Even if you bought at the top of the market prior to the housing crash, in the long run, the value of your property has a good chance of recovering. This is a difficult concept to grasp, especially in markets where housing values have crashed 30 percent or more. Keep in mind the declines are driven by extreme economic circumstances that will not remain the place forever; they do not invalidate the concept of long-term appreciation.

Many seniors don't qualify for home-equity loans based on income, and in any case, those home-equity loans require a monthly repayment, so they don't solve the cash-flow problems.

When you retire, overall living expenses will likely be one-third less than your pre-retirement costs. If your expected income from investments, Social Security, pensions, and other sources still falls short of your requirements, then a smart move is to tap the equity in your prime asset, the house. You have several options available, depending on whether you prefer to remain in your home or move.

Home equity borrowing vanquishes your capacity to build wealth. If you do use it, use it only for productive investment that offers low risk for good returns.

Many people are surprised to find that liens from old home equity loans are still on the books, affecting both your credit report and your ability to obtain a new loan.

The tremendous increase in home prices in California and elsewhere has provided many homeowners with a lot of equity. Should you cash out and move?

Home equity borrowing is more popular than ever. Rising home values coupled with low interest rates and favorable tax treatment make home equity loans and home equity lines of credit extremely attractive. According to the Consumer Bankers Association, during 2003 combined HELOC and loan portfolios grew 29%, following a torrid 31% growth rate in 2002. The CBA also noted that home equity credit accounts represent a full 75% of consumer credit portfolios with home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) having a 45% share of the market and regular home equity loans a 30% share.

Some mortgage deals seem to be too good to be true. Be aware of unscrupulous lenders that may not have your best interests in mind.

Choosing the right home equity loan can be tricky; you have to consider interest rates and repayment schedules, among others. Choosing the right lender, however, does not have to be a difficult task.

Home equity loans can be a great idea for individuals looking to get out of debt or make necessary repairs on their homes. During the process, you will come across a variety of terms and acronyms. We have gathered together some of the basic terms that you come across during your home equity loan.

The booming home equity loan and mortgage market has brought a number of shady lenders to the surface. Be careful when you borrow.

The huge increase in California home equity and in the number of interest-only mortgages suggests that the real estate market may be peaking. Buyers should be careful.

Applying for a home equity line of credit before you need one will allow you to have a source of funds should emergencies arise in the future.

There is luckily a very helpful tool that will take the guess work out of home equity loans. Before you commit to anything, you should play around with a home equity loan calculator to determine how much you can borrow.

Using a home equity loan to get out of debt or make improvements to your home is usually a smart move. You have earned the equity, so it only makes sense that you put it to good use. Usually this type of loan offers a lower interest rate than credit cards or traditional loans, so it is a wise move for many circumstances.

Obtaining a home equity loan does not have to be a major ordeal. Unlike your first mortgage, you are already in the home, and usually time is not such a major factor.

There are numerous advantages to owning a home. One of the serious advantages is the equity that is built over time. As equity builds, you create a pool of money to access in trying times.

There are many reasons why borrowing against your 401(K) account is not a good idea. Here are a few of them, along with suggestions for how to borrow more wisely.

Home equity loans and lines of credit are useful tools for homeowners. They allow the homeowner to borrow against the value of his or her home for all kinds of purposes – home improvement, debt consolidation, vacations, and more.

There are times when it may make more sense to refinance than to take out a home equity loan. At other times refinancing is a poor idea. When should you refinance your mortgage?

Home equity loans have numerous advantages over other types of loans. Would this be a good choice for financing a car or a dream vacation?

Home equity loans are great for financing home remodeling projects, such as adding a room. For ongoing projects with a lot of small purchases and an open-ended timeframe, a home equity line of credit might be a better choice.

Given the huge increases in home values during the last five years, there is a tendency among homeowners to consider the increased equity in their homes as added wealth. That isn’t entirely true, and homeowners should be careful with this valuable asset.