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Should you use home equity to buy a second home? Experts weigh in
American homeowners are sitting on a significant sum of equity. In fact, the average homeowner has about $298,000 in equity, according to the data firm CoreLogic. That equity can be turned into cash using tools like home equity loans or HELOCs and used to renovate your home, pay off debts, or achieve other financial goals. Some homeowners even use these funds to buy a second house.
But is this a good move for your finances, though? Below, we’ll break down what some experts say about using equity to buy another property.
See what home equity loan interest rate you could qualify for here now.
Should you use home equity to buy a second home?
Here’s when some experts think you should use home equity to buy a second home – and when they think you shouldn’t.
When you should use home equity to buy a second home
Home equity can be an easy choice for funding a second home purchase — especially if you don’t have the savings to do so otherwise.
“The advantage of using a HELOC for a second home purchase is that you don’t have to raise cash — say, by selling stocks or liquidating other assets,” says Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, founder of The Money Coach.
But the move is only smart if you’re careful. For one, you’ll need to have the monthly income to handle both payments — your main mortgage and your HELOC. You will also need to be confident in the strength of your local housing market and that your current home’s value will remain high. If your home value drops, you could end up owing more on your home than it’s worth.
“Taking out a HELOC increases your monthly debt payments and obligations, so you need to take a very good look at your budget and income stability to ensure you are able to comfortably make this new payment,” says Mason Whitehead, branch manager at Churchill Mortgage. “Also, you create risk for a domino event if you have a HELOC on your primary residence and other properties as well. If the market moves negatively or you have a job or income loss issue, you are at risk of losing multiple properties if you are unable to keep the payments current.”
You should also be confident in your second home’s value before using equity to pay for it. Will the home it appreciate in value over time? If you plan to rent it out, will you be able to keep it booked and bringing in income? Plotting the future of the property is critical, experts say.
“Conduct thorough research of the real estate market — especially in the area you plan to buy your second home,” says Vikram Gupta, head of home equity at PNC Bank. “This will allow you to better understand the potential returns compared to the risks.”
Learn more about your home equity options here today.
When you shouldn’t use home equity to buy a second home
You shouldn’t turn to home equity if your income is inconsistent or you might have a change in income or jobs soon. As Whitehead puts it, “You need to consider your income stability and potential ‘what if’ scenarios before taking out any debt — especially one tied to your primary home. Make sure your income is consistent and that you are comfortable with a decline in income.”
Consistent income is particularly important if you’re getting a HELOC, as they usually have adjustable interest rates. This means your rate and monthly payment could rise over time. You’ll need to be sure you have enough cash to cover those increased costs — as well as the payments on your existing mortgage, too.
“Ultimately you could face a double whammy,” Khalfani-Cox says. “The HELOC could adjust upwards, and if you took out a loan to buy that second property and you used an adjustable-rate mortgage, that loan could adjust also, giving you payment shock.”
Finally, tapping your equity isn’t wise if home values are declining in your area. If home values drop, you could find yourself in a negative equity situation. If this occurs, you will owe more on your mortgages than the home is worth — and even selling the property wouldn’t be enough to pay off your loans.
Shop around for your home equity loan or HELOC
If you do choose to leverage your home equity for a new home purchase, run the numbers with a loan officer first to make sure it’s a smart financial choice. You should also shop around for your lender, as rates, fees, terms, and qualifying requirements can vary from one company to the next.
CBS News
How to watch the New York Jets vs. New England Patriots game today: Livestream options, more
The Northeast sports world is set to heat up today as the New York Jets take on the New England Patriots. The game will be played at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachussetts. Both teams are coming into the game looking for an edge. The Jets have lost their last four games and are just 2-5 this season while the Patriots are looking to snap a six-game losing streak. They’re just 1-7 so far this regular season.
Keep reading to find out how and when to watch the New York Jets vs. New England Patriots game today, even if you don’t have cable.
CBS, Paramount+ and CBS Essentials are all subsidiaries of Paramount Global.
How and when to watch the New York Jets vs. New England Patriots game today
The New York Jets vs. New England Patriots game will be played on Sunday, October 27, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. ET (10:00 a.m. PT). The NFL football game will air on CBS, and stream on Paramount+ and the platforms featured below.
How and when to watch the New York Jets vs. New England Patriots game without cable
While CBS is available with many basic cable packages, you don’t need to worry if you don’t have access. Whether you have cable or have completely cut the cord, the game will be available with a variety of other options. Just note that the below streaming options will require the use of an internet provider:
Paramount+: Watch CBS-aired NFL games without cable
With Paramount+ you’ll have multiple viewing options to choose from. You can catch NFL games on the Paramount+ Essential tier for just $7.99 each month or you can watch college football with a Paramount+ with Showtime subscription for $12.99 monthly. In addition to live streams of NFL games airing on CBS, you’ll get to watch additional live sporting events including NCAA college football, PGA Tour golf, soccer and more.
