A second mortgage or junior-lien is a loan you take out using your house as collateral while you still have another loan secured by your house. Home equity loans and home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) are common examples of second mortgages.
A second loan, or mortgage, against your house will either be a home equity loan, which is a lump-sum loan with a fixed term and rate, or a HELOC, which features variable rates and continuing access to funds.
There are two major types of second mortgages you can choose from: a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit (HELOC).
You receive funds in a lump sum and pay the balance in even installments over terms ranging between five and 30 years. You'll typically pay closing costs equal to 2% to 5% of your second loan amount and can use the cash to buy or refinance a home.
Home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) are often used as second mortgages. Homeowners might use a second mortgage to finance large purchases like college, a new vehicle, or even a down payment on a second home.
You could lose your home if you don't pay back a second mortgage. Interest rates can be higher than refinancing. You might not qualify if you don't have enough equity or appraisal value. Second mortgages can be costly with appraisal fees, credit checks and closing costs.
Once the second mortgage loan is repaid, the lien is removed. The amount available for borrowing depends on the equity in the home. Many lenders prefer that homeowners retain at least 20% equity in their homes[2]. For example, if your home is worth $600,000, you must retain at least $120,000 in equity.
You might also need to get an appraisal to confirm the current value of your home. Qualifications for second mortgages vary, but many lenders prefer that you have at least 15 percent to 20 percent equity in your home. You can typically borrow up to 85 percent of your home's value, minus your current mortgage debts.
Second Mortgage Details
Owner-Occupied, Non-Owner-Occupied, and 2nd Homes Eligible. Loan Amounts up to $350,000. Max. Combined Liens of $2M.
A “soft second” is a type of second, subordinate mortgage loan that is used to cover down payment and closing costs. The soft second has a deferred payment schedule in which the borrowers do not have to make any payments until/unless they sell their home or refinance their mortgage.
Consider the potential impact on your credit score
Making on-time payments on your second mortgage is just as important as making on-time payments on your first mortgage. Defaulting on either payment could lead to a negative mark on your credit score, making it difficult to borrow money in the future.
A silent second mortgage is a second mortgage placed on an asset (such as a home) for down payment funds that are not disclosed to the original lender on the first mortgage. The second mortgage is called "silent" because the borrower does not disclose its existence to the original mortgage lender.
Unlike a HELOC, which allows you to draw out money as you need it, a second mortgage pays you one lump sum. You then make fixed-rate payments on that sum each month until it's paid off.
A second mortgage is another home loan taken out against an already-mortgaged property. They are usually smaller than a first mortgage. The two most common types of second mortgages are home equity loans and home equity lines of credit (HELOC).
A “piggyback” second mortgage is a home equity loan or home equity line of credit (HELOC) that is made at the same time as your main mortgage. Its purpose is to allow borrowers with low down payment savings to borrow additional money in order to qualify for a main mortgage without paying for private mortgage insurance.
If I Make $70,000 A Year What Mortgage Can I Afford? You can afford a home price up to $285,000 with a mortgage of $279,838. This assumes a 3.5% down FHA loan at 7%, a base loan amount of $275,025 plus the FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium of 1.75%, low debts, good credit, and a total debt-to-income ratio of 50%.
What are the requirements of a second mortgage? Like a first mortgage, during the application process, you will need to provide documentation of employment, sustained income, good financial history, credit score, your other debts and sufficient equity in your home.
Down payment requirements for a second home
If you have a lower credit score or higher debt-to-income ratio, your mortgage lender may require at least 20% down for a second home. A down payment of 25% or higher can make it easier to qualify for a conventional loan.
Paying off debts – Taking out a second mortgage can be useful if you have high-interest debts such as credit cards or student loans. The second mortgage can be used to pay those off; you will be able to save money if the second mortgage has a lower interest rate.
Getting a home equity loan can take anywhere from two weeks to two months, depending on your preparation of documents (such as W2s and 1099 tax forms and proof of income), your financial situation, and state laws. The home equity loan process time varies from lender-to-lender.
Can you take equity out of your house without refinancing? Yes, there are options other than refinancing to get equity out of your home. These include home equity loans, home equity lines of credit (HELOCs), reverse mortgages, Sale-Leaseback Agreements, and Home Equity Investments.
Conventional wisdom, according to Buch and Rhoda (1999), suggests using the “2-2-2 rule” as a criterion for refinancing: “Refinancing may make sense if the interest rate potentially available to you is 2 percent less than you are now paying, if you plan to stay in your home for more than two years, and if the ...
A second mortgage or junior-lien is a loan you take out using your house as collateral while you still have another loan secured by your house. Home equity loans and home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) are common examples of second mortgages.
As a general guideline, 43% is the highest DTI ratio a borrower can have and still get qualified for a mortgage. Ideally, lenders prefer a debt-to-income ratio lower than 36%, with no more than 28% of that debt going towards servicing a mortgage or rent payment. 2 The maximum DTI ratio varies from lender to lender.