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Falling behind? Tell your mortgage servicer Pledged-asset mortgages survive bear market
Don't get squeezed in the mortgage rush -- Today's low mortgage rates mean big crowds in lenders' offices, longer turnarounds and more chances for foul-ups. The 40-year mortgage: A good idea? -- Long-length mortgages lower payments, but they slow down your equity building, too. Mortgage modification can lower your payments -- It never hurts to ask. Your existing lender may simply lower your rate, or offer a speedy, low-cost refi. How to hire a contractor -- Remodeling your home is not something you do every day. Here's how to be selective when choosing a contractor. Mortgage rates slide -- Hard-working Americans and nervous investors push mortgage rates to their lowest level of 2002. Rent with equity -- Under a new program, rent payments can build up credit you can redeem when you buy a new home from selected builders. Mortgage rates inch higher -- Rates remain temptingly low as the economy crawls out of its brief recession. Title insurance alternative less costly but controversial -- A less-costly alternative to title insurance has the industry up in arms. Save with these refi strategies -- Little-known refinancing tips to save you money -- or prevent you from blowing some. Mortgage rate survey and analysis -- Bankrate's weekly national survey shows where mortgage rates are -- and our analysis predicts where they're headed. Mortgage delinquencies fall, but it's just a lull -- Too many home buyers bit off a bigger mortgage than they could chew in a tough economy. Improving economy hasn't boosted mortgage rates, yet -- Mortgage rates, like the stock market, won't remain low forever. Mortgage brokers' top 5 pet peeves -- If you avoid these common goofs, chances are you'll get your broker on your side. Want a Tony Soprano mortgage? -- Fuhgeddaboutit unless you have a good reason. Low-doc and no-doc loans -- the kind the TV Mafioso would get -- let you keep your income secret, but carry a price. Capisce? Title insurance optional? -- These policies take the risk out of property sales, but a U.S. senator says they cost too much and are rarely needed. Mortgages made simpler? -- Let's make a deal, says the mortgage industry: We'll guarantee closing costs if consumer protection laws are loosened. Avoiding common rate-lock mistakes -- How to make sure your lock really clicks and secures the rate you want. 2002 forecast: Slow recovery, low rates -- An outbreak of pessimism means interest rates will stay low and another Fed rate cut is all but certain. It's your property appraisal, not theirs -- Sounds obvious, but the mortgage business contains a lot of murky areas, including policies about appraisals. Mortgage rates keep surging -- Our fearless forecaster predicts what lies ahead for mortgage rates in 2002. Feds protect borrowers with bad credit -- New regulations extend protection to more subprime and home equity borrowers. Mortgage rates resume surge -- What do mortgage rates, the Federal Reserve and Osama bin Laden have in common? Fight illegal mortgage fees! -- You can save money by knowing the difference between a legal and an illegal mortgage fee. Here's how. Jumbos just got bigger -- New rules allow larger conventional mortgages, which will allow buyers to get bigger houses without paying the higher jumbo rate. Mortgage rates go on a thrill ride -- It's not easy to guess the best time to jump on a rate, but you can minimize your risk. Insurance pays the mortgage after a layoff -- Sick from the thought of losing your job? Mortgage unemployment insurance may be the medicine you need. Feds back brokers over borrowers -- In the legal war between home buyers and mortgage brokers, the federal housing department has given aid to the brokers. War's impact on mortgages -- A look at the similarities, and critical differences, between mortgage rates during the Gulf War and today. Is your refi rate as good as new? -- If you're refinancing, you'd better check to make sure your rate is as good as the one a new buyer gets. Layoff-proof your house -- Mass layoffs are everywhere, but you can take steps now to protect your home. ARMs worth a look for on-the-go borrowers -- Most borrowers prefer fixed rates, but adjustable mortgages can be a good deal for people who expect to move within a few years. Pros and cons of biweekly mortgage payments -- It pays off the mortgage early, but perhaps at an unnecessary cost. Fed to lenders: Cut borrowers a break -- The Federal Reserve Board on Friday urged banks to ease up on customers affected by the Sept. 11 disaster. Bear market for pledged-asset mortgages -- When the market was hot, using stocks as collateral for a down payment seemed smart. Not now. How cash-out refinancing works Fixed rates still your best bet -- Even though adjustable mortgages have hit two-year lows, fixed mortgage rates are the way to go. Tax rebates a boon for smart mortgage borrowers -- Now is a great time for mortgage hunters and holders