Boston Condos for Sale and Apartments for Rent
Boston condo owners have a large amount of equity. What to know if you’re tempted to borrow from that
- Rising Boston condo for sale prices mean today’s Boston condo owners have record levels of home equity.
- With interest rates poised to rise, many homeowners may want to tap those funds.
- But just because you can, that does not mean you should, experts say.
New homes under construction by CastleRock Communities in Kyle, Texas, in November 2021.Matthew Busch | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Record increases in home prices are also pushing up the amount of equity people have in their abodes.
For many Americans, that means they can borrow more against what is often their biggest asset.
However, financial experts caution you should think carefully before making such a move.
The average mortgage holder currently has about $185,000 in home equity to tap, which is the amount they can access while still retaining a 20% stake, according to mortgage research from Black Knight.
Homeowner equity is now an aggregate $9.9 trillion
Homeowner equity is now an aggregate $9.9 trillion, according to Black Knight. That comes after a 35% gain in 2021 worth $2.6 trillion, the largest annual increase on record, beating a $1.1 trillion bump in 2020.
For some homeowners, the hot market has made it an attractive time to sell. Of course, those same rising prices, as well as high rents, can make it difficult for people to relocate.
Many homeowners have instead chosen to draw money from their homes, which they can traditionally do in three ways. That includes so-called cash out refinancing; home equity lines of credit, or HELOCs; and reverse mortgages, often offered through what is called home equity conversion mortgages, or HECMs.
More homeowners, particularly those age 62 and over, have been eager to extract equity from their homes amid current market conditions, research from the Urban Institute found. The combined number of those loans to seniors increased to 759,000 in 2020, from 647,000 in 2018.WATCH NOWVIDEO01:50Mortgage rates rising as demand for mortgages drops
That increase was driven mostly by cash out refinances, whereby a new, larger mortgage replaces the previous one. The median loan for those transactions rose to $205,000 in 2020, from $180,000 in 2018, according to the Urban Institute.
Boston condo interest ratees on the rise
With borrowing costs expected to rise as the Federal Reserve raises interest rates, that may increase the incentive for homeowners to make these transactions now.
“As interest rates rise in the coming year, you could see folks using more second lien products … to tap some of that equity when they need it,” said Karan Kaul, principal research associate at the Housing Finance Policy Center at the Urban Institute.
Boston condo owners that want t cash out
As rates kick up, the market may shift from being predominantly cash out refinance transactions to more HELOCs and home equity loans in the coming years, he said.
Cash out refinances require you to refinance your entire mortgage, which may not be economical for many consumers, as their payments would likely go up. A HELOC may be a better option for someone who is remodeling their bathroom, for example, and needs to borrow only $25,000. While that may have a higher interest rate, the underlying principal on that loan is much lower
Boston condo owners should maintain 20% equity
When deciding whether to borrow from your home, it’s important to remember that lenders typically will want you to maintain a 20% equity stake, said Greg McBride, chief financial analyst at Bankrate.com.
Boston condo owners exercise caution consolidating debt
Current credit card rates are hovering at around 16%, according to Bankrate, while mortgage rates are around 4%.
McBride cautions against consolidating your credit card debts with a home equity loan as a permanent solution. If the debt was the result of a one-time event, like a medical bill or period of unemployment, it can be helpful. But if it’s indicative of your lifestyle, chances are you will still run up a balance under a home equity loan.
Consider improving your home
Aleksandarnakic | E+ | Getty Images
Home improvement projects may also be a reason to tap your home equity.
“If I add another bedroom and a bathroom and a pool, the value of that is instantly higher than what you can buy for, not to mention the enjoyment that you’ll get along the way,” said Charles Sachs, a certified financial planner and chief investment officer at Kaufman Rossin Wealth in Miami.
While some of Sachs’ high-net-worth clients have pursued these transactions for home improvements or even invest in higher yielding investments, these strategies are not for everyone, he warns.
You should be financially savvy and have the ability to take on risk, he said.
Moreover, it is impossible to know when the absolute bottom to borrow will be. Still, we may look back in five years and be envious of current interest rates, he said.
Source: CNBC
