Consumer debt, including credit cards, motor vehicle and signature loans, defined as debt not secured by real estate is at an all time high in America and it is a very troubling sign to consumer educators, because there appears to be no end in sight. The results of all this unabated consumer spending includes a tripling of the number of credit counseling agencies, a new cottage industry of debt negotiators and debt settlement firms, and an ever increasing number of personal bankruptcy filings," says the nonprofit Institute of Consumer Financial Education (ICFE), a San Diego based nonprofit group dedicated to helping people improve their spending, increase their savings and using credit more wisely.

Naturally, many people with high credit card and other debts are looking for a relatively easy way out. Because 'revolving credit card debt' accumulates on a daily basis, many consumers find themselves feeling hopeless, fearing they will never get their debts down to a manageable amount, there by always finding themselves on the money-merry-go-round. It is no wonder there are now home equity lenders geared to making money while helping people out of their credit card and other debts.

The home equity and no-equity debt consolidations loans now advertised continuously on TV, radio and in the newspapers may sometimes be a good decisions, however don't sign on the dotted line without considering the negatives as well as the positives. On the positive side, using a loan secured by your home to pay off high interest credit cards makes sense when you look at the numbers.

First of all the interest is almost always at a fixed lower rate of interest, so in comparison to the interest rate on credit cards, you will save money. Also, because the new loan is secured by real estate, the interest is often tax-deductible. Finally, your monthly payment is likely to be a lot lower than the combined monthly payments of all the debts you can wipe out. So, a home equity loans sounds like a no-brainer, right? Wrong!

The biggest danger to home equity loans is homeowners gamble their house they won't ever have a problem making the payments. At least with credit card debt, no matter how deep in debt you may be, no matter how unable you may be to pay the bills, they can never take your house. So, before you commit your home to such a loan, you better be certain you will be able to able the payments.

Another huge negative to this type of loan is the danger of getting into trouble with credit cards all over again. Here's why: If you take out a home equity loan, pay off all your credit cards, but not close out those paid off accounts, you then may run up your credit card debt again, Then you will have more credit card debts and your obligation to pay off the home equity loan. If you have learned your lesson about credit cards and take out a home equity loan, then close out all the credit card accounts because you are betting your home on it.

As for the reduced monthly payment of a home equity loan, the payment may be less, remember however, that a home equity mortgage is usually a commitment lasting anywhere between 15 and 30 years. That is a long time to pay off credit cards and other consumer debts.

The last big negative to taking pout a home equity loan is that it strips you of any flexibility you may have should you decide to sell your house. This is especially true if it's one of the home equity loans that exceeds the actual value of the home. In order to sell a home, all debts on the house has to be cleared, including first and second mortgages and home equity loans. So if you owe more on your house than its worth, you may have to make up the difference to sell it. And chances are, if you are in this predicament in the first place, you won't have that kind of money lying around.

Source: Staff Writer