder looking to create the dream home to whom making a profit would just be incidental is really the perfect candidate for this site and so if you feel that this is you please read on. Those people looking for a profit are best land investing where you gain an asset which you do not need to risk vast amounts of capital on to see either a tiny percentage profit or indeed a loss. As a self build enthusiast with years of experience in sourcing land for self build, I decided it was time to write a small internet site to help fellow self build enthusiasts address the difficult problem of finding a residential plots of land for sale UK. Self builds have grown from 2,000 houses in 1978 to 15,000 in 1999. I believe that they could grow to 40,000 per year if so many were not put off at the first (and highest) hurdle – that of finding a building plots of land for sale. I do not claim to know everything about self build land UK – but I have many years experience. I hope that my advice will help you in buying that plot of land where you intend to build your dream house. Deciding to self build you home is an intimidating prospect. Hopefully this site will help you in finding that plot of land that you scan look to build your house on in the years ahead. The recent prestigious Joseph Rowntree Foundation report on the state of UK self build housing states "Finding and buying the right plot is generally regarded as the most important barrier faced by self-builders". Having advised and helped many people looking to identify land on which to self build homes I am often asked why do people consider self building their house? The simple answer is that for a small bit of planning on your behalf you can save so much money that you can afford to build your dream home! It is a fact that almost all self build homes are detached, and most have four bedrooms. For a bit of forward planning would you like to be able to afford a detached, 4-bedroom brand new house, built to your design and your specifications? With questions like this it is surprising that only 8.3% of new houses built in 1999 were self build houses in UK. In the other 91.7% of new houses we let the Developers make the profit from organising the house building. You have to say that the English are a generous people! Whilst there is now a good deal of support for the financing, planning and building of the self build house, there is still little help for the self builder in identifying and buying the right plot of land. The price of the plots of land for sale in UK is the largest single cost of the self-build and can vary wildly. Whilst the average South East price for a self build plot in early 2000 was over 100,000 it is still now possible to buy a self build plot in the South East for around 15,000 if you are prepared to wait a little longer for planning permission to be granted. Time and patience is something that all self builders must have in abundance! The Self Build idea is also evolving all the time. One of the latest ideas is for like-minded self builders to buy adjoining plots of land and then apply for planning permission en mass, often with the help of a communally funded professional planning consultant. This new idea has had most success in London and the South East where Land for sale is hardest to source because the overcrowding and the large profits on offer for House builders. < return to Top of page Useful Self Build Links Finding Self Build Land and Building Land for Sale Plot Browser - 01283 742 970 PropertySpy plc - 0845 123 6444 Want to sell your land? Click here to sell your land Self Build News Display All News Articles > Latest News Articles Investment land gains planning St Albans Greenbelt Development Increasing threat to green belt Green light for greenbelt pub Large-scale developments Luxury Housing Tees Off! Land near Luton Airport One million more homeowners Joseph Rowntree Foundation Self Build Report Future Housing Needs Report More Self Build Information Places to find Self Build Land Land Agents & Self Build Land The Self Build Market Why do people Self Build? The barriers to Self Build Greenbelt Land An overview of Self Build Housing Self Build Information Self Build Useful Links Home Douglas Montague Self Build Consultant

Florida Real Estate Welcome

Destin Florida Real Estate Destin Florida Real Estate Listings Buyers Sellers Resources Home | Contact $1,195,000 Property Types Condos Homes Land Townhomes Commercial Fractional Desired Features Golf Course Waterfront Fenced Yard Pool Gated All Price & Area $min 50k 100k 150k 200k 250k 300k 350k 400k 450k 500k 550k 600k 700k 800k 900k 1.0m 2.0m 3.0m 4.0m 5.0m No Min ¯ $max 50k 100k 150k 200k 250k 300k 350k 400k 450k 500k 550k 600k 700k 800k 900k 1.0m 2.0m 3.0m 4.0m 5.0m No Max Select Region (All) Miramar Beach / Sandestin Fort Walton Beach Santa Rosa Beach Destin Mary Esther Seacrest Beach Panama City Beach Rosemary Beach Point Washington Receive Weekly Updates On every new home and condo listing on the Emerald Coast. All new listings every week! Receive Weekly Updates Name: Email: Main Links Home Listings Home Search Featured Listings Buyers Sellers About Destin Florida Destin Florida Homes Destin Florida Condos Contact Local Areas South Walton Fort Walton Beach Miramar Beach Santa Rosa Beach Blue Mountain Beach Grayton Beach Sandestin Seagrove Seaside Watercolor Okaloosa Island Dune Allen Beach WaterSound Beach Inlet Beach Destin Florida Real Estate Welcome to Destin Florida Real Estate sponsored by Ed Kirkland & Associates the #1 real estate agents in Destin florida. We have designed this website to make it easy for you to access all Destin Florida real estate available in the Destin MLS and surrounding areas. To start your home search just click on a price range below or visit our Destin Florida MLS Listings section Homes by Price Range Search by Property Type $300,00 - $ 500,000 Single Family Homes $ 500,000 - $ 600,000 Condominiums $ 600,000 - $ 800,000 Townhomes $ 800,000 - $ 1,000,000 Vacant Land $ 1,000,000 - $ 2,000,000 Fractional Ownership $ 2,000,000 & Up Commercial Are you looking to buy a home or second home in Destin Florida? Our team of real estate experts know the Destin home market like the back of our hand and we are here to help guide you through the selection, and purchasing process so that you can be laying on the beach enjoying your new Destin home before you know it.Call the Destin Real Estate Team now! Toll free 1- 800-227-8654 top Listings Home Search Buyers Sellers Resources Real Estate Web Design: RealEstateWebmasters © 2004-2005 Destin Florida Real Estate REMAX Coastal Propeties: Ed Kirkland Broker/Owner,CRS/ABR/E-PRO

