home loan that you

FCIC: Borrower's Guide to Home Loans Borrower's Guide to Home Loans Introduction Before you borrow money on your home's equity, think twice so you don't end up paying more than you expected. As part of AARP's Campaign Against Predatory Home Lending , AARP prepared this Borrower's Guide for you. We don't want you to be the next person who says, "They Didn't Tell Me I Could Lose My Home." AARP's Borrower's Guide gives you information that can help you get the best possible loan and avoid bad, or predatory, loans. You'll find worksheets , a glossary of terms , and information about: Getting the best loan possible ; Identifying the warning signs of a bad loan; Comparing home equity lenders ; Using reverse mortgages as an alternative to home equity loans; Making home improvements : contractors and contracts; Getting bids and selecting a home contractor ; and Examining the home improvement contract . People borrow on their homes for many reasons-to make repairs or improvements, to consolidate debts, to pay off medical bills, or something else. Sometimes there may be benefits to using your home equity when you borrow. But if the loan costs too much, the benefits disappear ... and so might your home. Remember: Get the facts before a bad loan gets you. Getting the Best Loan Possible Sometimes a home equity loan is a good way to borrow money, but there are some lenders that only bring problems. Predatory home mortgage lenders look for people who may have financial difficulty. They hunt for people who may be behind on property taxes, who need to fix up their home, or who need money for medical bills. Once they find these people, the lenders often use highpressure sales talk, high interest rates, outrageous fees, and repayment terms that the person can't afford. Fast talkers can trick homeowners into taking out loans that they can't afford to pay back. When they can't make the payments, their homes are at risk of foreclosure. Even if you don't have financial troubles, no one wants to pay more than is needed. Why pay interest rates higher than you need to? Why pay unneeded fees or charges? Whether you have excellent credit or not-sogood credit, you want the best possible loan you can get. Don't be fooled by loan offers you see on television or receive in the mail. They don't tell the full story. Be a smart borrower. Don't get caught in a bad loan! Follow these steps: Know your credit rating and credit score. Sometimes people who have good credit are charged higher rates and fees for loans because they don't know that their credit is good. Getting your credit report and credit score may help you negotiate the best loan for you so you don't pay more than you should have to pay. You'll want to look for any mistakes in your credit report and take steps to correct them. You can get your credit score on the Internet, usually for a fee, or a lender can give you a free copy when you apply for a loan. Avoid lenders who won't give your score to you. Most credit scores range from 300-850, and the higher the score, the better your credit. Most lenders consider scores over 700 as "good" to "excellent" scores. The three major credit reporting agencies are: Equifax: (800) 685-1111, www.equifax.com ; Experian: (888) 397-3742, www.experian.com/consumer ; and TransUnion: (800) 916-8800, www.transunion.com/index.jsp . For More Information AARP Webplace: Credit Scores and Credit Reports Check Your Credit Report Credit Scores: Before You Borrow Be cautious about using a home equity loan to consolidate credit card debts. Loan offers may tell you how you can save money by paying off credit cards with a home equity loan, but what they don't say is that your home is at risk if you do it. Yes, sometimes this type of loan is useful, but only if the loan's terms are very good-and you won't run up another credit card bill. Even then, if something should happen and you can't make the home equity payment, your home is at risk of foreclosure. An important difference: Credit card lenders can't foreclose on your home if you don't pay your credit card bills. But, a home equity lender can foreclose if you don't make the mortgage payment. Shop around. Get several offers and pick the loan that's best for you-not one that is best for the lender or broker. Use the worksheet on page 11 to help you pick the best loan offer you can get, and Know whether you want a loan or a line of credit. Talk to several lenders-not just those who send you mail, call you, or knock on your door. Start with several banks, savings and loans, credit unions, and mortgage companies. Understand the role of brokers if you decide to use one. Brokers charge you to find a lender; they don't lend the money themselves. Some lenders also pay the broker and then pass their cost on to you as a higher interest rate. Since you are paying the broker either directly or indirectly, using a broker may not get you the least expensive loan. Ask all lenders to explain in detail the loan plan they have for you. Pay close attention to the fees. Remember-the loan with the lowest monthly payment might not be the best deal. There could be hidden fees that may cost you more in the end. See a housing counselor to discuss your options. You can locate counselors certified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by calling 1-888-466-3487 or visiting the HUD Web site at