• Mortgage Rates
  • Home Buyer Tips
  • Home Seller Tips
  • Real Estate
  • Around The Home

Michael Inkman

Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation

  • Home
  • About
    • About Michael
    • Testimonials
  • Types of Loans
  • Mortgage Info
    • First Time Home Buyer Tips
    • First Time Home Seller Tips
    • Get Pre-Approved Now!
    • Closing Costs
    • Home Appraisal
    • Home Inspection
    • Loan Checklist
    • Loan Process
    • Loan Programs
    • Mortgage Glossary
    • FAQs
  • Blog
  • Contact

Is Now a Good Time to Cash Out Your Home Equity?

March 12, 2019 by Michael Inkman

Is Now a Good Time to Cash Out Your Home EquityFor many Americans, their home is their primary investment. The equity stored in your residence can be a source of available cash for home repairs, upgrades, or for financing the purchase of investment properties. However, few homeowners really understand the process that results in home equity. 

What Is Home Equity?

Your monthly mortgage payment goes towards two different amounts. The first is the interest that you pay for the loan. The other is your principal payment or the amount that counts against the initial amount that you borrowed for the purchase. Depending on the details of your loan contract, each payment is generally split between these two types of charges.

Over time the amount that you’ve paid towards the loan’s principal grows your equity position. With each payment, your equity grows as well. Once enough equity is accrued, many lenders allow homeowners to access those funds via an equity line of credit, home equity loan or a cash-out refinance. 

You’ll have to pay interest on any monies you withdraw from the second mortgage or higher loan amount upon your refinance. With home equity lines, however, these loans only charge interest on the money that you actually use. You can secure a home equity line of credit for a certain amount and not be liable for a penny in interest until your first withdrawal.

How Can You Calculate Potential Equity?

There are 4 main factors to consider when calculating your home’s equity.

  • Home value.
  • Monthly mortgage payments.
  • Down payment.
  • Any liens or additional mortgages on the property.

Imagine your home is currently valued at $300,000. With cash down payment of 20%, your home’s starting equity is equal to your initial $60,000 payment. Each payment slowly increases your equity until you have full financial ownership of your home.

Talk to your lender to understand how interest in applied to each payment. For fixed rate loans, you can easily figure out how much of your mortgage payments are immediately applied to the loan’s principal. An easy way to see this equity build up on a monthly basis is to reference an amortization schedule. Your lender should be able to provide this for you at no charge.

For property owners with liens and additional mortgages, add the value of those items to what’s still due on your primary mortgage loan before completing the calculations.

Home equity is a flexible financial tool that you can use to improve your property, expand your business, or treat yourself to something special. Plan carefully to get the most out of your home equity line of credit.

If you are interested in a refinance or a home equity loan, be sure to contact your trusted home mortgage professional.

Mortgage Tagged: Equity, Mortgage, Refinance

Michael Inkman

Contact Michael


michael@michaelinkman.com
Mobile: (214) 762-4659
NMLS #152707
FIMC
Company NMLS #2289

Browse articles by category

Connect with Me

Sign Up for My FREE e-newsletter!

Let’s Keep In Touch!

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Categories

Archives

Quick Links

  • About Us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact us
Texas Consumer Complaint and
Recovery Fund Notice

Third Party FIMC: bestmortgageblog.com
Equal Housing Opp
Company NMLS #2289
For licensing information, go to: www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org

Privacy Policy | Terms of Use

Complaints may be directed to: (877) 699-0353 or Email us: customerservice@fairwaymc.com.
The content on this website is written by Michael and reflects his opinion, and not the opinion of Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation.

Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation
1800 Golden Trail Court
Carrollton, TX 75010

Copyright © 2023 Michael Inkman  ·  All rights reserved   ·   Log In