Inflation is a self-reinforcing cycle. The longer it lasts, the more insidious its effects, and rising mortgage rates are an unfortunate consequence.

Falling home prices have lowered homeowner wealth nationwide. HARP and the FHA Streamline Refinance program are helping families save money.

Is an FHA mortgage better for you than a conventional one? A quick rundown of each product and a comparison chart.

New Short Sale rules for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac require 30-day approvals.

41 percent of HARP applicants report LTVs over 125%. Why are these homeowners having a hard time getting approved for HARP 2.0?

Last quarter, 1 in 4 conforming mortgage applicants ditched their 30-year mortgage for a 15-year fixed. There are good reasons why, too.

The FHA has restructured its mortgage insurance rates for 2012. This guide details the changes and can help you keep your FHA payments low.

The FHA will raise its mortgage insurance premiums April 1, 2012. Here is a listing of the new FHA MIP schedules.

A pending mortgage policy change threatens to end zero closing costs mortgages for good. The end of "no fee" mortgages may be here sooner than you think.

Record-low mortgage rates draw refinancing households away from 30-year fixed-rate mortgages into shorter-term products such as the 15-year fixed-rate mortgage.

Most people know that low FICO scores influence the mortgage rates for which they're eligible. For the past 3 years, though, they've raised closing costs, too.

The company behind the FICO scoring model published a "What If?" series for common, specific credit missteps. See how your scores can change with a foreclosure, missed payment, maxed credit card, and more.

The 2011 Refi Boom's Second Wave has started. 5-Year ARMs are leading the charge. Assuming discount points are paid, ARMs are now below 3 percent.

In some states, more than half of home sales are for homes in foreclosure. Where does your state rank?

It appears that lower mortgage rates come with a price. Closing costs rising in most states. Look zero-cost instead.

The FHA insures 25% of the mortgage purchase market these days, up from 5 percent in 2006. Is it because FHA mortgages are cheaper than conforming ones?

Zero-cost mortgages are terrific in a falling interest rate environment, like the one we're in now. They eliminate sunk costs completely and offer an immediate refinance payback.

FHA mortgage insurance rates are increasing. Beat the increase by having your FHA Case Number assigned. All you have to do is give a mortgage application. I'll handle the rest for you.

To lower costs, newspaper editors are replacing beat writers with "article syndication". Syndication can be a good strategy, but it requires care. The syndicated article highlighted here is 11 months -- and 2 FHA guideline changes -- behind-the-times. It's patently incorrect.

In Winter 2011, Fannie Mae changed its mortgage guidelines to favor personal income over personal assets. Check the "Cheat Sheet" to see how you'll be affected.