Centex mortgage company

Dallas-based Centex, founded in 1950, is one of the nation’s leading home building companies. Its leading brands include Centex Homes, Fox & Jacobs Homes and CityHomes. In addition to its home building operations, Centex also offers mortgage, title and insurance services. Centex has ranked among the top three builders on FORTUNE magazine’s list of “America’s Most Admired Companies” for nine straight years and is a leader in quality and customer satisfaction.

HOME BUILDING
Centex consistently ranks among the largest multi-market, single-family home builders in the United States. Centex is the only company to rank among the Top 10 U.S. home builders for more than 40 consecutive years, according to Professional Builder magazine.

MORTGAGE, TITLE AND INSURANCE
CTX Mortgage
CTX Mortgage Company has more than 100 offices and is licensed to do business in 45 states and the District of Columbia. CTX Mortgage offers FHA/VA, conventional, conforming, jumbo and specialty loans. CTX Mortgage originated almost $14 billion of loans in fiscal 2007. Centex Title and Insurance

Centex's Title and Insurance
operations provide nationwide residential and commercial title insurance and settlement services, including low-cost property reports and appraisal products. Centex Insurance offers homeowners’ insurance to more than 100,000 customers nationwide and also offers life, auto, boat, commercial, home warranty and umbrella policies


When you choose Centex Homes to be your home builder, you are choosing a builder and a company that continuously receives recognition for excellence from its own industry and from the financial community as well. With awards ranging from being named "Most Admired Big Builder" multiple times by Big Builder magazine to FORTUNE magazine's list of "America's Most Admired Companies," Centex Homes stands tall as one of the nation's foremost builders of new homes. That we are worthy of such respect is very important to us and hopefully, it is equally important to you, because it sanctions our credibility and provides added assurance that you've made a wise choice in selecting Centex Homes.


Extensive Expertise Premier Community Locations Renowned quality and design
An exceptional homeowner experience Energy efficiency Business Partners:
CTX Mortgage Commerce Title Centex

Seattle Mortgage Company

Seattle Mortgage has the integrity, customer service and community commitment that have made us a leader in the home mortgage business for more than 60 years.

Competition and innovation in the mortgage industry have created a marketplace where today there is a loan available for nearly every borrower. As a mortgage banker, Seattle Mortgage Company has access to more than 90 loan products — and hundreds of variations of each — to suit your individual circumstances and goals.

Whether you are a buying your first home, trading up, downsizing to a condo or purchasing investment properties, we strive to find the most attractive mortgage and interest rate for you, recognizing that your loan is an important financial planning tool for your future. Our personalized, timely and proactive communications with our clients result in a smooth process and stress-free closings.

Our Products
Competition and innovation in the mortgage industry have created a marketplace where today there is a loan available for nearly every borrower.

As a mortgage banker, Seattle Mortgage Company has access to more than 90 loan products — and hundreds of variations of each — to suit your individual circumstances and goals.

Whether you are a buying your first home, trading up, refinancing, downsizing to a condo or purchasing investment properties, we strive to find the most attractive mortgage and interest, recognizing that your loan is an important financial planning tool for your future.

Conventional Loans
- Fixed-Rate Loans with terms up to 40 years
- Adjustable-Rate Loans
- Interest-Only Loans
- Jumbo and Super-Jumbo Loans
- Condominium Loans

First-Time Homebuyer Loans
- Community Homebuyer Loans
- Fannie Mae "My Community" Loans
- State First Time Homebuyer Programs*

Government-Insured Loans
- Federal Housing Administration (FHA)
- Veterans Administration (VA)

Investment Property Loans
- Single-family and Multi-unit loans

Reverse Mortgage Loans
(For homeowners 62 and older; available through select branches)
- FHA-insured Home Equity Conversion Mortgages
- Fannie Mae HomeKeeper
- The Independence Plan

Special Loan Features
- High loan-to-value ratios and up to 100 percent financing
- Options for no or reduced documentation and/or verification of income and assets for owner-occupied and investment properties
- Interest-rate buydowns

Loans subject to availability, approval and compliance with product requirements.*Participation varies by state.

Absolute Mortgage Company

Why choose Absolute?Absolute Mortgage is a premium mortgage company dedicated to providing affordable home loans for customers with various types of credit records. Whether you want a fixed rate mortgage, adjustable rate mortgage, a home equity loan, refinance, purchase, investment, or debt consolidation, we have a loan for you with the best lowest rates available.

We are licensed in:
Alabama ArizonaCalifornia Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia
Illinois Massachusetts Maine Michigan Maryland Minnesota North Carolina
New Hampshire New Jersey Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island
Tennessee Virginia Vermont

As a licensed mortgage company that does business in 24 states, we realize that only two things matter.First and foremost, that we provide impeccable service and are accountable to every need and request of our customers.Second, that we make sure our customers receive the lowest rate and fee structure that a mortgage company can provide.If you are looking for a mortgage lender that is going to exceed your expectations, then please contact us.

