Get ready for a mortgage

Financial Literacy - Mortgages

TOOLS AND RESOURCES

Mortgage toolkit

Use these work sheets, calculators and money-saving tips to guide your mortgage decisions.

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Understanding mortgages

Self-help tools, tips and more

The best way to hang on to more of your money is to know exactly where it goes. Use these calculators, work sheets and more to get your finances humming.




Audio:

	•	High credit score can save you plenty

	•	Meltdown in the subprime mortgage market

	•	Multiple loan applications can hurt credit score

	•	5 homeownership tax myths

	•	Buy flood insurance before the water rises

	•	Debt-to-income ratio important as credit score

	•	8 questions to ask home listing agents



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	Archives:

	•	Overview archive

	•	Take action archive

	•	Spotlight archive

	•	Poll archive

	•	Money makeover archive

	•	Calculator archive

	•	Glossary archive

	•	Worksheet archive

	•	Audio archive

Calculators and decision tools

•	Amortization schedule calculator
•	Should you refinance your mortgage?
•	Biweekly mortgage payment calculator
•	FICO score estimator

Terms to know

•	22 most commonly used mortgage terms

Work sheets

•	9 steps to cancel PMI
•	Saving for a down payment
•	Safeguarding your housing information
•	How much house can you afford?
•	Which lender is right for you?
•	Interviewing mortgage lenders
•	How to get a mortgage
•	Collecting necessary paperwork

Mortgage Basics

•	How mortgages work: fixed-rate mortgages
•	How mortgages work: adjustable-rate mortgages
•	ARM or a fixed-rate mortgage?
•	10 questions to ask your mortgage lender
•	Understanding escrow accounts

Outside resources


Federal government resources
•	9 steps to buying a home
•	Learn about home buying programs in your state
•	Loan programs for veterans
•	Let FHA loans help you
•	Your path to homeownership
•	All about homeownership, home equity and mortgages
•	Looking for the best mortgage
•	Frequently asked questions about mortgage interest deduction
•	Energy-efficient mortgage

Educational resources

•	Mortgage basics
•	Choosing the best mortgage
•	Financial aspects of homeownership
•	Open doors housing
•	National Endowment for Financial Education