What Is a Second Mortgage Loan, and How Does It Work in Secured Capital Investments?

A second mortgage loan is a type of secured loan that allows homeowners to borrow against the equity in their property while still having an existing primary mortgage. This loan is considered "second" because it is subordinate to the first mortgage , meaning that in case of default, the primary lender gets repaid first before the second mortgage lender. How Does a Second Mortgage Loan Work? A second mortgage is based on home equity , which is the difference between the property’s market value and the outstanding mortgage balance. The higher the equity, the larger the borrowing potential. These loans can be used for real estate investments, debt consolidation, home renovations, or business funding . Borrowers repay the loan in monthly installments over a set period, often ranging from 5 to 20 years , depending on the lender and loan terms. Since the property serves as collateral, the interest rates are generally higher than a primary mortgage but lower than unsecured l...