After Bankruptcy Mortgage Credit Tip.

It's surprising how many borrowers apply for a mortgage after a bankruptcy discharge without taking any steps to repair the damage done from their bankruptcy. It's very, very unlikely that a borrower will be able to obtain a mortgage without taking some credit improvement steps first. The bankruptcy laws do eliminate or reduce your debt, and get creditors off your back. But, they do not wipe out the bad credit profile that's been created on your road to bankruptcy.

Accounts that have been reported late, gone to collection, or resulted in reposession, and that were included in your bankruptcy are still on your credit reports. Each, and all of these individual accounts are being reported as derogatory marks against you. Very often, just the sheer number of them will bring down your credit scores, because each one of these derogatory accounts takes points off your score.

Now, in case you haven't read elsewhere on the Mortgage Match website, the minimum, midscore FICO required to obtain a zero down mortgage is 580. It's very true that there are mortgage lenders who will approve you for a mortgage just one day after your bankruptcy discharge, but the borrower still needs to meet this minimum, midscore FICO requirement to qualify. And, it's very rare that a borrower emerges from bankruptcy with a midscore this high. Consequently, one of the first things a borrower should do, not just for obtaining a mortgage, but for starting their credit lives over again, is to see that the individual files or accounts covered in the bankruptcy are deleted from all 3 credit reports. Bankruptcy borrowers have the right to request that the credit bureaus delete these accounts on the grounds that their dispositions were governed under the bankruptcy.

Taking steps to remove these items from your credit reports is an absolute must, and one of the fastest and easiest ways to significantly improve your credit after a bankruptcy. It's a relatively simple process you can do yourself. There's no need to purchase expensive credit repair. It requires just basic knowledge of how to contact, approach and deal with the credit bureaus on this issue. However, if you don't have a clue as to how to get started, you might try this website: PDQ Credit Repair. It lays out all the basics with simple, easy-to-follow, how-to, help for the fast-track in getting back your credit life.

Free Mortgage Quotes

WATCH OUT! What you might not know about obtaining a free quote and preapproval could hurt you.
Beware of mortgage brokers, loan officers and other mortgage representatives who quote you a rate before following the proper steps toward a valid preapproval.

It's only natural that a mortgage shopper will make contact with a mortgage rep to obtain pricing information when shopping for a mortgage. However, there's a right way and a wrong way to obtain this information. Accurate, reliable information can only come from the actual lender or investor who's going to fund the loan. Mortgage brokers and loan officers arrange and facilitate the acquisition and processing of mortgage loans, but they do NOT fund them.

Some mortgage reps, anxious and under pressure to get your business, will ask you a few questions... then "quote" or suggest a rate as a means of "closing the sale" with you. It might be a "best guess" on their part, but it's very often a much, more attractive rate than you'll actually get. This is the wrong way to acquire this information. But, many borrowers press their mortgage rep for this information without allowing him or her to follow the proper procedures.

A valid, bona fide rate and preapproval can only come after you have agreed to allow your credit report to be reviewed by the actual lender, along with supplying enough information to complete key portions of the document known as the 1003 Uniform Residential Loan Application.

If the mortgage rep or company you're dealing with does not approach the quote and preapproval process this way, you're not getting valid and reliable information.

Did you know...?
According to the Better Business Bureau, the single largest and most common grievance against mortgage companies and their reps deals with borrowers who complain they didn't get the rate (at their loan's closing) they were quoted. At Mortgage Match, we know you don't need any unpleasant surprises. That's why we only employ the proper and right approach to quoting rates and providing preapproval. To get your free, no-obligation quote and preapproval, click here.

Mortgages After Bankruptcy.

Mortgage Match is one of the Net's leading websites for assisting borrowers who have had to file bankruptcy to obtain mortgages after their bankruptcies have been discharged. Now, while it's entirely possible that a borrower can obtain a mortgage just one day after bankruptcy discharge, it's not typical that a borrower has been able to sustain a credit score high enough, after reorganizing through a bankruptcy, to be able to qualify for a new mortgage... especially a zero down mortgage.

