Real Estate Investing

Real Estate Software: Commercial Real Estate Software/Residential Real Estate Investment Software Excel Templates - Excel Training - Excel Add-ins Real Estate Software For Free 24/7 Microsoft Office Support See: Our Free Excel Help & VBA Help Forum . See Also our: Free Excel Newsletter Real Estate Software Real Estate Software Home - Real Estate Software Invest - Real Estate Investment Software Real Estate Investment Software for Real Estate Investors and Home Buyers. For Real Estate Loans, Mortgages, Calculate Amortization & More! See: Property X - Property Investment Analysis Software AND Real Estate Investment Analysis Software Our Most Popular Real Estate Investment Software products Back to: Financial Calculators | Financial Software | Excel Templates | Excel Add-ins | Software Categories | Search All Software Real Estate Investment Software Index Free Choice of Complete Excel Training Course OR OzGrid Add-ins Collectio n on ALL purchases totaling over $70.00. ALL purchases totaling over $150.00 gets you BOTH! Purchases MUST be made via this site. Real Estate Investment Software Popular & VERY Well Priced Real Estate Software that is made specifically for USA real estate , but can be used in any English speaking country that uses dollars (any type of dollars). The real estate investment software suite includes 3 products for financially analyzing income property, and 2 products for all types of real estate, including amortization (loan) and appreciation software. It has investing, commercial real estate, real estate development, and residential (amortization & appreciation) applications.Real Estate Development Software Suit:Download Free Trial Version From Download 1 or Download 2 PropX: Real Estate Software Popular Australian Real Estate Software. PropertyX is a complete property investment analysis software that comes with more than 12 investment analysis calculators, up to 40+ year projections, and investment analysis reports with graphical illustrations. Super Amortization Loan Software The Super Amortization Loan Software is full featured loan software that works for fixed rate, variable rate (up to 3 adjustments), principle and interest payments, interest only payments, interest only payments later switching to principle and interest payments the month you specify, and it can accept up to 30 balloon payments. This software is ideal for anyone wanting full featured loan software for law practice, real estate, or other purposes. Download Shareware Version from Download 1 or Download 2 . Real Estate Calculator Suite Real Estate Calculator Suite includes a Date Calculator, a Fraction / Decimal interest rate conversion table, sample text for closing credit accounts, a Documentation List to help you gather your paperwork, a Home Inspection form to help you review potential homes, a Mover's To Do List, a Fraction/Decimal Conversion Chart and useful tips for home buyers and sellers PC Property Manager Real estate software-PC Property Manager is a rental property management software & Real Estate Investment Software system for residential rental property investors to manage their financial and other rental property transactions. It is more than an excellent book-keeping system. Amortization Calculations Mortgage and loan software includes the powerful Amortization Schedules Plus! feature that allows you to override, skip or add any number of payments. Includes 14 different Day Count Conventions including 30/360 and Actual/Actual, plus many different Payment Types including Normal, Continually Adjusting Payments, Fixed Principal plus Interest and Interest Only. Back To Real Estate Software. Top^ Property Management software Practical and easy-to-use DIY property management software to create tenant statements and reports, track payments and expenses for unlimited number of tenants, owners, loans and investments PLUS loan and investment tracker and simulator. Amortization Calculato r Amortization schedules and calculators to solve financial questions instantly Make better financial decisions and save time and money with the Ultimate Loan Calculator. Amortization Loan Software Calculate your payment and make a payment schedule. Can accept up to 30 balloon payments, if you have any. Use for real estate loans, mortgages, contract sales, notes, and car loans, etc. Amortization Tables & Schedules Only need amortization tables and schedules? Check out Quick Calculate Amortization for the most powerful, easy to use amortization tables and schedules. Back To Real Estate Software. Top^ APR Spread Calculator uses the Actuarial Method of calculating Annual Percentage Rates for