Three scams to avoid when locking your loan

Q: I’m trying to get a better understanding of private mortgage insurance (PMI). I understand the fundamentals and that it usually equals 1/2 percent-1 percent of the mortgage, but what I’m not sure about is how it is paid. Is the PMI paid each year until you reach the 20 percent mortgage-to-value ratio? Can you …

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11 must-knows about early mortgage payoff

Q: Will I save money if I make my regular monthly payment early? A: No, paying early merely allows the firm servicing your loan to earn interest on your money until the payment due date. This is not the case, however, if you have a simple interest mortgage (SIM). Because it accrues interest daily, the …

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O.C. house payments at 8-year low

If we were to go strictly by house payments, the cost of buying an Orange County home is now the lowest it’s been in eight to 11 years. The monthly mortgage payment for all housing types has dropped to its lowest level since September 2003, according to recent figures from DataQuick Information Systems. And O.C. …

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Why you can’t get the lowest mortgage rates

Five reasons near-record low rates are out of reach for some CHICAGO (MarketWatch) — Mortgage rates are near historical lows, but the rates lenders are quoting you aren’t as eye-popping as those you see in the news. When your vacation home becomes everybody’s home Buying a retirement or second home might sound like a great …

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