The vast majority of lenders who make mortgages available to borrowers who have filed bankruptcy require a minimum, midscore FICO of 580 for a zero down mortgage. In fact, it's practically impossible to obtain a zero down mortgage with anything less than a 580 midscore FICO after a bankruptcy is reported by any of the three major credit bureaus.

Now, the vast majority of borrowers who have filed bankruptcy typically sustain a midscore FICO of around 550. Moreover, after filing bankruptcy, it's quite rare that a borrower comes through the bankruptcy process with a FICO too much higher than this common 550 score. Therefore, if the borrower is looking for a zero down mortgage, or a zero down mortgage is the only way the borrower can purchase a property, then the borrower will have to employ some method of credit repair or improvement to raise their midscore FICO to the magic number of 580.

The author of the PDQ DIY Credit Repair Guide offers this free tip for those borrowers who need to employ a quick fix for their credit after a bankruptcy filing... "When you file bankruptcy, there is a difference between your creditors and the credit bureaus. A successful bankruptcy petition erases your debts with the creditors, but does not erase the record of the debts reported by the credit bureaus. For the fastest fix, and by far the most important and meaningful improvement to your credit reports after a bankruptcy, take the following steps:

First, collect the following materials: your driver's license (or some other official, photo ID), your Social Security card, and Schedule F (the schedule of debts from your bankruptcy petition which lists the name, account number and address of the creditors). Then, make three copies of this package -- one for each of the three major credit bureaus... Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. Next, go through the dispute resolution process. For the proper and most effective way to approach the dispute process, please refer to the PDQ DIY Credit Repair Guide (click here). Send a copy of your dispute package to each credit bureau with a letter explaining that each creditor, listed as either active or derogatory, was included in your petition, and should therefore be removed or deleted from your credit report.

It is important to be aware that even if you mistakenly left out a creditor from your list of debts... that debt is still discharged. Under Beezley v. California Land Title (994 F.2d 1433), a bankruptcy discharge, discharges all debts that arose before the filing of the bankruptcy, whether or not the debt was listed in the schedule of debts. If this is your situation, you do not need to re-open your bankruptcy to include the omitted debt. However, the creditor must be notified, so send your dispute package to the credit bureaus... and any creditors... who were left out of your bankruptcy petition.

Last, but not least... you may need to keep after the credit bureaus to make sure they follow through and remove the inaccurate items."

After you've enlisted this credit repair step, your Mortgage Match Loan Consultant may be able to employ our Rapid Rescore process to effectively raise your credit score as fast as possible.

Get Free Preapproval Online.

If you've been searching the internet for a mortgage portal which can provide you with a free quote, preapproval and everything else you need to know about your mortgage entirely online, you've found it at Mortgage Match. There's no need to talk with anyone until you're well into the mortgage process. You must simply be agreeable to providing the required information, and have the willingness to respond and communicate via email. Your preapproval and obtaining accurate pricing, rates, terms and conditions can be accomplished faster... sometimes in just a matter of hours... rather than it stretching into days... when you use the Mortgage Match Online approach. If you're purchasing a property, you can expect your preapproval letter to e-mailed to you; usually within just a couple of hours after starting the process. If there are any issues with your request and quote, you'll be advised what those issues are, and how they can be resolved. To take advantage of the fast and free online preapproval and rate quote at Mortgage Match, just click here.

Current Interest Rates

Current interest rates are naturally of major concern to most mortgage shoppers. However, the average mortgage shopper or prospective borrower shouldn't put too much stock into current, interest-rate reports or feeds, like the one published here, and updated 14-times daily. The average borrower should be using these reports only as a benchmark, and shouldn't be disappointed when the interest rate they're quoted is more than just slightly higher than those published rates they've researched. Here's why...

For a variety of reasons, the average borrower won't be offered a rate that's as low as the current published rate. First, the lowest published rates represent national averages which may not be available in all states. Next, the published current rates are usually those offered to the most well-qualified borrowers who are borrowing funds under optimum conditions. This means borrowers who have down payments for purchases, borrowers who can document their incomes, borrowers who are financing properties which will be owner-occupied, and borrowers who have midscore FICOs which are higher than the reported national average FICO score of 678... to name just a few.

