Article Archive June, 2007

Tax Tips for Teens

By:

Catherine Brock - MortgageLoan.com | June 30, 2007

Whether they'll admit it or not, your teenage children need your help understanding how income taxes work. Send them off to the working world on the right foot by reviewing these taxpayer basics.

Money Market Accounts or CDs - Which is better?

By:

Nicki Howell - MortgageLoan.com | June 29, 2007

When choosing a savings account, it's important to understand all your options. Money market accounts and certificates of deposit are great savings tools, but which is better?

Refinance: Help for an Aging House

By:

Catherine Brock - MortgageLoan.com | June 28, 2007

When you're on a tight budget, it's natural to put off expensive home repairs. Just don't wait until the roof caves in. A mortgage refinance may be the solution that gets your home back to working order.

Do You Know Your Mortgage?

By:

Greg Mischio - MortgageLoan.com | June 27, 2007

Mortgages are one of the biggest purchases a person will make. They're also the most complicated. But no matter how complex a home loan can be, you need to understand how your own mortgage works-or else you could find yourself in dire financial straits.

Maximize Strategies to Minimize Your Debt

By:

Danette Pelletier - MortgageLoan.com | June 26, 2007

Is debt slowly sucking the life out of you? Do you dread opening the mailbox or answering the phone for fear of hearing from creditors? Do visions of bankruptcy and foreclosure turn your dreams into nightmares? If so, you can fix your financial future fast by following a few sound debt relief strategies.

Best Reasons to Refinance Your Mortgage

By:

Greg Mischio - MortgageLoan.com | June 25, 2007

Refinancing is similar to a key to a buried treasure. If it fits your financial situation, it can lead to some significant financial rewards. Consider some of the top reasons why many people refinance, and unlock the power of your home's equity.

Four Post-Divorce Financial Tips

By:

Greg Mischio - MortgageLoan.com | June 24, 2007

Divorce is no picnic. It can be a legal nightmare with more than its fair share of emotional pain. Here are some tips that can lessen potential monetary damage.

Seven Home Equity Loan Errors

By:

MortgageLoan.com | June 23, 2007

The kids are begging for a swimming pool while you're daydreaming about tall drinks and lazy summer afternoons in the welcoming shade of a beautiful new veranda. Could a home equity loan be on the horizon?

Improve Your Financial Condition with Debt Consolidation

By:

Catherine Brock - MortgageLoan.com | June 22, 2007

Once debt gets out of hand, there's no fixing it unless you pay it off or declare bankruptcy. Whether excessive spending or a spell of bad luck caused the problem, you must find a way to stop charging and pay down the debt. Here's how consolidation can help.

Growing Pains: The Parents-Backed Mortgage

By:

Tom Kerr - MortgageLoan.com | June 21, 2007

Today's kids find it increasingly difficult to finance a first home. Parents, motivated by a desire to provide financial security for their children, are helping with a so-called "parents-backed mortgage." This shared equity financing arrangement is an increasingly popular tool for assisting kids, and can provide mom and dad with extra income from real estate appreciation.

Benefits of Online Mortgage Refinancing

By:

Greg Mischio - MortgageLoan.com | June 20, 2007

The Internet has replaced the dog as man's best friend-especially if that man is a shopper. On the web, you can find countless products and services at low prices. The same online benefits are also enjoyed by homeowners looking for a home refinance.

Six Summertime Tax Tips

By:

Greg Mischio - MortgageLoan.com | June 19, 2007

As you settle into the balmy days of summer, thoughts of tax time and April 15th are but a distant memory. Use this downtime to implement some solid tax strategies to help, not hinder, your summertime fun.

Credit cards and college students: A bad mix

By:

Greg Mischio - MortgageLoan.com | June 18, 2007

College is a time for students to expand their minds, meet new people, and have a ton of fun. But it can also be a time when a student can get into serious financial trouble, courtesy of easily-accessible credit cards.

Avoiding the Pain of Home Equity Loans

By:

Greg Mischio - MortgageLoan.com | June 17, 2007

It's amazing what a little uptick in interest rates and a slow-moving housing market will do to consumer behavior. Back when rates were low, people couldn't tap their equity fast enough. Now, with rates hovering around 8 percent and home sales dragging, borrowers are singing a different tune.

Debt Consolidation Alternatives

By:

Greg Mischio - MortgageLoan.com | June 16, 2007

At first glance, debt consolidation seems like an obvious choice for people whose finances are in the red. But for all its positives, there are also some negatives-enough to make a smart homeowner consider debt consolidation alternatives.