mortgage loans as explained in Appendix J of 12 CFR Ch. II, Pt. 226, the portion of the United States Code of Federal Regulations known as "Regulation Z". Canadian Loan Spread Calculator Based on the popular US version of Loan Spread Calculator , Canadian Loan Spread Calculator Pro gives you a unique perspective on borrowing money! Check My Mortgage Calculates any mortgage repayment schedule / table. Which mortgage? Compare expenses of each financing option. Financial Advisor Great VALUE! Financial Advisor for Borrowing, business profitability, discounted cash flows, financial planning, investing, bonds, cost of capital, options, valuation and more! Home Buyers Calculation Suite Real Estate Calculator Suite is an integrated collection of real estate calculators for Windows that gives you the ability to play with the numbers. Back To Real Estate Software. Top^ Home, Car, Loan, Mortgage .... Calculator Software that offers financial management software solutions for mortgage calculation, loan calculators, and real estate calculators. Financial planning and investment calculators are the Software's expertise. Loan Advisor for Excel Loan Advisor for Excel is a special loan toolbox derived from Financial Advisor for Excel with many loan calculators for users who need a tool to establish and compare different loan options. This powerful set of calculators will help you in many loan calculations and determine the better loan for you. QuikCalc Mortgage & Loan Manager Lite Down Payment Amount, Gross Debt Service Ratio, House Price from Payment Amount, Interest, Amount, Maximum Loan, Maximum Payment, Mortgage Payment, Principal Amount, Rent Payments Total, Time to Pay Off Accelerated Loan, Total Debt Service Ratio, Total Debt Service Ratio Maximum Amount, Total Interest Paid, Total Paid for Home. QuikCalc Mortgage & Loan Manager Personal Mortgage and loan software includes the powerful Amortization Schedules Plus! feature that allows you to override, skip or add any number of payments. The Loan Management feature allows you to track actual loan terms and varying interest rates, as well as your actual payments made and projected payments QuikCalc Amortization Mortgage and loan Real Estate Investment Software includes easy to use amortization tables and schedules that allow any interest rate, payment and compounding frequency, including accelerated payments. Includes many reports including annual summaries. See before and after comparisons of your changes. Data file backup and integrated field level popup calculator also included. Back To Real Estate Software. Top^ Main Software Categories Search All add-ins and Software Excel Add-ins || Excel Training || Excel Templates || Employee Scheduling Software || Excel, Word, Access Password Recovery || Corrupt Excel, Word, Access File Recovery || Financial Software || Financial Calculators || Conversion Software || Construction & Estimating Software || Real Estate Investment Software || Time & Project Management Software || Database Software || Neural Network Software || Trading Software || Charting Software || Windows & Internet Software || Barcodes , Fonts, ActiveX, Labels and DLL's

Real Estate Agent

DOL - Real Estate Real Estate WELCOME to the website for the Real Estate program of the Business and Professions Division of the Department of Licensing. The Real Estate program, in conjunction with the Washington Real Estate Commission, provides public protection in the real estate marketplace through the education and licensure of real estate brokers and salespersons. The Washington Real Estate Commission is appointed by the Governor to advise the Director regarding the rules and regulations governing the activities of real estate licensees. The commission is authorized to hold educational conferences and authorized to prepare and conduct examinations for licensure. WHAT'S NEW: Online Renewal Service Available Real Estate Licensees now have the option of renewing online. The online renewal process can be used to provide continuing education and renewal payment information using a Visa or MasterCard debit or credit card, along with a unique password, which will be shown on your Notice to Renew. When the Renewal process is complete, a confirmation screen will be displayed that you can print for your records. Your license will be sent to the address on file within 14 business days.This alternative approach to renewing will provide a convenient and efficient process that is currently in use by many other departments. If you have any questions, please contact Real Estate Licensing by calling (360) 664-6500 or via email at RealEstate@dol.wa.gov . New Real Estate Administrator Mr. Lee Malott has accepted the Real Estate Administrator position.Lee comes to us from the east side of the mountains from the great city of Walla Walla and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience with him from the private sector. Lee has 10 years experience as a real estate salesperson and has been a memberof the Washington Association of Realtors. His most recent years of his career have been spent successfully in the hospital administration arena--leading large groups of employees working in hospital/nursing home settings. Lee will join us on Monday, October 17th as Real Estate, Appraiser, Timeshareand Camp Resort Section Administrator. 