Home Loans

Shopping for a Mortgage

1.Deceptive Mortgage Ads

Some ads for mortgages promise more than they can deliver.

2.Getting a Mortgage after a Short Sale

Tips to help short sellers avoid being kept out of the housing market because of difficulties interpreting short sale and foreclosure information on consumer reports.

3.Getting Mortgage Offers?

Your application for a mortgage may trigger competing offers. Here’s how to use them when you shop and compare terms.

4.Home Equity Loans and Credit Lines

Is a home equity loan or line of credit right for you? Read about abusive lending practices, how to avoid them, and how to save your home.

5.Mortgage Discrimination

When you apply for a mortgage, the law protects you from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age, or whether you get public assistance.

6.Shopping for a Mortgage

Shopping and negotiating for a home loan or mortgage — as you do for other major purchases — may save you thousands of dollars.

7.Using Your Home as Collateral

Tips to help you protect your home and the equity you’ve built up when you apply for a loan.

Paying Your Mortgage

1.If Your Mortgage Lender or Servicer is Closing or in Bankruptcy

Here’s what you need to know to manage your mortgage payments if your lender or servicer goes out of business or files for bankruptcy.

2.Making Payments to Your Mortgage Servicer

Learn how mortgage servicers operate and what your rights are.

3.Trouble Paying Your Mortgage?

If you’re having trouble making your mortgage payments, get in touch with your mortgage company ASAP.

4.When Paying the Mortgage is a Struggle

If you’re having trouble paying your mortgage, all is not lost. There is legitimate help to help you save your home.

Foreclosure

1.Facing Foreclosure?

Should you pay someone who promises to prevent foreclosure or guarantees you a new mortgage. No. Here’s why.

2.Forensic Loan Audits

Forensic loan audits are a new twist on foreclosure relief scams.

3.Mass Joinder Lawsuits

Financially strapped homeowners often are targeted to participate in lawsuits against their lenders, but this can put them further behind.

4.Mortgage Relief Scams

Scammers often promise to get your mortgage terms changed, but don’t deliver. Learn how to recognize the signs of a mortgage relief scam.

Reverse Mortgages

Reverse mortgages let you cash in on the equity in your home: these mortgages can have serious implications.