Article Archive May, 2007

Lenders Tighten Borrowing Standards for Home Mortgages

By:

Tom Kerr - MortgageLoan.com | May 31, 2007

As the number of delinquent mortgages climbs, lenders are tightening their standards for issuing loans, including such well-publicized moves as raising minimum credit scores and cutting back on 100 percent financing and low-documentation loans. The trend appears to be here to stay, at least for the foreseeable future.

The New All-in-One-Mortgage

By:

Tom Kerr - MortgageLoan.com | May 30, 2007

Seattle-based Washington Mutual, Inc. recently unveiled a new type of mortgage designed to give consumers more options than ever before. The loan is expected to surge in popularity and will likely be imitated by other mortgage lenders around the U.S.

Stock Market Introduction

By:

Anders Bylund - MortgageLoan.com | May 29, 2007

Have you always wanted to invest in stocks but didn't know how to start? The following primer on stock market investing will help beginners feel more comfortable.

How Credit Affects Your Mortgage Eligibility

By:

Tom Kerr - MortgageLoan.com | May 28, 2007

Statistics show that a vast majority of Americans downplay the critical importance of good credit. But having a poor credit history in this area of your life can be the biggest obstacle to home ownership or mortgage refinancing.

Student Loan Forgiveness

By:

Greg Mischio - MortgageLoan.com | May 27, 2007

Student loans are a burden to any college graduate. Thanks to a variety of loan forgiveness programs, though, they can also open the door to special opportunities.

How to Protect Your Mortgage

By:

Tom Kerr - MortgageLoan.com | May 26, 2007

Many consumers have mortgages that have gotten progressively expensive, as interest rates have climbed higher. A record number of homes are now in foreclosure. But if you take preventive, proactive measures to monitor and protect your mortgage, you can rest assured that your finances and your home will be safe and secure.

Making the Most of Auto Incentives

By:

Greg Mischio - MortgageLoan.com | May 25, 2007

Incentives can appear in many forms. For a sports team, it's a shot at a gleaming trophy. For a 5-year old, it's a lick of a cherry lollipop. For the car buyer, incentives include price reductions and low interest rates, both of which can help you save big bucks on an auto purchase.

Where to Hang Your Rainy Day Fund to Dry

By:

Anders Bylund - MortgageLoan.com | May 24, 2007

Everyone needs cash reserves for unexpected expenses or gaps in income. Where's the best place to keep those funds?

Three Steps to Lower Your Interest Rates

By:

Greg Mischio - MortgageLoan.com | May 23, 2007

A common misconception is that the rate on your credit card is fixed in stone. The reality is that you have the power to lower the rate on your cards. But no one is going to offer you a lower rate out of the blue. It's up to you, the savvy financial consumer, to ask.

Six Scholarship Scams to Avoid

By:

Greg Mischio - MortgageLoan.com | May 22, 2007

Students on the hunt for scholarships may soon find themselves enrolled in the school of hard knocks. That's because the marketplace is riddled with scam artists offering bogus scholarships and services. Students need to be careful, or else they'll be paying for more than just tuition when they enroll in college.

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

By:

Anders Bylund - MortgageLoan.com | May 20, 2007

When the stock market goes down, a diversified portfolio can help ride out the storm. Real estate is an investment that can help buffer the market's mood swings.

Quick Cash: Take a Personal Loan

By:

Catherine Brock - MortgageLoan.com | May 19, 2007

When your bank balance is low and you have a big expense looming, you might be tempted to turn to cash advances on your credit cards. What you might not know is that there are more economical ways to borrow money. One of these is the personal loan.

Top Four Reasons to Refinance Your Home

By:

Catherine Brock - MortgageLoan.com | May 18, 2007

A few years back, low interest rates created a mortgage refinance boom. With homeowners welcoming significantly reduced rates, the decision to refinance was a no-brainer. Now, with rates rising, refinancing is slowing down. No matter-there may still be some solid reasons why a refinance makes sense.

Credit Card Debt Consolidation Guide

By:

Catherine Brock - MortgageLoan.com | May 17, 2007

Credit card spending can quickly spin out of control, leaving behind an enormous, seemingly impossible repayment burden. Consolidating all that credit card debt into one fixed payment might be your first step in righting those out-of-whack finances.

