Mortgages For Dummies, 2nd Edition [Paperback]

Eric Tyson (Author), Ray Brown (Author)

Book Description

Series: For Dummies (Lifestyles Paperback) | Publication Date: August 27, 2004

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 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, Second Edition is for anyone who needs a loan to buy their first home, wants to refinance their existing mortgage, or would like to tap into the equity they’ve built up. Updated to include the very latest on every kind of loan, this friendly, easy-to-understand guide will help you:

• 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

Once you select the right mortgage for your situation, you can explore, step-by-step, how to get the best possible deal. Mortgages For Dummies, Second Edition 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.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Packed with tips, tables, worksheets, a glossary, and more

With updated information on new types of loans

From adjustable-rate mortgages to balloon loans, this friendly, easy-to-understand guide helps you find your way through the home-financing jungle. Bestselling real estate authors Eric Tyson and Ray Brown cover everything you need to know about the mortgage game – and show you step-by-step how to get the best possible deal.

The Dummies Way

• Explanations in plain English
• "Get in, get out" information
• Icons and other navigational aids
• Tear-out cheat sheet
• Top ten lists
• A dash of humor and fun

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

About the Author

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.

Product Details

• Paperback: 312 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 2 edition (August 27, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764571923
• ISBN-13: 978-0764571923
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #822,971 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Loan Officer Info, April 3, 2007

By 

Jan B. "Nanny" (N. Providence, RI) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mortgages For Dummies, 2nd Edition (Paperback)

This book was wonderful to read even though it is geared toward the person buying a mortgage, and I am a loan officer, that sells the mortgage. It had numerous terms spelled out so they could be easily understood. It marked off warning signs of things to stay away from. I feel this book will be in my desk for use constantly.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Saved me a fortune!!!!!!, April 30, 2007

By 

K. Gimbel "sdlflygirl" (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mortgages For Dummies, 2nd Edition (Paperback)

This book saved me about $22,000 when I purchased my house. It prepared me to know what to look for and what to ask for when searching for a mortgage! I had purchased the home buying for dummies book and while reading that I learned I needed to know so much more about the financing aspect. Since it was my first home purchase I was clueless. This book walked me through and helped me discover what my personal needs were. I found my dream house, a perfect fit mortgage, and closed all in 2 weeks. AMAZING!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good For Starters, May 21, 2007

By 

J.A. Obsideo "SDCMLS" (COM) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mortgages For Dummies, 2nd Edition (Paperback)

The book touches on the very basics of buying a home. Lots of industry terms defined - this solves a communication barrier to often seen in this industry. Often times, some lenders forget to check the literacy of there clients and breeze through the whole process without defining some key terms. With this book, loan officers/brokers/agents and clients are on the same page.

First time buyers who read this book will feel a little more confident, especially with reading articles and books pertaining to buying/investing in a home.