Mortgage Information:

The following is a list of links designed to help you better understand the various aspects of mortgages. The links on this page are provided for informational purposes only, Real Estate One Gardner & Associates does not endorse or maintain any information from the destination pages.

Mortgage Glossary - Terminology, definitions and explanations of terms used in the mortgage and real estate industry. Useful reference information whether you are buying a house or refinancing.

Mortgage Calculators (You Choose) - There are a number of online mortgage calculators available to you. Try a couple, and bookmark your favorite.

Federal Housing Finance Board - Each month, the Finance Board conducts a survey of rates and terms on conventional mortgage loans. The survey is known as the Monthly Interest Rate Survey or MIRS. Before October 1989, the former Federal Home Loan Bank Board conducted MIRS.

The Federal Reserve Board

• Understanding the Home Mortgage Process - This brochure explains about dealing with mortgage lenders. It tells you where to look, what to look for, and what takes place when you apply for a mortgage. Knowing what to expect, especially if you are a first-time homebuyer, may make it easier for you to get through the process.
• Looking for the Best Mortgage - Shopping around for a home loan or mortgage will help you to get the best financing deal. A mortgage--whether it?s a home purchase, a refinancing, or a home equity loan--is a product, just like a car, so the price and terms may be negotiable. You?ll want to compare all the costs involved in obtaining a mortgage. Shopping, comparing, and negotiating may save you thousands of dollars.
• When Your Home Is on the Line: What You Should Know about Home Equity Lines of Credit - Information on home equity lines of credit; includes a glossary of terms and a checklist to use in shopping for a plan.
• Consumer Handbook to Credit Protection Laws - Explains how to shop for and obtain credit, how to maintain a good credit rating, how to dispute unfair credit transactions, and how to resolve billing errors.

National Institute for Consumer Education - This "Summary of Consumer Credit Laws" is from the U.S. Department of Commerce publication, Credit and Financial Issues: Responsive Business Approaches to Consumer Needs.

A Consumer's Guide to Mortgage Lock-Ins - The Federal Reserve Board and the Office of Thrift Supervision prepared this booklet on mortgage lock-ins in response to a request from the House Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs and in consultation with many other agencies and trade and consumer groups. It is designed to help consumers understand an important aspect of home financing.