Get started with Paramount+ here today.
Amazon Prime Video: Add Paramount+ to your existing subscription
Already have an Amazon Prime Video account? Simply add Paramount+ to your current subscription to watch all the CBS-aired NFL games in addition to Paramount+ originals. The same prices from above apply, depending on which tier you choose. Not sure which is best for you? Don’t worry. Both options come with a free seven-day trial that can help you decide.
Watch the Jets-Patriots game on Amazon Prime Video.
Fubo: Watch the Jets-Patriots game for free
If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to watch a variety of football games, Fubo could be the best way to do so. The live TV streamer is currently offering a seven-day free trial and $30 off of your first month’s subscription. Once subscribed, you’ll gain access to all of their live sporting events immediately. And there will be a lot to choose from. Not only does Fubo come with access to NFL games airing on your local CBS channel, it also includes Fox Sunday NFC games, “Sunday Night Football” on NBC, “Monday Night Football” on ABC and ESPN and all of the games that air on the NFL Network. So don’t wait.
Get started with Fubo online now.
Waiting for the game to start? As the season rolls on you may want to stock up on the latest NFL gear and merchandise. Fanatics is a great way to do so. With the latest player t-shirts, jerseys, hoodies and more, there’s plenty of stuff in stock to keep you covered this season. But don’t wait much longer. As each week in the season passes by competition for this limited merchandise will increase. Don’t wait for it to sell out.
Head over to Fanatics now to check out the latest NFL fan gear drop.
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How to watch the Chicago Bears vs. Washington Commanders game today: Livestream options, more
The Chicago Bears are set to take on the Washington Commanders today. The Bears are looking to extend their winning run to four games in a row (they’re currently 4-2). But the Commanders have a similar record, coming into the game at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland having lost only twice so far this regular season (5-2 overall), in what appears to be a very evenly matched game.
Keep reading to find out how and when to watch the Chicago Bears vs. Washington Commanders game today, even if you don’t have cable.
CBS, Paramount+ and CBS Essentials are all subsidiaries of Paramount Global.
How and when to watch the Chicago Bears vs. Washington Commanders game today
The Chicago Bears vs. Washington Commanders game will be played on Sunday, October 27, 2024 at 4:25 p.m. ET (1:25 p.m. PT). The NFL football game will air on CBS, and stream on Paramount+ and the platforms featured below.
How and when to watch the Chicago Bears vs. Washington Commanders game without cable
While CBS is available with many basic cable packages, you don’t need to worry if you don’t have access. Whether you have cable or have completely cut the cord, the game will be available with a variety of other options. Just note that the below streaming options will require the use of an internet provider:
Paramount+: Watch CBS-aired NFL games without cable
With Paramount+ you’ll have multiple viewing options to choose from. You can catch NFL games on the Paramount+ Essential tier for just $7.99 each month or you can watch college football with a Paramount+ with Showtime subscription for $12.99 monthly. In addition to live streams of NFL games airing on CBS, you’ll get to watch additional live sporting events including NCAA college football, PGA Tour golf, soccer and more.
Get started with Paramount+ here today.
Amazon Prime Video: Add Paramount+ to your existing subscription
Already have an Amazon Prime Video account? Simply add Paramount+ to your current subscription to watch all the CBS-aired NFL games in addition to Paramount+ originals. The same prices from above apply, depending on which tier you choose. Not sure which is best for you? Don’t worry. Both options come with a free seven-day trial that can help you decide.
Watch the Bears-Commanders game on Amazon Prime Video.
Fubo: Watch the Jets-Patriots game for free
If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to watch a variety of football games, Fubo could be the best way to do so. The live TV streamer is currently offering a seven-day free trial and $30 off of your first month’s subscription. Once subscribed, you’ll gain access to all of their live sporting events immediately. And there will be a lot to choose from. Not only does Fubo come with access to NFL games airing on your local CBS channel, it also includes Fox Sunday NFC games, “Sunday Night Football” on NBC, “Monday Night Football” on ABC and ESPN and all of the games that air on the NFL Network. So don’t wait.
Get started with Fubo online now.
Waiting for the game to start? As the season rolls on you may want to stock up on the latest NFL gear and merchandise. Fanatics is a great way to do so. With the latest player t-shirts, jerseys, hoodies and more, there’s plenty of stuff in stock to keep you covered this season. But don’t wait much longer. As each week in the season passes by competition for this limited merchandise will increase. Don’t wait for it to sell out.
Head over to Fanatics now to check out the latest NFL fan gear drop.