A home equity loan is a second mortgage that pays you one lump sum at closing and is repaid on a set schedule, usually at a fixed rate. Your first mortgage stays exactly as it is. For Clearfield homeowners with a single, known expense, this closed-end loan offers a clear borrowing amount, a payment that typically does not change, and a firm date when the debt is gone.
Call to speak with a licensed loan officer about home equity loans in Clearfield. Programs vary by borrower, property and investor.
Second mortgages and equity in Clearfield
In 2024, lenders made 176 closed-end subordinate-lien loans (home equity loans and other second mortgages) and 293 HELOCs in Clearfield County. About 43% of owner-occupied homes in Clearfield have no mortgage at all; for those owners a home equity loan would be the first lien, not a second one.
How a lump-sum second mortgage works
The words closed-end describe this loan well. The amount is set at closing and the account does not reopen as you pay it down. You get one disbursement, one schedule and one finish line.
Each installment covers interest plus a slice of principal, so the balance shrinks steadily. Most home equity loans carry a fixed rate, which shields you from changes in the broader market. The trade-off is less flexibility: you pay interest on the whole amount from day one, even if you do not spend it right away. That makes the loan a better match for a known cost than for an open-ended one.
Start your application in a few minutes. A licensed loan officer reviews it and follows up with your options.
- Takes a few minutes
- Reviewed by a licensed loan officer
- No obligation to proceed
Prefer to talk first? Call (888) 912-6746. Applying is not a loan approval or commitment to lend; programs vary by borrower, property and investor. ClearPoint Mortgage Advisors, NMLS #173855. Properties in FL, NY, NJ, PA, CT and VA only.
Lien position and combined loan-to-value
When you add a second mortgage, two lenders now have a claim on your house. The first mortgage holder stands at the front of the line. The home equity lender stands behind it. If you later refinance your first mortgage, the second lender usually must agree to stay in second place, a step called subordination.
To decide how much to lend, the lender adds your first mortgage balance and the proposed new loan, then compares that sum with the appraised value. This combined loan-to-value figure must stay under the lender's limit, which varies by lender, occupancy and credit profile. More equity means more room to borrow.
Who this tends to fit
- You have a signed contractor bid for a specific project
- You want a payment that stays the same from the first installment to the last
- You need a set amount for a single, clearly priced expense
- You prefer a firm payoff date over an open-ended line of credit
- You have enough equity left after counting your first mortgage balance
Local offices and Pennsylvania rules to know
Pennsylvania recording costs: State realty transfer tax on deeds and other writings that transfer real estate (collected by county Recorders of Deeds), often along with an additional local realty transfer tax shared with municipalities and school districts. Your Loan Estimate lists the taxes that apply to your loan.
When a home equity loan makes more sense in Clearfield
Versus a cash-out refinance. If your first mortgage has terms you would not want to give up, a home equity loan lets you borrow without replacing it. Closing costs apply only to the new second loan, not to a full new first mortgage.
Versus a HELOC. If you know the exact amount you need and prefer a payment that does not move with the market, a fixed lump sum may suit you better than a variable line. You also avoid the jump in payments that can come when a HELOC shifts from drawing to repayment. For one-time costs with a firm price, the closed-end structure is simple and easy to plan around.
Before you call
- The exact amount you need and a written quote or bill if you have one
- Your homeowners insurance declarations page and property tax bill
- Your first mortgage statement showing the current balance
- Whether you might refinance your first mortgage in the future
- An estimate of your home's value and a list of recent improvements
Questions Clearfield borrowers ask about home equity loans
Do home equity loans have closing costs?
Usually, yes, though they are often smaller than on a full first mortgage because the loan amount is smaller and the process may be simpler. Costs can include an appraisal or valuation, title work, recording fees and lender charges. Some lenders cover certain costs in exchange for other terms. Your Loan Estimate lists every charge, so compare estimates line by line.
Can I pay off a home equity loan early?
Many home equity loans allow early payoff, but some include a prepayment penalty or require you to repay certain closing costs if you close the loan within a set window. These terms appear in your loan documents and disclosures. Ask about them before you sign, especially if you might sell the home or refinance in the next few years.
What does lien position mean for me as a borrower?
Lien position sets the order in which lenders are repaid from a sale or foreclosure. Your first mortgage is repaid first, and a home equity loan second. As a borrower, the practical effect shows up when you refinance: your second lender may need to agree to remain behind the new first mortgage through subordination. If they decline, you may need to pay off the second loan.
What does combined loan-to-value mean?
Combined loan-to-value, or CLTV, compares the total of every loan secured by your home with its appraised value. Lenders add your first mortgage balance to the requested home equity loan and check that the total stays under their ceiling. Each lender sets its own limit, and it can differ by occupancy and credit. The more equity you have, the more room you may have to borrow.
Get answers about home equity loans for a home in or around Clearfield. Subject to credit approval; programs vary.
Other loan options in Clearfield
LendersCompaniesBrokersHome loansRefinanceCash-out refinanceHELOCFHAVAFirst-time buyerUSDAReverse mortgageConstructionRenovation
Home Equity Loans near Clearfield
- Home Equity Loans in Philipsburg, PA (15 mi)
- Home Equity Loans in DuBois, PA (18 mi)
- Home Equity Loans in Tyrone, PA (26 mi)
- Home Equity Loans in Punxsutawney, PA (29 mi)
- Home Equity Loans in St. Marys, PA (31 mi)
- Home Equity Loans in Northern Cambria, PA (31 mi)
- Home Equity Loans in Park Forest Village, PA (32 mi)
- Home Equity Loans in State College, PA (34 mi)
Related guides
- What Is a Second Mortgage?
- HELOC vs. Home Equity Loan: Which Way to Tap Your Equity
- Cash-Out Refinance vs. HELOC: Choosing How to Use Your Equity
Home Equity Loans across Pennsylvania · Home Equity Loans guide · Pennsylvania overview
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates
- 2024 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data for Clearfield County