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Mortgage Rates

 

Home Equity Rates

 

Calculators

Fixed vs. adj. rates
Which mortgage rate is the right one for you?
Affordability
Can you afford a mortgage on your dream home?
Rent or buy?
Which makes more sense for you?

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Mortgage Basics

Should you buy or rent?
Find out what you might encounter if you decide to embark on the journey toward home-ownership.

Home Equity Basics

What home equity entails
Wade through the gibberish and get the low down on everything from collateral to credit.

Home equity loan strategies

Trends in home equity lending
Record default levels have been hard on lenders and borrowers, necessitating change.

Congress expands homebuyer tax credit

Congress approves an extension of the homebuyer tax credit making existing homeowners eligible, too.

Mortgage Rate Trend Index

Each week, Bankrate.com surveys experts to gauge which way interest rates are headed on mortgages.

National home equity loan averages

Here are the average home equity rates from Bankrate's weekly survey of large banks and thrifts.

Fed holds rates for 8th time

Fed keeps rate near zero in an attempt to stabilize the economy and support the mortgage market.

Low ARM rate may turn ugly later

An adjustable-rate mortgage may look great today, but it could become a trap if rates rise.

Renters get relief from foreclosure

The foreclosure crisis has not been kind to renters. A new federal law aims to change that.

Great credit scores pay off for couple

Top credit scores mean a couple can close a HELOC without worrying about FICO damage.

How to design an efficient kitchen

Here's how to decide what kind of kitchen you want, then the best ways to achieve the total look.

Preparing for another fix

Congress works on an extension to the homebuyer tax credit, but will it do any good?

Bailouts and tax breaks

Reader asks: Bankers got bailouts; why not homeowners? And Obama seeks extended tax credit.

Home equity can be used to buy car

Home equity products can be used to fund a car purchase. But there are risks for the homeowner.

Why won't they modify?

To understand why a lender won't forgive debt to prevent foreclosure, you must think like a banker.

Bifurcation and walking away

What's a bifurcated loan and why does it prevent a refi? And when is it OK to walk away?

DIY dilemma: Hire or play the pro?

Even seasoned do-it-yourself types sometimes face a project and ask: "Should I hire a pro?"

Mortgage flexibility is not cheap

A first-time homebuyer is wise to buy some financial wiggle room, even if it costs $10,000.

3 plans for $40,000 inheritance

A couple with $40,000 left from an inheritance should choose one of three ways to spend it.

Financial meltdown: home equity

The biggest home equity lesson of the financial crisis is that your home is not a piggy bank. 

Should you sell home without agent?

Ask yourself these five questions before selling a home without the help of a real estate agent.

The pros and cons of house swapping

House swapping is an option in a stagnant market, but you may face unique obstacles.

Mortgage refinance has 3 goals

One homeowner has a chance to accomplish two of the three goals of refinancing a mortgage.

Mortgage refinance has 3 goals

One homeowner has a chance to accomplish two of the three goals of refinancing a mortgage.

Prepayment penalty may wreck refinance

A prepayment penalty may undermine the benefit of refinancing at near-record-low mortgage rates.

Land of the mod people

Mortgage bankers enter the era of the modification, with reluctance and some cynicism.

Work history key to refinance approval

Lenders scrutinize work history before deciding whether to approve applications for new loans.

3 ways to lose a HELOC, keep the house

When a HELOC is secured by your home, one of these options may help you to keep your property.

When will YOUR housing market recover?

Forget the forecasts; analyze what's happening with the real estate market in your town.

4 steps to refinance your mortgage

Mortgage rates are dropping. Should you consider refinancing your mortgage? Here's how.

Spend $100,000 windfall on new home

A homeowner who recently earned a $100,000 profit should consider putting the cash into a new home.

Cheap ways to spruce up a home

Make a splash without spending much cash with these 10 quick and easy home projects.

What to do when your mortgage is rejected

Your mortgage application has been rejected. Fear not: Here are some tips to deal with it.

More mortgage competition coming

If Fannie and Freddie get into warehouse lending, the Big 4 lenders will have stronger rivals.

Paying off credit card with home equity

Consider these pros and cons carefully before risking your home to kill credit card debt.

10 questions for lenders

Here are the 10 key questions to ask at application time to help you find the best home loan.

New FHA condo rules may hinder mortgages

New rules may make it harder for condo buyers and developments to get FHA mortgages.

Hire a pro or play the pro? A DIY dilemma

Even natural do-it-yourself types sometimes face a project and ask: Should I handle this myself or hire a pro?

Interest Rate Roundup

See rates from our survey of CDs, mortgages, home equity products, auto loans and credit cards.

Back to S&Ls?

A housing economist argues for ditching securitization and everyone should get mortgages from S&Ls.

Angelo's friends seek shelter

Countrywide VIP program's records vanish, WSJ reports; Cyberhomes compares schools and home values.

Stay local for home-buying help

The federal tax credit is big, but don't miss these perks from cities, builders, bosses and others.

Refinancing a home equity loan

Consider refinancing your home equity loan when interest rates drop. Why? You could save money.

10 steps to 'short sale' buying

Overnight, short sale has become a household phrase. Here's how it works for buyers in 10 not-so-easy steps.

Fed holds rates for 7th time

Fed keeps rate at near zero in a balancing act to boost employment and stabilize inflation.
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