Hard Money Loans

By:

Tom Kerr - MortgageLoan.com | May 16, 2007

Hard money loans are made by lenders willing to accept greater risks than mainstream mortgage companies and banks. In exchange for providing loans to borrowers who would otherwise be turned down, hard money lenders charge higher interest rates. If you need a loan, and have bad credit or other problems, a hard money loan might be your easiest and best option.

Student Savings Tips: Small Changes Make a Huge Difference

By:

Nicki Howell - MortgageLoan.com | May 15, 2007

Students take out college loans as investments in their futures. A college education pays off with higher earning potential. However, if you fall victim to credit card spending, as many students do, your future income will all be earmarked toward paying off debt. Here are some helpful tips to help you save instead of spend.

Money Market Mutual Funds Introduction

By:

- MortgageLoan.com | May 14, 2007

If you're looking for a financial tool that doesn't carry a high degree of risk, money market mutual funds are an ideal choice. Structured to be highly liquid and a stable investment, they're an integral part of many investors' portfolios.

Payday Loans Introduction

By:

- MortgageLoan.com | May 13, 2007

Displayed in storefronts across America are neon signs that read: "Get Cash! Checks Cashed!" These signs are the calling cards of payday loans: short-term, high-rate loans that are part of a growing-and highly profitable-trend in lending.

Get out of Debt: Change your habits

By:

Catherine Brock - MortgageLoan.com | May 12, 2007

Are you bogged down with too much debt? One way to revive your perspective and revamp your spending habits is to mix up your routine by changing your habits.

Are Certificates of Deposit Good Investments?

By:

- MortgageLoan.com | May 11, 2007

Nobody wants to work forever. But the only way people can stop working is to either win the lottery-an unlikely prospect-or have enough money saved for retirement. Unfortunately, saving isn't enough. The money that you accumulate must be invested wisely in order for it to grow into a comfortable nest egg.

Teenagers: Use (Don't Abuse) Credit Cards

By:

- MortgageLoan.com | May 10, 2007

For today's consumers, teen credit cards are as common as iPods and MySpace accounts. One out of three high school seniors has a credit card, which is why it's critical that parents teach their children a fourth R-responsibility.

Choosing a Lender for Your Student Loan

By:

- MortgageLoan.com | May 09, 2007

College students have plenty of studying to do for their required classes. But doing some additional homework on student loans is worth more than extra credit-it can result in long-term savings.

Nine Reasons Why Property Taxes Increase

By:

- MortgageLoan.com | May 08, 2007

Ask any homeowner, and he'll tell you that property tax bills always seem to rise. Yet, when you consider the sheer number of factors that can spark a change, you should probably be thankful that there aren't even more property tax hikes.

Ethical Mortgage Brokers Ensure a Fair Home Purchase

By:

- MortgageLoan.com | May 07, 2007

Utilizing the services of a resourceful mortgage broker can save you not only time but money and worry. But because not all brokers are created equal, it's important that you choose yours carefully to find one who is skillful, reliable, ethical, and trustworthy.

Buying Your First Car - Tips for Teens

By:

- MortgageLoan.com | May 06, 2007

In the life of a teenager, there's nothing quite as sweet as getting a driver's license. But there's also nothing quite as sour as learning how difficult and costly buying a car can be.

Sidestep Costly Option ARMS with a Mortgage Refinance

By:

- MortgageLoan.com | May 05, 2007

Option ARMs offer unique ways to minimize monthly payments in the beginning of a loan. But many of these mortgages can become so costly, they push homeowners into financial crisis. You can avoid the inherent problems of Option ARMs by refinancing into a less risky mortgage.

CDs: Maximize Your Asset Allocation Impact

By:

- MortgageLoan.com | May 03, 2007

Asset allocation makes a huge difference when planning for retirement. A well-diversified portfolio can help you minimize risk and take advantage of the ups and downs of the stock market.

The Dangers of 0 Percent Credit Cards

By:

- MortgageLoan.com | May 02, 2007

Zero percent balance transfer deals offered by credit card companies can be a great for people who monitor their finances closely. But if you don't fall into that rare minority, you could wind up spending more than you save.

Student Loans: Who Can you Trust?

By:

- MortgageLoan.com | May 01, 2007

If you're a parent or student plotting a strategy to pay college tuition, add one more worry to your list. Recent reports indicate that there have been unethical arrangements quietly occurring between lenders and universities. The unfortunate news has college families asking, "Who can you trust?"