Chapter 1: Should you buy or rent?There's no easy answer. Emotions, family and personal reasons all come into play in any home buying decision.Should you buy or rent?How much house can you afford?Chapter 2: How mortgages workYou can get a mortgage in many places, but they all share the same characteristics. We explain.Fixed-rate mortgagesAdjustable-rate mortgagesDeciding between an ARM and a fixed-rate mortgageSubprime mortgagesOther types of mortgagesWhich type of lender is right for you?Chapter 3: Your mortgage paymentYour monthly payment is determined by the rate and the amount of the loan, but there's much more to it.Your credit scoreDown paymentLow down paymentsWhat is mortgage insurance?PointsHow lenders set ratesChapter 4: Paperwork and feesPrepare to gather a lot of paperwork, negotiate your loan terms and make sense of all the fees.Prequalified or preapproved borrowers have an edgeQuestions to expect from mortgage lenders10 questions to ask your mortgage lenderNecessary paperwork for a buyerThe good-faith estimateOther lender paperworkChapter 5: UnderwritingYou can help speed the verification of your information while the appraisal and inspection are done.UnderwritingInspection and insuranceSpecial circumstancesTurned down for a mortgageChapter 6: ClosingIt's your last chance to alter the deal, and the last chance for someone to sneak something past you.Understanding the closing processUnderstanding escrow accountsChapter 7: Ownership, after closingYou have the keys, but you're not done. Your mortgage needs periodic maintenance, too.When your mortgage is handled by a mortgage servicerPayment changesPaying aheadRemoving private mortgage insuranceRefinancingAvoiding foreclosure advertisementRelated Links:Jobs down, rates upMortgage insurance won't last foreverWhat's ahead for the housing market?Related Articles:Who pays for roof repair?Homes at median prices10 quick home upgrades
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