A second mortgage is a loan against a home that also has an existing first mortgage. In a home foreclosure sale, the first mortgage lender gets repaid before the second mortgage lender. Applying for a ...

Joshua Rodriguez is a personal finance and investing writer with a passion for his craft. When he's not working, he enjoys time with his wife, two kids and two dogs. It's exciting to purchase a second ...

Joshua Rodriguez is a personal finance and investing writer with a passion for his craft. When he's not working, he enjoys time with his wife, two kids and two dogs. Are you thinking about purchasing ...

Rapid home price appreciation and low inventory mean American homeowners are sitting on substantial home equity. In the second quarter of 2025, mortgage holders carried $11.5 trillion in "tappable" ...

Second homes may seem just like primary residences, but when it comes to financing, taxes and expenses, there are some important differences. Before you step into the second home market, you’ll want ...

Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Sandra Thompson recently announced its conditional approval of Freddie Mac pilot to purchase second mortgages. I’ve personally been an outspoken ...

In 2023, home purchases slowed across the board due to low levels of inventory, high mortgage rates and soaring home prices. Simultaneously, the appetite for second homes also diminished substantially ...

This tax season, one of housing’s biggest breaks looks more lopsided than ever—and the second-home piece is drawing new scrutiny.

In real estate, first-lien loans (primary mortgages) let you finance a home purchase, while second-lien loans (home equity loans or HELOCs) let you tap your home’s value for cash. The holder of the ...