If you are thinking about using the equity in your home to consolidate your loans and take control of your debt, then you have a few different options available, with considerable different and terms and conditions. Before committing to a certain path, do some research and educate yourself on the differences between a Home Mortgage, a Home Equity Loan, an Equity Line, and Home Refinancing.

Obtain a first mortgage on your home

If you havent already, obtaining a first mortgage on your home is usually the first step, and the best choice overall.

Obtain a loan on the equity in your home

A Home Equity Loan, also called a second mortgage, doesnt require you to refinance your entire home loan. The rates and costs of Home Equity Loans are usually more attractive than most credit cards or other unsecured lines of credit and the amount available is usually up to 85% of the value of your home. Obtaining a second mortgage is very similar to a first mortgage process.

Home Equity secures an Equity Line

Instead of drawing one lump sum amount with a Home Equity Loan, an Equity Line allows you to write checks and borrow against your equity for smaller amounts, over an extended period of time, and usually at lower rates than an unsecured credit line. In essence, your home becomes the security for your new credit line, but be careful, although this may feel like a wonderfully large credit card, if you are unable to pay your home is in jeopardy.

Refinancing your home

Refinancing your home usually provides a lower interest rate than a second mortgage or Home Equity Loan, and the mortgage term can be longer, resulting in lower monthly payments. However, it can be more costly to refinance a home than to obtain a second mortgage. Check to make sure that interest rates are low enough to make refinancing the best choice and remember that a lower interest rate means less to deduct on your taxes and in the end can increase your tax payments, which decreases your overall savings.