Can we afford this house in California (just an example)? What "rules of thumb" or other measures should I use to determine what is "affordable"? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 20, 2009 - 17 answers

Can I get a loan or mortgage in any way? We currently live in a building that we more or less own. Technically, we own an LLC, and the LLC owns the building (and that's all it does), so home equity is probably out. We would like to buy a new house about half the value of this one, preferably without selling. However, that would require a loan, and we have lousy credit. [more inside]
posted by lgyre on Sep 17, 2009 - 8 answers

House Mortgage-filter: FHA vs. Conventional 95% (LTV) Mortgage? Found a calculator, but it's limited and we're seeking hive mind wisdom instead. [more inside]
posted by unclezeb on Aug 26, 2009 - 7 answers

Should I pay off my car loan before getting a mortgage, or use that money for down payment? [more inside]
posted by zavulon on Jun 23, 2009 - 10 answers

I am in the process of refinancing the mortgage on my home. My lender wants to blow up the deal at the last minute. 1) Why? 2) What are my options? [more inside]
posted by genug on Jun 9, 2009 - 13 answers

Why hasn't private mortgage insurance (PMI) softened the blow of the real estate implosion? [more inside]
posted by GatorFan2000 on Apr 6, 2009 - 14 answers

Buying a house soon: is it better to pay down my credit card partially, or pay off a small personal loan? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Apr 3, 2009 - 5 answers

What are the best ways to find and compare mortgage refi rates and fees? (web sites, or?) [more inside]
posted by msalt on Jan 17, 2009 - 10 answers

I applied for a mortgage. What have I done? (And what should I do?) [more inside]
posted by fogster on Jan 12, 2009 - 14 answers

Mortgage Expert Needed: How do I take advantage of these low low mortgage rates BEFORE I gain building approval. [more inside]
posted by Thrillhouse on Dec 22, 2008 - 3 answers

Mortgage filter: is there any reason I shouldn't get a 5/1 ARM at a slightly lower interest rate than the 30-year fixed option? [more inside]
posted by halogen on Nov 20, 2008 - 19 answers

Is it really that much better to pay off a mortgage in bi-monthly payments rather than once-a-month payments? [more inside]
posted by Spyder's Game on Oct 4, 2008 - 13 answers

We have some money in a Wamu checking account, and an equity loan. Since the word is that Wamu is teetering, what should we expect to happen to the checking account money and the equity loan? [more inside]
posted by everichon on Sep 15, 2008 - 16 answers

My mortgage payments are overdue and I have filed paperwork for a loan modification. I just accepted an offer on the condo, and it is due to close on June 26. What is the best way to get clear with the mortgage company before closing? [more inside]
posted by hamster on Apr 30, 2008 - 5 answers

Does a student loan in deferment count as debt for the purposes of figuring debt to income ratios in an FHA loan? [more inside]
posted by Dr. Zira on Feb 27, 2008 - 3 answers

When will the new, higher conforming loan limit come into effect for US mortgages? [more inside]
posted by GuyZero on Feb 6, 2008 - 5 answers

What does it take to get a 'rehab' mortgage to purchase a building? [more inside]
posted by geos on Dec 8, 2007 - 0 answers

Finance Filter: I have a second loan on my condo at a rate of 7.75%.. I did this to avoid PMI. I have the cash to pay it off.. 35k or so.. Is it likely a good idea to pay it off and forgo the tax breaks I'm getting on the interest, to avoid the 7.75% rate? [more inside]
posted by seinfeld on Oct 16, 2007 - 7 answers

My mortgage lender sent an offer in the mail that I could change from monthly payments to payments every two weeks. This would be good for me, bad for them. Why? [more inside]
posted by poppo on Aug 17, 2007 - 21 answers

Trying to Refinance my home (& consolidate some bills). 1 year ago it was appraised at $410k. In the middle of this process, my lender indicated that 2 different appraisers indicated that it's only worth $350k compare to other similar homes in my area... although they haven't come out to do the appraisal yet. I'm concerned that because this is what they believe the value to be, it will be that or close to it. In order for me to do what I need to do (with my bills), I need the value of my home to be at $410. What can/should I do? [more inside]
posted by foodybat on Jun 27, 2007 - 11 answers

How can I estimate what the mortgage payment on a commercial building loan will be? [more inside]
posted by ignignokt on Dec 4, 2006 - 7 answers

How much will my father co-signing on a mortgage help me? [more inside]
posted by Scottk on Jun 27, 2006 - 10 answers

How can I Build Credit Quickly? And will taking a small loan out and paying it off way ahead of schedule be good or bad for my credit score? [more inside]
posted by ZackTM on Mar 30, 2006 - 14 answers

MortgageFilter: I just purchased a unit in a 4-story, new construction, condo complex. My fiancee and I plan to be there between 3-5 years, so I'm interested in a 5/1, 7/1, or 10/1, just to be safe. 30-year fixed is okay too, but the chances of us staying there beyond 5 years is very unlikely. [MI] [more inside]
posted by seinfeld on Oct 27, 2005 - 9 answers

A friend of mine has just taken on a large amount of debt since splitting with his girlfriend. What can he do to keep on top of it? [more inside]
posted by jeresig on Aug 8, 2005 - 20 answers

I'm buying property in California with a down payment from my mother in Switzerland. Is it better to call it a loan or a gift (for tax and legal reasons)?
posted by letitrain on Jul 15, 2005 - 19 answers

How do I know if I am getting the best home loan available to me? [more inside]
posted by eggerspretty on Jun 29, 2005 - 9 answers

So yesterday my wife — Ms. We're-Not-Moving — found a house closer to Portland that she loves. We both love it. The only offer we can make, though, is contingent upon selling our home, which we hadn't even considered until yesterday. Help! Does anyone have experience with this kind of thing? What can we do to make a contingency offer more attractive? What about bridge loans? Anyone have experience with those? I need advice on hurried real estate transactions (other than "don't do them").
posted by jdroth on May 6, 2004 - 10 answers