to think about the best ways to use their tax rebates. Should you borrow from your builder? -- Now you can get your mortgage from the same people who are building your home. It's more convenient, but it could be costly. A close-up look at closing costs -- Bankrate's exclusive nationwide survey reveals how much home buyers pay at mortgage closings. Are you paying too much? Home inspection: The hidden horrors -- A general inspection may not be enough to discover problems with trees, pools or chimneys. For those you may need a specialist. Beware of last-minute closing costs -- It's closing day, and the lender hits you with a last-second bill. Can they do that? Weekly survey: Fixed rates edge upward -- Despite some fluctuations, mortgage rates should remain stable in the coming weeks. Mortgage rates are still a bargain -- Before you shelve those plans for a new house in the suburbs, consider this: Fixed mortgage rates are still well below their average levels over the past one-year, five-year and 10-year time periods. Mortgage rates shoot up in weekly survey -- Be proud, home buyers, you're boosting the economy! Small mortgage? Fat chance -- Laws designed to fight predatory lending are having an unexpected consequence. Lenders say they've made small loans less available. Free credit scores! -- Online lender E-Loan is offering free credit scores online, allowing consumers to find out how lenders judge them. Yes, housing prices can fall -- Home prices have been going up for so long that owners forget they can drop. Are you prepared if they do? Adjustable-rate mortgages looking better -- Say hello to ARMs. They were a bad deal for several years, but changing rates might make them more attractive. Let your escrow grow for you, not your lender -- Instead of having your lender collect for your taxes and insurance, you may be able to make your own payments. Best mortgage move: Lock in a fixed rate -- If you plan to stay put, fixed rates are your best bet. Weekly survey: Fixed rates rebound -- The magic yield curve shows a higher-rate future. Leave your mortgage lock alone -- It's usually not worth it to escape your locked-in rate. Dealing with customer service departments -- Going through big lenders' customer service departments requires persistence, precise record-keeping and maybe guerilla tactics. Mortgage-rate party may have reached the end -- Looks like there might not be a better time to lock in for a long while. It's spring house-buying season -- This is by far the busiest time of year to shop for a home, so be prepared -- and this year, it's a buyer's market. Clearing a path to a land purchase -- Whether you're buying a house lot or 5 acres in the country, you need to do your homework. Public mortgage records going private -- Should a private company maintain your mortgage records? Insiders say it helps the industry; critics claim it can conceal unfair lending practices. Custom build your construction loans -- Want to build your own home? You need to know some of the difficulties involved in getting these specialized loans. GWANTED: Energy-efficient homes! Rewards offered -- Rebates, incentives and cheap loans are available to help lower your utility bills. Robo-mortgage: the automated future of home buying -- Paperless e-mortgages will let you apply one day, close the next. Don't get tripped by mortgage tricks -- Here's what you need to watch for and what to ask your mortgage lender. Fed Watch -- How low will rates go? -- The Federal Reserve Board is expected to cut rates Jan. 31. The question is: How much? . TMortgage rates level out -- The rate party isn't over yet, but it looks to be winding down. Buy a home from your bank? -- Bankers want to be able to sell you a house; Realtors say mind your own business. Coming up with down payments getting easier -- All kinds of grants, gifts and other assistance is available. Lenders have made it easier to borrow more, too. VA loans no bargain for veterans -- Government-backed mortgages were supposed to be a thanks for those who served our country. But veterans are probably better off saying, "No, thanks." New year means new mortgage rules -- Jumbos jump and more: There's good news for consumers in the new fees, loan limits and laws that go into effect Jan. 1. Refinancing: The boom is back -- With mortgage rates at their lowest in a year and a half, homeowners can save thousands if they refinance now. More Americans saying, "Home, Sweet Home" -- U.S. homeownership hits an all-time high, but policymakers say they're still not satisfied. Online mortgages not quite ready for prime time -- Though online mortgages are available, most people still want to look someone in the eye when sealing the biggest financial deal of their lives. Now's the time to house shop -- When the cold winds blow, home buyers stay home. That's why this is the ideal time to shop. A few mortgage brokers reveal their fees -- "Upfront mortgage brokers" show borrowers how much they'll pay for the brokers' services. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||