Mortgages 101: Quick Answers to Over 250 Critical Questions About Your Home Loan

by David Reed

With mortgage stories dominating the front-page news, people―whether they’re buying a new house or refinancing―increasingly have questions about the complicated issues at stake. Arranged in an easily accessible question-and-answer format, Mortgages 101 provides readers with essential lending formulas, as well as important information on lending requirements and application procedures. The book shows readers how to save money by: • understanding key terms like ARMs and hybrids―and reading what’s in the fine print • improving their credit scores to increase their borrowing power • using technology to get the lowest interest rates • maximizing their return on investment, and cutting the cost of mortgage insurance This revised edition includes up-to-date material on new loan and government programs, as well as changes to the law regarding tax deductions, down payment assistance, reverse mortgages, bankruptcy, negative amortization and more―in short, all the answers readers need, in one must-have reference.

Genres: Nonfiction, Finance, Reference

320 pages, Paperback

First published September 6, 2004

About the author

Librarian Note: David[5spaces]Reed

Reviews

[Natali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another not-sexy book on my reading list but there is A LOT of useful information in this one! I wish I had read it years ago before securing several home loans in the past. For such a dull subject, the author does a fantastic job breaking it all down. He details the process of securing a home loan, what it entails, what the industry offers, and what it all means. I learned a ton.

Some of the information is a bit dated, especially since the market crash of '08 was due to risky home loans. The author also references Alan Greenspan as Fed Chair a few times. But the section on using the Internet for home loans surprisingly holds up. If you can figure out what is dated and what is not, you'll benefit very much from this book!

[Chris Bushnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mortgages 101 is very much a text book for someone looking to understand the mortgage process extensively. As a novice mortgage broker, I feel like this books helped me understand the questions that home buyers have when purchasing a home. From a first time home buyer perspective, I feel like it has so much information that it's hard to know what's important and what's not.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very useful information about mortgages. Well laid out and indexed.

[Adrean Rudie · Rating 5 out of 5]

David answers many of the main questions that come up regarding mortgage loans. His complementary book is a must have for anyone going through the process of buying or refinancing a home. Very few books like this exist. Yes, it is a dry topic, but he covers it well! Bravo David for helping educate the public!
Adrean J. Rudie
(author)

[Susan Mazur Stommen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful. Now I know to run when my mom comes looking for me to do a reverse wrap around mortagage on her place...

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a little out of date, but still totally helpful if you don't know anything about mortgages and are in the market, unlike us; I read it just for fun...yes I said fun.

[Anthony]

Great info. on mortgages. For the investor as well as for individual.

[Stephen Chung · Rating 3 out of 5]

mostly common sense now.