Mortgages for Dummies

Introduction 1

Part 1: Getting Started with Mortgages 5
CHAPTER 1: Determining Your Borrowing Power 7
CHAPTER 2: Qualifying for a Mortgage 27
CHAPTER 3: Scoping Out Your Credit Score 49

Part 2: Locating a Loan 67
CHAPTER 4: Fathoming the Fundamentals 69
CHAPTER 5: Selecting the Best Home Purchase Loan 87
CHAPTER 6: Surveying Special Situation Loans 107

Part 3: Landing a Lender 127
CHAPTER 7: Finding Your Best Lender 129
CHAPTER 8: Searching for Mortgage Information Online 141
CHAPTER 9: Choosing Your Preferred Mortgage 151
CHAPTER 10: Managing Mortgage Forms. 169

Part 4: Profiting from Smart Mortgage Strategies 187
CHAPTER 11: Refinancing Your Mortgage. 189
CHAPTER 12: Paying Down Your Mortgage Quicker 207
CHAPTER 13: Reverse Mortgages for Retirement Income 215

Part 5: The Part of Tens 229
CHAPTER 14: Ten-Plus "Must-Knows" about Foreclosure 231
CHAPTER 15: Ten Mortgage No-Nos 239

Part 6: Appendixes 247
APPENDIX A: Loan Amortization Table 249
APPENDIX B: Remaining Balance Tables 255
APPENDIX C: Glossary 281

Index 293