18.85 RCW Revision Task Force Information Join our mailing list - If you are interested in becoming a subscriber, you can sign onto the DOL Real Estate Program LISTSERV® today. There is no cost to subscribe and you may delete your address at any time. Change in Real Estate Fees - Effective June 27, 2005, the Department of Licensing is suspending the collection of the $26.50 fee for name and address changes and transfer. (WAC 308-124A-460) As a reminder, requests for the above changes postmarked before June 27, 2005 must still submit the required fee. Questions? Call (360) 664-6500 or email realestate@dol.wa.gov. As part of the Department of Licensing's ongoing initiative to ensure that real estate licensees endeavoring to earn the broker's (or associate broker's) license are receiving appropriate pre-license training, the Washington Center for Real Estate Research (WCRER) is coordinating a curriculum review. The current contents of the Brokerage Management and Business Management courses were adopted in late 1995 or early 1996, and have not been substantially reviewed until now. If you have recently taken either or both of those courses and have suggestions for modification to their content or emphasis, please forward your suggestions to the WCRER at wcrer@wsu.edu. Prescribed Core Curriculum Requirement The Washington State Real Estate Commission and Department of Licensing have adopted new rules that will require the completion of 3 clock hours of prescribed core curriculum, beginning with renewal dates on or after June 1, 2004. Core CurriculumRequirement Scenarios Notice to all Active Real Estate Licensees and Real Estate Schools Recognition Agreements Check the statusof a professional license. - An Internet-based application designed to give you access to Professional Licensing data. You can navigate the system using full and partial name, license number and other search criteria to perform searches for professional licensing information. FEATURES: Audit Guidelines Real Estate Resources - ARELLO Publications available. Washington State Guidelines for Advertising and Procuring Prospects on the Internet - Adopted September 19, 2000 Guidelines for Using Unlicensed Assistants SERVICES PROVIDED: Washington Real Estate Salesperson's License. Washington Real Estate Broker's License. Information on Examination Locations and Times. Information on Education Services and Publications. Prescribed Core CurriculumRequirement The department has revised its course approval application toprovide for approved providers to designate a course as including theprescribed curriculum. (Word Document) Information on Washington Center for Real Estate Research. - (To be able to use this link, your browser will need to support frames.) PUBLICATIONS: Real Estate Course Catalog Real Estate License Disciplinary Guidelines Washington Real Estate Curriculums For Real Estate related questions please e-mail RealEstate@dol.wa.gov . For Real Estate Audit related questions please e-mail ReAudit@dol.wa.gov . Mailing Address: Department of Licensing Real Estate Audit Section PO Box 2445 Olympia, WA 98507-2445 Phone Number: (360) 664-6515 Fax Number: (360) 570-4941 Please view the right side of this website for the various Real Estate licensing section's telephone and fax numbers. What's New Fees Forms Services Features Publications Meetings & Minutes FAQs Professional Licensing Internet Query Brokers License Salespersons License Appraisers Main Page Real Estate Education Washington Real Estate Commission Real Estate Complaint Form Real Estate Licensing Program Disciplinary Actions Washington Real Estate Licensing Law: RCW 18.85 Real Estate Brokerage Relationships: RCW 18.86 General Provisions: WAC 308-124 Licensing & Exams WAC 308-124A Brokers Office WAC 308-124B Records WAC 308-124C Operational Procedures WAC 308-124D Trust Accounts WAC 308-124E Education WAC 308-124H URBP - RCW 18.235 Telephone: Salesperson & Brokers Licensing Section: (360) 664-6488 or (360) 664-6500 Fax: (360) 586-0998 Education Section: (360) 664-6505 Fax: (360) 570-4977 Real Estate Audit Section: (360) 664-6515 Fax: (360) 570-4941 Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Fees Accepted: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time Monday through Friday Write: Department of Licensing Real Estate Program PO Box 9015 Olympia, WA 98507-9015 Business Location: 2000 4th Avenue West, Olympia, WA 98502 E-Mail: RealEstate@dol.wa.gov ReAudit@dol.wa.gov

