Mortgages For Dummies, 3rd Edition

Now updated! The proven guide to negotiating the best mortgage terms--and surviving today's lending crisis

In today's hostile real estate market, homebuyers and owners are daunted by the prospect of securing a mortgage. In Mortgages For Dummies, Third Edition, bestselling personal finance authors Eric Tyson and Ray Brown give borrowers timely solutions, whether they need a loan to buy their first home, want to refinance their existing mortgage in the face of escalating payments, or tap into the equity they've built up. This revised edition features up-to-the-minute information on subprime and adjustable-rate mortgages, as well as updated worksheets and tools for calculating the costs and payments associated with a mortgage. Tyson and Brown decipher the jargon and point out all the fiscal pitfalls that borrowers need to know, showing them how to determine their borrowing power, select the right loan, find the best lender and options, and fill out all the paperwork correctly. This no-nonsense, comprehensive resource is a must for every homeowner or homeowner-to-be.

For Eric Tyson's biography, see page 67.

For many of us, the single biggest financial transaction is buying a house. Even more significant than the hefty down payment we fork over is the 15- to 30-year mortgage that needs feeding every month. If you have this much at stake, a little knowledge can go a long way, which is where Eric Tyson and Ray Brown come in. In Mortgages for Dummies, Tyson and Brown (who also wrote Home Buying for Dummies and House Selling for Dummies) provide a comprehensive introduction for anyone who is contemplating a mortgage. The book tells you how to evaluate your creditworthiness, determine your borrowing power, and shop for a lender, as well as covering the various types of loans. The authors also devote a section to refinancing and discuss what you should consider when prepaying a loan. They include amortization and remaining-balance tables, and a useful glossary. Whether you're a first-time home buyer or are just looking to refinance, you'll find this a valuable, easy-to-use guide. --Harry C. Edwards