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Buying A Property Guide from channel4.com/4Money 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 On TV Compare & Buy Mortgages & Homebuying Smart Money Banking & Saving Borrowing & Spending Insurance Tax & Pensions Funny Money Forum Latest features Mortgages and homebuying features Special features Guide to renting & letting Homebuying guides Property buying Property selling Remortgage How much can I borrow Conveyancing What mortgage type Flexible mortgage Choose an interest rate type Decide a repayment method Cut your bills Gas & electricity Home phone Digital TV Mobile phone Broadband Top tools Mortgage calculator Overpayment calculator Stamp duty calculator Payments calculator Money jargon A-Z Compare and Buy 400 Loans 300 Credit Cards 7000 Mortgages 1000 Saving Accounts 300 Current Accounts Subject to Moneysupermarket .com Terms Money Books Latest personal finance books Share money tips Share your money tips Buying a property guide next Where to start There comes a time in most people's lives when they decide to take the property plunge. Perhaps you've reached the point where you want a place of your own; or perhaps you've been renting and had enough of paying someone else's mortgage. Written by Hilary Osborne, Editor What Mortgage magazine. There comes a time in most people's lives when they decide to take the property plunge. Perhaps you've reached the point where you want a place of your own; or perhaps you've been renting and had enough of paying someone else's mortgage.Whatever the reason, the months it takes to buy your first place are likely to be some of the most exciting - and anxious - of your life. But before you start gazing through estate agents’ windows, you need to work out how much you can afford to spend. There's no point setting your heart on a three-bedroom townhouse in Chelsea if your budget will only run to a studio flat in Chesterfield. Establish how much you can borrow (see guide), add the amount you have in savings, and you have a good idea of how much you have to spend. next About C4 | Jobs | Text Only | Access Advice | Contact Us | Terms and Conditions | Privacy | Help | Online Ad Sales

Colorado Real Estate Search

Breckenridge real estate, Frisco and Summit County, Colorado real estate, resort homes, condos, townhomes and land for sale - NUMBER1EXPERT(tm) Breckenridge, Frisco and Summit County real estate and homes, ski condos and townhomes for sale in Colorado - Susan Gunnin,REALTOR® - NUMBER1EXPERT™ Pop-Up Window" WIDTH="89" HEIGHT="21" All agents are NOT alike! Find out why I am a top real estate expert. Call me: 800-289-7005 Ext. 341 Request My Free Relocation Package! Moving your family to another town or state is a major event in your life! I have helped many families and individuals relocate! Find Out More > View All Offers > The Highest Level of Service Thank you for all you did for me. Frank B., Colorado Read Quote > View All Quotes > Compare three mortgages at one time. Download TripleCalc now. It's free. Find Out More > Download Now > Susan Gunnin is one of The Top Selling Real Estate Experts™ Find Out More > Welcome! Here You Can Find Great Information on Breckenridge, Frisco and Summit County, Colorado Real Estate Search Breckenridge MLS Search my Feature Listings Sign up for new Breckenridge listings, emailed to you daily! There's a good chance that you arrived at my web site because you've experienced Summit County personally and you now you want to learn more about the possibility of property ownership here. To get really current information, check out my new blog site. Maybe you're looking for that perfect second home, resort property, investment property, vacation home, ski condo or townhome, vacant land, rental property. One with mountain views, ski-in/ski-out, close to national forest, or fishing streams. If so, you can find it right here on my web site. You probably need local real estate information or you want to learn about the Breckenridge real estate market and why Summit County is such an incredible place to own property. I have over a decade of experience helping folks buy and sell real estate here. To make intelligent decisions, you need expert advice. No web site, large or small, can take the place of a top Realtor. Not even mine! This site is filled with ways that you can contact me for one-on-one expert help and advice. That's my job. Contact me with confidence! I guarantee your privacy will be respected. And I offer the services on this site for free and without obligation. Why? I want to be YOUR Realtor. As your trusted, professional real estate partner, I will help you find the best property available within your price range. And together we will find your home. Buying and selling real estate is one of the biggest events in your life. As a top Breckenridge Realtor, I have the experience and track record you are looking for. Please let me help. - Susan Gunnin From time to time I will present exceptional opportunities