Home For Sale

Seattle Washington Real Estate / homes for sale / mortgage / refinance / home equity ® , requesting a mortgage, apartment locating services and moving resources." Real Estate .com - Seattle real estate listings, new homes for sale, find a REALTOR ® or request a mortgage, refinance or home equity loan. Find a REALTOR ® in Seattle and Receive a Gift Card Worth Up To $1,000 or more. OR Find a Builder in Seattle with iNest and Get 1% Cash Back! You may also want to: Use Our FREE Personal Home Buying Guide Get Pre-Qualified through LendingTree Get Your Credit Report Search Homes in Seattle You may also want to: Find out what the house in Seattle isworth, it's FREE. Get a Mortgage through LendingTree Related articles: Negotiating Strategies Understanding Contractsand Contingencies Find a Home Inspector in Seattle Find a Mover in Seattle Related article: Understand a Home Appraisal FREE Utilities Setup in Seattle Receive Competitive Quotes for Homeowners' Insurance in Seattle Type: Homes, The Real Estate Book Additional Home Listings New Construction Homes Foreclosure Homes State or Province: Please Choose Alberta, AB Alaska, AK Alabama, AL Arkansas, AR Arizona, AZ British Columbia, BC California, CA Colorado, CO Connecticut, CT District of Columbia, DC Delaware, DE Florida, FL Georgia, GA Hawaii, HI Iowa, IA Idaho, ID Illinois, IL Indiana, IN Kansas, KS Kentucky, KY Louisiana, LA Massachusetts, MA Manitoba, MB Maryland, MD Maine, ME Michigan, MI Minnesota, MN Missouri, MO Mississippi, MS Montana, MT New Brunswick, NB North Carolina, NC North Dakota, ND Nebraska, NE New Hampshire, NH New Jersey, NJ New Mexico, NM Nova Scotia, NS Nevada, NV New York, NY Ohio, OH Oklahoma, OK Ontario, ON Oregon, OR Pennsylvania, PA Rhode Island, RI South Carolina, SC South Dakota, SD Tennessee, TN Texas, TX Utah, UT Virginia, VA Vermont, VT Washington, WA Wisconsin, WI West Virginia, WV Wyoming, WY City: Select a State or Zip: Price Range: Any $50,000 $75,000 $100,000 $125,000 $150,000 $175,000 $200,000 $225,000 $250,000 $275,000 $300,000 $325,000 $350,000 $375,000 $400,000 $425,000 $450,000 $475,000 $500,000 $525,000 $550,000 $575,000 $600,000 $625,000 $650,000 $675,000 $700,000 $725,000 $750,000 $775,000 $800,000 $825,000 $850,000 $875,000 $900,000 $925,000 $950,000 $975,000 $1,000,000 $5,000,000 $10,000,000 to Any $50,000 $75,000 $100,000 $125,000 $150,000 $175,000 $200,000 $225,000 $250,000 $275,000 $300,000 $325,000 $350,000 $375,000 $400,000 $425,000 $450,000 $475,000 $500,000 $525,000 $550,000 $575,000 $600,000 $625,000 $650,000 $675,000 $700,000 $725,000 $750,000 $775,000 $800,000 $825,000 $850,000 $875,000 $900,000 $925,000 $950,000 $975,000 $1,000,000 $5,000,000 $10,000,000 Bedrooms: Any 1+ 2+ 3+ 4+ 5+ Baths: Any 1+ 2+ 3+ 4+ 5+ Please note: Not all real estate professionals participate in the "Find a REALTOR ® " program, which you must use in order to receive The Home Depot ® incentive. Lenders use qualifying ratios to determine how much of a mortgage you can reasonably afford. Read More Loan Amount: Term in Months: Interest Rate: Monthly Payment: How much will your gift card be if you use a REALTOR ® on the Network? How much can you borrow? What will adjustable rate payments be? Which is better: 15 or 30 year term? Find a REALTOR ® in Seattle and Receive a Gift Card Worth Up To $1,000 or more. You may also want to: Use Our FREE Personal Home Selling Guide Find a Home Inspector in Seattle Featured articles by Realty Times ® : 20 Ways REALTORS ® Successfully Market Homes Let the Seller Beware? Tips for Home Sellers Find out what the house in Seattle isworth, it's FREE. Related article: Why Should You Use A Seller's Agent in Seattle? Negotiating Strategies Understanding Contractsand Contingencies Find a Mover in Seattle Related article: Understand a Home Appraisal FREE Utilities Setup in Seattle Buying a Home | Selling a Home | Homes for Sale | Credit Report & Score | House Prices at Domania New Home Construction | Find a Mover | Find a REALTOR ® | Home Financing | Real Estate Learning Center Customer Service | Publications | For the Media | News Releases | Join Our Real Estate Network | Post Home Listings