How to land the best loan Our plan will help you find the cheapest possible mortgage and walk you through the application process.
	6 smart moves to refinance now Here's how to beat all of the strict new rules for getting a new mortgage and land the loan you need.
	FHA loans great for buying, refinancing Borrowers with iffy credit and little equity or money for a down payment can get an affordable mortgage.
	PMI is tougher to get, costs more Mortgage insurers no longer accept every borrower, or the terms of every loan, banks send their way.
	8 critical questions your GFE should answer Use your good faith estimate to make sure you're getting the loan you've been promised and avoid nasty surprises.
	How much house can you afford? Our four simple rules will make sure you can make the monthly payments and weather the recession.
	Be ready with the right down payment Most home buyers will need 3.5% to 20% of the purchase price to qualify for a mortgage. A few will need more. A few less.

view all

	Mortgage rates mixed in latest survey The average conventional 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage costs 5.08%, while the average jumbo loan costs 5.92%.
	Fate of Fannie and Freddie in limbo Assistant U.S. Treasury Secretary Michael Barr said the housing market was still too fragile for a retreat from federal support of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
	California tax law unsettled on short sales Mar. 9--Sacramento-area accountants say rising numbers of taxpayers who did short sales or received loan modifications in 2009 now fear they'll be walloped anew by a cash-starved state government intent on taxing their forgiven debt.
	Loan modification terms can be tough Mar. 10--For William and Lida Negron, their lender's decision to modify their mortgage seemed to be the key to holding on to their home.
	Floridians ponder whether to walk or stay Mar. 6--Michael Keigans is "underwater" on his mortgage, owing $80,000 more than his Deerfield Beach house is worth.
	Underwater homeowners feel brunt Mar. 7--Jeff Catlin is growing weary of treading water to keep his modest three-bedroom home in Pfafftown.

view all

	Making the right bid is critical in short sales Your first offer needs to be realistic and have a good chance of being accepted by the lender.
	Beware condos loaded with investors It's a signal that no one is paying monthly maintenance fees for those units, so routine repairs aren't being made.
	Ask a lender to preapprove you for a loan It's the best way to find out where you stand and how much you owe on everything.
	Ask the seller to pay your closing costs With the glut of properties on the market, sellers are often very motivated to negotiate with prospective buyers.
	New GFE can help you get the best deal Comparison charts will show you what your monthly payments and closing costs might be for slightly different loans.
	PMI tax deduction good through 2010 But you must have bought or refinanced your home since Jan. 1, 2007, and have an adjusted gross income of less than $110,000.

view all

Mortgage calculator
Calculate the monthly payments for any fixed-rate loan. Just enter the amount and terms.