And, be wary of mortgage brokers who quote you a rate or suggest they can obtain a specific rate without first pulling your credit and submitting your 1003 loan application to at least one lender. There isn't a mortgage broker in the country who's going to write the check which funds your loan at closing. Consequently, the only valid, bona fide quote you can be confident about is the one you're offered when you're preapproved by an actual lender. At Mortgage Match, you can get a fast, free and accurate quote on interest rates after a short interview with a Senior Loan Consultant for preapproval by clicking here. Or, you can get preapproved entirely online and through email, and know eveything there is to know about your loan by clicking here.

No Down Payment Mortgages

Until just a few years ago, the average down payment for a house or home was 20%. In today's market, where the median house value can be well over $200,000, that would mean needing to have $40,000 for a down payment. Can you imagine how long it might take the average wage earner to save $40,000?... would it even be possible for most aspiring homeowners?

To circumvent this down payment obstacle for the average home buyer, mortgage lenders introduced mortgages which require no down payment at all. These programs are popularly known as "zero down" or "no down payment" mortgages, and provide 100% financing of the value of the property being purchased.

For many people, putting no money down on a house may be the only way they're able to buy one. While for others, zero down mortgages make for sound financial strategies. Consider borrowers who are buying a second home or vacation property. It may make sense for them not to tap into retirement savings. Still others live in real estate markets where property appreciation is fast and high, and it just makes sense to purchase a home as fast as possible to capture that fast rising equity and make it theirs.

But while zero down mortgages solve a lot of problems for many different buying situations, borrowers using these mortgages should understand that zero down mortgages represent much increased risk for lenders. Zero down borrowing does not represent the optimal way to acquire a mortgage. So, lenders don't extend the best rates and pricing to zero down borrowers. We've all seen those internet ads hypeing mortgage deals in the "Get a $300,000 mortgage for less than $1,000 per month" fashion. This aggressive kind of pricing is never attached to a zero down loan. These super-hyped programs apply only to very well-qualified borrowers with excellent credit, great assets, verifiable income and who are making a meaningful down payment.

If you're a zero down borrower with lean assets expect to be at the higher end of pricing on your mortgage. Zero down borrowing simply doesn't allow consumers to have their "cake and eat it too". Zero down borrowers, from a lender's point of view, have less to lose since they're not putting cash into the deal. So, for the luxury and ability of being able to purchase property with no assets, lenders expect borrowers to pay a little more.

Whatever your borrowing profile, whether you're a first-time buyer, looking for a weekend, getaway-retreat, saving money for the kids' college tuition, or eyeing better investments than real estate, if the trade-off of the best rates and pricing makes sense for zero down borrowing, then the best source you'll find for aggressive, lowest-total-cost, zero down mortgages... many with interest only options, is right here at Mortgage Match. Regardless of where you live or are buying, get preapproved for your zero down mortgage, fast, free and without obligation by clicking here.

10 Biggest Refinancing Mistakes.

1. Refinancing with your existing lender without shopping around.
Your existing lender may not have the best rates and programs available. There's a general misconception that it's easier to work with your current mortgage company. In most cases, your current mortgage company will require the same amount of documentation as other companies will. This is because most loans are sold on the secondary market, and have to be approved independently. So, even if you've been very good at making payments to your existing lender, to a large extent, they may still need to treat you like a new customer.

2. Not doing a break-even analysis.
Find out what the total cost of the refinance is, then figure out how much you'll save every month. Divide the total cost by the monthly savings to get the number of months you'll have to stay in the property to break even on your refinancing costs. Example: if your refinance costs $2000 and you save $50/month, your break-even is 2000/50 = 40 months. You should refinance if you plan to stay in the house for at least 40 months.
Note: The break-even analysis only works if you're refinancing to save money. If you're refinancing to switch from an adjustable to a fixed loan, or from a 30-year loan to a 15-year loan, it's much more difficult to perform a break-even analysis.

3. Not getting a written good-faith estimate of closing costs.
Your mortgage company or loan consultant is required to provide you with a written, good-faith estimate of closing costs within 3 working days of receiving your signed application.