http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hccprof14.cfm . Learn about reverse mortgages. For homeowners age 62 or older, this may be a better option than a home equity loan. These are loans you don't have to pay back as long as you live in your home. With a reverse mortgage you can get a lump sum of money, a monthly income, a credit line, or a combination of payment options. Close your deal carefully . Once you've found the loan you want, make sure you get the deal you were promised. Follow these steps: Read the loan papers carefully before you sign. Ask a lawyer, housing counselor, or a trusted friend to help you go over the papers. Be sure you understand exactly what the lender is offering -and what you're going to have to pay. Ask to have all fees explained. Ask questions if you don't understand something. Take your time. Don't be rushed. Be sure that all blank spaces are filled in on all copies before you sign. Know your options about credit life insurance. Only buy it if you really need it. Many people don't. If you do want it, shop elsewhere for the best terms. If the lender insists on it, find another lender. Be sure to look for this item on the forms given you at settlement. If what you read in the loan is not what you wanted or expected, don't sign the papers! Be prepared to walk out of the settlement (closing) if you find surprises. Tip: To Reduce Unwanted Credit Offers call 1-888-567-8688 or 1-800-353-0809 and ask all three credit reporting agencies Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion not to provide information about you to companies wanting to send you loan offers. Know your legal rights and use them. You have a legal right to know: The total cost of borrowing the money (fees and interest); The annual percentage rate (APR); The number of payments and the payment amounts; How long you have to pay back the loan; and The total amount you have borrowed With home equity loans, you have the right to change your mind, even after you have signed the papers. If you decide within three business days after you sign the papers that you do not want the loan, you have the right to cancel. You can cancel by sending the lender written notice of your decision to cancel by mail, hand delivery, or telegram within three business days. Saturday is a business day. For example, if you sign at 3 PM on Thursday, you have until the end of Monday to cancel. Ask for "return receipt requested" at the post office for proof of when you sent the notice. Report things that go wrong and get legal help. If you think that your lender is dishonest-for example, you discover fees that you weren't told about or you were required to buy credit insurance-report it! Call your State, County and City Government Consumer Protection Offices: (may be called consumer protection). You can find the phone number in the government listings of the phone book. Call your state Attorney General or state office of banking. You can find the phone numbers in the government listings of your phone book. Report the problem to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-FTC-HELP, or at www.ftc.gov . Ask a lawyer to look at all of your documents to see if there are state or federal laws that would let you get out of the loan. Warning Signs Be cautious if anyone: Advertises or says,"Poor credit? No problem!" Calls on the phone or comes to your door offering you a "bargain loan." Rushes you to sign that day. Asks you to pay a fee "up front" to cover a first payment or other expenses. Offers you a loan with small monthly payments and a balloon payment that you'll have difficulty paying when it comes due. If You're Over 61, a Reverse Mortgage May Be a Better Choice for You A reverse mortgage is a home loan that you do not have to pay back for as long as you live in your home. It can be paid to you in one lump sum, as a regular monthly income, or at the times and in the amounts you want. The loan and interest are repaid only when you sell your home, permanently move away, or die. Eligible Homeowners All homeowners must be at least 62 years old. At least one owner must live in the house most of the year. Eligible Homes Single family, one-unit dwelling. Two-to-four unit, owner-occupied dwelling. Some condominiums, planned unit developments or manufactured homes. NOTE: Cooperatives and most mobile homes are not eligible. How They Work Most require no repayment for as long as you live in your home. They are repaid in full when the last living borrower dies, sells the home, or permanently moves away. Because you make no monthly payments, the amount you owe grows larger over time. By law, you can never owe more than your home's value at the time the loan is repaid. You continue to own the home, so you must pay the property taxes, insurance, and repairs. If you fail to pay these, the lender can use the loan to make payments or require you to pay the loan in full. What You Get and How Much You Get Reverse mortgages can be paid to you: - All at once in cash; - As a monthly income; - As a credit line that lets you decide how much you want and when; - In any combination of the above. The amount you get usually depends on your age, your home's value and location, and the cost of the loan. The greatest amounts typically go to the oldest owners living in the most expensive homes getting loans with the lowest costs. Most people