Mortgage Strategy - Page 16

Closing costs are estimated to be about 3% of your home price. Know these six ways homeowners and home buyers are reducing their costs.

Home buyers should consider shopping for a home during the holidays. Sellers are willing to negotiate, and lenders are less busy, too. How to find deals when most buyers are on the sidelines.

The typical first-time home buyer overpays with the 30-year fixed rate mortgage. For most, the better choice is the 5-year ARM. Read more and discover why.

Buying a home? Save on your mortgage rate *and* your closing costs. Assume the seller's mortgage and make it your own. A guide to how assumable loans work.

The lender that works in your real estate agent's office is a convenient choice. But how do you know they will get you the best mortgage value?

Few assets build wealth as well as real estate does. Learn about home equity, how it works, and how you can accelerate its growth on your own home(s).

Frightened about mortgage insurance? Don't be. In most cases, paying MI is temporary and, in others, a well-timed refinance can erase it completely.

Home buyers are putting less money down at the time of purchase. Some of the programs they're using to get this done, and why being "house-poor" is no good.

Bridge loans can ease the transition when buying and selling a home at the same time. Bridge loan guidelines, plus alternatives.

Your situation can change, making your pre-approval invalid. But you can take steps to keep yourself approved, or re-approved.

Get your offer noticed and accepted, even when going up against a cash home buyer.

Paying $100 extra per month can shave five years off your mortgage. But paying off, or paying down, your mortgage is not the best choice for everyone.

A 1031 exchange can be part of an effective tax strategy. As home values rise, rental property owners are seeking ways to limit their tax burden.

Mortgage refinance rates are near record lows. Now is the time to refinance -- in general. How to know whether it's the right time for you.

Mortgage rates are dropping -- far quicker than experts projected. It's sparking a refinance boom. Homeowners cite all sorts of reasons for doing a refi.

Save for a home by paying rent each month. Rent-to-own homes can benefit both buyer and seller, but make sure there's a water-tight agreement in place.

For today's consumers, it's easy to move from "casually looking" to "actively buying". Before you do, though, you'll want to handle these 5 things first.

Homeowners often avoid a refinance because they can't recoup closing costs fast enough. A no-closing-cost loan allows them to start saving now.

The ultra-rich get mortgages for one reason: to get a bigger return on investment elsewhere. The typical homeowner can benefit from this strategy.

A mortgage broker is often the right choice. But a bank could be, too. Knowing how each type of company works can help you make the right decision.