Finding The Right Mortgage

By Moneysmartz on Wed, March 25, 2009, 6:55 AM Discuss (0) | Link

Archived Under: Moneysmartz Profiles and Reviews , Mortgages and Loans
Tags: Moneysmartz Profiles and Reviews, Mortgage.com, Mortgages

Mortgage.com
Category: Mortgages
Mortgage.com is an easy-to-use educational guide that aims to assist consumers in making the right mortgage decisions. The site is powered by Citi® and is intended to help individuals find the right mortgage products by providing comparative rates, planning tools, tips and advice. Whether buying or refinancing, a quick trip to Mortgage.com will help equip you with the information and insight you need to make a smarter decision.
http://www.mortgage.com

Moneysmartz Profile Updates 3/19/09

By Moneysmartz on Thu, March 19, 2009, 6:45 AM Discuss (0) | Link

Archived Under: Moneysmartz Profiles and Reviews , Mortgages and Loans
Tags: LendingTree, Loans, Moneysmartz Profiles and Reviews

LendingTree
Category: Loans
In both good and bad economic times, it pays to compare rates and features of financial services, like loans and credit cards. LendingTree makes it easy to shop smart by connecting borrowers with multiple offers on financial services like mortgage loans, auto loans, and credit cards. Borrowers can then compare offers and select the best one for their situation. LendingTree has been helping borrowers since 1996, processing 25 million loan requests and closing $185 billion in loan transactions.
http://www.lendingtree.com

Moneysmartz Profile Updates 3/18/09

By Moneysmartz on Wed, March 18, 2009, 5:55 AM Discuss (0) | Link

Archived Under: Moneysmartz Profiles and Reviews , Mortgages and Loans
Tags: E-Loan, Loans, Moneysmartz Profiles and Reviews

E-Loan
Category: Loans
E-Loan was launched in 1997 and has become one of the web's premier financial services companies operating as both a mortgage broker and mortgage lender. E-Loan helps consumers shop for the best mortgage rates without sharing any personal information. The site provides tools to track interest rate trends, receive credit scores, and connect with financial advisory services. In 2008, Keynote Systems ranked E-Loan the "No.1 Mortgage Website."
http://www.eloan.com

Moneysmartz Profile Updates 1/5/09

By Moneysmartz on Mon, January 5, 2009, 5:57 AM Discuss (0) | Link

Archived Under: Moneysmartz Profiles and Reviews , Mortgages and Loans
Tags: Loans, Moneysmartz Profiles and Reviews, Mortgages, Quicken Loans

Quicken Loans
Category: Mortgages and Loans
According to the National Mortgage News, Quicken Loans is the largest online home loan lender in the United States. QuickenLoans.com helps consumers find competitive mortgage rates from a broad selection of mortgage and loan options. Quicken Loans claims that 9 out of 10 of their clients would recommend Quicken Loans to friends and family. With the 30-year national mortgage rate at its lowest level since 1971, it is a good time to shop around for competitive rates and refinancing options.
https://www.quickenloans.com

Mortgages Update

By Moneysmartz on Sat, March 22, 2008, 9:24 AM | Link

Archived Under: Moneysmartz Guide Updates , Mortgages and Loans
Tags: Guide Updates, Mortgages

What a difference a year makes. The Moneysmartz Mortgages category has undergone a big change since last year. Most notably, several providers of mortgage loans are no longer listed as they are out of business. This category includes links to providers of mortgage loans, sites that compare mortgage loan rates, and informational resources like Wikipedia. If you are looking for a mortgage, then this is a great place to start to get the information you need to find or negotiate a great rate with the most reliable providers of mortgages. If you are not depressed enough by the news of the mortgage crisis, then click the Sub Prime Lending Crisis listing by Wikipedia.

Mortgages Update

By Moneysmartz on Fri, November 3, 2006, 10:59 AM Discuss (0) | Link

Archived Under: Moneysmartz Guide Updates , Mortgages and Loans
Tags: Mortgages

Category: Financial Services > Mortgages
Recent Update: November 3, 2006.
Category Overview

Homeownership is as American as apple pie, with about two-thirds of American households owning a home. As the baby boom generation ages, more Americans will be buying second homes and considering products like reverse mortgages.

So, for most of us, understanding mortgage terminology, finding the right mortgage lender, and making sense of our financing options is fundamental to our financial well-being.

Unfortunately, using the Internet to research your mortgage options can be overwhelming with a seemingly endless supply of information and offers.

The recently updated Moneysmartz Mortgage category offers a place for you to avoid the tangle of offers and find relevant sources of information and reliable providers of services.

Tips for Getting Started

• Get the big picture. Start with Wikipedia’s mortgage page or the Yahoo! Finance Mortgage Center.

• Learn more about the terminology before talking with lenders. Important terms include jumbo mortgages, balloon payments, interest only loans, ARMs, reverse mortgages, and equity loans.

• Don’t forget special programs from the FHA for first-time home buyers, fixer-uppers, and reverse mortgages for seniors.

• Comparison shop for rates before getting serious. HSH Associates publishes mortgage rates and consumer loan information. MortgageLoan.com, Interest.com, Lending Tree, Bankrate, and LoanWeb offer more comparison services and interest rates on a state-by-state basis.

• If you run into a problem, brush up on legal terms at the Legal Information Institute.

• When you are ready to find a lender, consider providers with a lot of experience and a national reputation like E-Loan or Quicken Loans. Don’t overlook local providers who may be able to provide face-to-face assistance when you need it the most.

• If you want to lower your long-term costs, consider bi-weekly payments.

• Beware of fraud, particularly when considering a reverse mortgage.

Featured Custom Searches

• Mortgage Fraud

• Local Mortgage Rates

• Mortgage Refinancing

• Mortgage Calculators

• Downside of Interest Only Loans

These steps may seem daunting, but with a few thoughtful clicks, you’ll begin meeting your mortgage needs and continue pursuing the American dream.

Zopa

By Moneysmartz on Thu, September 21, 2006, 9:41 AM Discuss (0) | Link

Archived Under: Mortgages and Loans , New and Notable
Tags: Banking and Credit, Loans, New and Notable, Peer to Peer Lending, Zopa

Site Name: Zopa
Description: Removing intermediaries from transactions often benefits consumers. In the case of Zopa, banks are removed from the lending process to facilitate peer-to-peer lending resulting in lower transaction costs and potentially lower rates for borrowers and higher returns for lenders. Zopa introduced person-to-person lending in Europe 18 months ago and plans to launch in the United States soon. Once Zopa starts in America, interested borrowers and lenders should visit Zopa online and register as either a borrower or lender. According to Business 2.0, the average rate on a Zopa loan is 7%, beating CD returns for lenders and credit card or bank loan rates for borrowers.
Features: In addition to lending and borrowing facilitation, Zopa's site features a blog and discussion board.
Profile of Site Founders: Started by many of Egg's founders, Zopa's founders have experience in personal finance, banking, and risk management.
Bottom Line: After 18 months in the United Kingdom, Zopa is ready to conquer America. With over 90,000 members already, Zopa offers individual lenders and borrowers a convenient way to cut expenses and boost returns.