get the most money from the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HELM), a federally insured program. Types of Reverse Mortgages Loans offered by some states and local governments are generally for specific purposes, such as paying for home repairs or property taxes. These are the lowest cost reverse mortgages. Loans offered by some banks and mortgage companies can be used for any purpose. The Cost of a Reverse Mortgage The costs for loans from banks and mortgage companies usually include the following: - Application fee - Insurance - Origination fee - Monthly service fee - Closing costs - Interest These costs are usually added to the loan balance (what you owe). HECM loans are almost always the least expensive reverse mortgage you can get from a bank or mortgage company, and in many cases are significantly less costly than other reverse mortgages. Reverse mortgages are most expensive in the early years of the loan and generally become less costly over time. Before getting a reverse mortgage other than a government or HECM loan, carefully consider how much more it will cost you. What Else You Must Know The federal government requires you to see a federally-approved reverse mortgage counselor as part of getting a HECM reverse mortgage. For More Information AARP Webplace: Understanding Reverse Mortgages www.aarp.org/revmort " Home Made Money , "a free booklet by AARP, is available by calling 1-800-209-8085 or writing AARP Fulfillment, 601 E Street, NW, Washington, DC 20049. Ask for stock number D15601. Home Improvements Your home is worth a lot to you ... but dishonest home contractors see the value in it, too. Every year, people spend billions of dollars for home improvements. Usually the work is done well, but each year many homeowners are victims of poor, overpriced, or never-completed work. Some people posing as home repair specialists are simply con artists looking for easy money. Others are "front men" for predatory lenders. If you are planning on making repairs or improvements to your home, it is important to pick the right contractor and the right financing. Here's how. Identify what you want done and how much you can afford. Write a detailed description of the work you want done, including the quality of materials, brand names and model numbers you want to be used. Know how much you can afford to borrow and repay. Take time to find a reliable home improvement contractor. Get recommendations from friends, family and neighbors. Check with the State, County and City Government Consumer Protection Offices or Better Business Bureau to see if there are any complaints against the contractor. However, having no complaints filed is no guarantee of reliability. Have the contractor prove he is licensed, bonded, and has insurance. Check that information with local government offices. Get two or three written estimates that give details about materials, labor charges, and start and finish dates. Use the worksheet to help you ask the right questions to compare the bids you get. Remember: A clear and detailed contract can protect you if something goes wrong. In general, a contract should spell out who does what, where, when, and for how much. Don't be pressured to get your financing through a particular company. Be cautious of financing offered by the contractor. Dishonest mortgage brokers anc contractors often work together to take advantage of homeowners. Get several estimates for the financing, apart from the contractor's estimate. Ask a lawyer or housing counselor to explain all the terms of the financing agreement. Know your legal rights. You can cancel the home repair contract by sending a letter within three business days, if the contract was signed in your home or somewhere other than the contractor's permanent place of business. You can cancel the financing by sending a letter within three business days, and maybe even later, if your home is used as security for the loan. If you think your contractor or lender is fraudulent, notify the police, the local consumer protection agency, your state Attorney General, and state/city office of banking. Contact a lawyer. You may be able to sue the contractor or lender using state or federal laws. Warning Signs Be cautious if contractors: Sell door-to-door; Call you by your first name and act friendly. Say they are doing work "up the street" or "in the neighborhood." Claim to have left over material fro another job. Talk fast to confuse you or pressure yore to sign immediately. Accept only cash or want you to pay for the entire job upfront. Push you to borrow from their lender. Worksheet: Comparing Home Equity Lenders This worksheet can help you when you're comparing loans. Ask lenders questions and write down their answers. Remember, it's not only the monthly payment or the interest rate that matters in making your choice. If you compare the at least three lenders for borrowing the same amount, you may find a better deal. See the Glossary below to learn about any terms you don't understand. Worksheet: Getting Bids & Selecting a Contractor This worksheet can help you select a home repair contractor and compare bids. Ask contractors questions and write down their answers. If you compare at least three contractors, you may find a better deal. See the Glossary below to learn about any terms you don't understand. Glossary Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM): A