We will tell you why we are different as a mortgage company, what milestones to expect during the lending process, and how we work with you every step of the way. Again, thank you for visiting today.The Absolute Mortgage Team

Fieldstone mortgage company

Fieldstone Mortgage Company maintains this site for your personal information, education, and communication. Your access and use of the website is subject to the following terms and conditions, which you accept without limitation or qualification by your access and use of the site.

1. You may NOT distribute, modify, transmit, reuse, repost or use the content of the site for public or commercial purposes, including the text and images, without written permission from Fieldstone Mortgage Company. Fieldstone does NOT warrant or represent that your use of materials on the site will not infringe on the rights of third parties, unrelated to Fieldstone.

2. While Fieldstone makes reasonable efforts to maintain and update the website with accurate information, it assumes no liability or responsibility for any errors or omissions.

3. Your use of and browsing in the website are at your own risk. Fieldstone Mortgage Company; nor any other party involved in your loan application originated through use of the site, assumes no responsibility and shall not be liable for any damages to you, your computer equipment, or other property on account of your access to, use of, browsing in, or downloading from the site.

4. Anything you transmit or post using the site, becomes the property of Fieldstone Mortgage Company and may be used for enhancement to the website and product development, however your personal information will be kept strictly confidential in accordance with our privacy policy below.

5. The trademarks, logos, and service marks displayed on the site are registered and unregistered trademarks of Fieldstone Mortgage Company. Nothing contained on the site should be construed as granting, by implication or otherwise, any license or right to use any trademark displayed on the site without the written permission of Fieldstone Mortgage Company.

6. The information provided in the website is intended solely as general guidance on the home buying and financing processes, and does not constitute legal, tax, accounting, or other professional advice. State law in part guides real estate contracts, closing procedures, and disclosures. Individual situations and state laws vary. Users are encouraged to obtain appropriate advice for their circumstances.

7. Fieldstone may at any time revise these terms and conditions by updating this posting. You are bound by any such revisions and should therefore periodically visit this page to review the current terms and conditions.

8. Any rights not expressly granted herein are reserved.

Internet Use
Protecting Your Privacy
Fieldstone Mortgage Company is committed to protecting your privacy. You have chosen to do business with us and we recognize our responsibility and obligation to keep the information you provide us secure and confidential. You can be sure that our commitment to protect your financial and personal information will continue under the principles and online guidelines described below.

Working to Meet your Needs Through Information
We hope that after reviewing the website, you will decide to apply for a loan online so that we can assist you in finding the best mortgage for your needs. When you apply online, we ask the same information that would be required in a handwritten, over-the-phone, or face-to-face application including, information about your employment, income, current residence, phone numbers, debts and monthly obligations, social security number and other personal information.

Keeping Your Information Secure
When you fill out an application online, your personal information is encrypted using 128-bit secure sockets layer encryption technology before being sent over the Internet. This makes it virtually impossible for your information to be stolen or intercepted while being transferred through cyberspace. To offer further protection to its website users applying for a loan online, Fieldstone DOES use Cookies. Once received, your application is kept encrypted until we are ready to process it. You will receive a written copy of your application and will be asked to sign it at or before consummation of the loan transaction.

How and Why Information is Shared
Your information is held in strict confidence with protection for you, both as a mortgage applicant and website user. We do NOT provide any information about you to any third party unless they are directly related to the loan process, like appraisers and mortgage professionals working on your application, and with our affiliates when allowable by applicable law. Just like a traditional lender, we will use your social security number, name, and current address to pull a credit report. We do NOT sell names or e-mail lists to third parties.

When Information is Collected and Not Collected
Some areas of our website require information, such as your email address and account number, to allow you to perform certain tasks (for example, track the status of your loan online.) In these cases, we collect information from you so that we can interact with you. Otherwise, you may browse the site anonymously and no personal information is collected. However, your visit itself, and how you use the web pages, may be recorded for marketing and statistical purposes to assist us in improving the website for future visitors. We gather and analyze data regarding usage of our website, including domain name, pages visited, length of user session, etc. to evaluate the effectiveness and usefulness of our site.

No Date "Capture" with Planning Tools
There are many planning tools throughout our website to help you make the financial decisions that are right for you in the privacy of your own home. We do not capture the personal information you provide on these planning tools, examples include the Mortgage Principal and Interest Calculator and the Debt Consolidation Calculator.

About "Cookies"
Fieldstone continuously strives to provide the best customer service possible. We use cookies as a part of our interaction with your browser in order to determine if you have previously visited our website and for a number of administrative purposes. A "cookie" is a small text file place on your hard drive by our web page server. Cookies are commonly used on websites and do not harm your system. By configuring your preferences or options in your browser, you can determine if and how a cookie will be accepted. These cookies do not collect personally identifiable information and we do not combine information collected through the use of cookies with other personal information to determine who you are or your e-mail address.

Gramm-Leach-Bliley Privacy Act
Introduction
Fieldstone knows that you expect privacy and security for your personal financial information. This privacy policy is designed to inform you of the types of information we collect from our customers, how we use that information, and the circumstances under which we will share it with third parties.

