http://www.home-mortgage-help.com/home-equity/home-equity-loan-rate.html The home equity loan rate you qualify for will be measured by numerous financial factors. Factor the equation beforehand and prepare for your home equity loan rate now. en-us Sat, 26 Jul 2008 15:00:00 EDT Sat, 26 Jul 2008 15:00:00 EDT Weblog Editor 2.0 The most important factors you need to consider when applying for a home equity loan are: how much of your equity you will need to access for what reasons - long terms or short the home equity loan rate that will effect your specific repayment costs What drives your home equity loan rate? The factors affecting your home equity loan rate are sometimes different - and occasionally opposite - from those governing your first home mortgage. You will see a higher home equity loan rate when you have bad credit, but to less of an effect than on your first mortgage. Unlike first mortgages - where the rates you pay are for a large part determined by the duration of your term - home equity loan rates concentrate more on the overall loan amount itself and the relation to your accumulated equity. The rates you see will definitely be higher than those for today's first mortgages, and no matter how hard you work at it you will have a more difficult time lowering this home equity loan rate. Why all the difficulties? Why is home equity financing such a strenuous, inflexible financial tool? Well, in a word - risk. The increased risk of home equity financing Everyone taking out mortgages today can appreciate the effects of increased risk. If you have bad credit - you'll see higher rates. If you are applying or a loan that is too large for your abilities - you will see increased rates. if you are taking out a mortgage with a low down payment or complete lack thereof you should expect higher rates. And if you are forcing your countrywide home equity loan to take a back seat to your first mortgage lender you can bet on who the risk is greater for and the reasons behind the higher home equity loan rate. Home equity financing is a luxury - not a right like home ownership or refinancing options. You are looking to access your stored money to make more money or to help you save money - and to that effect you should expect to pay more. Sat, 26 Jul 2008 15:00:00 EDT