Mortgage & Refinancing Information

Be Prepared when Seeking a Mortgage


When you're looking for a mortgage, whether it's a first time loan or you're taking advantage of an opportunity to refinance an existing mortgage, it may seem that you're wading through a quagmire of uncharted territory. If you're prepared ahead of time, you'll avoid some of the common pitfalls and know how to find the best deal for your situation.

Remember that you are the consumer and that you are shopping for a service. That means that you have the right to be treated as a customer. Ask questions and keep asking until you get all the answers you are looking for. If a potential lender is reluctant to spend the time addressing your concerns, you don't have to do business with that particular company. In today's market with the opportunities to shop for a mortgage online, finding a lender is the least of your worries.

Look for the best interest rates, but also search for a lender who offers the mortgage without the high closing costs. There are likely to be some requirements for closing the loan. You may be asked to pay for an appraisal, home inspection and even a survey if property is involved in the transaction. Those are fairly standard but be wary of a company that charges a large additional fee for closing costs though you can expect a moderate fee. A lender is a business and as such, is in business to make money. That means that you as the consumer should expect to pay for the service, but comparing fees and interest rates will help you find the best possible deal on your mortgage.

Finally, be aware of unbelievable claims. A company that promises you'll be approved for a loan regardless of credit is probably making promises that they can't keep. If you're asked to pay an application fee with this guarantee, you could be wasting your money. In some cases, the lender will approve the loan, but will make unreasonable requirements for repayment or down payment. If you then can't meet the terms, the company will have fulfilled their promise - they did offer you the loan. Your application fee is typically non-refundable and you've simply lost that money.

Mark Lambie is the founder of The Loan House a website that allows consumers to quickly and easily get mortgage quotes and mortgage information.


MORE RESOURCES:

Mortgage rescue plan would be costly, and may fall short
Detroit Free Press, United States - Oct 9, 2008
John McCain's surprising and decidedly nonconservative proposal to refinance troubled mortgages directly through the government has some appeal. ...


Wall Street Journal

McCain's plan for troubled home loans called impractical
Newsday, NY - Oct 9, 2008
WASHINGTON - John McCain's proposal to have the federal government directly buy and refinance troubled home loans would cost about $300 billion, ...
Video: Obama: 'Taxpayers Shouldn't Pick Up Tab' AssociatedPress
Principal is key to housing solution Winston-Salem Journal
Obama Ad Attacks McCain Mortgage Plan RTT News
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Bad Credit – Home Mortgage - Refinance and Debt Consolidation Loan
ScienceBlog.com, CA - Sep 16, 2008
Based on interest rates, Mortgage Refinance California can be divided into two types namely fixed rate and adjustable rate loan. In the case of a fixed rate ...


Anxious investors hanging on despite heavy stock market losses
Los Angeles Times, CA - 17 hours ago
The officer and his wife, who works in mortgage refinance, have about half a million dollars in the market, including retirement savings, individual stocks, ...


The Paulson Proposal: An Update On Economists´ Views
Mondaq News Alerts (subscription), UK - 8 hours ago
The mortgage refinance programs may be given serious consideration once the basic operation of the banking system has stabilized. In the very brief history ...


Mortgage refinance boom short-lived
Salt Lake Tribune, United States - Sep 17, 2008
A worker paves a sidewalk during construction of a new home in Palo Alto, Calif., on Wednesday. Construction of new homes and apartments fell last month to ...


New London OKs Expansion Of Condo Project
TheDay, CT - Oct 10, 2008
But in the past month, contractors released the liens; at least one settlement check was written by New Haven Mortgage Refinance LLC, a company attached to ...


Is this the right time to refinance?
Chicago Tribune, United States - Sep 25, 2008
Mortgage rates are down and you're not going to bother trying to sell your home anytime soon. Should you spend the money to refinance and lower your ...


Economic Downturn Puts Brakes On Many Major Region Projects
TheDay, CT - Oct 12, 2008
The project's $8.6 million construction loan originally came from Dime Bank and appears about to be transferred to New Haven Mortgage Refinance LLC, ...


Fed: Bailout will help borrowers
Newsday, NY - Sep 18, 2008
The government's takeover of mortgage finance companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac should provide an opportunity to modify more home loans for troubled ...

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