home loan where the interest rate can go up or down during the time you are repaying the loan. Annual Percentage Rate (APR): The cost of a loan expressed as a percentage rate. It includes both the interest rate on the loan and many of the costs in getting the loan. APRs are the best way to compare loans. Balloon Payment: This is the very large payment that is due at the end of some loans. A balloon payment means that the borrower's monthly payments are used to pay the interest on the loan and that little of the payment is used to pay back the amount that was borrowed. Unless you know how you will make this payment, these loans can be risky. Bid: A written estimate of what your home improvement project will cost. Closing Costs: All of the "other" costs that you have to pay when borrowing money. They could include fees for credit reports, land survey, appraisal, title search, title insurance, document preparation, notary, points, credit life insurance, and attorney fees. Credit Insurance: An insurance policy (such as life, disability, or unemployment) that pays the lender the balance of the loan if something happens to the borrower before the loan is paid off. Sometimes the lender adds the entire price of the policy to the amount you are borrowing and this is very expensive because you pay interest on that amount. Credit Report: Credit bureaus collect information about your credit history-where you owe money, how much you owe, your credit cards, and your payment history. Lenders determine whether to give you a loan and how much to charge you based on information in your credit report. Credit Score: Your credit score is a number that is used by lenders to decide whether to give you credit and at what cost. It is based on information in your credit report. Equity: The difference between what your house is worth and what you owe on it. For example, if your house is worth $150,000 and you owe $100,000, your equity is $50,000. Fraud: Dishonest business practices that lead to your doing something against your best interest. Housing Counselor: Counselors can help you explore your options, find a loan, and explain loan documents. They also offer help with foreclosure problems. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) certifies housing counselors. Installment Payments: Partial payments made to home improvement contractors as the work is being done. Interest: The percentage rate lenders charge you for using their money. The higher the percentage, the more you pay. Line of Credit: A pre-approved amount that you can borrow. You only borrow what you need, when you need it. Mortgage Broker: A person you pay to help you find a lender. Points: Each point is 1% of the amount you are borrowing. Predatory Lenders: Lenders who take advantage of borrowers and make loans that the borrowers cannot afford. They may charge very high interest rates or fees, hide costs, or lie about loan terms. Principal: The amount of money that you borrow. Reverse Mortgage: A home loan you do not have to pay back for as long as you live in the home. Repayment of the loan is due when the last surviving homeowner dies, sells the home, or permanently moves away. Settlement: The meeting where you review and sign your loan papers. Also called a "closing." Total Amount to Repay: This is the total amount of fees, points, and all monthly and balloon payments that you will pay over the life of the loan. American Association of Retired Persons is a nonprofit, nonprtisan membership orgnization for people 50 and over. We provide information and resources; advocate on legislative, consumer, and legal issues; assist members to serve their communities; and offer a wide range of unique benefits, special products, and services to our members. These benefits include AARP Webplace at www.aarp.org , Modern Maturity , and My Generation magazines, and the monthly AARP Bulletin . Active in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP celebrates the attitude that age is just a number and life is what you make it. 601 E Street NW Washington DC 20049 Email: member@AARP.org © 2001. All rights reserved. Reprinting with permission only.

Real Estate Loan

Mortgage News Daily - Mortgage And Real Estate News Thursday December 29, 2005 ... Home Latest Headlines Contact Us Bookmark Us Sitemap Comments/Feedback 30 Yr Fix 6.22% 0.04% 15 Yr Fix 5.76% 0.03% 1 Yr ARM 5.15% 0.07% 30 Yr Tres 4.53% 0.00% Fed Prime 7.25% 0.25% MND Features - Mortgage License Information - Real Estate License Information - Mortgage Content Syndication - Mortgage Fraud - Wiki - New! Mortgage News Monthly Archive September 2004 October 2004 November 2004 December 2004 January 2005 February 2005 March 2005 April 2005 May 2005 June 2005 July 2005 August 2005 Get Real Time News Updates via your Favorite News Reader! MORTGAGE NEWS DAILY HEADLINES Mortgage Rates and Activity? Holidays Hold Center Stage Wed, 28 Dec 2005 16:00:31 EST Weekly Mortgage Survey - Week Ending December 22, 2005 Mortgage Rates, Fees and Points Ease Marginally From Previous Week Wed, 21 Dec 2005 16:13:30 EST Weekly Mortgage Survey - Week Ending December 15, 2005 NAR Report Sees Banks as Non-Competitive Wed, 21 Dec 2005 11:02:30 EST Per NAR, real estate is a nearly perfect competitive market. Banking, uh,.not so much. NAR Strikes Back At Anti-Competitive Charges Fri, 16 Dec 2005 