in the space immediately below Lomax Estates A rare, ski-access building lot opportunity Adjacent to the Skyway Skiway Best priced ski lots on the market Easy access to Four O'Clock Run and the Snowflake Lift Private cul-de-sac Click on image for complete info About Summit County Located about 60 miles west of Denver on I-70 smack dab in the middle of Colorado's glorious Rocky Mountains, Summit County is in a valley surrounded on the east and south sides by the Continental Divide, and on the west side by Vail Pass. Entrance to Summit County from Denver is through the Eisenhower Tunnel, a mile and a half long tunnel through the Continental Divide some 11,500 feet above sea level. Read about this highest tunnel in the world. Hoosier Pass defines the southern edge of Summit county, about 10 miles south of Breckenridge. It, too, is a pass over the Continental Divide which is the watershed separating water flows to the Atlantic Ocean on the east side and the Pacific Ocean on the west side. Hoosier Pass, at 11,500 feet, forms the headwaters of the Blue River, which, when it flows out of Dillon Reservoir, is one of the most beautiful and pristine, Gold Medal trout fisheries in the country. Traveling along Interstate 70, the western edge of Summit County is Vail Pass, at about 10,600 feet. About 15 miles beyond Vail Pass is the city of Vail which hosts the most popular ski area in North America. Breckenridge is the county seat for Summit County, and home of one of the most popular ski areas in the country. There are three other ski areas -- Keystone, Copper Mountain and Arapahoe Basin in Summit County, and Vail Resort is about 25 miles west. Frisco , Dillon and Silverthorne are principal towns in Summit County and provide a variety of real estate opportunities which I would be happy to help you with. Peruse my web site and then contact me for that dream resort property. "A model of how the Internet can facilitate the process of deciding where to send your children to school" - America's Best School Profiles by The Heritage Foundation Colorado Public, Private and Charter Schools : Compare them using these top-rated, comprehensive reports. Schools in Breckenridge, Frisco and Summit County Working With A Realtor What Is CRS, GRI? CRS, which stands for Certified Residential Specialist, is a designation that recognizes a high level of professional accomplishments in real estate experience and education. The Residential Sales Council grants the CRS designation only to the most outstanding sales associates in the residential sales field. Besides the completion of a rigorous course of study, the candidate must be able to demonstrate 75 successful transactions or average sales of $1 million per year of experience. Only 4% of all real estate agents are awarded the CRS designation. GRI stands for Graduate, REALTOR Institute. The REALTOR Institute offers a series of 90 hours of required and elective courses conducted by the local Board or Association of REALTORS. These courses cover all areas of real estate -- residential, investment, construction and mortgage. The GRI designation is a prerequisite of many specialized courses in the REALTOR organization. See All Tips In The "Working With A Realtor" Category > See Complete Library Of Hundreds Of Tips In 30+ Categories > Q What is the highest altitude hotel in the world? A The Hotel Everest View sits at the record altitude of 3,962 feet above sea level, in the rarified atmosphere of Namche, Nepal, the village closest to the Mount Everest base camp. See More Real Estate Trivia > See the Nation's Top Rated: School Reports - Public, Private & Charter > Get My Latest Listings Before Anyone Else! As soon as I list another home for sale, I'll email you. You'll know first. Name: Email: Find Out More > Susan Gunnin RE/MAX Properties of the Summit 220 S. Main Street; P.O. Box 4600 Breckenridge, CO. 80424 Toll Free: 1-800-289-7005 Ext. 341 Local: 1-970-453-7000 Ext. 341 Denver Direct: 1-303-278-7000 Cell: 1-970-389-0182 Fax: 1-970-453-7364 Email: breck4sale@NUMBER1EXPERT.com Susan is a top producer specializing in the ski resort town of Breckenridge, as well as the surrounding area. Susan specializes in mountain homes, ski condos, investment properties and vacant land; she provides old-fashioned service with state-of-the-art technology to help you any way she can. With over ten years of experience with buying, selling, and developing real estate, Susan's clients have come to expect the best. Representing both buyers and sellers, and giving all clients an indepth consultation on all aspects of the the real estate transaction, Susan is your BEST choice in real estate. Call or email her today! www.breck4sale.com isbrought to you by Susan Gunnin NUMBER1EXPERT ™ in real estate,ski condos and townhomes for Breckenridge, Frisco and Summit County, Colorado Read My Privacy Guarantee , Terms of Service ,and Free & Without Obligation Pledge Colorado Real Estate Agents - Homes - NUMBER1EXPERT™ Listings Some real estate agents