Consolidate Credit Card Debt - Eliminate Debt with a Home Equity Loan

Tip! The home equity line of credit, or HELOC, is like a bank account where you continue to write checks sponsored by the equity of your home. A HELOC does not have a fixed period of time wherein it will be paid off, because you can continue to borrow against it, just like to a credit card.

According to national surveys, the average household carries a credit card balance of approximately $8,000. Because of high finance fees, many people find that it is difficult to reduce their consumer debts. While bankruptcy is a tempting option, it is important to explore other alternatives for eliminating debts.

Benefits of a Debt Consolidation Loan

One approach for eliminating or reducing debts involves acquiring a debt consolidation loan. Although debt consolidation loans will not miraculously eliminate your debts, these loans make is possible to reduce your debts faster.

Credit cards have high finance fees. Hence, it is difficult to pay down balances. In most cases, the minimum payment barely covers the finance charges. This makes it difficult to reduce the credit card balance. If you obtain a debt consolidation loan, all your credit balances are lumped into one loan. Furthermore, debt consolidation loans have reasonable interest rates. This enables you to become debt free within a few years.

Using a Home Equity Loan to Reduce Debts

There are various ways to obtain a debt consolidation loan. Individuals with good credit may qualify for a personal debt consolidation loan. Moreover, if you own a home, it may be possible to get approved for a home equity loan. Home equity loans are ideal because the rates are low and the terms fixed. Usually, homeowners are able to repay the money in five to seven years - sometimes less.

With a home equity loan, your equity works as the collateral. If your home's equity is $10,000, it may be possible to obtain a loan up to this amount. The funds can be used for anything. For the most part, homeowners use home equity loans to payoff credit card debts. Other uses for a home equity loan include home improvement, college expenses, etc.

Disadvantage of a Home Equity Loan

Home equity loans are very useful. However, it is essential to use the funds wisely, and borrow only what you can afford to payback. Home equity loans create another monthly bill. If using the money to payoff credit card balances, avoid accumulating additional debts. Increasing your total debts may create a financial burden. If acquiring a home equity loan, avoid over extending yourself. Failure to repay a home equity loan will result in foreclosure.

View our recommended Home Equity Line of Credit lenders.

Carrie Reeder owns ABC Loan Guide, an online resource with information about Mortgage Brokers Online and Mortgage Refinancing.

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Home equity loans drying up for some - Personal finance- msnbc.com
Some homeowners are finding that even with great credit and 20 percent or more home equity, getting a line of credit on that equity can be difficult or impossible.
Equity in Americans? homes falls to historic low - Mortgage Mess ...
The equity Americans have in their most important asset ? their homes ? has dropped to its lowest level since the end of World War II.
Use of home equity hits a four-year low - Real estate- msnbc.com
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Morgan Stanley to freeze home-equity lines - Mortgage Mess- msnbc.com
Morgan Stanley told thousands of clients this week that they will not be allowed to withdraw money on their home-equity credit lines, according to a news report.
Late payments for home equity loans rise - Real estate- msnbc.com
Late payments on home equity loans climbed to a 1½-year high in the opening quarter of this year, while delinquencies on credit card bills fell, painting a mixed picture of how ...
Late payments rise on home-equity loans - Stocks & economy- msnbc.com
Late payments on certain auto and home equity loans climbed in the final quarter of last year, while delinquencies on credit card bills largely held steady, suggesting some U.S ...
BofA tackling debt worries by cutting home-equity lines - Top Stories ...
Bank of America Corp. is tightening up its home-equity lending business, turning down applications and turning off credit lines in struggling housing markets.
Should I get a home equity credit line? - Answer desk- msnbc.com
Free money In this week's video Answer Desk, msnbc.com's John W. Schoen has some advice on how to avoid giving the government more of your money than you need to.
How to tell if now is the time to refinance - Personal finance- msnbc ...
You have at least 10 percent equity in your home and aren?t FHA-eligible. To get good rates, you?ll need to have equity in the home. In most markets, 10 percent equity is a ...
Morgan Stanley to freeze home-equity lines - Today Technology & Money ...
Morgan Stanley told thousands of clients this week that they will not be allowed to withdraw money on their home-equity credit lines, according to a news report. ... Morgan Stanley ...

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