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Saturday, March 14, 2009 

How to Get Cheap Homeowner Equity Loans

Interest Rates

The interest rate you can get when requesting a home equity loan will always be low, but you will want to get the lowest rate possible so you can save thousands of dollars over the life of the loan. In order to do so, there are two things you need to know: What factors determine the interest rate and where to look for cheaper finance.

The Interest rate is determined by your credit score or history but it is also determined by the amount of money you request, the ratio between the loan amount and your home equity, the loan length and last, but not least, the lender itself.

Credit Score

Having a good credit score will ensure you get a lower interest rate. Delinquencies on your credit report will scare lenders away, so it is better if you avoid late payments, missed payments, etc. You might want to request a copy of your credit report before applying in order to make sure there are no mistakes that might increase the rate youll have to pay. A Bad Credit score does not imply a decline on your loan request, youll probably get approved since these loans are secured, but youll have to pay higher rates.

Loan to Equity Ratio

Higher loan amounts imply higher risk and thus, higher interests. However, a higher equity on your home will ease this factor. Thats why the ratio between the loan amount and your home equity is so important when it comes to determining the interest rate youll have to pay.

Different Lenders, Different Rates

Some lenders are more greedy than others, some lenders want to attract more clients and some lenders simply have lower costs than others. Thus, you need to shop around in order to get the best deal available. Start by searching the net for home equity loan lenders and request loan quotes from them. Dont be afraid to bargain with them a little. They are always willing to reduce the interest rate they charge a bit if they fill they are going to lose you to another lender.

Fixed or Variable Rates

Homeowners can get equity loans with fixed interest rates or with variable interest rates. Fixed interest rates remain the same over the whole life of the loan. Obviously, variable interest rates change according to market fluctuations. Since with variable rate loans the borrower is assuming the risk of market conditions, the rate tends to be lower and thus its a good choice for those willing to save as much money as possible. However, if the market situation worsens, youll end up paying more interests. That being said, the decision is really up to you.

Sarah Dinkins is an Expert Loan Consultant at Badcreditfinancialexperts.com that helps people to repair their credit and get approved for home loans, unsecured personal loans, student loans, consolidation loans, car loans and other types of loans and financial products. At http://www.badcreditfinancialexperts.com/article/ she is continually adding new finance articles useful for those in need of professional advice.

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