outsell others 10 to 1. NUMBER1EXPERTS average a staggering 73 properties sold per year. How good is YOUR real estate agent? © Best Image Marketing and/or its clients. All rights reserved. All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. This site is a member of WebRing. To browse visit Here . JUMP TO: WELCOME | FIND HOMES | FOR BUYERS | FORSELLERS | LOCAL INFO | RESOURCES | ABOUTSUSAN GUNNIN WELCOME: Breckenridge Real Estate, Ski Condos and Townhomes Welcome: Return to welcome/home page ABOUT SUSANGUNNIN: Who Am I?: Who is Susan Gunnin of Breckenridge, Frisco and Summit County, Colorado? Susan's Family Photo Album: Photos of Susan's family My Professional Resume: Susan Gunnin's Breckenridge real estate career in home buying & selling in Colorado Testimonials: What Susan Gunnin's clients are saying about this top Realtors real estate marketing Quick Response Guarantee: Susan Gunnin guarantees a quick response to your email request for more Colorado home buying & property selling information Privacy Guarantee: Susan Gunnin guarantees this Breckenridge real estate web site will respect your privacy No Obligation Guarantee: Susan Gunnin's real estate help by email is free & without obligation for Breckenridge home owners in Colorado For Realtors: Let Susan Gunnin help you with your professional real estate broker and agent needs in the Breckenridge area About NUMBER1EXPERTS: NUMBER1EXPERTS are top real estate professionals, find out more Contact Information: How to contact Susan Gunnin, Breckenridge real estate agent FIND BRECKENRIDGEHOMES, ski condos and townhomes: Feature Homes: Homes, properties, & other real estate in Breckenridge and Colorado with virtual tours, photos, and more Search All Local Listings: Search all Breckenridge area MLS listings in Colorado from real estate brokers National Listings Databases: Homes for sale in national American USA web site listings databases of properties New Construction: New homes for sale, new construction and newly built properties and real estate subdivisions Unique & Luxury Homes: Home buyers, find luxury homes, real estate, beach front properties, mansions, & acreage/land for sale on these top national & international listings web sites International Properties: Find international homes for sale on these international/global real estate web sites from Canada, Europe, France, Germany, UK, Great Britain, Spain, Italy, Asia, Africa, and beyond Search ALL the Experts' Homes: Search the best local homes for sale from all the real estate experts, agents, Realtors, and brokers BRECKENRIDGEINFO: About Breckenridge: Moving to Breckenridge, Frisco and Summit County, Colorado? Get info here... Relocating?: Free real estate information & relocation package if you're relocating to Breckenridge, CO School Information: Breckenridge schools and the education system in Colorado: kindergarten, elementary, high schools, colleges & universities Local Maps & Links: Breckenridge maps & local/Colorado web site links for news & media, TV stations, radio stations, daily Breckenridge newspapers, transportation, airports & bus terminals, Colorado & local government, and more Local Weather: Weather in Breckenridge, Frisco and Summit County, Colorado: spring, summer, winter, and fall climate changes Breckenridge Photo Gallery: Tour Colorado in pictures REAL ESTATERESOURCES: Special Offers: Special offers for Breckenridge homeowners from Susan Gunnin, top Realtor Monthly Payments & Schedule: Monthly loan payments java mortgage calculator How Much Can You Afford?: Calculate how much home you can afford with this financial calculator Determine Tax Savings: Calculate how much your monthly Breckenridge, Frisco and Summit County, Colorado mortgage payments save you on your taxes because of loan interest Should You Rent or Buy?: Is it better to rent a home in Colorado or buy your own Breckenridge house, ranch, luxury property, condominium, acreage, or other real estate? Adjustable Rate Mortgages: Adjustable rate Breckenridge mortgages information and interest rate java calculator What Is Your APR?: Determine the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) for your mortgage. Fixed or Adjustable Rate Mortgage?: Use this calculator to compare a fixed rate mortgage to two types of ARMs, a Fully Amortizing ARM and an Interest Only ARM. Are Balloon Mortgages For You?: Balloon mortgage calculator. A balloon mortgage can be an excellent option for many home buyers. 