Articles by Subject

USDA Still Offers Zero-Down Mortgage

By:
Kara Johnson - MortgageLoan.com | February 27, 2010

Zero-down payment mortgages have pretty much disappeared these days. But here’s a secret – there’s still a zero-down mortgage that’s readily available to most borrowers. And you don’ have to pay mortgage insurance or high interest rates.

Home Sales Post Second Big Drop

By:
Kirk Haverkamp - MortgageLoan.com | February 26, 2010

Existing home sales took another big drop in January, falling 7.2 percent after posting a record decline in December.

Renting Out Your Home Instead of Selling It

By:
Peter King - MortgageLoan.com | February 26, 2010

Of all the strategies out there to avoid foreclosure, here’s one you may not have thought of: renting out your house.

MBA Proposes Mortgage Help for Unemployed Homeowners

By:
Kara Johnson - MortgageLoan.com | February 25, 2010

Unemployed homeowners would get reduced mortgage payments for up to nine months to help them stay in their homes, under a new proposal from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA).

Getting Financing to Buy Foreclosed Property

By:
Kara Johnson - MortgageLoan.com | February 25, 2010

The current foreclosure crisis has created some significant opportunities for those who’d like to try investing in foreclosed properties. But with credit as tight as it is, how can you get financing to buy a property to invest in?

New Homes Sales Hit Record Low

By:
Kara Johnson - MortgageLoan.com | February 24, 2010

Sales of newly built homes fell to an all-time low in January, a stunning setback for an industry that appeared to be in recovery just three months ago.

S&P Home Prices Continued Gains in December

By:
Kirk Haverkamp - MortgageLoan.com | February 23, 2010

U.S. home prices posted a slight increase in December, continuing a trend of seven months of gains, according to the newly released Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller home price index.

Mortgage Delinquency Rates Decline: MBA

By:
Peter King - MortgageLoan.com | February 22, 2010

Mortgage delinquencies on all loan types declined in the fourth quarter of 2009, raising hopes that the end of the foreclosure crisis may be in sight. 

Benefits and Risks of a Land Contract

By:
Kirk Haverkamp - MortgageLoan.com | February 20, 2010

A land contract can be an appealing option for a potential homebuyer who might have difficulty qualifying for a mortgage loan. But there are potential risks to be wary of as well.

Fed Raises Short-Term Interest Rates

By:
Peter King - MortgageLoan.com | February 19, 2010

The Federal Reserve is making a small increase in the rate it charges banks for short-term loans, a long-anticipated first step towards backing off the easy money policy it has pursued over the past year.

Obama Announces $1.5 Billion for Mortgage Help

By:
Kirk Haverkamp - MortgageLoan.com | February 19, 2010

The Obama administration has announced a new initiative that will provide $1.5 billion in assistance for homeowners in the nation’s hardest-hit housing markets.

Letting an ARM Reset Instead of Refinancing

By:
Kirk Haverkamp - MortgageLoan.com | February 18, 2010

If you’ve got an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM), you may be feeling some pressure to refinance now before your rate resets. However, for some borrowers, waiting may not be such a bad idea.

Permanent Loan Modifications Nearly Double in January

By:
Kirk Haverkamp - MortgageLoan.com | February 18, 2010

The number of permanent loan modifications approved under the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) nearly doubled in January, after the Obama administration stepped up the pressure on mortgage services to process applications.

Mortgage Delinquencies Hit New Record

By:
Kara Johnson - MortgageLoan.com | February 17, 2010

Mortgage delinquencies – the percentage of homeowners 60 days or more past due on their home loan payments – hit an all-time high in the fourth quarter of 2009, according to new figures released today by data analysis firm TransUnion. 

Two-thirds of Delinquent Loans Predicted to Be Foreclosed

By:
Kirk Haverkamp - MortgageLoan.com | February 16, 2010

An estimated 5 million homes currently behind on their mortgages will be lost to foreclosure or related measures, according to a recent study by a leading real estate data and analysis firm.

Credit Card Advance an Alternative to HELOC?

By:
Kara Johnson - MortgageLoan.com | February 16, 2010

Getting a home equity loan can be difficult these days. Is getting a cash advance on a credit card a reasonable and simpler alternative when you need money for a home improvement or other major expense?

Home Ownership Lowest in 10 Years

By:
Kara Johnson - MortgageLoan.com | February 15, 2010

The U.S. home ownership rate fell to its lowest level in nearly 10 years in the last quarter of 2009, according to figures released by the Census Bureau.

Can You Still Get a Mortgage With Bad Credit?

By:
Kirk Haverkamp - MortgageLoan.com | February 13, 2010

Qualifying for a mortgage loan or refinance with bad credit is a lot harder than it used to be. Given that widespread defaults on subprime mortgages triggered the financial meltdown of 2008, lenders have become much more cautious about who they’ll extend credit to.

