What to Look for in a Home
Searching for just the right home can be very exciting. You may plan ahead for the number of bedrooms and bathrooms that you want. Or imagine preparing for dinner parties in a sun-filled kitchen. Although these things are important, there is more to a good home purchase than the rooms it contains. ... 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...

Refinancing Costs - What to Expect
Refinancing your current mortgage is a wise financial decision if you can recoup the costs of a refi. An average refinancing deal, you can expect to pay between two and six percent of the loan amount if fees and points. On average if you can lower your interest rate by two points, then you will ... more...

Right to Buy in Scotland How Long Will You Have the Right For?
If you live in Scotland and are thinking about buying your council house or flat it might be worth looking into it now. Recent changes in legislation are limiting the opportunities of those wishing to buy their home and rumours predict that the Right to Buy scheme could be abolished in the very ... more...

Home Equity Increases $1 Trillion in Five Years Is the Market Peaking?
A new survey reveals that in the last five years, the equity in the California real estate market has increased by more than one trillion dollars. A trillion dollars is a large number to ponder, but put in concrete terms, it can be represented by a stack of one hundred dollar bills that is six ... more...

Home Buyer 10 Extra Costs Above the Sales Price
1)Mortgage Application, Brokers Fees, and Points These costs can amount to thousands of dollars some like the application fee are poc (paid outside of closing) $200 to $500 depending on the lender. Broker fees a percentage of the loan are sometimes waived or rolled into the mortgage. Points .5% to ... more...

Is Your Credit Score Being Held Against You?
Credit Scores That HurtIs your credit score being held against you?More and more the staples of life depend on your credit score. Your mortgage, insurance premiums, employment opportunities and even your landlord may be using your credit score to determine your financial future.In some cases even ... more...

Mortgage Terminology for the First Time Home Buyer
Buying a Home for the first time can be a little nerve racking. Mortgage terminology that brokers use everyday can leave you scratching your head or shaking your head pretending that you know what theyre talking about. Here are some mortgage terms and definitions that youll be hearing when shopping ... more...

When is the Right Time to Refinance Your Mortgage?
You've heard that interest rates are down and you think it could be time to refinance your existing mortgage, but the entire loan application process was so exhausting during the initial loan that you aren't sure it's worth the hassle. You could very well be right, but there are some things you can ... 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...

Mortgage Loan Closing Costs for Refinance Loans and Home Purchase
If you are going to obtain a mortgage loan, for whatever purpose (home purchase or refinance) you are going to pay closing costs...period. Let me clarify regarding a purchase of a home...the seller may pay some or even all the closing costs in a transaction, but it essentially works out to just ... more...

Glossary of Common Terms Used During the Mortgage Process
APR - This stands for Annual Percentage Rate. It enables you to compare the full cost of the mortgage. Rather than just being an interest rate, it includes up front and ongoing costs of taking out a mortgage. The formula for calculating APR is set by Government Regulations and therefore enables ... 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...

Mortgage Glossary of Terms
A brief list of some of the most common Mortgage terms.Adverse Credit The term used if the borrower has a poor credit history. This could include previous mortgage or loan arrears, bankruptcy or CCJ's. Other terms used to describe an adverse credit mortgage include: Bad credit mortgagePoor ... more...

Selecting the Right Mortgage for You
A mortgage is a loan you take out to buy a home. This loan covers the "principal" (purchase price of the house minus your down payment) plus the "interest," which is the fee a lender charges you to borrow the money.There are various types of mortgages, including Fixed-rate, Adjustable-rate, Balloon ... more...