15 vs. 30 Yr Mortgages: With a 15 year mortgage you will pay significantly less interest, but only if you can afford the higher monthly payment. Use this calculator to compare these two mortgage terms. How Much Should Your Income Be?: What income is required to qualify for a mortgage? Use this calculator to find out. What's Your Maximum Mortgage?: This calculator will help you determine your maximum monthly housing payment and the resulting mortgage amount. Will Buying Points Save You Money?: This calculator helps you determine if you should pay for points, or use the money to increase your down payment. Experts: Real estate, homes for sale, and other properties: links in Colorado, United States and Canada TripleCalc: FREE Software Download: TripleCalc lets you compare three loans at one time for your property or other Colorado real estate Top National Real Estate Web Sites: Real Estate Web Sites that include some unique sources of realty information, listings, and more Direct Links: Direct real estate links to web sites mentioned in this Breckenridge, Frisco and Summit County, Colorado site Link Partners: Link Partners page for Breckenridge, Frisco and Summit County, Colorado Ask Anything: Ask Susan Gunnin anything real estate NUMBER1EXPERTS: List of all the NUMBER1EXPERT real estate agents and realty professionals and brokers in the USA and Canada with links to their personal web sites with homes for sale Real Estate Tips: Susan Gunnin's realty library of real estate tips and advice on everything from preparing your home for sale to negotiating with home buyers to escrow, closing costs, property inspections, and mortgage brokers Real Estate Trivia: Susan Gunnin's collection of real estate trivia questions and answers that include real estate topics such as the most expensive home, largest swimming pool, and more Real Estate Dictionary: Complete real estate dictionary and glossary of realty words you'll use when you list and sell your Breckenridge property in Colorado, including legal terms definitions, and more FOR HOMEBUYERS: Why Buyers Choose Me: Why homebuyers in the Breckenridge area choose Susan Gunnin as their Realtor Second-Home Buyers: Are you relocating? Buying a second home? Susan Gunnin can help Latest Listings: Get Susan Gunnin's latest Breckenridge listings of homes for sale first! Find Your Perfect Home: Susan Gunnin will search for your ideal home and email you the newest Breckenridge MLS listings of properties First Time Homebuyers: Are you a first time homebuyer in Breckenridge, CO? As a top Realtor, Susan Gunnin can guide your home buying search Mortgage Prequalification: Pre-qualify for a mortgage or loan for your Breckenridge house or other real estate or property FOR HOMESELLERS: Why Sellers Choose Susan Gunnin: Why home sellers in Breckenridge choose Susan Gunnin Free Presentation: Free in-home listings presentation on marketing your Breckenridge, Frisco and Summit County, Colorado property Property Valuation: How much is your Breckenridge home worth? What Did That Home Sell For?: What did that Breckenridge, Frisco and Summit County, Colorado property or other real estate sell for? FSBO: Selling your Breckenridge real estate on your own? Return to Top > Breckenridge Real Estate, Ski Condos and Townhomes

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Home Loans Australia - Wizard Home Loans home loans loans for your situation buying your first home refinancing your home loan investing in property selling and buying a home building a new home renovating your home self employed loans, rates & fees home buyers information tools home loan selector how much can you borrow? apply for a loan calculators online loan access market update real estate services search for a property find a lawyer other types of loans personal loans car loans car leasing, plant & equipment trouble qualifying? business loans insurance home and contents landlords insurance home loan protection credit cards clear advantage service centre existing customers customer rewards refer a friend online loan access about Wizard our profile our service promise awards news room sponsorships competition winners own a branch careers search this site: Home Help Feedback Site Map Find a loan to suit your situation Buying your first home Refinancing your home loan Investing in property Selling and buying a home Building a new home Renovating your home Self employed Consolidating your debts Buying a car Not sure which home loan you need? Struggling to save a deposit? Borrow 100% of the property value for owner occupied purchases with the Rent Buster home loan. No deposit required in some cases. Details Not sure which home loan you need? Simply select a few options that describe your situation and features you want in a home loan and let our handy Home Loan Selector find the Wizard home loan that best suits your needs. Details Wizard Clear Advantage MasterCard At last, a credit card with nothing to hide! No annual fee. No transaction fees. 0% interest for 6 months on balance transfers from date of account opening. Low 12.4% rate. Details Compare and save Basic loan Mid-range loan Full featured loan Amount $ over 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 years home loans | real estate services | other types of loans | insurance | credit cards | existing customers | about Wizard Privacy Policy | Security | Terms and Conditions 29 Dec 2005 or call 13 19 70 you can always change your mind or call 1300 650 921 enter your email for news and offers Wizard Home Loans New Zealand Looking for a USA home loan?

