Mortgage Essentials PDF — For your convenience we've provided all the Mortgage Essentials articles in one download. (You will need Adobe Systems' Acrobat Reader™ software to view or print these documents. - it's free!)

[1]  Points is Points
       The absolute best on discount points and origination fee versus rates.

[2]  Real Time
       How to understand the interest rates you think you get in the media

[3]  It's the Principal of the Thing
       15-year loans and prepayment are bad ideas

[4]  Teach Your Children Well
       15-year loans and prepayment programs add to your overall financial risk.

[5]  Pre-Approval Push-Pull
       The inside skinny on this requirment; and how to avoid shooting yourself in the negotiating foo

[6]  Two Time Loser
       The bi-weekly payment scam revealed (and a couple of other ones as well...)

[7]  DEE-fense! DEE-fense!
       When to use an ARM (not as often as you think ...)

[8]  What It's Worth
       What appraisers are really doing

[9]  The Name Is The Game
       

[10]  Sources of Closing Funds
       Money Transfers, gifts, and borrowed down payment

[11]  Score Trap
       Credit scores, and how to manage your credit report

[12]  Teaser Turnabout is Fair Play
       Best tactics for ARM use.

[14]  Blink and Miss
       Refinance? Or not? If yes, MOVE FAST

[15]  Service? Hah!
       Who is REALLY doing what to whom

[16]  We Don't Care, Anymore
       Astounding siplifications in loan approval, all thanks to computer-based analysis.

[17]  So You Want to Add On
       A guide to financing additions to your home -- or reconstruction altogether

[18]  A Credit to Humanity(?)
       Your credit scores matter to more people than just your mortgage lender... lots more.