Understanding Mortgages & The Major Players in a Foreclosure

If you’re shopping for a home, learn what you need to know about mortgage loans.

Buying mortgage discount points will reduce your loan’s interest rate and monthly payment. But are they worth it?

Whether you have a mortgage or deed of trust makes a difference when it comes to foreclosure. Learn the difference between the two.

Learn the difference between a promissory note and a mortgage or deed of trust on your home.

Here's the definition of an underwater mortgage, and the problems that these mortgages pose for homeowners.

You might need a subordination agreement if you refinance your home and have more than one mortgage.

Learn the difference between a second home and investment property. It can affect the type of loan you get.

When considering a mortgage rate lock, get the terms and time frame you need.

Federal law prohibits some mortgages from having prepayment penalties, which are charges for paying off the loan early.

Learn how to buy a preforeclosure home.

Save money by asking your mortgage company to cancel your private mortgage insurance (PMI).

The ability-to-repay rule requires mortgage lenders to ensure a borrower can afford a mortgage before making the loan.

HOEPA imposes additional requirements on lenders and gives consumers specific remedies for violations.

The federal periodic statement rule requires mortgage lenders and servicers to provide homeowners with prompt, regular, and accurate information about their mortgage loans.

Federal law restricts when and how a mortgage servicer can make you pay for expensive lender placed insurance it buys on your behalf.

Federal law can help you keep a mortgaged home you inherit.

What you need to know about mortgage escrow accounts.

You might be able to cancel your mortgage escrow account and pay property taxes and insurance on your own.

If you're looking for a home mortgage, be sure to understand the difference between a conventional, FHA-insured, and VA-guaranteed loan.

Learn about mortgage lender and servicer obligations to notify you if your mortgage loan is transferred to another lender or servicer.

Here's how to find out who owns your mortgage and who services it.

If your loan is escrowed, the servicer must make timely property taxes and homeowners' insurance payments.

If you're behind on your mortgage payments, the loan servicer (on behalf of the lender) can charge various fees and costs. Learn about them.

Learn whether you can cancel your impound account and pay property taxes and insurance on your own in California.

If you’re applying for a government-backed loan, your lender will run a CAIVRS check. The results might prevent you from getting the loan.

If you breach your mortgage contract by not having homeowners’ insurance, you might face added costs and, eventually, foreclosure.

Nonpayment isn't the only way to end up in foreclosure. Transferring the home to a new owner might also lead to a foreclosure.

If you're behind on your mortgage payments, the loan servicer (on behalf of the lender) can charge various fees and costs. Learn about them.

Mortgage servicing companies handle borrowers' accounts. Find out if you can change your mortgage loan servicer.

MERS registers and tracks assignments of mortgages and servicing rights, avoiding the costs of having to record each loan transfer.

Here's how to find out who owns your mortgage and who services it.