Press Release
DITECH.COM SURVEY REVEALS HOMEOWNERS MAY BE OVERLOOKING HELPFUL PERSONAL FINANCE OPTIONS
COSTA MESA, CALIF. - October 24, 2005 - Ditech.com, a leading mortgage
lender, today announced that the ditech.com U.S. Homeowner's Survey
revealed that homeowners are focused on paying off their mortgages but it
may come at the cost of their overall personal financial future. While
one in three homeowners expects to have their mortgage paid-off within
the next ten years, many are overlooking attractive financial
opportunities that are right in front of them.
"U.S. homeowners are proving the critics wrong. The vast majority
believe they will pay off their mortgage and the average homeowner is more
than half way there," commented Mike McCarthy, general manager,
ditech.com. "It's clear that homeowners have the best of intentions but it's
important that they fully understand the financial opportunities that
their home presents for their family's financial future. Proper evaluation
of mortgage options can help households manage their financial
priorities without exhausting emergency savings, delaying retirement or being
forces into higher-interest alternatives like credit cards."
U.S. HOMEOWNERS ARE ON TRACK TO PAY OFF MORTGAGES
Ditech.com's survey revealed that virtually all respondents have
already paid off, or are confident they will pay off their mortgages. Despite
chatter among skeptics in the industry, U.S. homeowners are looking to
pay their homes off within a decade and are already more than halfway
there. Key findings that demonstrate this trend include:
- Nine out of ten respondents have already paid off, or believe they
will pay off, their mortgages
- U.S. Homeowners surveyed have paid off an average of 53% of their
total mortgage (including all second mortages and home equity options)
- 1 in 3 homeowners estimate they have less than $75,000 to pay off
their mortgage
- More than 1/4 of respondents (28%) believe they will pay off their
mortgage within the next ten years
U.S. HOUSEHOLDS MAY BE OVERLOOKING IMPORTANT PERSONAL FINANCING OPTIONS
When it comes to their financial future, U.S. homeowners may not be
looking at the full picture. Survey results showed that, excluding
mortgages, U.S. homeowners expect doctor bills and healthcare to be their
largest household expenses in the next five years. However, when asked how
they plan to pay for these critical family costs, respondents pointed
to using personal savings and delaying retirement before tapping into
home equity options.
"The home is a homeowners' biggest financial asset and, when used
properly, it can deliver very high returns. We all face large expenses,
ranging from healthcare to credit cards, and there are many ways to use a
mortgage as a smart financing tool to fund these costs without
sacrificing financial security," continued McCarthy.
"By tapping into personal savings or using high-interest credit cards,
you may not be exercising the best financial option for you and your
family. However, with the right home equity product, homeowners can have
a personalized, flexible financial tool at their fingertips."
Key findings that demonstrate this trend include:
- Excluding their mortgage, U.S. homeowners cite doctor bills or
healthcare as their largest expense in the next five years.
- 1 in 5 respondents over thirty cited doctor bills or healthcare as
their largest expense in the next five years
- 1 in 3 respondents over fifty cited doctor bills or healthcare as
their largest expense in the next five years
- U.S. homeowners cited home renovations as their second largest
household expense in five years
- Majority of homeowners think it is financially responsible to use
home equity for their largest future expenses.
- 61% of respondents believe it is financially responsible to use home
equity to pay for medical expenses
- 63% of respondents believe it is financially responsible to use home
equity to pay for home renovations
- When asked how they personally plan to pay for their largest future
expenses, home equity was not a part of the payment plan.
- Almost half of respondents (48%) reported that they would use
personal savings.
- Over 1/4 of respondents (27%) said they plan to delay retirement.
Ditech.com and CARAVAN Opinion Research Corporation conducted a
national telephone survey of 1,347 households nationwide between September 22
and September 26, 2005. For a sample of 1,347 the margin is plus or
minus three percentage points at the 95% confidence level.
About ditech.com
Founded in 1995, ditech.com® is a wholly owned subsidiary of
Residential Capital Corporation (ResCap), which is owned by GMAC Financial
Services. A business unit of GMAC Mortgage, ditech.com delivers excellent
customer service along with the security of being part of one of the
largest mortgage companies in America. Ditech.com offers the consumer a
variety of products, including first mortgages, variable equity lines of
credit and no closing cost equity seconds. The online capabilities allow
the customer to communicate with knowledgeable loan agents from home,
work or on the road.
