Second Mortgage Loans - A second mortgage means whatever amount borrowed is secured by your property, in second preference, to your first mortgage and it is a secured loan. A second mortgage loan is made in addition to the first mortgage and normally based on the amount of equity that the borrower has in his home.

There are many loans available and it can be easy to get a second mortgage on your home. The amount that can be borrowed depends on the difference between the value of the property and the amount of the first mortgage. This is known as the equity on the property. There are two types of second mortgages and they are the home equity loan and the home equity line of credit.

A Home equity loan is a loan when the borrower uses the equity in his home as assurance. Home equity loans are a lump sum loan with a fixed interest rate payment. The amount of loan is determined by credit history, income, and the value of the collateral. Consumers with bad or poor credit can get a personal loan or home equity loan but it can have high interest rates.

A home equity line of credit is used by homeowners who want to borrow against the equity in their home and there are several different types of home equity lines of credit. The differences are based on the interest rate charged. The home equity line of credit is like a credit card, you get a line of credit to use when you need it. A line of credit will have a variable interest rate and the homeowner will not know what the interest payment will be. The interest rate on the loan will vary to the same interest rate as set by the Federal Reserve Board.

As for second mortgage interest rates, there is the fixed rate mortgage and adjustable rate mortgage (ARM). In a fixed rate mortgage, the interest rate remains fixed for the life of the loan. The borrower does not have to worry about the monthly payments changing or getting higher. This is a good loan to have when interest rates are low. In a adjustable rate mortgage(ARM), the interest rate may change during the life of the loan.

If you are going to live in your home more than just few years, having a fixed payment can be good. If you plan to stay a short time in your home and are not worried the monthly payment may change or increase in the future an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) may be a good loan option for you too.

Second mortgage interest rates can be higher than a 1st mortgage rate, and the interest paid on the second mortgage may be tax deductible ( ask your tax person). The interest may be 100% deductible if the combined loan value of the first and second mortgage does not exceed the price of the home.

When more than 80% of the home’s value is borrowed, it can subject the borrower to private mortgage insurance. If ever you refinance, you will have to pay off the 2nd mortgage. Taking out a second mortgage loan requires the lender to place a lien on the borrower's home. The lien will be recorded in second position after the first mortgage lender’s lien. Usually loans are for 5, 10 or 15 years which gives the borrower a choice of repayment options depending on their financial circumstances. 

The borrower is free to use the second mortgage loan as they wish. It could be used to pay debts, make home improvements, pay for college expenses, or anything. The important thing is make sure payments are paid on time and the loan is paid off as soon as possible as it is a secured loan. If it is not paid and you default on the loan, you risk losing your home.

Bad Credit Mortgage - Having bad credit doesn't always mean getting a mortgage is impossible. Do the research yourself for a loan with good terms. Lenders grade borrowers on their "underwriting guidelines" which are rules lenders use for those who apply for a mortgage. The rules change for different loan types like the requirements for a 30 or 2 year fixed loan and a variable loan for 28 years. Yet different lenders can have different guidelines for the same loan, with the same person applying for the loan. For example, if a person is seeking a 30 year fixed loan with several different lenders, each lender can have different guidelines. 

Before applying for a mortgage loan, check your credit reports and fix any errors. Review information about the last seven years involving credit cards, loans, payment habits, and collections. Credit reports that show many late mortgage payments may not be viewed well in the eyes of a prospective mortgage lender. However, a few late payments that were only a couple of days late may be taken as an honest mistake. Items on credit reports like collections for small debts, for example like $10, could indicate finances are not managed well and it may be best if you can pay off the debt in full.

Consider providing the mortgage lender with a letter of explanation as to why any debts were late. If there were any short term medical problems, lack of employment, or other circumstances to explain any late payments or credit problems, a letter of explanation can give added details. Lenders may require information about savings accounts or retirement accounts and it can be great if these types of assets have been around for months. It can look good to mortgage lenders if applicants have a reserve of cash to be able to pay bills for about three or more months in a savings account. If you have bad credit and you get prepared in advance, even people with bad credit may be able to get approved for a mortgage loan.