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What is a Junior Mortgage?
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
A junior mortgage, also called a second mortgage, is a type of loan that is lower in lien priority than a prior loan or lien. This second mortgage is granted after a primary mortgage loan has been approved. Since a junior mortgage is recorded after the initial loan, it is considered inferior to the first loan. Like a first mortgage loan, a junior mortgage is secured using the value of the home as collateral.
Many borrowers seek to secure junior mortgages for the purpose of obtaining additional down payment or closing cost money. In this situation, the junior mortgage is granted at nearly the same time as the primary mortgage. Some lenders prefer to avoid granting this type of junior mortgage because the borrower typically has little or no equity in the home. However, other lenders are willing to grant junior mortgages in such cases, especially when the borrower has very good credit or meets other criteria.
Another reason a borrower might seek a junior mortgage is to gain access to his or her home equity. Often, liquidated equity is used for home improvements, taking a dream vacation, or assisting a family member with college tuition costs. However, this money can be used in any way the borrower sees fit.
In order to obtain a junior mortgage, the borrower must meet the requirements of the lender. The borrower must be able to prove his or her capability of repaying the junior mortgage in addition to the original loan. In considering the borrower's application, the lender will review the borrower's credit history and score, employment history, income, debts, and a variety of other factors. The fact that the borrower was able to obtain a first mortgage doesn't necessarily mean he or she will be able to secure a junior mortgage.
Junior mortgages typically carry higher interest rates and shorter loan terms than first mortgages. A higher rate means larger monthly payments and an increase in overall loan cost. However, junior mortgages are often less costly than unsecured loans.
Since a junior mortgage takes secondary priority to a primary mortgage, the lender stands a greater chance of losing money if the borrower defaults on the loan. Basically, the secondary lender isn't entitled to any portion of the proceeds from the sale of the home until the first lender is repaid in full. This higher level of risk causes many lenders to be cautious in granting junior mortgages.
Nicole Madison
Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a WiseGEEK writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.
Learn more...
Nicole Madison
Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a WiseGEEK writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.
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![A junior mortgage takes secondary priority to a primary mortgage.]()
By: Vesna CvorovicA junior mortgage takes secondary priority to a primary mortgage. -
![Before a borrower obtains a junior mortgage, a lender will review the borrower's credit history.]()
By: karam miriBefore a borrower obtains a junior mortgage, a lender will review the borrower's credit history. -
![A junior mortgage is often used to pay for a down payment or closing costs in a home purchase.]()
By: Cheryl CaseyA junior mortgage is often used to pay for a down payment or closing costs in a home purchase.
Discussion Comments
@dfoster85 - I'm afraid I must disagree with you. I'm glad that it seems to be working for you, but I don't think it's a good idea for most people. A first home mortgage is plenty of house-related debt!
What happens with mot people who try to consolidate their loans this way is that they just run up their credit cards again. Then they have debt on their home and debt on their cards and no way to get relief. The important thing isn't to take out another loan; it's to change your spending habits so you're living within your means.
I'm sure some people can do that. But I would encourage anyone thinking about taking out a second mortgage to try changing their lifestyle first to make sure they really had the discipline.
With mortgage interest rates being so low, a junior mortgage (home equity loan) can be a good way to pay off other debt if you've been in your home awhile and qualify. The interest is tax deductible--you don't get that with anything else! You can fold it all into one payment and have a nice long time to pay. We did this last year to wipe out our credit card debt (and still had enough left to start saving for a nice vacation). Not only is the interest tax-deductible, it's a much lower rate than we were paying on our cards.
But we bought our house in 2004, before prices went up so much, and we made a decent down payment, so we had some equity. Anyone who bought at the top of the market may not have enough equity.
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