Terms of Use Table of Contents 1. Obtain information from several lenders 2. Obtain all important cost information 3. Obtain the best deal that you can 4. Remember: Shop, compare, negotiate 5. Fair lending is required by law 6. Credit problems? 7. Glossary 1. Obtain Information from Several Lenders Home loans are available from several types of lenders-- thrift institutions , commercial banks, mortgage companies, and credit unions. Different lenders may quote you different prices, so you shou  More...

Terms of Use What are FHA loans? The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) works to make home ownership a possibility for more Americans. The FHA is not a lender but rather an insurer of loans. The FHA issues guidelines to banks and credit unions to follow so that as long as a loan meets those terms, it agrees to insure against loss. FHA loans are attractive for first-time homebuyers who might not have saved enough for a down payment of 5% or more for a conventional loan or whose debt-to-income r  More...

Terms of Use RESPA stands for Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act . It requires lenders to disclose information to potential customers throughout the mortgage process. By doing so, it protects borrowers from abuses by lending institutions. RESPA mandates that lenders fully inform borrowers about all closing costs, lender servicing and escrow account practices, and business relationships between closing service providers and other parties to the transaction. For more information visit HUD&#  More...

Terms of Use: Selecting a real estate agent is an important part of buying a new home, although not required. A good real estate agent can be extremely helpful and should provide the following services: Present the homes that suit your needs as you've defined them. Preview those homes to weed out those that are overpriced, or undesirable in some other way. Help you determine the difference between a good buy and a property which, because of its characteristics (i.e. neighborhood, market app  More...

Terms of Use Buying a home is a big decision! By considering the items below, you can help ensure that you make the best decision possible: Determine what you need from your home From its location and schools to the number of bedrooms and square footage, create a prioritized checklist of what is important to you. This checklist should be shared with your real estate agent and used to evaluate homes when viewing them. Your focus here is to make sure that the home is right for you. The eva  More...

Terms of Use: The annual percentage rate (APR) is an interest rate that is different from the rate stated on the loan and is commonly used to compare loan programs from different lenders. The Federal Truth in Lending law requires financial institutions to disclose the APR when they advertise a rate. Typically the APR is found next to the rate in the ad. The APR is designed to measure the true cost of a loan, and was intended to create a level playing field for lenders by preventing lenders  More...

Terms of Use: There isn't a set number of houses you should see before you buy. Visit as many as it takes to find the one you want. On average, homebuyers see 15 houses before choosing one. Just be sure to communicate often with your real estate agent about everything you're looking for. It will help avoid wasting your time and theirs. Looking at several homes also helps you determine what is really important to you and gives you a solid understanding of what you can expect for what you ar  More...

Terms of Use: Pre-qualification is an informal way to see how much you may be able to borrow. You can be "pre-qualified" over the phone with no paperwork by telling a lender your income, your long-term debts, and how large a down payment you can afford. Without any obligation, this helps you arrive at a ballpark figure of the amount you may have available to spend on a house. Pre-approval is a lender's actual commitment to lend to you and carries much more weight with sellers than being pre-qual  More...

Terms of Use Before applying for a loan, know your credit score and debt-to-income ratio. Shop around for the best rates, and understand the terms and conditions for the type of loan you're wanting (home, auto, personal or student loan). Provide accurate information: Do not buy property for someone else. Do not overstate your income. Do not overstate how long you have been employed. Do not overstate your assets. Accurately report your debts. Do not change your income tax returns for   More...

Terms of Use There are two primary types of mortgages: fixed and adjustable. Fixed-Rate Mortgage This is the plain-vanilla loan that most people think of when considering a mortgage. The fixed rate mortgage is an extremely stable choice. With this type of mortgage you pay a certain interest rate over the life of the mortgage. You are protected from rising interest rates, and it makes budgeting for the future very easy. With a fixed-rate mortgage, your monthly payment will remain the sam  More...