4. Paying for an appraisal when you think your house may appraise too low.
Ask the appraisal company to do a desk review appraisal (typically at no charge) to provide you with a range of possible values. Your mortgage company can ask their appraiser to do this for you as well. Plus, your local Title Insurance company will often furnish you with a market value analysis at no charge. Don't waste your money on a full appraisal if you're doubtful about the value of your house.

5. Using the county tax-assessors' value as the market value of your house.
Mortgage companies don't use the county tax-assessors' value to determine whether they will make the loan. Instead, they use a market-value appraisal which may be very different from the assessed value.

6. Signing your loan documents without reviewing them.
Don't sign documents in a hurry. Whenever possible try to get documents that you'll be signing ahead of time so you can review them. It's advisable to ask for a copy of all loan papers you're signing a few days ahead of the close of escrow. This way you can review them and get your questions answered. Don't expect to read all the documents during the closing. There's rarely enough time to do that.

7. Not providing documents to your mortgage company in a timely manner.
When your mortgage company asks you for additional paperwork, jump on it! Don't complain. They're trying to get you approved, not trying to hassle you unnecessarily! Jump through the hoops as quickly as possible. Borrowers who don't respond to requests for documentation often run the risk of paying higher rates if the rate lock expires.

8. Not getting a rate lock in writing.
When a mortgage company tells you they have locked your rate, get a written statement which details the interest rate, the length of the rate lock and details about the program.

9. Pulling cash out of your credit line before you refinance your first mortgage.
Many lenders have "cash-out" seasoning requirements. This means that if you pull cash out of your credit line for anything other than home improvements, they'll consider the refinance to be a "cash-out" refinance. This may lead to much stricter requirements, and can, in some cases, break the deal!

10. Getting a second mortgage before you refinance your first mortgage.
Many mortgage companies look at the combined loan amounts (i.e. the first loan, plus the second loan) even when they're refinancing the first mortgage. If you plan on refinancing your first, check with your mortgage company to find out if getting a second mortgage will cause your refinance to get turned down.

Homebuyers' 10 Biggest Mistakes.

For most people, their home is the biggest investment they will ever make. However, few people do the research necessary to make a good buying decision. The home-purchase process is extremely confusing for most people. With a little bit of homework, with advice from family and friends who have been through the process before, and with all of the information and resources provided here at Mortage Match you can make this a little easier on yourself. There is no substitute for taking the time to educate yourself before you buy a house––which typically costs you 25% to 40% of your gross income!

10 biggest mistakes when buying a house.

1. Looking for a house without getting pre-approved.
Do not confuse a pre-approval with a pre-qualification. During the pre-qualification process, a loan officer asks you a few questions and may hand you a pre-qual letter. The pre-approval process is much more complete and much stronger.

During a pre-approval, the loan consultant does all the work of a full-approval, except for the appraisal and title search. When you are pre-approved, you become like a CASH BUYER and have more negotiating clout with the seller. In some cases (especially in multiple-offer situations), having a pre-approval can make the difference between buying a home and not buying a home. In other instances, home buyers have been able to save thousands of dollars as a result of being in a better negotiating situation.

Most good Realtors will not show you homes before being pre-approved because they do not want to waste your time, their time, and the seller's time. At Mortgage Match, pre-approval is always fast and free... something which is not always true with other mortgage funding sources. A strong, reliable pre-approval requires checking your credit and your income.

2. Making verbal agreements.
If an agent makes you sign a written document that is contrary to their verbal commitments, don't do it! Example: the agent says that the washer will come with the house, but the contract says that it will not. In this case, the written contract will override the verbal contract. In fact, written contracts almost always override verbal contracts. Buying a house can be a very complex process––but it's a lot easier when everything is in writing.

3. Choosing a lender just because they have the lowest rate.
Not getting a written good-faith estimate. While rate is important, you have to look at the overall cost of your loan. This includes looking at the APR, the loan fees, closing costs, as well as the discount and origination points.

You should also feel comfortable that the loan officer you are dealing with is committed to your best interests, and will deliver what he or she promises. Often, the company that has the absolute lowest quoted rate may not be the best company for your mortgage business.

