Buying a House in Scotland
Buying a house in Scotland is slightly different from buying a house in other parts of the UK. It's not particularly complicated, and buying north of the border can often be quicker, but for those relocating from England and Wales there are a number of points you need to bear in mind.Agreement in ... more...

Federal Housing Administration (FHA)
FHA loan programs:FHA AccessFHA Cal GoldFHA Rural GoldFHA Mutal Mtg. InsuranceFHA 203 (k)FHA 203 bFHA 251FHA Title I programFHA MIP RefundThe Federal housing administration was created by Congress in 1934 as part of the national housing act. The purpose of the act, and of the FHA, was to generate ... more...

5 Tips for Savvy Use of Your Home Equity Line of Credit
Tapping your home's equity to pay college expenses, consolidate credit card debt or even to buy a new car or boat is common place. Many economists attribute the additional buying power afforded consumers through home equity debt as a primary reason the nation's economy has been able to emerge from ... more...

Home Improvements Turn Average Homes into Dreams Come True
If youre thinking about taking out a home improvement loan, there are several options to consider. First and foremost, your mortgage consultant needs to know why you want a home improvement loan. Here are some factors to take into consideration. How long have you been in the home? Will the ... more...

Lead Companies, Eight Features To Consider
So now the time has come to invest in Lead companies, but how do you know which one is the right one for you?When I was a new loan officer, finding a lead company was not easy, I can remember logging onto Yahoo, typing in the key word mortgage leads and being bombarded with links leading me in the ... more...

Is the Real Estate Bubble About to Burst?
How long can prices rise before no one can afford to buy? In a nutshell, that is the basic question that is niggling at the back of our collective subconscious when we talk about the real estate bubble.Real estate is appreciating at staggering rates - as much as 19% in some counties in Florida ... more...

The Financial Lessons of Hurricane Katrina
Sitting on my couch with my family praying for those hit by the category 4 hurricane named Katrina, I could not help but wonder what the economic impact on the people would be within the next 3 to 6 months. While the death toll rises, looters take to the street, and President Bush abruptly ends ... more...

How to Buy a Home Without a Down Payment
Mortgage rates are rising and its becoming more difficult for a prospective buyer to save up for the necessary down payment. Fortunately, there are ways around this hurdle.Although homebuyers were once required to put down 20% of the purchase price, those times are long gone. Generally, lenders now ... more...

Affording a Home
Can you really afford a house? If so, how much house can you afford? To determine this answer will take serious financial planning, and the best time to start is at least six months before buying the home.Although buying a new home may seem like an American Dream or romantic venture, the reality is ... more...

What You Should Avoid in the Months Before a Home Purchase
Buying a home is a big step and there are some definite no-nos to avoid so that your home buying experience isn't something that makes you want to jump off the nearest bridge. While many people assume we are talking about the 'shopping around and making an offer' period no-nos, we are actually ... more...

6 Things to Consider Before Refinancing
Perhaps youre a homeowner in need of some quick cash.Maybe you want to consolidate your debts so you have better control of your money.Perhaps a lender is urging you to refinance because interest rates are low, and he has a too-good-to-be-true deal that will shorten your current loans term.Here are ... more...

How to Convert Your Real Estate Notes into Quick Cash
If youre a real estate investor needing quick cash, selling your notes could offer a fast, easy solution. It can happen to anyone. You find yourself in a situation where you need a chunk of cashinstantly. Maybe you have to handle an emergency or simply want to free up funds to invest elsewhere. ... more...

Thousands of Older Americans Are No Longer House Rich and Cash Poor
Nowadays, reverse mortgages are becoming popular among seniors and retirees as a way to supplement their income and allow them to live comfortably through their retirement.The number of seniors nationwide who took reverse mortgages in 2004 doubled from the previous year to more than 40,000, ... more...