We Respect Your Privacy
Fieldstone respects your privacy and is committed to treating your information responsibly. We believe many consumers appreciate receiving offerings of products and services that may be useful to them. At the same time, we understand the need to safeguard sensitive information that you have provided to us and that you expect privacy and security for your personal and financial affairs.

Information Collection
Fieldstone will collect nonpublic personal information about you only where we reasonably believe the information will be necessary or useful in processing or administering your loan, or providing products, services and other opportunities that we think will be of interest to you. In this notice, the term nonpublic personal information refers to information about you that we receive from the sources described below and that is not otherwise lawfully available to the general public.

We collect nonpublic personal information about you from the following sources: (1) information we receive from you on applications or other forms, (2) information about your transactions with others, or us and (3) information we receive from consumer reporting agencies.

Information Sharing
Fieldstone does not share information with third parties and affiliates except as permitted by law.

Confidentiality and Security
We restrict access to nonpublic personal information about you to those employees who need to know that information to provide products or services to you. We maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your nonpublic personal information.

We appreciate your business and want you to understand our commitment to maintaining the privacy of your nonpublic personal information, as expressed in this Privacy Policy.
We reserve the right to amend this policy upon written notice.

Commitment Mortgage Company

Commitment Mortgage Company is a professionally established residential and commercial mortgage company offering a myriad of mortgage loan services to the peoples of Connecticut, Vermont and Massachusetts for commercial and residential properties. Our mortgage company employs agents and mortgage brokers that have the experience and expertise to work for your best interests and make it happen. Our staff of mortgage service agents will make your borrowing experience with us as smooth as possible, striving to obtain a mortgage loan that suits your needs. We attract and partner with some of the most influential and competitive lending institutions to offer you customized loan programs that will work for you. We will find a mortgage loan program with our lender services that fit your budget, no matter your credit situation.
We will consider your financial status and produce a distinguished loan program that fits your budget. It is our mission to provide the best mortgage programs at the most competitive rates. Commitment Mortgage has a proven history of validity in securing loans with 100% financing and no money down with other mortgage loan services that include: home equity loans, first time buyers, second mortgages, construction, mixed-use mortgages, remodeling, bank foreclosures, refinancing, debt consolidation, non-occupied properties and more.
After taking your application, our mortgage service agent professionals do all they can to ensure that your loan presentation is presentable to the lender institutions; this extra effort makes an enormous difference when the lender analyzes your application for consideration. We use a sophisticated system that will help us find the perfect mortgage loan program for your specific situation. We take pride in product knowledge along with distinguishing a winning solution for our clients with a sense of dedication and commitment only found at Commitment Mortgage Company.
Our mortgage company offers residential and commercial mortgage loans for real estate properties in Connecticut, Vermont and Massachusetts with 100% financing, no money down, "no income verification" and "stated income" for the self-employed and salaried workers. Some loan programs offered are Conventional, Reverse and sub prime home loans for those who may have had prior credit problems and hard to qualify borrowers. Our company offers a variety of commercial financing options through Commitment Mortgage Company available to borrowers including: adjustable rate commercial loans, wrap around mortgages, credit lines, and balloon loans. There are many financing options available to commercial and residential borrowers through our company.
Commitment Mortgage Company offers solutions for every residential or commercial financing situation. Let our dedicated and knowledgeable group of professional agents guide you in finding the mortgage loan that best suits your purpose. Whether it's your first home, or challenges dealing with career transitions, self-employment or moving into the retirement stages, securing the right mortgage is our commitment. Let us work with your best interests in mind and live by our motto of "Every Loan Deserves a Home".

Why Mortgage Insurance Can Actually Save You Money

Mortgage insurance provides lenders a form of financial guarantee which protects the lender in cases in which the borrower defaults on a loan. For those looking to buy a home, agreeing to loan terms which include mortgage insurance, increases the purchasing power of the buyer a great deal. Agreeing to buy mortgage insurance allows individuals the opportunity to buy a home with a down payment of only 5%-10%, as opposed to the 20% that is often required when the lender does not have the guarantee of mortgage insurance.

Buyers typically purchase and pay for mortgage insurance in three different ways. These ways include paying in annuals, monthly premiums, or singles. We are going to take a closer look at the available mortgage insurance payment options below:

1.) Annuals: The annuals payment option allows the lender to collect the first year’s premium at closing and then all subsequent payments are made on a monthly basis.

2.) Monthly Premiums: This payment option requires the buyer to only pay for one month at closing and all remaining payments are then made on a monthly basis.

3.) Singles: The singles payment option requires the buyer to make a one-time single payment that is typically financed as part of the mortgage amount.

Mortgage insurance ensures the lender is covered in cases in which the borrower can no longer pay the loan and defaults on it. It is also a powerful bargaining tool for potential borrowers who are unable to come up with a large down payment. Offering to pay mortgage insurance can decrease the amount of ones’ down payment by 10% to 15%. But it is important to note that mortgage insurance does not have to be paid forever. After a certain period of time and when certain conditions are met, mortgage insurance is no longer required to be carried on the mortgage.