4. Choosing a lender because they're recommended by your Realtor.
Your Realtor is not a financial expert. Chances are they may not know the best loan for you. The Realtor only gets a commission when your mortgage loan closes and funds. As a result, the Realtor may refer you to a lender who may be able to close the loan, but not necessarily a lender who has favorable rates, fees or programs. Also, many Realtors refer you to their friends in the loan business––who again, may not be able to get the best loan for you, or may not even be able to close the loan. Even if the Realtor is very professional and appears to be looking out for your best interests, you should still do your own homework. There are countless stories of borrowers who wound up paying higher rates, getting a loan program that wasn't right for them, or not getting their loan closed at all, because they blindly followed their Realtor's advice.

5. Not getting a rate lock in writing.
When a mortgage company tells you they have locked your rate, get a written statement which details the interest rate, the length of the rate lock, and details about the program.

6. Using a dual agent––i.e. an agent who represents the buyer and the seller on the same transaction.
Buyers and sellers have opposing interests. A dual agent in many normal or typical situations cannot be fair to both the buyer and seller. Most dual agents represent the sellers more strongly than they do the buyer. If you are a buyer, it is much better to have your own agent who will be on your side. The only time you should even consider a dual agent is when you get a price break from using a dual agent. If that is the case, then tread carefully and do your homework!

7. Buying a house without a professional inspection.
Taking the sellers word that they have made repairs. Unless you are buying a new house where you have warranties on most equipment, it is highly recommended that you get a property inspection, a roof inspection and a termite inspection. This way you will know what you are buying. Inspection reports are great negotiating tools when it comes to asking the seller to make repairs. If a professional home inspector states that certain repairs be done, the seller is more likely to agree to do them.

8. Not shopping for home insurance until you are ready to close.
Start shopping for insurance as soon as you have an accepted offer. Many buyers wait until the last minute to get insurance and do not have time to shop around. Click here for a great place to shop online for homeowners' insurance.

9. Signing documents without reading them.
Do not sign documents in a hurry. Whenever possible try to get documents that you will be signing ahead of time so you can review them. It is advisable to ask for a copy of all loan papers you are signing a few days ahead of the close of escrow. This way you can review them and get your questions answered. Do not expect to read all the documents during the closing. There is rarely enough time to do that.

10. Making your moving plans too tight.
Example: you expect to move out of your prior residence on a Friday and into your new residence over the weekend. So you give notice to your landlord to end your lease on a Friday and arrange for movers to come to your house on Friday. Then, your loan closing gets delayed until the next Tuesday. You now may be homeless! New tenants could be moving into your apartment, and the movers are going to charge you for wasting their time. You could be forced to live in a motel for a couple of days! A better plan is to allow for a 5-7 day overlap between closing and moving. In the long run it is not nearly as expensive, and it will certainly give you peace of mind.

Home Equity Credit Lines Lowest Rates Lowest Costs.

Do you need extra cash to consolidate your high interest debts? Or, do you need to make needed home improvements, pay for college tuition, make special timely investments, or use it for just about anything else you need? With your home's equity, you have several options. You can use a home equity loan to borrow a portion or all of the equity in your home. Or, you can use an equity credit line, in which you borrow as needed, from a line of credit similar to a credit card.

An equity credit line is a loan with a maximum credit limit that allows the borrower(s) to disburse funds up to the maximum credit line as needed. Funds may be disbursed repeatedly as the principal balance is paid down up to the maximum credit limit available. A line of credit functions similar to a credit card, and may be accessed by writing a check or a using a debit card. You can also pay back your credit line on your own terms. You can make the minimum payment, pay off your entire balance all at once, or somewhere in between. It's all up to you. When you repay your Equity Credit Line, those funds are immediately available again to use.

For more information on lowest rate, lowest cost, home equity credit lines, please click here.

Bad Credit Mortgages Lowest Rates Lowest Costs.

