How to Spot and Avoid Predatory Lending
Predatory lenders promise loans that are "too good to be true" and pressure borrowers to take them on the spot. Here's a few things you or your family and friends should know about spotting and avoid predatory loans:How to Spot a Predatory Loan*Balloon payments.*High interest rates.*Monthly ... more...

Subprime Mortgages Low Down Payments And No PMI
Sub-prime mortgages offer financing for those with poor credit to finance the purchase of a home. Todays sub-prime mortgages offer low down payment options with no private mortgage insurance (PMI). As a result, more people are finding it easier to buy a home.Sub-prime Mortgage OptionsSub-prime ... more...

When it Comes To Refinancing Your Home, a Refi is a Refi, Right?
In this day or automation, bill paying online and Internet loan applications, one would think that conducting a refinance loan is the same, no matter what. However, there are three main types of refinances, so it is important to learn the difference if you are considering refinancing.Rate/Term- ... more...

Home Mortgages: Should You Apply Now?
If youre thinking about applying for a new mortgage or refinancing your current mortgage, you might want to take action now.In its survey this week (the week of Aug. 1), Freddie Mac, the corporation that finances many of the countrys mortgages, reported that rates on 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages ... more...

Common Real Estate FAQs: Are You Ready to Buy a Home?
When looking into anything new, it is normal to have questions. Here are some common questions and answers about real estate to help you gain that edge when deciding whether buying a home is right for you.Which is better: renting or buying? Before buying, you need to determine what will save you ... more...

Home Loans and Mortgages Help for Hurricane Katrina Victims
Hurricane Katrina swept through the Gulf Coast region recently and left nothing but destruction in her wake. Thousands of people are homeless, jobless and penniless, and it is not currently known how long the local economy will take to recover. Adding to the problems associated with being ... more...

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Mortgage Loans - Conforming Loans Provide Low Interest Rates
Conforming loans provide low interest rates since they are almost guaranteed to be purchased by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, which allows more funds to be available for borrowers. However, these corporations have terms, such as maximum loan, that limit how much you can borrow. If you dont meet their ... more...

Mortgage Glossary - A Glossary of Mortgage Terms You Should Know
Acceleration Clause A clause in a mortgage defining that the entire outstanding balance can become due and payable should mortgage default occur. If the entire balance is not paid, the property will be foreclosed.Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) Mortgage with interest rates that may be adjusted by ... more...

Do Your Homework - Find the Mortgage That Fits Your Lifestyle and Your Budget
You've been looking at houses for months, and finally youve found it--the house that's just right. So now, all you have to do is to purchase your new home, move in, and get settled, right? Not quite. Theres one more big step to go-getting a mortgage loan. Youre going to want to decide on the type ... more...

How to Secure the Best Mortgage Deal and Save Yourself Thousands in Interest
When you consider that the average home owner will pay out far more in interest over the lifetime of their mortgage than their home actually cost in the first place, you can see why working to secure yourself the best possible mortgage deal now could save you tens of thousands of dollars in ... more...

What Is The Best Deal For A Mortgage?
Few of us invest the time and effort into researching and securing the best deal for a mortgage to purchase our home.For most of us, our house is the single most important and expensive purchase we ever make!We invest a lot of time and effort into finding the perfect property in the best location ... more...

Adjustable Rate Mortgage - How They Work?
How does an ARM work.The borrowers interest rate is determined initially by the cost of money and the time the loan is made. Once the rate has been set, and it is tied to one of several widely recognized and published indexes , and future interest adjustments are based on the upward an downward ... more...

Easing Your Way Into Homeownership: A Guide To Low Down Payment Mortgage Programs
Theres no question about it: Buying a first home is a big financial commitment. In most cases, a home is the largest single purchase an individual or family will make in a lifetime. However, because of the tax advantages afforded to homeowners, buying a home also can be one of the best financial ... more...

The Top 5 Things You Must Know Before Applying for a Mortgage
Youve been thinking about buying your own home for quite a long time, and now youre ready to take the plunge. Youve been saving money for a down payment, and you know the next step is preparing to apply for a mortgage.But where do you start?Here are the top 5 things you need to know before ... more...

Is Home Mortgage Refinancing Really Worth It?
Is it really worth it? Excellent question... since the refinancing process can take upwards of 2-3 months to complete, plus the expenses and hassles of refinancing may outweigh the benefits.Not everyone should refinance just because rates are lower. The general rule of thumb is to consider ... more...

Jumbo Home Mortgage Loans - What They Are and Where To Get Jumbo Loan Financing
A jumbo mortgage is different than a conforming loan. A jumbo loan amount exceeds that limit set by FNMA. That limit can change every year, but is around $300,000. With a jumbo mortgage, the interest rate is a little higher than other similar mortgage loans that are for smaller amounts. The ... more...

Can The Home Loan That is Best For Your Bank Also Be Best Mortgage For You?
A Bank is a Business and they make their money on Markup just like any other business. In the Case of a Bank Loan the Markup is really the Spread (Difference) in the interest rate the bank pays and the interest rate the bank receives. So the loans with the biggest Spreads are best for your bank. ... more...

Types of Mortgage Loans The Basics
In the past, homebuyers more or less had limited mortgage loan options. These days, there are more options than you can shake a stick at, but heres a primer on the basics.Mortgage LoansWith the real estate market explosion over the last 10 years, a call has gone out for unique mortgage loan ... more...

Jumbo Mortgage Loans - Getting Approved for a Jumbo Mortgage Loan Online
Getting approved for a jumbo mortgage loan online is similar to getting approved for a traditional mortgage when you use a mortgage broker. However, you can expect to find lower interest rates online with better terms.Choose Your Type Of Jumbo Mortgage LoanJumbo mortgage loans offer as many ... more...

Online Mortgage Brokers - What You Might Not Know About Home Loans & The Internet
You may think that applying online for a mortgage is the same as applying with a broker in the 'real world', only more convenient.While applying for a mortgage online is much more convenient, and sure to help you get a lower rate because of the amount of competition online, there is another benefit ... more...