15:56:11 EST NAR counters claims of non-competitiveness with major review of real estate and banking industry structures. Mortgage Rates Continue To Exhibit Split Personality Wed, 14 Dec 2005 15:32:46 EST Weekly Mortgage Survey - Week Ending December 8, 2005 Major Economic Forecasts Paint Varied Future For Housing Mon, 12 Dec 2005 12:57:23 EST Economists generally agree that housing is slowing but differ greatly on the pace and the effect. Surveys Indicating Mortgage Rates Turning Around Again Thu, 8 Dec 2005 10:43:10 EST Weekly Mortgage Survey - Week Ending November 30, 2005 A Bad Inspection Should Not Be The End Of The World (Cont) Wed, 7 Dec 2005 11:19:55 EST Do not give up on your dream house just because the inspection report is less than dreamy. Money can fix most problems and your seller may be willing to pay his share. Conventional Loan Limits Increased For Freddie and Fannie Fri, 2 Dec 2005 12:57:16 EST Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae loan limits will increase to meet rising house prices. Mortgage Rates Return To October Levels Wed, 30 Nov 2005 12:04:00 EST Weekly Mortgage Survey - Week Ending November 23, 2005 Housing Bubble - Maybe, Maybe Not. Wed, 30 Nov 2005 11:48:21 EST NAR and HUD-Census Bureau release October sales figures. Existing home sales slow a bit but new homes continue to sell at a record pace. Home Inspection Reports Should Not Be All Bad News Tue, 29 Nov 2005 11:59:27 EST A good housing inspection should give a buyer a solid assessment of the new house and provide lots of information to keep it running well. Mortgage Rates Drop According To Most Recent Surveys Wed, 23 Nov 2005 15:54:21 EST Weekly Mortgage Survey - Week Ending November 17, 2005 What Constitutes A Good Home Inspection? Tue, 29 Nov 2005 11:38:57 EST What should you expect from a home inspection? The American Society of Home Inspectors has Standards of Practice, but a good inspector will go an extra mile or more. No Matter What, Budget For A Home Inspection Thu, 17 Nov 2005 12:21:16 EST Home inspections are a nearly universal part of a home purchase these days. Why you should never forego one and what you should expect to pay, how you will benefit, and how states are moving to regulate the process. Mortgage Rates Increase Moderately After Last Weeks Big Jump Wed, 16 Nov 2005 15:20:49 EST Weekly Mortgage Survey - Week Ending November 10, 2005 Fannie Mae Misses Report Again and Finds More Accounting Problems Tue, 15 Nov 2005 11:02:29 EST Any bets on when Fannie Mae will finally figure out what it earned or didnt during the first years of the new century? It sure does not seem to be getting any closer to restating its earlier reports. Freddie Mac Sees Continued Bright Future For Housing Market Fri, 11 Nov 2005 11:59:32 EST Beyond short term impacts of the hurricanes and in spite of rising interest rates Freddie Mac still paints a picture of a solid housing market. Mortgage Rates Take Biggest Jump of Year Wed, 9 Nov 2005 13:32:38 EST Weekly Mortgage Survey - Week Ending November 4, 2005 Home Building and Remodeling For Accessability - Part II Tue, 8 Nov 2005 16:29:30 EST Making a home work for the elderly or disabled can provide comfort and safety for the whole family. President Bush Tax Panel Recommendations Go To Executive Branch Mon, 7 Nov 2005 13:31:51 EST The Presidential tax panel issued its recommendations this week. There were enough small changes to warrant a second and more comprehensive look. Weekly Mortgage Rates Hit New Yearly Highs Again Wed, 2 Nov 2005 16:22:05 EST Weekly Mortgage Survey - Week Ending October 27, 2005 Building Or Remodeling Your Home In Light Of The Inevitable or Accidental Tue, 1 Nov 2005 17:16:01 EST A disability, even a very temporary one, can raise havoc with the enjoyment of your home. Take any opportunity when building or remodeling to prepare for accessibility. Lopsided House Vote Seeks To Regulate Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae Fri, 28 Oct 2005 11:41:39 EST The House of Representatives has approved new oversight for Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. Senate approval appears a long way off. The 30 Fixed Mortgage Rates Now Firmly Over 6 Percent Tue, 8 Nov 2005 15:40:15 EST Weekly Mortgage Survey - Week Ending October 20, 2005 NAR Sees Soft Landing as Housing Bubble Transitions To Expansion Wed, 26 Oct 2005 14:43:30 EST NAR report sees an ultimate soft landing as bubble begins to soften and fallout from Katrina benefits portions of the sales market. Home Mortgage Deduction Under Attack By Presidential Panel Mon, 7 Nov 2005 15:02:02 EST Homeowners may lose a cherished tax deduction if a presidential panel gets its way. But history says it is unlikely to happen. Modular Homes and Prefab Housing Can Save Time and Money Fri, 21 Oct 2005 12:55:34 EST Modular and panelized construction using a variety of methods and materials offer time and cost saving alternatives for homeowners. Even IKEA is getting into the act. Are Real Estate Commissions at the Root of NAR Problems? Fri, 21 Oct 2005 11:59:10 EST Are commissions the reason for the recent attacks on the National Association of Realtors and on agents. Hmmmm - there does seem to be a pattern. Mortgage Rates Top 6 Percent Tue, 8 Nov 2005 15:38:18 EST Weekly Mortgage Survey - Week Ending October 13, 2005 Rita Joins Katrina As Topic of Freddie Mac Monthly Reports Mon, 17 