Article Archive August, 2007

Be Trendy: Expand Entertainment Area with a Home Equity Loan

By:

Greg Mischio - MortgageLoan.com | August 31, 2007

Forget the old patio set and hammock-the traditional backyard is getting a makeover. Trendy homeowners are now creating additional living space by decking out their decks with modern appliances, wide screen TVs, and more.

Six Investing "No-nos"

By:

Catherine Brock - MortgageLoan.com | August 30, 2007

Hone your investment practices and optimize your returns by learning what not to do with your portfolio.

The Trouble with Alt-A Loans

By:

Tom Kerr - MortgageLoan.com | August 29, 2007

Alt-A loans are a category of mortgages that offer borrowers with good credit the convenience of not having to fully document and verify their income. While these loans are considered more secure than subprime loans, they have become troublesome due to a high volume of defaults.

Credit Cards for Businesses

By:

Greg Mischio - MortgageLoan.com | August 28, 2007

To run a successful business, you need to mix relentless optimism with a healthy dose of realistic pessimism. For every benefit, there's a potential negative. A credit card for your business is a perfect example.

Job Hunting? Keep Your Credit Clean

By:

Catherine Brock - MortgageLoan.com | August 27, 2007

Maintaining a good credit history does more than keep your interest costs down-it can help you get a job.

HELOCs: Everything You Need to Know

By:

Catherine Brock - MortgageLoan.com | August 26, 2007

Are you considering a home equity line of credit (HELOC)? You can avoid costly mistakes by knowing the essential facts before funding.

How Expensive is a Mortgage Refinance?

By:

Tom Kerr - MortgageLoan.com | August 25, 2007

Refinancing is similar to applying for an original mortgage. But people who have never done it before may be unsure of their out-of-pocket costs. To help you plan for your refinance, an understanding of what fees to expect can come in handy.

Solutions for Debtors

By:

Ellen B. Rosenthal - MortgageLoan.com | August 24, 2007

If your debt is overwhelming-if you cringe when you get your mail-it's time to start taking control of the problem.

Don't Let Credit Cards Affect Your Mortgage

By:

Catherine Brock - MortgageLoan.com | August 23, 2007

Keeping credit card debt in check gives you more financial strength, which you can put towards buying your first home.

Home Equity Loans can be Risky Business

By:

Catherine Brock - MortgageLoan.com | August 22, 2007

Leveraging your home equity can be an easy, affordable way to borrow lots of money. Make sure that the risks don't outweigh the rewards.

Before You Refinance: Three Hard Questions to Ask

By:

Tom Kerr - MortgageLoan.com | August 21, 2007

Refinancing your mortgage can be a lifesaver, especially if you have an adjustable-rate mortgage that's rising. But before you rush to refinance, answer a few important questions about your situation. The following Q&A might help you avoid difficulty down the road.

Three Debt Consolidation Traps

By:

Greg Mischio - MortgageLoan.com | August 20, 2007

In one of their most famous hits, the Eagles urged listeners to "Take it easy." Sounds reasonable-but for people heavily in debt, what appear to be easy solutions may be debt consolidation traps.

Bouncing Back from Bad Credit

By:

Greg Mischio - MortgageLoan.com | August 19, 2007

Time may heal all wounds, but in the case of a bad credit history, there are a few other methods of financial first aid. These include paying bills on time, using your charge cards in a healthy way, and cleaning up your credit report.

The ABCs of Bonds

By:

Catherine Brock - MortgageLoan.com | August 18, 2007

Did you know that the federal government wants to borrow money from you? Bonds, a relatively safe and predictable investment, can be a key component of your diversified portfolio.

Four Strategies to Help with Student Loan Debt

By:

Greg Mischio - MortgageLoan.com | August 17, 2007

Traditionally, students throw mortarboards into the air when they graduate. For many college students, graduation is also a time when they begin throwing their money away by not repaying student loans properly.

Credit Cards for Kids

By:

Catherine Brock - MortgageLoan.com | August 16, 2007

Giving your kids small doses of credit can be a productive introduction to the art of managing money.

