Mortgage Tips
INFOTRAK mortgage articles cover a variety of mortgage finance and real estate related questions and issues such as selecting and applying for a mortgage, buying a home, finding a real estate agent, homebuyer’s insurance, credit reports, foreclosures, comparing interest rates and anything else you should know when buying or refinancing a home. These articles were written for consumers by trusted real estate and mortgage sources including government agencies and other professional groups and associations to give you the most accurate, useful and up-to-date information.
Refinancing and Avoiding Foreclosure
Learn about reasons to refinance and about the refinancing process.
Credit and Homeownership
Don't have credit? Would you like to improve your credit? Building good credit doesn't have to be difficult, just follow the steps below.
Advantages of Pre-Approval, Pre-Approval vs Pre-Qualification
Getting pre-qualified helps you determine how much house you can afford. Getting pre-approved makes you a more competitive buyer.
Making An Offer and Negotiating a Sales Price
Before you negotiate a sales price, it's important to determine if you or the seller has the stronger position.
10 Questions to Ask a Home Inspector
The more you learn from your home inspector, the better. Learn what questions you must be sure to ask.
Applying for a Mortgage
Learn many helpful tips about the mortgage application process.
When an Offer Becomes a Contract
Important information to know before you make an offer to a seller or accept an offer from a buyer.
Working with Realtors in a Changing Marketplace
What is the difference between an agent and a broker? What types of questions to ask when choosing a Realtor.
How To Avoid Predatory Lenders
Important information about who predatory lenders target and how to spot a predatory lender.
All About Lock-Ins
Find out details such as how long lock-ins are valid, should they be in writing, is their a charge and what if the lock-in period expires.
Complaints
Do you have a complaint? Learn the steps necessary in order to file a complaint and who to contact.
Consumer Rights
Consumers need to know their rights. Be aware of possible fraud situations and how to avoid becoming a victim of fraud.
Credit Counseling and Bankruptcy
Valuable information about what is involved in filing for bankruptcy and what to look for when seeking help from a consumer credit counseling agency.
Credit Reports and Credit Scores
The first step in the homebuying process is understanding your credit.
Establishing Credit
Follow these helpful tips and you're on your way to building a good credit record and from there how to protect your credit rating.
Financing for Handyman-Specials and Fixer-Uppers
What is a 203(K) program and why you need it for purchasing a house that needs repairs.
Finding a Real Estate Agent
Find out what questions you shourl ask before choosing a real estate professional and what services are usually offered by an agent.
Fixed Rate Mortgages
Fixed Rate Mortgages are the most common types of mortgages. Find out why and compare them to Adjustable Rate Mortgages.
Getting Help to Avoid Foreclosure
Lenders want to help you keep your home. Find out how the FHA provides many alternatives and ways for borrowers to get help.
Hiring Home Inspectors; Homeowner's Insurance
What do you need to know about the closing process? Learn why hiring a professional home inspector is so important.
Homebuyer's Insurance Checklist
As you look at homes, remember that characteristics of the house (where it is, how it's constructed and the kind of shape it’s in) can send your insurance rates up or down.
House Hunting Tips
What else can you do to make the house hunting process easier? Follow these worthwhile tips!
How Much Can I Afford
Lenders evaluate mortgage applications a lot differently today than they did even 10 years ago. Here are some common homeownership myths.
Is Homeownership Right For You
Are you ready for homeownership? Look at your current situation and determine if you should own and what the risks are.
Life Changes - Divorce and Separation
To guard yourself financially in a divorce you need to act now to put a halt to joint credit. Find out more.
Life Changes - Injury or Death
What type of payment should you take upon being injured or disabled? What happens to your house and your credit card debt when a spouse dies? Find out more.
Life Changes - Living Together
Friends who buy houses together may not be friends forever, so before you buy together, visit an attorney to write a property agreement. Read on . . .
Life Changes - Marriage
Marriage can dramatically change your priorities so it’s important to carefully review your financial picture.
Fixed Rate vs Adjustable Rate Mortgages
More details about Adjustable Rate Mortgages so you can further compare which rate is best for you.
Limiting Unwanted Offers
The Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency, wants you to know why your application for a mortgage may trigger competing offers, how you can use them to your benefit, and how to stop getting them if that’s your choice.
Mortgage Application
Where do you start? When you break it down into parts, it starts to get a lot simpler.
Mortgage Options
Do you know what an amortization schedule is? How to choose the right mortgage? If not, read this article.
Negotiating Your Sales Agreement
Here are some important points to consider when negotiating a sales agreement.
Obtaining Cost Information on a Mortgage
Knowing just the amount of the monthly payment or the interest rate is not enough. Here's what you need to consider.
Owning & Keeping a Home; The Moving Process
Owning a home is an ongoing commitment. New issues and responsibilities can come up at any time.
Predatory Lending
Did you know predatory lenders often target people in financial crisis? Find out what you can do if you no longer can afford to keep your home.
Preparing For Hurricanes
There are steps you can take to minimize a hurricane's impact. The Insurance Information Institute recommends the following five steps.
Pre-Settlement Walk-Thru Checklist
Here's an invaluable list to help you through this process.
Pre-Settlement Walk-Thru Tips
The walk-through provides an opportunity for you to learn how your new home works and to spot items that need to be corrected or adjusted. Learn more. . .
Qualifying For A Mortgage
Lenders use three basic kinds of information to determine how much house you can afford to buy. Do you know what they are?
Remodeling - What To Know Before You Start
Why are you remodeling? Do you need more space or are you hoping to increase the value of your home?
RESPA - Consumer Rights
RESPA (The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act) is a consumer protection statute, first passed in 1974. Find out more about the purposes of RESPA.
Reverse Mortgages
If you are 62 years and older, learn how you can convert the equity in your home into monthly streams of income or a line of credit to be repaid when you are no longer occupying your home.
Saving $$ on Insurance; Title Insurance; Attending the Closing
You can save money on your homeowner's insurance by doing your research. Consider these other ways to save some money.
Understanding Home Equity Lines of Credit
By using the equity in your home, you may qualify for a sizeable amount of credit, available for use when and how you please.
What If You Cannot Afford to Keep Your Home; Avoiding Scam Artists
There are ways your mortgage company can work with you to avoid foreclosures.
What If You Cannot Pay Your Mortgage Company
Did you know, your options to retain your home are most effective when you are only one or two payments behind?
Working With Lenders
There are many different sources of lenders. Find out who they are and what they can do for you. Do you know the three C's that lenders use to review your application?