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Buy to let mortgage quotes uk property landlord information Let -a- Property .info The Home for Landlords, Tenants and Letting Agents " Providing buy to let mortgage, UK rental property investment, landlord information and guidance " Add a Site Landlord E-Book & Buy to Let Profitability Calculator Introduction > Why Buy to Let- > e-Book > Calculator > Trial Download > Bonus > Order The Practical Guide to Buy to Let - 2005 (ISBN 0-9544860-0-5) is Published by Infoguides. It is a dowwnloadable 'electronic book package' consists of an electronic book 'The Practical Guide to Buy to Let' , Buy to Let 'Profitability' Calculator Software and bonus Property Letting Checklist Software....... Are you an existing landlord hoping to maximise your current investment return. As a prospective landlord , are you concerned about a price crash or interest rate fluctuation. Would you like to let your property out as a rental property but not sure where to start. Are you presently investigating the best use of landlord mortgages products. Can you currently analyse all factors that impact investment profitability . How can you identify, minimise and control the risks of your Uk Property investment. Are you aware of your legal obligations as a Uk Property landlord. How can you plan for maximum property investment return with a letting property- ....... ..... What is an 'e-book' ? "This is a great package that will greatly assist my first venture into the Buy to Let market." D. Wright - London, 25/8/05 "I must say the whole package is very impressive, it has helped me a great deal during the stages of 'buying to let'. Plus any updates are sent without any issues at all." J. Belassie - 31/8/05 "I found the book both easy to read and informative. The calculator was an excellent tool that allowed me to see at a glance the financial viability of my potential investment. A must have purchase for all of those considering a purchase of this nature." 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Neil Hewitt, Prospective Landlord, Bournemouth Introduction > Why Buy to Let- > e-Book > Calculator > Trial Download > Bonus > Order Web Let -a- Property .info Back Top Accommodation Search free property advertising advertise buy to let mortgage business mortgage business mortgage buy to let mortgage rates Buy to let insurance building insurance uk capped rates commercial funding uk commercial mortgage uk compare credit cards commercial property critical illness fixed rate mortgage flexible mortgages uk income protection Investment Property Mortgages limited liability company l andlord insurance legal expenses letting agents Directory mortgages uk mortgage insurance property insurance property development loan secured loans savings accounts self certification site map small business loans uk unsecured loans uk variable rates Advertising Accommodation Credit Cards General Home Insurance Income Protection Unemployment Insurance Landlords Tenants Insurance Mortgage Insurance Protection Professional Advice Property Finance & Mortgages Property to Buy or Sell Savings Secured Loans Unsecured Personal Loans landlord property insurance builings insurance uk tenants insurance uk buy to let mortgages buy to let mortgage letting property advice Insurance Quotes

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Viewpoint Paid Discussion: Mortgages and Investments Wednesday, August 17, 2005 at 1 p.m. ET I'm interested in hosting a Viewpoint paid discussion Viewpoint discussion archive Welcome to Viewpoint, a live discussion forum on washingtonpost.com. This forum offers washingtonpost.com sponsors a platform to discuss issues, new products, company information and other topics. Mortgage Loans and Investment Properties Interested in a mortgage, home equity or refinance loan? Want to learn more about investment properties? Lonnie Cooper, top producer at Absolute Mortgage Co., was online Wednesday, August 17 at 1 p.m. ET to discuss mortgages, the recent interest-only craze or the ins and outs of investment properties. Lonnie Cooper is a senior loan officer at Absolute Mortgage Incorporated in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Lonnie closes approximately $7 million per month in mortgage volume over the past four years. Before coming to Absolute Mortgage, he worked as a loan officer at Independence Mortgage Group and was made partner. Lonnie also owns several rental properties and can provide suggestions and solutions for being a landlord. Lonnie is a graduate of Penn State University. The transcript follows. _______________________ washingtonpost.com: Welcome