Real Estate Investing Dolf

Real Estate Investing Subscribe Book of Lists Sales Power Marketplace bizwomen Money Franchise Center HR Help Email Alerts Jobs Entrepreneur Classifieds Sales Leads Latest News Print Editions Contact Paid Advertisement Article Paid Advertisement Real Estate Investing Dolf de Roos is on a mission to show you how you can make ten timesmore money with real estate investing for yourself than creating wealthfor someone else. Dolf says that when it comes to being rich or poor,there are only two types of people: those who have wealth creationsystems, and those who work for those who have them. As Dolf has traveled the world, he"s shocked a lot of people when theydiscover that he studied 8 years to earn his Ph.D. and then turned downa job offer for $32,000. A week earlier, Dolf had closed on a realestate investing deal that put $35,000 in his bank account in one lumpsum. With the proper real estate marketing techniques, this couldhappen to you too. Dolf de Roos still continues to take regular people and he shows themexactly what to do to unleash their hidden wealth earning potentialwith real estate investing. He says that people need to quit givingaway their money to someone else in a regular 9-5 job. Learningeffective real estate marketing can really do wonders to someone"sincome. After Dolf"s first experience with real estate investing, he decided tothrow himself into real estate investing full-time. Things were notalways easy for him, but he had one challenge that was unique to him.When Dolf was seventeen, he looked about twelve. The first bank managerhe visited to seek a mortgage thought it was a joke, but he persevered.He wouldn"t give up when he knew that he could make a fortune in realestate investing. Having uncovered the common success factor of the wealthy along withhis first experience of making as much in a week with real estateinvesting as he could in one year working a 9 to 5 job with a boss,Dolf never turned back, and the rest is history. Since then, many manypeople have sought out Dolf"s help in their own real estate marketingventures and have found success. Find out what Dolf de Roos is allabout! Paid Advertisement Article Home | Subscribe | Book of Lists | Reprints | Email Alerts | Classifieds | Latest News | Print Editions | Services Sales Power | Money Center | Entrepreneur | HR Help Center Community | Search | RSS Feeds bizjournals | Contact Us | Site FAQ Our brands: Search Engine Optimization by Use of, or registration on, this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement Please read our Privacy Policy ©2004 American City Business Journals, Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved. Contact us here . The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of bizjournals.