Privacy | Security | Terms of Use | Jobs | Disclosures and Licenses | Sitemap | Loans | Commercial Real Estate Houses for Sale in: Atlanta | Austin | Boston | Charlotte | Chicago | Dallas | Denver | Houston | Las Vegas | Los Angeles Miami | Minneapolis | New York | Philadelphia | Phoenix | San Antonio | San Diego | San Francisco | Seattle Washington, DC | Real Estate in More Cities LendingTree technology and processes are patented under US Patent Nos. 6,385,594 and 6,611,816. © 1998 - Real Estate.com, a service of LendingTree, LLC. All Rights Reserved.This site is directed at, and made available to, persons in the continental U.S., Alaska and Hawaii only. Conversion to LendingTree, LLC We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. REALTOR ® -- A registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS ® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. Not all of the real estate professionals participating in the "Agent's Competing" program are REALTORS ® , which are members of the National Association of REALTORS ® . The Home Depot ® is not affiliated with LendingTree, LLC. The Home Depot ® is a registered trademark of Homer TLC, Inc. RealEstate.com is not sponsored by or affiliated with the parent franchisor companies of any of the participating members of its network. Partner Sites: Citysearch | Expedia | Hotels.com | Ticketmaster.com | Hotwire.com | Entertainment.com | Match.com Home Shopping Network | ReserveAmerica | LendingTree.com | iNest | ServiceMagic | Ask Jeeves | Gift Ideas Mortgage Calculator | Refinance at GetSmart | LendingTree Mortgage | Free Online Credit Report | Home Equity Loans

Texas Land Title Association

Advanced Solutions International | Texas Land Title Association Advanced Solutions International | Texas Land Title Association Membership Associations Unions Clubs YMCA Museums Association Management General Membership Fundraising Event Management Media Commercial Government Products > Industry Solutions > Membership Ten Years Later, the Texas Land Title Association Continues to Benefit and Grow With Its iMIS System “ iMIS has continued to be a useful software tool for us over the last 10 years because ASI has focused on understanding the specific needs of associations,” stated Leslie Midgley, Executive Vice President at the Texas Land Title Association (TLTA), ASI’s first iMIS customer. TLTA feels that the needs of associations have changed and as technology has advanced, ASI has responded to those changes and advancements with enhancements and new products. “They (ASI) have made it their business to respond to user feedback by updating the software to better serve the needs of their users,” added Midgely. In fact, TLTA has received more than 12 upgrades of iMIS and have upgraded from iMIS LAN to the Microsoft SQL version in the last decade. The TLTA is a non-profit state trade association that represents over 600 Texas title insurance companies, abstract companies and title insurance agents that are engaged in the transference of title to real property. “With iMIS , they have been able to capture an overwhelming majority of the market share for Title companies in Texas through education, advocacy, and other valued services,” stated Mark Jones, President of enSYNC Corporation, the TLTA authorized iMIS Solution Provider. The Flexibility to Handle Growing and Changing Needs iMIS has been particularly useful to the TLTA in managing their meetings and educational programs. “ iMIS allows us to plan a meeting from start to finish without using a lot of different software programs,” stated Midgley. In the area of membership, iMIS has allowed them to keep better track of information about their members. “Over the years, we have determined that we need to store more and more data, and iMIS has allowed us the flexibility to expand and change.” Authorized iMIS Solution Provider, enSYNC Corporation, provides support to TLTA for their iMIS system. They have been an integral part of TLTA’s satisfaction and success with the product. “Both Mark Jones and Clark Jones are great to work with and are always there to help us solve a problem or overcome a challenge. Currently, they are working with us to increase our skills with report writing using Access and Crystal and to help us utilize more of the features that iMIS offers,” commented Midgley. “ iMIS is still meeting the business needs of the organization after 10 years, that really says something about the greatness of the product,” summed up Jones. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy © 2005 ASI, Inc. Site designed and developed by ASI Web Services Group , managed by iMIS Content Manager.