Bad Credit? No Problem, We Can Help! Why let past credit problems or uncontrolled debts prevent you from getting the loan you need? Have you been continually turned away from banks and lenders because you have made previous credit mistakes? We can help find anyone, regardless of their past credit history or young credit, a home of their own. If you haven't had the best of luck keeping your credit report clean, don't worry. We have a huge database of lenders who understand that things happen. They specialize in finding people like you the mortgage loan they need.

Once you fill out our short and simple qualification form, you will be contacted by multiple mortgage lenders who can help you according to your current personal and financial status. Over time, we've helped thousands of people just like you. And, you know you're going to get the most competitive mortgage loan, because our lenders will be competing to win your business.

For more information on lowest rate, lowest cost, bad credit mortgage loans, please click here.

Self Employed No Income No Doc Loans.

Self Employed? Many self employed people have had difficulty obtaining a loan for a home due to a variety of reasons. One is having to document income and employment through personal and business tax returns. Whether you have good credit or bad credit, being self employed brings its own challenges for obtaining loans through banks and other conventional lenders. There are several programs tailored for the self employed, let us help you get the loan you need.

We have helped many self employed professionals nationwide, obtain the lowest rate mortgages for a new purchase, refinance or get cash out. Whatever your situation is, we have lenders who want your business. We have specialized programs dedicated to fitting the individualized requirements of the self employed borrower.

For more information on the lowest rate, lowest cost, self employed loans, please click here.

Home Improvement Loans Lowest Rates, Lowest Costs.

A home improvement loan can provide a tax deductible way for improving your home to look the way you really want it to, while increasing its value. There are typically no restrictions for home improvement, as long as they are within the boundaries of local building requirements. You have the choice of doing the improvement work yourself, or using a contractor.

With a home improvement loan, you get a fully amortized, fixed rate loan, which is placed in second position on the title of your home. It is essentially a second mortgage or equity loan which is usually paid to you as one lump sum. Another option is a line of credit on your home, which is based on a variable rate, and offers you the ability to draw money for making improvements only as you need it. There is no change in the terms to your existing first mortgage when you take out a home improvement loan. You typically have a choice of loan terms from 5 to 30 years. If you have an existing equity loan or second mortgage, it must be paid off with the new loan. Additionally, there is no equity required for home improvement loans. The maximum loan amount can go as high as 125% of the current value of your home.

For more information on lowest rate, lowest cost, home improvement loans, please click here.

Home Equity Loans Lowest Rates, Lowest Costs.

With a Home Equity Loan you can use your home as collateral to consolidate bills, make home improvements, plan a vacation or buy a new car. There is also the Title I loan for individuals requiring funds for home improvement, but who have little or no equity in their property, or who live in a state where equity loans are very limited. If you have some equity in your home, you may want to consider refinancing for your home improvements. Title I loans usually bear a higher interest rate than other loan types available. But, you can cash out your equity in your house for any need you may have. With a home equity loan, all of your options are open.

A Home Equity Loan - A type of loan that allows homeowners to acquire a loan in addition to their original mortgage/lien using a portion or all of the equity in their home (primary residence). A home equity loan is a generally a home mortgage on the subject property and may be used for any personal needs (i.e., college education, debt consolidation, home improvement, etc).

For more information on the lowest rate, lowest cost, home equity loans, please click here.

Debt Consolidation Loans Lowest Rates, Lowest Costs.

A Debt Consolidation Loan is a type of loan that allows the borrower (homeowner) to payoff all or a portion of existing debt (including the existing mortgage loan) from loan proceeds.

Debt Consolidation is an excellent way to reduce your monthly payments while satisfying all of your credit obligations without the stigma of non-payment or bankruptcy. Debt consolidation loans can reduce your monthly bills by up to 70%, and do away with all your existing credit cards, installment loans and other debts. In their replacement, you will have one, single, lower, monthly payment. Debt consolidation loans carry lower rates than regular home loans... also your interest may be tax deductible. Debt consolidation loans offer home owners a better method of home financing that will pay off credit cards and other loans. Get a debt consolidation loan and pay off credit cards to permanently improve your financial situation. We can provide you with free, multiple quotes from competing lenders... allowing you to compare rates and terms from various lenders and save.

For more information on the lowest rate, lowest cost, debt consolidation loans, please click here.