home equity loan? How

Home equity brochure Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner Home Equity Loans in Texas: Frequently Asked Questions Printer-friendly PDF version What is a home equity loan? How much can I borrow? Why can't I borrow against more than 80% of the home's value? How are home equity loan interest rates determined? What other costs are involved? What if I feel a lender has overcharged me on closing costs? Are there different kinds of home equity loans? Can I set up a line of credit with my home equity? How can I use the money? What if I change my mind? How many home equity loans can I have? Why do I have to wait a year to refinance a home equity loan? Could a lender foreclose on my home if I'm late paying on a car loan or a credit card? What else should I know? What are some other helpful resources? Top of Page What is a home equity loan? A home equity loan is a financial product that allows a borrower to use the market value of a home as collateral for a loan. Loans secured by real estate generally are considered safer by lenders, resulting in lower interest rates than for other types of loans. Equity is easily calculated by subtracting the amount owed on the home from the current market value. For example, if a house with a market value of $100,000 has an outstanding mortgage of $30,000, the homeowner has equity of $70,000. If there were no mortgage or other type of lien on the house, the homeowner would have $100,000 in equity. Top of Page How much can I borrow? Through home equity loans, Texans can borrow money using up to 80% of the value of their homes as collateral. Consider the example of a home valued at $100,000 with an outstanding mortgage debt of $30,000 and $70,000 worth of equity. Because homeowners are limited to borrowing no more than 80% of the home's value, the homeowner would simply calculate 80% of $100,000 ($80,000) and then subtract $30,000 to arrive at a maximum loan amount of $50,000. Total mortgage debt, including the amount of any existing mortgages plus the projected home equity lien, cannot exceed 80% of the home's current fair market value. Homeowners with 20% or less equity in their homes are not eligible for home equity loans. Top of Page Why can't I borrow against more than 80% of the home's value? Texans voted to limit the loan amount to 80% to help prevent overextensions of credit and protect our economy during times of economic slowdown. Top of Page How are home equity loan interest rates determined? Market competition and conditions determine the rates in general; the borrower's own credit history will further affect the rate offered. Home equity loans usually have lower interest rates than do other types of consumer loans, such as loans secured by personal property or loans secured simply by a borrower's signature (unsecured loans). First mortgages (the primary loan on a house) generally have the lowest interest rates. As with any financial arrangement, you should shop around to find the best deal. In the Consumer Assistance section of our Web site are links to some handy online calculators that will help you compare loan programs. Top of Page What other costs are involved? Lenders can charge certain fees, usually called closing costs, in addition to interest. On a home equity loan, closing costs cannot exceed three percent (3%) of the principal amount borrowed. Prepaid interest, also known as points, is not subject to the 3% cap. Top of Page What if I feel a lender has overcharged me on closing costs? As a savvy consumer, you should always carefully examine a loan agreement before signing it. Have the lender thoroughly explain the contract's fee structure; you'll discover that any points you've purchased are not considered part of the fee amount subject to the three percent limitation. If a lender has overcharged you, you must give the lender a chance to correct the mistake (called curing the loan) before you can take legal action against them. You need to send a written request to the lender specifying the error so that the lender can issue a corrected loan agreement and refund any amounts due. For more information on this process, contact our Consumer Helpline at 800.538.1579 or send your questions to us via e-mail . Top of Page Are there different kinds of home equity loans? No, but a home equity loan can hold either first lien or junior lien (often called second) position. If you own your home outright and take out a home equity loan, it will be considered a first mortgage because it is first in line to receive payment if the home is sold or a borrower defaults. If you refinance an existing first mortgage, and pledge some of your equity to receive cash in hand, you will still have just one-but larger-first mortgage. In this loan, generally called a cash out re-fi, the dollar difference between the original mortgage and the refinanced mortgage is the home equity loan amount. A secondary mortgage is a loan secured by a house that already has at least one other mortgage or lien. Taking out a home equity loan in addition to a first mortgage places a second lien against the home. The law prohibits a homeowner from having more than one home equity loan at a time, although a homeowner may have secondary liens from other sources, such as a home improvement loan or a tax lien. Top of Page Can I set up a line of credit with my home equity? As of September 2003, Texans can establish lines of credit using up to 50% of the value of their homes as collateral (as opposed to the 80% allowed on standard loans). Top of Page How can I use the money? However you choose. There are no legal restrictions regarding how you use your loan proceeds. Top of Page What if I change my mind? The law requires a 12-day waiting period from the time an application is taken AND a legally mandated written consumer rights notice is given to the borrower. For example, if a potential borrower submits an application on Monday, but doesn't receive a copy of the consumer rights notice until Wednesday, then the 12-day countdown would begin on Wednesday. The 12-day period is measured in calendar days (rather than business days) per the Home Equity Commentary issued by this office. Once the waiting period has passed, the loan can be closed. Further, the homeowner or homeowner's spouse may still cancel the loan agreement without penalty within three days after closing. Top of Page How many home equity loans can I have? A borrower may have only one equity loan at a time. Furthermore, it cannot be refinanced more frequently than once a year. Because of this limitation, it is crucial to shop for the best terms among lenders. It is also important, as in any credit transaction, to compare the total costs of a home equity loan to other types of credit available to the consumer. For example, a borrower might not face a prepayment penalty for early payoff of a home equity loan. However, if the loan is paid off early, a home equity loan could end up being more expensive than an unsecured loan with a higher interest rate if you paid closing costs and points. To better determine the best solution to your situation, see the financial calculators in the Consumer Assistance section of our Web site for help crunching the numbers. Top of Page Why do I have to wait a year to refinance a home equity loan? Texas voters placed this provision in the Texas Constitution as a consumer protection. Because closing costs and points are collected each time a mortgage loan is closed, generally it's not a good idea to refinance often. Top of Page Could a lender foreclose on my home if I'm late paying on a car loan or a credit card? On a standard car loan, the car itself is the collateral, and Texas law prohibits using a person's homestead as additional collateral on the same loan. However, if a homeowner decides to take out a home equity loan to pay off credit card debts or buy a car, the home is then collateral for the home equity loan and can be foreclosed on if the homeowner does not make payments on time. Top of Page What else should I know? It's always a sound practice to shop around for a loan, but don't fill out any applications until you've picked the company you definitely want to work with. Filling out too many applications may unduly harm your credit report. Before you sign on the dotted line, find out what kind of experience other consumers have had with your potential lenders. Check out lenders with the Better Business Bureau . The Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner regulates certain home equity lenders and offers a Consumer Helpline for credit-related questions at 800.538.1579. We can let you know about consumer complaints we have on file. To get more information about home equity issues or to request lender complaint files, visit our Consumer Assistance page. Other Helpful Resources Texas Office of the Attorney General Consumer Protection Hotline: 800.252.8011 Federal Trade Commission Consumer Response Center: 877.382.4357 U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development Main number: 202.708.1112 State of Texas / TRAIL (Texas Records and Information Locator) Texas Finance Commission / Department of Information Resources Sunset Advisory Commission / Privacy Policy Open Records Requests En Español