For more information on better Mortgages as well as great Mortgage Broker tips, tricks, and techniques and money-saving info visit

What to Expect at a Real Estate Closing

A real estate ”Closing” is the procedure by which the title to the property is transferred from the seller to the purchaser. If the purchaser has obtained a loan, the lender's required documents are signed and executed at this time.

The closing attorney's role at closing is to represent the lender's interest and the closing attorney is not authorized to provide legal advice to the buyer or the seller. You are more than welcome to have your attorney with you at the closing. But most people in Florida do not feel the need. Feel free to consult with your own attorney, if you feel legal advice is needed.

Prior to the Closing

ท You will need to obtain Homeowners Insurance and provide proof of intended coverage prior the closing. This must show the lender as loss payee. Have your insurance agent contact our office and we will be glad to supply them with the pertinent information needed.

ท If the terms of the contract have changed make sure we have been made aware of these changes. This may affect the loan amount or fees that will need to be adjusted. Handle disputes regarding contract terms, price negotiations and repairs prior to the closing.

ท Prior to the closing date the loan officer should advise you on the approximate amount of funds needed at the closing. We make every effort to provide an accurate amount needed to close the transaction. But please note that a "Good Faith Estimate" is merely an "estimate" and may not include some items that appear in the final calculation, such as owner's title insurance, homeowners dues, adjustments to the per day pre-paid interest, funds needed for the escrow account and other fees.

ท Contact your real estate and/or seller for any final details that need to be worked out prior to the closing.

At The Closing

For a typical closing, plan on spending about one hour's time with the closing attorney.

ท You will need to bring a photo identification and either certified funds or a cashier's check made payable to yourself. You can endorse it over to the attorney at the closing. If it is made out for too much the attorney will refund the overage. If it is not enough you may write a personal check for the difference. You may also need to bring other items required by the lender.

ท All parties will review of the HUD-1 Settlement Statement detailing costs and make any adjustments if necessary.

ท You have a right to read all of your closing documents before you sign. The closing attorney will give you concise explanations of each document. The closing documents must be executed as written. No changes may be made to the wording of the lenders closing loan documents.

ท A review of the termite clearance letter obtained by the seller indicating that the letter is not more than 30 days old and verifying that no active infestation was found and no structural inspection was required.

ท The disbursement of the proceeds of the transaction and a payoff of all current liens against the property.

After the Closing

To complete the closing of the transaction, the attorney will do the following:

ท Record in the county land records all documents such as the warranty and security deeds.

ท Return to the lender the completed loan package.

ท Disburse all funds in accordance with the HUD-1 Settlement Statement.
Real estate closings vary by state but this should give you an overview of what will take place. If you have any question speak with your loan officer prior to the closing,

Adrian Skiles, GML

Mr. Skiles, GML has over 20 years experience in the mortgage and real estate industry. He is currently President/Broker of Florida MortgageGroup, Atlanta Mortgage Group and The Mortgage Group of North Carolina. On the web at http://www.efloridamortgagegroup.com/, http://www.atlantamortgagegroup.com/ and http://www.mortgages-northcarolina.com/.

Tags: georgia, florida, north carolina, mortgage, home loan, mortgage company, mortgage broker, refinance

Time Value of Money

Since it is likely that rents will increase within a 30-year span and the interest paid on the mortgage loan is tax deductible, the purchase option may be less expensive.

What makes the mortgage loan appear expensive when expressed in this way is ignoring the time value of money. Money received in the future must be discounted when compared to money received today. When disฌcounted, we may speak of the money’s present value, meaning the amount of money that would have to be invested today to equal the amount in the future. Although the example mortgage loan would require almost $320,000 in future payments, a lender would only pay $100,000 for the loan to get a 10% return. The loan’s present value is $100,000.

There are several keys to understanding the time value of money: Money today is worth more than money received in the future. If you have the money in hand, you can invest it and have more of it in the future. On the other hand, you may need to spend the money now. If you didn’t have it, you would have to borrow it and pay back more in the future. In addition, whenever you invest money, there is a chance that you won’t get it back, that you won’t get back as much as you expected, or that inflation will decrease its value in the future. The further into the future you receive the money, the less valuable it is. At 10% interest, a $100 payment a year from now has a present value of almost $9 1 , but the same payment two years from today has less than $83 of present value.

The amount by which money decreases in value in the future depends on the discount rate. This is equivalent to an interest rate. If the rate is high, the present value of future money is low (however, it should always have some positive value). If the rate is low, the present value is high (but never more than the amount in hand today). Discount rates differ from time to time and from person to person. If alternative investment opportunities are good, the rate will be relatively high. If the person lending the money has no immediate need for it, the rate will be lower. Risk also increases the rate. If the chance of repayment is low, the lender will demand a higher interest rate.

The effect of compound interest increases the return from an investment. Compounding means that interest is paid on interest that was earned and left on deposit. When the interest is earned and is reinvested, it earns interest along with the original principal. In effect, the interest earned becomes principal.