Oct 2005 14:17:54 EST Although acknowledging hurricanes impact, Freddie Mac still sees a rosy housing picture. Freddie Mac Anticipates Huge Hurricane Related Losses Wed, 12 Oct 2005 15:31:24 EST Freddie Mac has tallied up its losses to Rita and Katrina and they will be substantial. Fixed Mortgage Rates Nudge 6 Percent For First Time Since Spring Wed, 12 Oct 2005 14:40:39 EST Weekly Mortgage Survey - Week Ending October 6, 2005 Congress Is Also On The Case - NARs Troubles, Continued Wed, 12 Oct 2005 12:31:48 EST A Government Accountability Office Report suggests reputation and service may be more relevant to creating competition in the real estate than commissions. Manufactured Housing And Homes-In-A-Box are Viable Routes To Home Ownership Mon, 10 Oct 2005 13:05:07 EST While traditional one-stud-at-a-time construction remains the norm, a potential build-it-myselfer would do well to check out options to make those dreams come true. Realtors Under Fire From DOJ, GAO, And That is Just the Beginning Mon, 10 Oct 2005 13:20:04 EST Seems like a lot of people are targeting the National Association of Realtors. The Department of Justice heads the list. ARMs Narrow Yield Curve in Latest Mortgage Rates Survey Wed, 12 Oct 2005 14:38:44 EST Weekly Mortgage Survey - Week Ending September 28, 2005 So You Want To Build A House Tue, 4 Oct 2005 17:26:44 EST Building a home is an adventure but, with enough information and some innovative new housing options, perhaps one with a happy ending. Mortgage Rates and Home Sales Both Up In Recent Reports Wed, 28 Sep 2005 22:09:07 EST Mortgage rates rose, home sales and prices were also higher. But are mortgage applications the canary in the coal mine? Read Those Homeowner and Flood Insurance Policies Before It Is Too Late Tue, 27 Sep 2005 14:10:50 EST Actual cash value versus replacement costs; deductibles, and valued policies are only a few of the things you need to know as an informed consumer of homeowner and flood insurance. HUD and Commerce Say Housing Starts Drop Slightly Thu, 22 Sep 2005 16:54:33 EST Housing starts are reported off in the last month, but the single family market still shows that builders continue to be optimistic. Mortgage Rates Up Across the Board Wed, 21 Sep 2005 18:19:46 EST Weekly Mortgage Summary Report. So Should You Pay PMI or Take Out a Piggyback Mortgage? Mon, 19 Sep 2005 15:18:14 EST Piggy backs make more financial sense at present than private mortgage insurance, but that can change with interest rates and/or pending legislation. Freddie Mac and MBA Mortgage Rates Survey Directionless Thu, 15 Sep 2005 11:27:16 EST Weekly mortgage rates report. Freddie Mac September Outlook - Its All About Katrina Thu, 15 Sep 2005 11:19:51 EST Freddie Mac sheds some light on the effects of Hurricane Katrina on the housing market and economy. Time To Review Your Homeowners and Flood Insurance Coverage Fri, 16 Sep 2005 10:51:26 EST Katrina, not to mention Charley, Ivan, western brush fires, and California mud slides should be prompting you to check your insurance coverage. Another Report on Spiraling Housing Prices Tue, 25 Oct 2005 10:11:54 EST Freddie Mac quarterly report on housing prices show continued growth propelled by dropping interest rates in the second quarter. Private Mortgage Insurance - Facts From The Source Thu, 8 Sep 2005 13:36:38 EST After a bit of a paper chase we finally get some officials answers about how PMI works. Free Credit Reports For All - But Watch Your Step Thu, 8 Sep 2005 10:03:50 EST Now everyone can get a free credit report - just watch your typing fingers. Mortgage Rates Fall For Third Week In A Row Wed, 7 Sep 2005 15:37:26 EST Weekly mortgage rates report. Greenspan Warns Than Housing Prices Will Simmer Down Thu, 1 Sep 2005 11:36:49 EST Chairman Greenspan warns again that housing prices will cool and take parts of the economy along. ©2005 MortgageNewsDaily.com All rights reserved. - Disclaimer

Sell House

Selling Houses from Channel4.com/4Homes E4 More4 FilmFour FourDocs TV Listings Site A-Z NEWS FILM HOMES LIFE ENTERTAINMENT HISTORY SCIENCE COMMUNITY SHOP SPORT CULTURE CARS MONEY VIDEO LEARNING HEALTH MUSIC GAMES Home Welcome News On TV Grand Designs Grand Designs Abroad Previous Houses Features Information Streets Ahead Property Ladder Location, Location Relocation, Relocation Home from Home City Gardener Selling Houses Room for Improvement Up Your Street Making Space A Place In The Sun The Great Garden Challenge Home or Away A Place in France A Place in Greece A Place in Greece House Auction More Programmes Presenters TV Listings Buying & Selling Where to Buy How to Buy How to Sell Special Cases House Price Index Renting Property Search DIY & Building Guides Building a House Ask the Expert Style Design Guides Features Living Rooms -- Bedrooms -- Kids Rooms -- Storage solutions -- Dining Rooms -- Home Office -- Hall -- Outdoor Living -- Period Styles -- Buying Abroad Country Guides Features Property of the Week Chat, Vote & Win Vote Win Forum -- Newsletter Forum Profit from Property Buy to Let Property Development Money Deals SEARCH All 4Homes: On TV Buying & Selling Renting Property Search DIY & Building Style Buying Abroad Chat, Vote, Win Profit from Property SELLING HOUSES In this new six-part series of Selling Houses no-nonsense estate agent Andrew Winter takes homeowners to task as they struggle with the nation's hard-to-sell