home equity lines of

What You Should Know About Home Equity Lines of Credit ESPAÑOL More and more lenders are offering home equity lines of credit. By using the equity in your home, you may qualify for a sizable amount of credit, available for use when and how you please, at an interest rate that is relatively low. Furthermore, under the tax lawdepending on your specific situationyou may be allowed to deduct the interest because the debt is secured by your home. If you are in the market for credit, a home equity plan may be right for you. Or perhaps another form of credit would be better. Before making a decision, you should weigh carefully the costs of a home equity line against the benefits. Shop for the credit terms that best meet your borrowing needs without posing undue financial risk. And remember, failure to repay the amounts youve borrowed, plus interest, could mean the loss of your home. What is a home equity line of credit? What should you look for when shopping for a plan? Costs of establishing and maintaining a home equity line How will you repay your home equity plan? Lines of credit vs. traditional second morgage loans What is a home equity line of credit? A home equity line of credit is a form of revolving credit in which your home serves as collateral. Because the home is likely to be a consumers largest asset, many homeowners use their credit lines only for major items such as education, home improvements, or medical bills and not for day-to-day expenses. With a home equity line, you will be approved for a specific amount of credityour credit limit , the maximum amount you may borrow at any one time under the plan. Many lenders set the credit limit on a home equity line by taking a percentage (say, 75 percent) of the homes appraised value and subtracting from that the balance owed on the existing mortgage. For example: Appraised value of home $100,000 Percentage x 75% Percentage of appraised value = $ 75,000 Less balance owed on mortgage - $ 40,000 Potential credit $ 35,000 In determining your actual credit limit, the lender will also consider your ability to repay, by looking at your income, debts, and other financial obligations as well as your credit history. Many home equity plans set a fixed period during which you can borrow money, such as 10 years. At the end of this draw period, you may be allowed to renew the credit line. If your plan does not allow renewals, you will not be able to borrow additional money once the period has ended. Some plans may call for payment in full of any outstanding balance at the end of the period. Others may allow repayment over a fixed period (the repayment period), for example, 10 years. Once approved for a home equity line of credit, you will most likely be able to borrow up to your credit limit whenever you want. Typically, you will use special checks to draw on your line. Under some plans, borrowers can use a credit card or other means to draw on the line. There may be limitations on how you use the line. Some plans may require you to borrow a minimum amount each time you draw on the line (for example, $300) and to keep a minimum amount outstanding. Some plans may also require that you take an initial advance when the line is set up. What should you look for when shopping for a plan? If you decide to apply for a home equity line of credit, look for the plan that best meets your particular needs. Read the credit agreement carefully, and examine the terms and conditions of various plans, including the annual percentage rate (APR) and the costs of establishing the plan. The APR for a home equity line is based on the interest rate alone and will not reflect the closing costs and other fees and charges, so youll need to compare these costs, as well as the APRs, among lenders. Interest rate charges and related plan features Home equity lines of credit typically involve variable rather than fixed interest rates. The variable rate must be based on a publicly available index (such as the prime rate published in some major daily newspapers or a U.S. Treasury bill rate); the interest rate for borrowing under the home equity line changes, mirroring fluctuations in the value of the index. Most lenders cite the interest rate you will pay as the value of the index at a particular time plus a margin, such as 2 percentage points. Because the cost of borrowing is tied directly to the value of the index, it is important to find out which index is used, how often the value of the index changes, and how high it has risen in the past as well as the amount of the margin. Lenders sometimes offer a temporarily discounted interest rate for home equity linesa rate that is unusually low and may last for only an introductory period, such as 6 months. Variable-rate plans secured by a dwelling must, by law, have a ceiling (or cap ) on how much your interest rate may increase over the life of the plan. Some variable-rate plans limit how much your payment may increase and how low your interest rate may fall if interest rates drop. Some lenders allow you to convert from a variable interest rate to a fixed rate during the life of the plan, or to convert all or a portion of your line to a fixed-term installment loan. Plans generally permit the lender to freeze or reduce your credit line under certain circumstances. For example, some variable-rate plans may not allow you to draw additional funds during a period in which the interest rate reaches the cap. Costs of establishing and maintaining a home equity line Many of the costs of setting up a home equity line of credit are similar to those you paywhen you buy a home. For example: A fee for a property appraisal to estimate the value of your home An application fee , which may not be refunded if you are turned down for credit Up-front charges, such as one or more points (one