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Home Home and Family Home Understanding a Second Mortgage
Understanding a Second Mortgage PDF Print E-mail
Written by Mike Cotter   
Typically, a second mortgage is defined as a secured loan that is subordinate to a first mortgage on the same property. The borrower can generally use the proceeds from a second mortgage for any purpose. Currently, a popular use of second mortgages is to pay off high-interest consumer debt, such as credit cards and car loans. Other common uses are for home improvements, college tuition, or to take a vacation. Second mortgages can even be used to secure lines of credit for future needs.
by MikeCotter


Typically, a second mortgage is defined as a secured loan that is subordinate to a first mortgage on the same property. The borrower can generally use the proceeds from a second mortgage for any purpose. Currently, a popular use of second mortgages is to pay off high-interest consumer debt, such as credit cards and car loans. Other common uses are for home improvements, college tuition, or to take a vacation. Second mortgages can even be used to secure lines of credit for future needs.

Until a few years ago, the total amount of debt from the 1st and 2nd mortgages combined could exceed 80% of the total market value of the home. Recently however, low interest rates combined with a competitive marketplace have created a lending environment where some lenders have approved 2nd mortgages that, when combined with the balance due on the 1st mortgage, total as high as 125% of the home value.

However, financial advisors will tell you that carrying that much debt on your home is never a good idea. I never recommend borrowing more than 100% of the value of your home and I rarely recommend a second mortgage with a loan to value of greater than 90%.

A second mortgage is always subordinate to the first mortgage. This means that in the event of a default, the property is sold and the proceeds are used to pay the first mortgage first, including any legal costs and other costs of the sale. The remaining proceeds are applied to the second mortgage. If there is not enough money remaining from the sale of the home, the second mortgage does not get paid.

Why A Higher Interest Rate?

When determining the interest rate that a lender is willing to loan money out for a home mortgage, he looks at the risk level to him for loaning that money. This is the reason that a high risk borrower with a poor credit history gets charged a higher interest rate than a low risk borrower with a strong credit history.

This theory also holds true for a second mortgage. Because a second mortgage lender is (by definition) second in position to be paid off in the event of a default, and because there is a greater chance that in default there may not be enough equity in the home to pay off the second mortgage in full, second mortgages are almost always given at a higher interest rate regardless of who the borrower is.

Terms available for Second Mortgages

Even though you may be offered several options for terms for your second mortgage, the terms offered will most likely be shorter than those of a first mortgage. This is primarily due to the fact that the amount of the second mortgage is generally much lower than that of the first mortgage.

Second mortgage repayment terms can vary considerably, so it is important that you look around for the one that is best for you. For the most part they range in length from 5 to 20 years, with the majority of second mortgage loans being 10 to 15 years. A select number of lenders will offer a 30 year amortization and some of them will balloon (set a maturity date) of 15 years. This loan is called a 30 due in 15. Generally, just like first mortgages, the longer the maturity, the higher the interest rates. Also, just like first mortgages, the higher the credit score (FICO) the lower the interest rate.

Second Mortgages Types

Just as the length of the second mortgage can vary, so can other repayment terms. The majority of second mortgages are paid back in equal monthly payments with a portion of the payment going to interest and a portion to the principal balance, just like a first mortgage.

Second mortgages come in two basic types, fixed rate and home equity line of credit (HELOC). Fixed rate mortgages are the standard offering. The HELOC mortgage is a little unique and has been very popular of late. Typically this loan calls for interest only payments for the first 5 to 10 years with the line of credit frozen at the outstanding balance of the loan. The loan payments are recast at that point and a standard principal and interest payment schedule is established for the remaining 10 to 20 years. HELOC's are typically priced with a variable interest rate indexed to the New York City prime interest rate.

HELOC interest rates are similar to other loan pricing; the lower the FICO score and the higher the loan to value, the higher the interest rate.

When contemplating a second mortgage, do your homework, shop around and then talk to lenders to ensure that you are getting the best deal!

About The Author:

Mike Cotter has been a professional lender for over 30 years. He began his career in the commercial banking industry in 1976 and in 1982 opened his own commercial bank and served as President and CEO for 10 years. He has been a successful mortgage broker for over 16 years and owns his own company.

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