to Viewpoint. Our guest today is Lonnie Cooper with Absolute Mortgage Co. to answer your questions about loans, mortgages and investment properties. Let's get started! Lonnie Cooper: Lets do it. _______________________ Oaks, Pa.: How do you close so many loans each month? Lonnie Cooper: Hello Oaks, I close approximately 35-40 mortgages each month. _______________________ Washington, D.C.: Hi Lonnie, Thanks for taking my question. My husband and I have been in our house for about a year. We recently received a notice from our mortgage company that basically said our escrow amounts hadn't actually covered everything that the escrow pays for (taxes and insurance). So, we had a shortfall, and we should send in a large chunk of money so our mortgage wouldn't increase by $150 a month beginning in October. Okay. So, even if we do send in the large amount, our mortgage is still going to increase by about $70 because of our increased county taxes. Now, I'm a newbie at this, but is this normal? Does this happen to other people, etc.? Does everyone's mortgage increase when their county taxes increase? We have a 30-year fixed mortgage by the way. I'm sure I sound like a complete idiot, but any insight you could share would be great, since in the past we have had ZERO response from our mortgage company when we've had questions. Lonnie Cooper: I'm sorry to hear that you are getting zero response from them. Taxes often go up and unfortunately the lender has to re-structure your escrow account accordingly. You certainly don't sound like an idiot. _______________________ Washington, D.C.: I keep on hearing that interest only loans are a bad choice and that people are using them to afford homes they could not with a traditional 30. What do you think? Lonnie Cooper: Interest only loans are very popular right now. Unfortunately, many people are taking them for the wrong reason. If used properly by the right person, an interest only loan can make sense. In the current housing market, homes are becoming less and less affordable and an interest only loan is the only way that many people can qualify for the loan. My personal opinion is that if you can't make at least the amortizing arm payment (meaning principal and interest) then you probably are looking at too much home. _______________________ Edgewater, Md.: I am in the process of buying a house that I think we will have for a long time, but I am thinking about starting out with an interest only loan with a 7 year arm and refinancing at some point to a 30 year mortgage. Do you think this is the wrong approach? Lonnie Cooper: I do think it is the wrong approach. Rates are at an historical low. 7 years from now you very well may be looking at not only a large rate spike but also a much bigger payment when the principal is also involved. _______________________ Fairfax, Va.: I have a home equity loan and I am maxed out at $100k. I want to extend that to upgrade my house. Do I have to totally apply for a new loan or can I just ask the bank to extend the line of credit? Lonnie Cooper: Hello Fairfax, Often the lender that you have with the existing home equity loan will allow you to extend it. _______________________ Arlington, Va.: What is the best loan product for new construction that will not deliver until mid-spring 2006? We would like to lock in our rate asap but do not know what is the best. Thank you. Lonnie Cooper: Hello Arlington, Many builders have special deals with local banks and their own mortgage companies. They offer long term locks for your situation with a variety of options. Regarding the product, my answer would be the same for you even if you were closing in 30 days- Take an arm if you know that this isn't your 'long-term' home or go with a fixed if it is. _______________________ Camarillo, Calif.: What is your opinion on mortgages for retired people? Your opinion on paying cash for property or financing it? Thank you. Lonnie Cooper: Hello Camarillo, I often get asked by people in the 70's and 80's whether or not they can apply for a 30 yr mortgage. Even though lenders can discriminate for income, credit, employment etc, they can't discriminate for age. So, that being said, if you need the money take it. Mortgage money is the cheapest out there. There are reverse mortgages out there as well for retirees. They often make sense as well. "Cash is king" as they say- but if you have it and it helps you sleep at night paying for your home outright is a wonderful feeling. (Or so I've heard) _______________________ Rockville, Md.: Hi Lonnie, I am a consultant and have a 2-3 year assignment that will keep me in Baltimore during the work week. I