Exchange Traded Funds (ETF)

By:

Catherine Brock - MortgageLoan.com | August 15, 2007

Nowadays, novice investors have far more choices than just the traditional mutual fund. One option is the exchange-traded fund, which offers instant diversification with a low-cost buy-in.

Three Tips for Refinancing Online

By:

Kristie Lorette - MortgageLoan.com | August 14, 2007

As interest rates rise, so too does the number of adjustable-rate mortgage holders who are turning to mortgage refinancing as an escape from the insecurity of ever-changing rates. If you choose to shop for a mortgage refinance on the Internet, it's important to take necessary safeguards to ensure a smooth process.

Lower Your HELOC Rate

By:

Tom Kerr - MortgageLoan.com | August 13, 2007

A home equity line of credit can be a great tool for consolidating high interest credit card debt, or financing a long-overdue home improvement project. Get the lowest rate possible, and then bank the savings over time.

Five Ideas for Saving Money on Student Loans

By:

Greg Mischio - MortgageLoan.com | August 12, 2007

Student loans provide the springboard for bright careers and higher earnings. They can also drag a young professional deep into a financial hole if his repayment isn't managed wisely.

Reward Yourself with Your Credit Card

By:

Greg Mischio - MortgageLoan.com | August 11, 2007

A credit card is like a power tool-if mishandled, it can inflict serious harm. When used properly, however, it produces beautiful results, such as a credit card rewards program.

Tough Seller's Market? Use Home Equity to Spruce Up Your Home

By:

Tom Kerr - MortgageLoan.com | August 10, 2007

With foreclosures hitting all-time highs, it takes additional creativity to successfully market a home. But a home equity loan can help you dress up your property and complete a sale, even in a highly competitive market.

Newlyweds: Merge your assets with a mortgage refinance

By:

Catherine Brock - MortgageLoan.com | August 09, 2007

Newlyweds: If one of you owns a home and a mortgage, be sure that you understand the consequences of how you choose to share the responsibility of home ownership.

Five Mortgage No-Nos for First Time Homebuyers

By:

Greg Mischio - MortgageLoan.com | August 08, 2007

"No talking with your mouth full! No playing in traffic! No talking to strangers!" Generations of parents have drilled these cautionary words into the minds of their children. Similar no-nos exist for first-time homebuyers. Heed them, and your home-buying experience will be a pleasurable one.

An Alternative to Foreclosure: Use the law

By:

Tom Kerr - MortgageLoan.com | August 07, 2007

It's standard procedure for borrowers who get behind in their mortgage payments to contact lenders and credit counselors to help sort out the situation before it leads to foreclosure. But these days, many homeowners are getting results by calling an attorney instead.

Avoiding Car Dealer Scams

By:

Catherine Brock - MortgageLoan.com | August 06, 2007

No one wants or expects to get duped by a car dealership. Unfortunately, it happens more often than it should. If you're in the market for a new vehicle, protect yourself by recognizing the most common car dealer tricks and traps.

Investing in Stocks? Understand the Exchanges

By:

Catherine Brock - MortgageLoan.com | August 05, 2007

The stock exchange adds crucial efficiency to the interaction among businesses, investors, and brokers. Without it, businesses couldn't raise as much capital, investors wouldn't know the value of their holdings and the stockbroker's job would be much harder.

Options for Debt Consolidation

By:

Greg Mischio - MortgageLoan.com | August 04, 2007

Don't be discouraged if you're in the middle of rocky financial times. People who are deep in debt now have numerous debt consolidation tools at their disposal. With a little legwork, you'll find the right option to smooth out those financial bumps in the road.

Six tips for finding a broker

By:

Greg Mischio - MortgageLoan.com | August 03, 2007

Finding a broker is a lot like picking a good investment. There are many different variables to consider, and if you make the right choice, you'll likely enjoy some financial rewards.

Four Auto Insurance Tips

By:

Greg Mischio - MortgageLoan.com | August 02, 2007

There's no shortage of reasons why you need auto insurance. What may not be clear to car owners, however, is what to look for when buying it. Know the basics, and you'll begin to see there's potential for serious savings.

Understanding Index Fund Investing

By:

Catherine Brock - MortgageLoan.com | August 01, 2007

Are you looking for a low-maintenance, low-risk way to get into the stock market? Index fund investing may be your answer.