Consider the magic of compound interest: if you can earn 10% interest, compounded annually, $1000 deposited now will grow to more than $13.7 million in just 100 years! A key to real estate finance is recognition that inflation erodes the value of money. If your interest rate is 10% and the inflation rate is 4%, your real cost of money is only 6%. The loan costs even less if you take advantage of the tax deductibility of mortgage interest. Another advantage to keep in mind is that the value of a property may keep pace with or out pace inflation, while the true value of the amount you owe tends to erode. The opposite is true in a deflationary environment. To read more free articles on refinance and financing your home, please visit SmartRefinance.net

Jack Fredman Ph.D CPA Real Estate Consultant and Appraiser Dallas Texas

Tags: mortgage broker, mortgage company, mortgage ratesloan, loan company, loans, mortgage, home equity

The Importance of Title Insurance

Most property buyers understand that a title search is necessary to be sure they are receiving a marketable title at closing. However, there are some title problems, which cannot be discovered even through the most thorough title search.

There are hidden hazards, which are beyond the scope of a reasonable search of title records. These include such things as: forgeries, fraud, errors by the Clerk's office in the recording of deeds, mechanics liens, defective foreclosures, faulty surveys, misinterpreted wills, conveyances by a minor or a mentally incompetent person, an undiscovered heir or ex-spouse who returns to claim interest, a deed delivered after the death of the property owner, and other issues.

A title insurance policy protects you from a loss, which would result from any of the title defects above, up to the policy amount. A "Lender's" title insurance policy provides protection to the lender up to the loan amount. In the event of a claim a title insurer covering a lender will cover that lender's loss, acquire the note on the property and enforce payment of any remaining balance from the borrower.

An "Owner's" title insurance policy protects the property owner's real estate equity, which is the difference between the Lenders Title insurance policy amount and any liens or encumbrances on the property, which are specifically excepted in the policy.

The cost of an Owner's policy is minimal when obtained at the same time as the Lender's title policy because the title insurance company gives a "simultaneous issue rate."

A homebuyer pays a one-time premium for Owners title insurance, and the Owners title insurance itself lasts as long as the purchaser or his/her heirs own the property. Lenders title insurance must be reissued when refinancing the mortgage.

Remember that a title insurance policy does not ensure that title problems will not occur, but it does protect you from loss resulting from title defects, which threaten your ownership up to the policy amount. Title insurance also pays legal fees involved with defending your rights. Although title losses occur infrequently, they can be very expensive and time-consuming when you are not properly insured.

Owner's Title Insurance may not be included on your Good Faith Estimate because some lenders in certain states do not require it. Also in some states it is the responsiblity of the seller to pay for and provide it.

Adrian Skiles

Tags: georgia, florida, north carolina, mortgage, home loan, mortgage company, mortgage broker, refinanc

My Identity Was Stolen Because Of Someone Else's Mistake

Giving Total Strangers Your Personal Information
----------------------------
How often would you say you trust total strangers with some of your most confidential information? I think I can answer this question for just about everyone. The answer is, nearly everyday. To illustrate this, I recently made a list of people or organizations that I have provided the following information to;

My social security number;
Birth date;
Tax Identification number;
Bank account numbers;
Medical information;
Checking account number

My doctors office;
Banks that have issued me credit cards;
Computer stores (Best Buy, CompUSA, CDW, Circuit City);
Online music purchases through Wal-Mart (Formerly Liquid Audio);
Restaurant staff;
Hospitals;
Medical procedure companies (X-ray's, Ultra-sounds,....
And many more...

Be careful When Giving Your Credit Card Number Over The Phone
--------------------------------------------------
It seems like almost everyday someone is asking me for my social security number. I think most of us just get use to provided this information to various people and companies.

I recently ordered Italian food for dinner from one our favorite local restaurants. Every time I place an order the person taking the phone order repeats, out loud, my credit card information as I provide it to them over the phone. This includes the account number, my name, and expiration date. Every item that someone standing in line waiting to pick up their Pizza needs to purchase anything they wish online with my credit. I know why they do this, to make sure they are getting the right information. However, I finally told the person to please stop repeating this information out load. They were a little confused at first of why I made this request but after explaining to them my concern they said “Wow, I never really thought about that before”. "How in the world can you remember all these things about computers?" Sometimes I wonder this myself.

To share another, more serious experience with you here is something that happened to me in just the last week or so. My wife walked into my office after returning from the mailbox and the first words out of her mouth was “Are you ready for this”. When ever she utters that phrase I know it’s not something pleasant. The letter she was holding was from our mortgage company. A company we have been doing business with for many years. It turns out that approximately 4 months ago a computer they were shipping from one office to another was stolen in transit. This computer contained my mortgage account number, balance, credit lines, social security number, business tax identification number, and much more.

