Bankruptcy Versus Debt Consolidation Loans

Before filing for bankruptcy, consider debt consolidation loans that enable you to refinance credit card debt with a second mortgage loan.

Many consumers are finding themselves with heavy credit card debt and unable to make the newly increased payments. In the past, struggling debtors behind in payments with no solution in sight could file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy and eliminate any unsecured loan. With the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 now in effect, filing a bankruptcy is not the easy answer it used to be. Noted bankruptcy specialist Michael H. Reed, partner in the law firm of Pepper Hamilton LLP in Philadelphia explains, "Under the new amendments, the bankruptcy trustee, or any creditor, can move to dismiss a Chapter 7 filing if the debtor's income is greater than the state median income."

Preferred Loan Type Select ---------------> Mortgage Refinance Cash Out Refinance Home Equity New Home Purchase Property Type Select One-----------> Single-Family Detached Condominium Cooperative Multi-Family Dwelling Modular Mobile Home Manufactured Home Property Value Select One-----------> 1st Time Buyer 75,000 - 80,000 80,000 - 85,000 85,000 - 90,000 90,000 - 95,000 95,000 - 100,000 100,000 - 105,000 105,000 - 110,000 110,000 - 115,000 115,000 - 120,000 120,000 - 125,000 125,000 - 130,000 130,000 - 135,000 135,000 - 140,000 140,000 - 145,000 145,000 - 150,000 150,000 - 155,000 155,000 - 160,000 160,000 - 165,000 165,000 - 170,000 170,000 - 175,000 175,000 - 180,000 180,000 - 185,000 185,000 - 190,000 190,000 - 195,000 195,000 - 200,000 200,000 - 205,000 205,000 - 210,000 210,000 - 215,000 215,000 - 220,000 220,000 - 225,000 225,000 - 230,000 230,000 - 235,000 235,000 - 240,000 240,000 - 245,000 245,000 - 250,000 250,000 - 255,000 255,000 - 260,000 260,000 - 265,000 265,000 - 270,000 270,000 - 275,000 275,000 - 280,000 280,000 - 285,000 285,000 - 290,000 290,000 - 295,000 295,000 - 300,000 300,000 - 305,000 305,000 - 310,000 310,000 - 315,000 315,000 - 320,000 320,000 - 325,000 325,000 - 330,000 330,000 - 335,000 335,000 - 340,000 340,000 - 345,000 345,000 - 350,000 350,000 - 355,000 355,000 - 360,000 360,000 - 365,000 365,000 - 370,000 370,000 - 375,000 375,000 - 380,000 380,000 - 385,000 385,000 - 390,000 390,000 - 395,000 395,000 - 400,000 400,000 - 405,000 405,000 - 410,000 410,000 - 415,000 415,000 - 420,000 420,000 - 425,000 425,000 - 430,000 430,000 - 435,000 435,000 - 440,000 440,000 - 445,000 445,000 - 450,000 450,000 - 455,000 455,000 - 460,000 460,000 - 465,000 465,000 - 470,000 470,000 - 475,000 475,000 - 480,000 480,000 - 485,000 485,000 - 490,000 490,000 - 495,000 495,000 - 500,000 500,000 - 505,000 505,000 - 510,000 510,000 - 515,000 515,000 - 520,000 520,000 - 525,000 525,000 - 530,000 530,000 - 535,000 535,000 - 540,000 540,000 - 545,000 545,000 - 550,000 550,000 - 555,000 555,000 - 560,000 560,000 - 565,000 565,000 - 570,000 570,000 - 575,000 575,000 - 580,000 580,000 - 585,000 585,000 - 590,000 590,000 - 595,000 595,000 - 600,000 600,000 - 605,000 605,000 - 610,000 610,000 - 615,000 615,000 - 620,000 620,000 - 625,000 625,000 - 630,000 630,000 - 635,000 635,000 - 640,000 640,000 - 645,000 645,000 - 650,000 650,000 - 655,000 655,000 - 660,000 660,000 - 665,000 665,000 - 670,000 670,000 - 675,000 675,000 - 680,000 680,000 - 685,000 685,000 - 690,000 690,000 - 695,000 695,000 - 700,000 700,000 - 705,000 705,000 - 710,000 710,000 - 715,000 715,000 - 720,000 720,000 - 725,000 725,000 - 730,000 730,000 - 735,000 735,000 - 740,000 740,000 - 745,000 745,000 - 750,000 750,000 - 755,000 755,000 - 760,000 760,000 - 765,000 765,000 - 770,000 770,000 - 775,000 775,000 - 780,000 780,000 - 785,000 785,000 - 790,000 790,000 - 795,000 795,000 - 800,000 Over 800,000 Credit Rating Select ---------------> Excellent Good Fair Poor

With bankruptcy often not the best option, the better solution is debt consolidation loans. If you have equity in your home, now may be the time to tap into it and get your credit card debt under control. A home equity loan can be utilized to pay off all credit debt. The payments on this second mortgage will be much lower than a credit card payment because it is amortized over a longer period. If you get a fixed-rate mortgage, you’ll know exactly what your payments are every month and hopefully be in better position to work out a plan to pay off your debt. A variable home equity line of credit (HELOC) may also be an option for consolidation, but compare interest rates. If you plan to pay off the line of credit quickly, it may be a good decision, but with rates rising, locking in a fixed-rate second mortgage may be the better answer.

Another option is to refinance your current mortgage to either cash out or lower your mortgage payments. Refinancing to an adjustable-rate mortgage will save you money in the short-term if you plan on selling before your rate becomes variable. Mortgage refinancing can also be used to cash out your equity in a lump sum and pay off your unsecured debt.

Article written By Rebecca O'Connor for Nationwide Mortgage Loans