ARMs, 15-Year Loans Offer Big Savings

By:
Kirk Haverkamp - MortgageLoan.com | February 12, 2010

If you’re looking to refinance your mortgage or buy a home, it’s a great time to consider a 15-year fixed-rate or an ARM for your new loan.

Home Sales Pick Up in Fourth Quarter

By:
Peter King - MortgageLoan.com | February 12, 2010

Existing home sales rose nearly 14 percent in the final quarter of 2009, spurred by low interest rates and a federal tax credit for homebuyers.

Steps for Getting a Loan Modification

By:
Kirk Haverkamp - MortgageLoan.com | February 11, 2010

If you’re having trouble meeting you mortgage payments due to reduced income or other financial problems, a loan modification may be your best bet for handling the situation and saving your home.

Foreclosures Down 10 Percent in January

By:
Peter King - MortgageLoan.com | February 11, 2010

U.S. foreclosures fell 10 percent in January, following a sharp jump in December as lenders sought to wrap up actions by year’s end.

Mortgage Rates Drop Back Below 5 Percent

By:
Peter King - MortgageLoan.com | February 11, 2010

Average interest rates on 30-year mortgages dropped back below 5 percent this week, despite looming concerns over significant increases in the near future.

Bernanke Presents Fed Exit Strategy

By:
Peter King - MortgageLoan.com | February 10, 2010

Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke has laid out his “exit plan” for winding down the Fed’s economic stimulus efforts, saying he expects the Fed to begin raising interest rates before long.

Big Decline in Mortgage Refinancing Predicted

By:
Kirk Haverkamp - MortgageLoan.com | February 09, 2010

Mortgage refinancing in 2010 is expected to total less than half that of 2009, according to newly released forecast by the market research firm iEmergent. 

Time to Consider a Cash-in Refinance?

By:
Kara Johnson - MortgageLoan.com | February 09, 2010

Here’s something you may not have considered if you’re looking to refinance your mortgage – a cash-in refinance.

FTC Proposes Crackdown on Loan Modification Services

By:
Peter King - MortgageLoan.com | February 08, 2010

Seeking to protect homeowners from fraudulent mortgage modification schemes, the FTC has proposed a rule that would prohibit charging in advance for foreclosure prevention services. 

Mortgage Rates Remain Stable

By:
Peter King - MortgageLoan.com | February 05, 2010

Mortgage rates edged up slightly this past week, rising just above the 5 percent mark for 30-year loans, according to the weekly Freddie Mac market survey.

Window of Opportunity Closing for Home Buyers?

By:
Peter King - MortgageLoan.com | February 05, 2010

Is time running out to get a great deal on a home? To listen to some accounts, you would think so.

Home Prices Show First Annual Increase Since 2006

By:
Kara Johnson - MortgageLoan.com | February 04, 2010

U.S. home prices have posted their first 12-month gain since late 2006, according to figures released today by real estate data company Clear Capital.

Don't Overlook the Merits of an ARM

By:
Kara Johnson - MortgageLoan.com | February 04, 2010

Looking to get the best possible interest rate on a home mortgage or mortgage refinance? You might consider an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM). Although ARMs are somewhat out of favor these days, for many borrowers they can still be a sensible, and even the best, choice for their particular circumstances.

Nearly One-Third of Home Markets Still Overpriced

By:
Kara Johnson - MortgageLoan.com | February 03, 2010

Nearly one-third of U.S. housing markets remain overvalued, despite nearly four years of falling prices that have seen U.S. homes lose nearly 30 percent of their value. 

Using APR to Compare Mortgage Offers

By:
Kirk Haverkamp - MortgageLoan.com | February 03, 2010

Shopping for a mortgage can be complicated, with lots of different factors such as interest rates, fees, points and loan terms to take into account. Is there a simple way to compare offers from different lenders that cuts through the confusion and shows which is the best deal?

Home Sales Contracts Edge Back Up

By:
Peter King - MortgageLoan.com | February 02, 2010

Pending home sales edged back up in December, one month after taking a steep plunge that raised doubts about whether a recovery in the housing market can be sustained.

Pros and Cons of Debt Consolidation

By:
Kara Johnson - MortgageLoan.com | February 02, 2010

Are credit card interest rates eating you alive? Tired of juggling multiple debt payments each month? Thinking about just rolling everything into a single bill with a mortgage debt consolidation loan?

Fannie Mae Offers Incentives for Foreclosure Purchases

By:
Kara Johnson - MortgageLoan.com | February 01, 2010

Fannie Mae is offering some new incentives to homebuyers in an effort to clear out its inventory of foreclosed homes.