When Should A Company Notify You That Your Personal Information Has Been Stolen?
----------------------------
The letter indicated that they were just notifying me now because law enforcement asked that they not contact any customers at the time the event took place, several months prior to receiving the letter, because it may impact the investigation. Well, they never found the computer or the thief so they decided to start notifying the affected customers. The letter also stated that the stolen computer had two levels of security and that they were not overly concerned that the thief would gain direct access to my information. Being in the computer security business, I thought to myself “Let’s see, two levels of security, well that could be a password to logon to the computer, and Anti-Virus software, or maybe they were using whole disk encryption and some sort of 1024bit pass-phrase to access the system”. Quite frankly, chances are the system was not protected by anything as sophisticated as whole disk encryption. Of course they would not give me this information when I called. They did have a plan of action though to help me. You ready for this, a 1 year free subscription to Equifax (A Credit Reporting Agency) to alert me if someone is using my stolen information. That is about it. Oh, and they would assist me in the event that something showed up on my credit report. It’s nice to see a multi-billion dollar company taking responsibility for the theft of my financial information.

I know I'm not the only person that has these little "moments". My New Years resolution this year was to simplify my life. I'm not embarrassed to say that I've not made much progress yet but I am not going to give up. I am going to bring harmony to my life if it kills me in the process.

I share this information with you for several reasons. First, in the computer security business we are constantly talking about trusted and un-trusted computers and networks. Trusted networks are under a local administrators control and un-trusted networks are under the control of someone else. The same situation exists in real life. I keep safe my personal and private information as much as possible, but there are others that have this information as well. How well do they safe guard this information? I have no idea, but I am forced to trust them. Second, to show you that even security professionals, people like me who tend to be slightly more paranoid then the rest about our private information are just as much at risk as everyone else. Finally, to get you thinking about your confidential and private information, how many people have access to it, and why you need to take more than reasonable steps to keep it confidential?

Conclusion
-----------
Don’t for one minute think that identity theft or fraud can’t happen to you. In fact, I would say that it is not if but when it will happen, at least to one degree or another. Keep your private information confidential as much as possible. When people ask you for this information, ask them why they need it and how they plan to keep it secure. Also, keep track of who you give this information and for what reason. Finally, monitor your credit report frequently. Trans Union, Equifax, and Experian, the three largest credit reporting agencies, now offer inexpensive monthly services that can provide you with important information that could alert you to various forms of electronic fraud.

You may reprint or publish this article free of charge as long as the bylines are included.

Original URL (The Web version of the article)
------------
http://www.defendingthenet.com/NewsLetters/MyIdentityWasStolenBecauseOfSomeoneElsesMistake.htm

About The Author
----------------
Darren Miller is an Information Security Consultant with over seventeen years experience. He has written many technology & security articles, some of which have been published in nationally circulated magazines & periodicals. If you would like to contact Darren you can e-mail him at Darren.Miller@defendingthenet.com. If you would like to know more about computer security please visit us at

Mortgage Brokers and Loan Officers

Are you looking for a new career? You may want to think about becoming a mortgage broker or loan officer, or sell useful training material for brokers and loan officers.

If you type Mortgage Broker or Loan Officer in your search engine, you will find links to thousands and thousands of websites. This is because Mortgage Brokers and Loan Officers provide a much needed service to the public. They take applications for mortgage loans from potential homebuyers, and help the buyers find the right loan. If you ever applied for a mortgage loan for the purchase of a home, you worked with a broker or loan officer.

A mortgage broker works on his/her own bringing a borrower and lender together for the purpose of a mortgage loan. Brokers are quite often real estate agents in addition to working as a mortgage broker. According to the Mortgage Bankers Association of America, there are approximately 40,000 mortgage brokers in the U.S.

The mortgage loan officer is an employee of a mortgage company, bank, or other mortgage lending institution. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that mortgage loan officers earned between $30,000 and $100,000 in 2005. However, highly motivated loan officers earn much more.

There should be no shortage of business for mortgage brokers and loan officers as numerous real estate properties are bought and sold every day in the U.S. The mortgage broker, loan officer field is a lucrative, well respected field that thousands of people are in now or want to start. There are also brokers and loan officers who are interested in enhancing their present business and knowledge.

You can sell well respected items that really do sell and get paid up to 50% in commissions. Mortgage Broker Training provides banners and text links to make it easy for you. Click below to take a look at some of the products.

Linda worked in the mortgage industry for several years and now manages her websites at: http://www.mortgageproducts.org/ and

Identifying Predatory Lenders

Predatory lending consists of abusive practices by lenders within the mortgage industry. These types of lenders strip borrowers of the equity in their home and put them in danger of foreclosing on their home. But one does not have to fall victim to predatory lenders. There are tell-tale signs that everyone should be aware of to help them avoid falling prey. They are listed below:

1. Be wary of and avoid any lender who encourages you to lie on your loan application.

2. Be sure that you are given all disclosures. Check your loan papers and be sure that the Good Faith Estimate, Special Info Booklet, Truth in Lending and HUD-1 Settlement statements are all included.

3. A red flag should be raised if any lender asks you to leave signatures or other line-items blank. Also re-check your documents to make sure that nothing has been altered or changed without your knowledge and/or approval.

4. If a lender asks you to repeatedly refinance and after each instance your monthly payments and total loan amounts increase, you may be dealing with a predatory lender. Shop around and get a new lender as soon as possible.