point equals 1 percent of the credit limit) Closing costs, including fees for attorneys, title search, and mortgage preparation and filing; property and title insurance; and taxes. In addition, you may be subject to certain fees during the plan period, such as annual membership or maintenance fees and a transaction fee every time you draw on the credit line. You could find yourself paying hundreds of dollars to establish the plan. If you were to draw only a small amount against your credit line, those initial charges would substantially increase the cost of the funds borrowed. On the other hand, because the lenders risk is lower than for other forms of credit, as your home serves as collateral, annual percentage rates for home equity lines are generally lower than rates for other types of credit. The interest you save could offset the costs of establishing and maintaining the line. Moreover, some lenders waive some or all of the closing costs. How will you repay your home equity plan? Before entering into a plan, consider how you will pay back the money you borrow. Some plans set minimum payments that cover a portion of the principal (the amount you borrow) plus accrued interest. But (unlike with the typical installment loan) the portion that goes toward principal may not be enough to repay the principal by the end of the term. Other plans may allow payment of interest alone during the life of the plan, which means that you pay nothing toward the principal. If you borrow $10,000, you will owe that amount when the plan ends. Regardless of the minimum required payment, you may choose to pay more, and many lenders offer a choice of payment options. Many consumers choose to pay down the principal regularly as they do with other loans. For example, if you use your line to buy a boat, you may want to pay it off as you would a typical boat loan. Whatever your payment arrangements during the life of the planwhether you pay some, a little, or none of the principal amount of the loanwhen the plan ends you may have to pay the entire balance owed, all at once. You must be prepared to make this balloon payment by refinancing it with the lender, by obtaining a loan from another lender, or by some other means. If you are unable to make the balloon payment, you could lose your home. If your plan has a variable interest rate, your monthly payments may change. Assume, for example, that you borrow $10,000 under a plan that calls for interest-only payments. At a 10 percent interest rate, your monthly payments would be $83. If the rate rises over time to 15 percent, your monthly payments will increase to $125. Similarly, if you are making payments that cover interest plus some portion of the principal, your monthly payments may increase, unless your agreement calls for keeping payments the same throughout the plan period. If you sell your home, you will probably be required to pay off your home equity line in full immediately. If you are likely to sell your home in the near future, consider whether it makes sense to pay the up-front costs of setting up a line of credit. Also keep in mind that renting your home may be prohibited under the terms of your agreement. Lines of credit vs. traditional second morgage loans If you are thinking about a home equity line of credit, you might also want to consider a traditional second mortgage loan. A second mortgage provides you with a fixed amount of money repayable over a fixed period. In most cases the payment schedule calls for equal payments that will pay off the entire loan within the loan period. You might consider a second mortgage instead of a home equity line if, for example, you need a set amount for a specific purpose, such as an addition to your home. In deciding which type of loan best suits your needs, consider the costs under the two alternatives. Look at both the APR and other charges. Do not, however, simply compare the APRs, because the APRs on the two types of loans are figured differently: The APR for a traditional second mortgage loan takes into account the interest rate charged plus points and other finance charges. The APR for a home equity line of credit is based on the periodic interest rate alone. It does not include points or other charges. Disclosures from lenders The federal Truth in Lending Act requires lenders to disclose the important terms and costs of their home equity plans, including the APR, miscellaneous charges, the payment terms, and information about any variable-rate feature. And in general, neither the lender nor anyone else may charge a fee until after you have received this information. You usually get these disclosures when you receive an application form, and you will get additional disclosures before the plan is opened. If any term (other than a variable-rate feature) changes before the plan is opened, the lender must return all fees if you decide not to enter into the plan because of the change. When you open a home equity line, the transaction puts your home at risk. If the home involved is your principal dwelling, the Truth in Lending Act gives you 3 days from the day the account was opened to cancel the credit line. This right allows you to change your mind for any reason. You simply inform the lender in writing within the 3-day period. The lender must then cancel its security interest in your home and return all feesincluding any application and appraisal feespaid to open the account. The information on this site is adapted from the brochure "What You Should Know about Home Equity Lines of Credit." Single or multiple copies of the brochure are available without charge. Order the brochure by telephone, mail, or fax . Order online . Glossary | Where to go for help | Checklist Home | Consumer information | Publications | Brochures Accessibility | Contact us Last update: March 1, 2004