currently own a home in Rockville and have a roommate. Recently, I have been thinking about buying a place in Baltimore and also getting a roommate there to help pay for the mortgage. What are the implications of borrowing equity from my current home to buy the new home? What are the tax implications of actually residing in both homes? -Sandra Lonnie Cooper: Hello Sandra, I try not to give out too much info on tax advice as it often varies from state to state. I believe that the other home needs to be 50 miles from your primary residence to qualify as a 2nd home. If its not, it would be viewed as a rental property- ie higher rate etc. There are definitely deductions available for rental properties - consult your CPA. _______________________ Fairfax, Va.: My primary loan is for $300,000 and is a 30-year. I am looking at getting a vacation property. What can I do to get the best rate on my second property? Lonnie Cooper: Hello Fairfax, If its a true second home aka vacation property, the rate will be identical. If there is plenty of equity in your current home you can take out a line of credit, but they are variable and prime seems to be going no where but up. Our rates are available at www.absolutemortgageco.com and my extension is 104 if you'd like to talk later. _______________________ Goshen, Ind.: Could you please elaborate on what the pros and cons of interest only loans and what is negative amortization? Thank you. Lonnie Cooper: Hello Goshen, I was cut short on my response previously. I'd like to apologize to the submitter of that question. Some quick pros are: 1- They create a significant amount of cash flow 2- They enable you to qualify for more 'house' Cash flow enables the owner to take that difference and invest it into the stock market or pay down other non deductable debts. Cash flow for a real estate investor allows for immediate positive income. Qualifying for more house enables for example a young Doctor get into a larger home knowing that his income will be going up in the near future. _______________________ Washington, D.C.: Is this a good time to look for investment property, even though the market is about to bust? Lonnie Cooper: Investment properties are always available, but because of the national real estate buying craze the 'deals' are much harder to find. Like anything else in life, its a matter of hard work and who you know- meaning get a great realtor and an even better mortgage guy. (Okay so I'm a little biased on this one) Regarding the market bursting- many top analysts feel its going to slow down but not necessarily bust. If your question is would you be buying at the top of the market right now, I'd have to say probably. _______________________ San Diego, Calif.: What is a free float down? Lonnie Cooper: Hello San Diego, A free float down is a product that Absolute Mortgage (the company that I work for) offers along with a few others. Basically its a s simple as "if the rates go lower while you are locked in, you get the lower rate" Its a product that brings a lot of people to us and when the rates go down, people love benefitting from it. It basically makes locking in a win-win _______________________ Falls Church, Va.: Does Absolute Mortgage offer long-term interest only loans and are these available on investment properties? Thank you. Lonnie Cooper: Yes, we offers long term interest only loans. These come in quite a variety. They can be fixed/adjustables that are fixed for the first 10 years or 30 years fixed that are interest only for the first 20 years. There are some that are interest only for all 30 as well. The rates obviously vary on all of these. Yes, we have I/O loans for invest. properties as well. _______________________ Bethesda, Md.: I was looking to buy a plot of land for a second home sometime down the road. What type of land loan products are available and do you offer such a mortgage? Lonnie Cooper: Hello Bethesda, There are many land loan products out there. The majority of them are not 30 year fixed loans, but realistically if you are building on the land in the future you wouldn't want one anyway. Local banks are often the best for this. We don't offer them. _______________________ Reston, VA: Is there a hard-fast rule about refinancing? I thought there used to be a rule that if rates .5 point below your rate you would refinance. Is that still a good rule? Lonnie Cooper: Hello Reston, Thats a great question. The old 'rule of thumb' was that the rate had to be 2% lower. That is certainly no longer the case. We offer what is called a 'True No Cost" mortgage where you can refinance with no costs at all. The costs are not rolled into