5. Check the fine print. If you are required to pay daily interest whenever your payments are late, you may be dealing with a predatory lender.

6. If your loan amount is higher than the value of your home, this is reason to give pause and to be alarmed.

7. Be wary of unexpected settlement costs that you were not given prior notice to or explanation for.

8. If your monthly payments or loan is higher than you anticipated based on the disclosures, you might be dealing with an unscrupulous lender.

9. If your mortgage loan requires a balloon payment that requires that the final lump sum be financed with that lender, you may be dealing with a predatory lender.

10. You are not required to buy credit insurance or insurance that will pay off the loan if you die or are disabled. If you are heavily pressured to do so, beware.

Buying a home may be your most expensive and prized possession. There is a lot riding on choosing the right lender. Your credit score, your hard earned cash, and your ability to borrow money in the future are all at stake. This is why it is very important to screen and get rid of lenders who are looking to dupe you out of your money and your home.

For more information on getting better Mortgage Rates as well as great money-saving Mortgage Calculator tips, techniques, resources, and other money-saving info visit

Credit Scoring

When you apply for credit - whether for a car loan, mortgage, credit card, etc., information in your credit file is fed into a statistical model. That model assigns a numerical score designed to predict your risk as a borrower. The higher the score, the safer the borrower (from the creditor's point of view). Credit scores have been utilized by lenders for over 20 years, but have only become common practice in the mortgage business in the past 5 years. The most widely recognized score for the mortgage industry is the FICO, or Fair Isaac Score. There are three credit bureaus in the country of which each have their own names for the FICO score. The FICO score actually is from Experian, while Equifax uses Beacon scores and Trans Union has Empirica scores.

How does my Credit Score affect getting a mortgage?

FICO scores range from approximately 350 to 875 points. The higher the number, the lower the risk of default. A high credit score may often mean a speedy and competitively priced mortgage loan. On the contrary, a low score could mean higher interest rates, and more documentation. Many lenders do not make loans to consumers with scores under 620. (But Florida Mortgage Group does!)

How can I get my credit score raised?

It may take some time, but it can be done.

Be sure to make all payments on time.

Keep balances on open accounts as low as possible.

Close the accounts that you’re not using. (Credit is good - too much credit will hurt your score.)

Keep inquiries to a minimum. Don’t let anyone access your credit report unless they have good reason to. (Inquires made by the person listed on the credit report does not affect credit scores.)

It is a good idea to periodically check your report to see what is being reported to your credit file. You may contact the 3 credit bureaus directly and request a copy of your report. If there is information in your credit file that is incorrect, re-contact the 3 credit bureaus, and dispute the inaccuracies. Information must be presented to all three bureaus to ensure it will be corrected properly. Your score cannot be changed by any other source than the 3 bureaus. Here are their phone numbers.

Equifax (800) 685-1111

Experian (888) 397-3742

Trans Union (800) 888-4213

Adrian Skiles, GML

Adrian Skiles, GML has over 20 years experience in the mortgage and real estate industry. He is currently President/Broker of Florida MortgageGroup, Atlanta Mortgage Group and The Mortgage Group of North Carolina. On the web at http://www.efloridamortgagegroup.com/, http://www.atlantamortgagegroup.com/ and

Credit Repair - Too Good to Be True

Have you ever seen an ad that read, “Repair Your Credit –Guaranteed!” or “Perfect Credit in 30 Days!” or some similar ad? Sounds great. Who doesn’t want a better credit rating?

Good credit allows for better interest rates on mortgages, credit cards, auto loans, insurance rates and much more. Is your credit score slowing you down? Wouldn’t life be wonderful if that score could be improved? How can this be done?

There are different ways to improve credit scores.

Build Good Credit

This means pay your bills on time, pay off any legitimate outstanding collections and use credit judiciously. Close any revolving accounts you are not using. Don’t consolidate and pay off bills. That could likely raise your score. It is better to have a small balance (about 30% of the credit limit) than to have a bunch of balances at zero thereby having a lot of available credit and one new “maxed-out” loan. Do not let anyone “pull” your credit report unless it is necessary. Inquires on your report by creditors can lower your score from 3 to 7 points each time. When a consumer pulls their own report it does not affect the score. Here are the web addresses of the three credit agencies where you can order a copy of your report. http://www.experian.com/, http://www.equifax.com/ and http://www.beacon.com/. You may also want to visit http://www.myfico.com/ for more information concerning how to raise your credit score.

Challenge Derogatory Items

Once you view your report and find any inaccuracies you should immediately contact the creditor and “challenge” it. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) provides options for the consumer when the information and accuracy of items in the report is incorrect. All information must be proven correct within 30 days of receipt of your request to the creditor and or they must remove it from the report. Creditors and credit reporting agencies do not make it easy to correct problems. Don’t let them confuse you and give you the runaround. Don’t give up. Keep copies of all correspondence and follow up. If you feel this may be too much to tackle on your own then you may want to speak with a credit repair company.