homes, from listed buildings to ex-council houses. And this time he's reprimanding the estate agents as well as the homeowners. This Week Ian and Kim Saunders were so confident they'd sell their four-bedroom house in Tongham in Surrey for £435k that they cashed in their equity to release £100,000 as a down payment on a brand new villa in Spain. Now they're in trouble. They're still stuck on the market after 16 months, despite slashing their price to £400k. Andrew tells Kim she's pushing it "getting pets to actually co-ordinate with your sponge-effect wall" and discovers their agent's always known their décor was a problem, but didn't have the heart to tell them. Gallery See the dramatic change Suppliers Want some of what they got? Selling Tips Expert advice on how to sell your house Ask The Expert Submit your questions to our resident Selling Houses guru, Andrew Winter Related Features Appear On TV Fancy a visit from Andrew and City Gardener, Matt James? How To Sell How to get the best price for your home Choosing An Estate Agent How to choose the best person to sell your house Psychology of Estate Agents There are four types of estate agent - which one is yours? Previous Episodes Revisit some classic episodes UK PROPERTY SEARCH Over 150,000 homes Type a location: Price range: Min Price £0 £50,000 £75,000 £100,000 £125,000 £150,000 £175,000 £200,000 £225,000 £250,000 £275,000 £300,000 £325,000 £350,000 £375,000 £400,000 £425,000 £450,000 £475,000 £500,000 £550,000 £600,000 £650,000 £700,000 £750,000 £800,000 £850,000 £900,000 £950,000 £1,000,000 Max Price £50,000 £75,000 £100,000 £125,000 £150,000 £175,000 £200,000 £225,000 £250,000 £275,000 £300,000 £325,000 £350,000 £375,000 £400,000 £425,000 £450,000 £475,000 £500,000 £550,000 £600,000 £650,000 £700,000 £750,000 £800,000 £850,000 £900,000 £950,000 £1,000,000 £10,000,000 Min bedrooms: Min Beds 1 2 3 4 5 6 New homes only FEATURE Profit from Property How to pick a property that's ripe for development GRAND DESIGNS CD ROM A comprehensive 'info tool' for anyone looking to renovate their dream home ON TV Your Favourite Property Shows Find out more about your favourite shows and presenters About C4 | Jobs | Text Only | Access Advice | Contact Us | Terms and Conditions | Privacy | Help | Online Ad Sales

Texas Land Title Association

Advanced Solutions International | Texas Land Title Association Advanced Solutions International | Texas Land Title Association Contact Us Locations Events Business Opportunities Press Room Overview Press Releases Success Stories By Industry By Business Need New Clients Fact Sheet History Leadership Careers Investor Relations Notices Home > About ASI > Press Room > Success Stories > By Industry Ten Years Later, the Texas Land Title Association Continues to Benefit and Grow With Its iMIS System “ iMIS has continued to be a useful software tool for us over the last 10 years because ASI has focused on understanding the specific needs of associations,” stated Leslie Midgley, Executive Vice President at the Texas Land Title Association (TLTA), ASI’s first iMIS customer. TLTA feels that the needs of associations have changed and as technology has advanced, ASI has responded to those changes and advancements with enhancements and new products. “They (ASI) have made it their business to respond to user feedback by updating the software to better serve the needs of their users,” added Midgely. In fact, TLTA has received more than 12 upgrades of iMIS and have upgraded from iMIS LAN to the Microsoft SQL version in the last decade. The TLTA is a non-profit state trade association that represents over 600 Texas title insurance companies, abstract companies and title insurance agents that are engaged in the transference of title to real property. “With iMIS , they have been able to capture an overwhelming majority of the market share for Title companies in Texas through education, advocacy, and other valued services,” stated Mark Jones, President of enSYNC Corporation, the TLTA authorized iMIS Solution Provider. The Flexibility to Handle Growing and Changing Needs iMIS has been particularly useful to the TLTA in managing their meetings and educational programs. “ iMIS allows us to plan a meeting from start to finish without using a lot of different software programs,” stated Midgley. In the area of membership, iMIS has allowed them to keep better track of information about their members. “Over the years, we have determined that we need to store more and more data, and iMIS has allowed us the flexibility to expand and change.” Authorized iMIS Solution Provider, enSYNC Corporation, provides support to TLTA for their iMIS system. They have been an integral part of TLTA’s satisfaction and success with the product. “Both Mark Jones and Clark Jones are great to work with and are always there to help us solve a problem or overcome a challenge. Currently, they are working with us to increase our skills with report writing using Access and Crystal and to help us utilize more of the features that iMIS offers,” commented Midgley. “ iMIS is still meeting the business needs of the organization after 10 years, that really says something about the greatness of the product,” summed up Jones. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy © 2005 ASI, Inc. Site designed and developed by ASI Web Services Group , managed by iMIS Content Manager.

