For typical homeowners, the monthly mortgage payment is either their largest or, after income taxes, second-largest expense item. When you’re shopping for a mortgage without the proper knowledge, you could easily waste many hours of your time in addition to the financial losses suffered by not getting the best loan that you can. Choosing the right mortgage can help you save money for more important financial goals such as higher education and retirement. Mortgages For Dummies is for anyone who needs a loan to buy their first home or wants to refinance their existing mortgage. This book is also for those who would like to tap some of the value they have built in their home over the years. This friendly, easy-to-understand guide will help anyone to Shop for the best home-purchase mortgage - Overcome loan qualification obstacles - Negotiate lower loan fees and closing costs - Save by refinancing the house - Increase retirement income with a reverse mortgage Figure out how to select the right mortgage for you situation. Then explore, step-by-step, how to get the best possible deal. Mortgages For Dummies also covers the following topics and more: Determining your borrowing power - Qualifying for a mortgage - Locating and selecting a loan - Finding the best lender and options - Tackling loan paperwork - Refinancing and other money makers For most of us, the mortgage field is jammed with jargon and fraught with fiscal pitfalls. It’s up to you to seek the knowledge necessary to make your mortgage process more rewarding. This handy guide shows you everything you need to know to find your way through the home financing jungle and make the best decisions possible. 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 "Fun-to-read.... Deciphers mortgage mumbo-jumbo." — San Jose Mercury News "A favorite.... Fun reading and informative." — Minneapolis Star Tribune "Objective, down-to-earth.... A book I wish I'd read before purchasing my first lemon-of-a-home." — Wilmington News Journal "Invaluable information, especially for the first time home buyer." — Fort Worth Star-Telegram Praise for Tyson and Brown's Home Buying For Dummies "Fun-to-read?Deciphers mortgage mumbo-jumbo." — San Jose Mercury News "A favorite? Fun reading and informative." — Minneapolis Star Tribune "Objective, down-to-earth?. A book I wish I'd read before purchasing my first lemon-of-a-home." — Wilmington News Journal "Invaluable information, especially for the first time home buyer." — Fort Worth Star-Telegram Covers home purchase loans, refinancing, and reverse mortgages Packed with tips, tables, worksheets, a glossary, and more The fun and easy way to understand your options and get a great deal From adjustable-rate mortgages to balloon loans, this friendly, easy-to-understand guide will help you find your way through the home-financing jungle. Bestselling real estate authors Eric Tyson and Ray Brown explain how to select the right mortgage for your situation — and show you step by step how to get the best possible deal. Discover how to: Shop for the best home-purchase mortgage - Overcome loan qualification obstacles - Negotiate lower loan fees and closing costs - Save by refinancing your home - Increase retirement income with a reverse mortgage Get Smart! www.dummies.com Register to win cool prizes - Browse exclusive articles and excerpts - Get a free Dummies Daily e-mail newsletter - Chat with authors and preview other books - Talk to us, ask questions, get answers Eric Tyson , MBA, is a financial counselor and the author of bestselling For Dummies books on personal finance, investing, and taxes. Ray Brown is a veteran real estate consultant and writer. Used Book in Good Condition