Should you Stretch your Budget for a New Home?

By:

Greg Mischio - MortgageLoan.com | June 15, 2007

With interest rates low and home prices beginning to level off, now is a great time to buy a home. Should you stretch your budget to buy the exact home that you want? This article, plus a good mortgage calculator, can help you find the answer.

Refinance to Remodel

By:

Tom Kerr - MortgageLoan.com | June 14, 2007

Coming up with the necessary cash to finance a remodeling project can be the hardest part of the entire task. But creative mortgage refinance strategies can provide the right tools for the job, especially in 2007, since property refinancing rates and basic building materials are affordably priced.

Which Mortgage Term is Right For You?

By:

Greg Mischio - MortgageLoan.com | June 13, 2007

Counting on your fingers is a proven problem-solving technique. Unfortunately, it's useless after the first grade. Once you're an adult, you'll want to use a calculator for more difficult problems, like figuring out which mortgage term is right for you.

Guide to Eliminate Credit Card Debt

By:

Greg Mischio - MortgageLoan.com | June 12, 2007

In cases of serious injuries, a doctor's first order of business is to stop the main source of bleeding. The same tactic works for eliminating credit card debt: The smart consumer takes care of the credit card that's causing the most pain.

Home Equity Loans: Steps for Success

By:

Catherine Brock - MortgageLoan.com | June 11, 2007

Since all home equity loans are not created equal, you might find it frustrating when you consider your options. Make your life easier by taking a logical, organized approached to equity loan shopping.

Playing the CD Game to Manage Risk

By:

Greg Mischio - MortgageLoan.com | June 10, 2007

The investing game is lot like poker-there's lots of risk, but also plenty of rewards. The payout comes down to how you play your hand. With certificates of deposit (CDs), there are plenty of strategies that help you win without a big gamble.

Debt Consolidation: The Last Resort

By:

Greg Mischio - MortgageLoan.com | June 09, 2007

If you're in serious debt, remain calm. You don't need to rush to the nearest bank and take out a debt consolidation loan. Take a deep breath and consider all your options before you choose the option of last resort.

Is Your Home an Overrated Retirement Asset?

By:

Tom Kerr - MortgageLoan.com | June 08, 2007

Historically speaking, homes lag far behind common stocks when it comes to asset appreciation. They're reliable nests, but unreliable nest eggs. But they have merit: You can withdraw retirement money from the accumulated value of your home by using a home equity loan or reverse mortgage.

Which is Better: Cash-Out Refinance or a Home Equity Loan?

By:

Tom Kerr - MortgageLoan.com | June 07, 2007

Having equity in your home can be a valuable source of needed cash. Whether you should use a home equity loan or a cash-out refinance to access that equity depends on a number of factors.

Home Equity Loans for Realistic Renovations

By:

Anders Bylund - MortgageLoan.com | June 06, 2007

It's easy to get a home equity loan to turn your home into the mansion of your dreams. But how far should you go?

Help for Subprime Borrowers

By:

Tom Kerr - MortgageLoan.com | June 05, 2007

As foreclosures surge, members of Congress are putting pressure on mortgage companies to protect homeowners from high-risk loans and unscrupulous lending practices. One result is that some subprime lenders are allowing a temporary freeze on rates for borrowers, who may then be able to refinance out of high-interest loans.

Buying a Car Online

By:

Greg Mischio - MortgageLoan.com | June 04, 2007

Author Michael Crichton once labeled the Internet as "the Home Shopping Network." The Internet features all kinds of retail opportunities, including car buying, where the smart shopper can save big bucks on an auto purchase.

Low-Risk Investing Introduction

By:

Catherine Brock - MortgageLoan.com | June 03, 2007

Investing your money doesn't have to mean buying stock in dotcoms or funding your cousin's start-up. Beginning investors can see financial gain by trying out low risk, low return investments.

Ten Outside-the-Box College Scholarships

By:

Greg Mischio - MortgageLoan.com | June 02, 2007

Many students think that the only way to get a scholarship is to be a gifted athlete or scholar. However, you'll be surprised to learn how many scholarships are awarded for bizarre, obscure reasons. If you're a unique individual, there might be a unique scholarship waiting for you.

Seven Tips for Finding the Perfect Car

By:

Greg Mischio - MortgageLoan.com | June 01, 2007

America has a long-standing love affair with the automobile. If you\'re shopping for a new one, there are plenty of places to find the wheels of your dreams. These seven tips can help make sure you and your four-wheeled friend drive happily into the sunset.