Home Mortgage

Home Loans for Every Home Buying Situation - Quicken Loans America's Home Loan Experts SM GO My Quicken Loans Login Great Rates. Expert Advice. Fast Process. Call 800-251-9080 To Get Your Rate   Refinance Refinance Center Learn About Refinancing Refinance Calculators Refinance Loan Options Contact a Refinance Expert Home Purchase Home Purchase Center Learn About Buying a Home Home Purchase Calculators Home Purchase Loan Options Contact a Purchase Expert Home Equity Home Equity Center Learn About Home Equity Home Equity Calculators Home Equity Loan Options Calculators Calculators Refinance Calculators Home Purchase Calculators Home Equity Calculators Contact a Loan Expert Loan Options Loan Options Refinance Loan Options Purchase Loan Options Home Equity Loan Options Contact a Loan Expert Bad Credit Rates   Learn About Buying a Home Home Purchase Calculators Home Purchase Loan Options Contact a Purchase Expert   Home Purchase Center Buying a house? Get a payment now! Expected Purchase Price: Expected Down Payment: Choose A State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut District of Columbia Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Call: 800-251-9080 Quicken Loans makes it easy on you: Save time. No long forms to fill out. Convenient. We research your loan options for you. Expert Advice. The right loan for you. Fast. Close in weeks. Power Buyer SM Home Loans Loans that give you an edge when buying a home Select your situation below...    I'm a first-time home buyer Get pre-approved. Buy a home with no money down!    I'm moving and will be buying a home Close fast on your new home loan, even before you sell!    I'm buying a vacation home Very low down payment requirements!!    I'm building a new home Lock your mortgage rate for up to 12 months while you finish building! About The Loan I May Be Interested In: (* Indicates a required field) *Loan Purpose Choose One Refinance Home Equity Line of Credit Debt Consolidation / Cash Out Home Improvement Purchase - Looking but have not found a home yet Purchase - Just researching my options Purchase - Signed or expect to sign purchase agreement *Estimated Home Value/Purchase Amt: *Desired Loan Amount: About Me: *First Name: *Last Name: *Address: *City: *State: Choose A State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut D.C. Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming *Zip: *How did you hear of us? Choose One Real Estate Insiders Rush Limbaugh Radio Ad TV Ad Friend Search Online Ad News Other *E-mail: *Home Phone: - - *Work Phone: - - Ext. OR CALL 800-251-9080 The information you provide to Quicken Loans will be used to fulfill your request. Quicken Loans does not share your information with outside companies for their promotional use. Occasionally, we may contact you with special offers that may interest you. If you do not want to receive these offers you may opt-out by clicking here . Your browser does not support current technology. Please consider upgrading. //-- America's Home Loan Experts — Quicken Loans! Quicken Loans' quick and easy mortgage process made us the nation's largest online mortgage lender. Our exclusive home loan options allow you to find a mortgage that's right for you. Explore our Home Purchase Center for information on purchasing a home, getting a home loan, and more. Our mortgage calculators can quickly show you how much home you can afford and the mortgage amount you may qualify for, or check mortgage rates online. Not sure which loan is right for you? Call Quicken Loans today and talk to a home loan expert — 800-251-9080 . Refinancing | Home Loans | Home Equity Loans | My Quicken Loans Login Mortgage News | Mortgage Rates | Mortgage Calculators | Apply Online About Us | Careers | Contact Us | Feedback | Site Map | Help | Search Security and Privacy | Disclosures and Licenses | Terms of Use © 2000 - 2005 Quicken Loans Inc., All rights reserved. Lending services provided by Quicken Loans Inc., a subsidiary of Rock Holdings Inc. “Quicken Loans” is a registered service mark of Intuit Inc., used under license. Build 2741 2005-10-25 09:50:43