Need a mortgage but worried about the market? In Mortgages For Dummies, 3rd Edition, bestselling authors Eric Tyson and Ray Brown give you proven solutions for obtaining a mortgage, whether you want to buy your first home, refinance, or tap into your equity. You get the latest on sub-prime and adjustable-rate mortgages, finding the best lender, avoiding fiscal pitfalls and foreclosure, and much, much, more! This easy-to-understand, objective, and jargon-free guide helps you fine-tune your finances, figure out what you can afford, and improve your credit score before you go mortgage shopping. You'll get familiar with the advantages and disadvantages of fixed- and adjustable-rate mortgages, 15- and 30-year loans, and conforming and jumbo packages. You also get help finding and working with reputable professionals, comparing programs, and securing terms you can live with. Discover how to: * Match your mortgage to your financial goals * Qualify for a mortgage even when money is tight * Find the right loan for you * Choose the best lender/broker * Negotiate the best terms * Calculate your costs and payments * Understand and complete all paperwork * Refinance an existing mortgage * Understand and consider special situation loans * Explore reverse mortgages and other options * Decipher amortization tables and comparison worksheets * Use the Internet wisely when mortgage shopping Now, more than ever, you need clear, reliable information that helps you get the mortgage you need at a price you can afford. You need Mortgages For Dummies, 3rd Edition!

About the Author

Eric Tyson, MBA, is a financial counselor and the author of numerous bestselling For Dummies books on personal finance, investing, real estate, and small business. Ray Brown has been a real estate professional for more than three decades. He hosts a real estate show in San Francisco.

Table of Contents

Introduction. Part I: Fine-Tuning Your Finances. Chapter 1: Determining Your Borrowing Power. Chapter 2: Qualifying for a Mortgage. Chapter 3: Scoping Out Your Credit Score. Part II: Locating a Loan. Chapter 4: Fathoming the Fundamentals. Chapter 5: Selecting the Best Home Purchase Loan. Chapter 6: Surveying Special Situation Loans. Part III: Landing a Lender. Chapter 7: Finding Your Best Lender. Chapter 8: Surfing the Internet's Mortgage Sites. Chapter 9: Choosing Your Preferred Mortgage. Chapter 10: Managing Mortgage Paperwork. Part IV: Refinancing and Other Money Generators. Chapter 11: Refinancing Your Mortgage. Chapter 12: Reverse Mortgages for Retirement Income. Part V: The Part of Tens. Chapter 13: Ten (Or So) "Must-Knows" about Foreclosure. Chapter 14: Ten Mortgage No-Nos. Chapter 15: Ten Issues to Consider Before Prepaying Your Loan. Part VI: Appendixes. Appendix A: Loan Amortization Table. Appendix B: Remaining Balance Tables. Appendix C: Glossary. Index.