Credit Debt Consolidation - The Best Way To Consolidate Debt

Borrowers seeking the best way to consolidate debt will invariably be presented with many options when they meet with their bank or lender

. However, borrowers will seldom be offered a solution that can really call itself the best way to consolidate debt. In order for them to sign up for such a program, they would not only need to improve their interest costs but would also need to improve their monthly cash flow. Since very few options can achieve both, many borrowers are stuck having to prioritize how they repay their debt. Here, we will discuss three options that indeed help borrower achieve lower interest costs and lower cash outflows. Other alternatives will be discussed in another forum.

Without question, the best way to consolidate debt involves using home equity. Provided the borrower has enough equity, he or she can secure a Home Equity Line of Credit, can refinance an existing First Mortgage, or can obtain a second mortgage. Since rates given on credit that is secured are by far much more attractive than unsecured rates, using home equity is clearly the best way to consolidate debt. These three options will be discussed in greater detail here.

1. Home Equity Line of Credit. Although the HELOC is not the absolute best way to consolidate debt, it offers a great deal of flexibility. Already, we know that the rates charged on Home Equity Lines of Credit are lower than unsecured debt. More importantly, however, is that most HELOC's require minimal monthly payments, some as low as "interest only." So, the borrower realizes both benefits - a lower interest rate as well as lower monthly cash-outflow. Keep in mind, however, that while the HELOC consider a best way to consolidate debt, making the interest-only payments will not improve your net worth unless you are investing aggressively. In order to improve your net worth, you need to eliminate the debt.

2. Refinancing a First Mortgage. This is clearly the best way to consolidate debt in almost every situation. Although there can potentially be penalties and fees to break an existing mortgage term, borrowers should evaluate the savings over their existing debt situation and consider how much they will save over the life of the debt. This can be measured as simply as finding the difference between interest rates and can also be measured by reviewing the monthly cash flow savings. With First Mortgage rates quite low, especially now, borrowers will not only benefit from exceptionally low credit rates, but from a much lower, single monthly payment. As the best way to consolidate debt, the First Mortgage option does have a fairly large drawback; the consolidated debt erodes the equity previously available in the home.

3. Getting a Second Mortgage. With Second Mortgages, borrowers are likely to pay steeper rates than First Mortgages and Home Equity Lines of Credit. Despite this, Second Mortgages quite often come with preferred repayment terms, such as interest only. This means that the borrower can cut back on their monthly payment obligations rather substantially, even though they are not making much progress financially. With a Second Mortgage, borrowers are usually left with no other option; they cannot qualify for a HELOC or a refinance on their First Mortgage. Although interest savings are minimal and Second Mortgages are indeed the least favorable of the debt consolidation methods examined here, they do provide preferred rates and terms compared to unsecured options.

Borrowers seeking the best way to consolidate debt should always consider their "secured" options first. These will help borrowers become financially better off on two fronts. The first is in total interest costs paid. The Second is in an improvement to cash flow. Regardless of which options makes the most sense for any given borrower, using the equity in the home is definitely the best way to consolidate debt.

Credit Debt Consolidation - The Best Way To Consolidate Debt

By: Crosby Bartholomew

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