your principal balance- we pay them. As an example- if you have a 30 yr fixed today at 6.0% and you owe 200k then at todays rate of 5.5% it probably wouldn't make sense to refinance with a traditional closing cost loan. However with a 'True No Cost' loan at say 5.875% you'll save thousands over the life of the loan for simply signing your name. _______________________ Yardley, Pa.: Hello Lonnie, I recently purchased a new home and would like to refinance the 2nd loan for Home Improvements. How long would I have to wait in order to accomplish this? The home was purchased for $279k, but with the right repairs and can be valued at $350k. Christian Lonnie Cooper: Hello Christian, Most 2nd mortgage lenders have at least a 6 month "seasoning" rule for 2nd mortgages in that they won't let you take out a new 2nd based on your new/higher value. We have some products with no seasoning that would allow you to accomplish what you are looking for. Yardley is fairly close to West Chester, Pa. feel free to stop in. _______________________ Front Royal, Va: I have a rather high fixed rate mortgage currently and I am looking to refinance. I have one negative on my credit report which is probably a few months away from coming off which would greatly increase my credit scores. Would you recommend waiting until my credit is clean or refinancing now to take advantage of these great rates. My average score is 674 but should be in the mid 700's. Thanks. Lonnie Cooper: Hello Front Royal, Great question. You guys are full of the. With a 674, I'd recommend giving the refinance a shot now. With the right amount of equity in the property and assets in reserve you very may still be approved. _______________________ Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.: Does Absolute Mortgage offer loans in other states and what is involved to apply as far as upfront fees (does this vary state to state or based on the loan amount or credit scores)? Thanks Lonnie. Lonnie Cooper: Hello Ponte Vedra, (That is a beautiful part of Fla if I may say so myself) We are licensed in a number of states that are listed at www.absolutemortgageco.com. The owner doesn't believe in charging up front fees- its a much cleaner way of doing business. _______________________ Wilmington, Del.: I currently have quite a bit of equity in my home (primary residence) and was looking to do quite a bit of renovations to the property - which would increase the value. Would you recommend to refinance my existing mortgage for cash out or get a Home Equity Loan or Line. I currently have a 30-year Fixed at around 6% and plan on living in the home for quite some time. Thank you very much. Lonnie Cooper: Hello Wilmington, See my response above for a "True No Cost" loan. It would work great for you. The home equity lines are very popular, but most are variable and again- prime seems to be consistently going up. _______________________ Cherry Hill, N.J.: What is involved with a No Doc or stated income loan? Lonnie Cooper: Hello Cherry HIll, The question is what is not involved- We have a "True No Doc" loan in which we don't even ask if you are employed. We don't need any bank statements etc. Its just a credit score and a pulse. _______________________ Newark, Del.: Is there any tried and true rule to figure out if a home improvement project is worth doing in order to add value to your home (adding garage or addition, finishing a basement., etc.? Lonnie Cooper: Hello Newark, I don't know if there is such a rule. If you ask a contractor you may get a different answer though. In speaking with property appraisers over the years, a sure fire return is adding square footage. (As long as you don't over-improve for you neighborhood) Kitchens and bathrooms also provide the highest return for improvement projects. _______________________ Clinton, Md: If you sell a home (designated investment prop) less than 2 years after settlement, do you have to put the proceed into another investment property otherwise pay the taxes? Lonnie Cooper: Hello Clinton, This one is probably best answered by a cpa. My unoffical opinion is as follows: A 1031 tax deferred exchange can be done regardless of how long you've owned the home. If you keep the property for at least 12 months then you'll pay long term capital gains vs. short term. _______________________ washingtonpost.com: Our hour is up. Thank you for taking all of our questions, Lonnie. Lonnie Cooper: You are very welcome. Its been a pleasure. I hope to hear from you all again. Lonnie _______________________ RELATED LINKS absolutemortgageco.com Mortgage Rates Mortgage Calculator Affordability Qualification Payment Tables --