Credit Repair Companies

Credit repair companies have received a bad name recently. But there are reputable companies out there. You may want to explore what options they offer. They are familiar with procedures and laws and they may be able to deal more effectively with the bureaus and creditors. Discuss in detail with them how they intend to improve your credit score. Get nervous if they mention a change of names or how to obtain a new social security number. Be wary of anyone that offer claims that sound too good to be true.

Consumer Credit Counseling

There is a difference between Credit Repair and Consumer Credit Counseling services. Credit repair is just that, repairing credit. Consumer Credit counseling services are usually non-profit agencies that help you negotiate with credit grantors to accept smaller payments over an extended amount of time. Consumer Credit Counseling can adversely affect credit scores because partial payments may be reported as late payments.

Once a credit report has changed it may take up to 60 days to see the score change. Some mortgage brokers and lenders have the ability to have your score updated immediately. This is called Rapid Rescoring and there may be a small charge. Discuss this option with your lender.

Remember, be pro-active about your credit history. Get the credit you deserve.

Adrian Skiles, GML

Mr. Skiles, GML has over 20 years experience in the mortgage and real estate industry. He is currently President/Broker of Florida MortgageGroup, Atlanta Mortgage Group and The Mortgage Group of North Carolina. On the web at http://www.efloridamortgagegroup.com/, http://www.atlantamortgagegroup.com/ and

Commercial Real Estate Investing

Investing in commercial property may open a whole new area of financial ventures for the savvy real estate investor. Opportunities abound in multi-family units, office buildings, warehouses, retail shops, car washes, laundromats, mobile home parks, hotels, apartments, strip malls and more.

The obtaining of commercial property financing is usually more extensive and time consuming than for a residential loan. Guidelines for underwriting a commercial loan put more emphasis on the income that the property produces than on the borrower’s ability to repay the loan. Lenders rely on the income history and stability of the property to determine future income. Also considered, although less important, is the credit history, assets and financial strength of the borrower.

When applying for a commercial loan the previous two years and year-to-date financial information concerning the property need to be considered. This data is put into a format commonly known as a Pro Forma Operating Statement. This is probably to most important single document in the application process. A Pro Forma Operating Statement is the operating budget for the property which lists the rents and any other income such as laundry, parking, etc. and also all expenses from advertising to management fees to utilities. Your lender can supply you with this standard form and help you or the seller complete it correctly.

Also of importance to the lender is the Loan to Value Ratio and the Debt Service Coverage Ratio, (DSCR). The DSCR is how much of the proposed monthly payment will be covered by the net operating income as calculated on the Pro Forma Operating Statement. Lenders prefer to see 100% coverage and on some properties a 120% coverage is required. On purchases this determines the amount of down payment required and the terms of the proposed loan and for refinancing, the loan-to-value allowed and how much “cash-out” may be received, if any.

Commercial lending is not regulated or overseen by HUD so RESPA does not apply. Don’t expect to see your typical forms such as a standard residential loan application, Good Faith Estimate or Truth in Lending disclosures. Also be aware that closing costs may be much higher than residential loans because of specialized appraisals, environmental reports, attorney’s fees and other costs for special services rendered.

There are also loans for borrowers or properties that may fall outside of the traditional commercial lending guidelines. They typically require 30% down (seller carry backs are allowed up to a 95% combined loan-to-value or a 70% loan-to-value if refinancing. Some lenders even offer commercial “Stated Income-Stated Asset” programs. These usually have loan limits of $600,000. With a reduced loan-to-value, credit scores as low as 550 may even be allowed. No IRS 4506 form is required to be signed. You can close in the name of a corporation, trust or LLC and “cash-out” is allowed on refinancing. Fixed rates and ARM’s are available.

Commercial real estate may be worth exploring and it just may be one more way to expand your investment and real estate portfolio.

Adrian Skiles, GML

Mr. Skiles, GML has over 20 years experience in the mortgage and real estate industry. He is currently President/Broker of Florida MortgageGroup, Atlanta Mortgage Group and The Mortgage Group of North Carolina. On the web at http://www.efloridamortgagegroup.com/, http://www.atlantamortgagegroup.com/ and

Choose the Right Home Loan Company

The borrower has chosen a home he wants to buy at a price that he/she can afford but needs a home loan company to secure the best home loan for his/her needs. This is a typical situation for any prospective home buyer. The internet can turn out to be quite useful to aid a borrower’s quest to find the right home loan company. Online home loan companies offer numerous options for a borrower who is eager to finance his/her dream home.

Borrowers are assured of qualified lenders who will provide free quotes and unmatched mortgage deals at yourbudget.co.uk.

Once the borrower has decided to avail the services of a home loan company, it is important to follow a few steps to ensure that he/she secures a home loan from a reputable home loan company which offers loans suited for the borrower’s circumstances and constraints. Borrowers can be assured of a simple and hassle free mortgage experience at yourbudget.co.uk.

•Consider several options: Before finalizing on a home loan company it is necessary to choose many lenders and compare rates. The borrower must weigh the pros and cons of all the options and then choose a home loan company which appears to cater to his/her needs the most.

•Ask questions/Clear all queries: The borrower must ensure that his/her mind is clear of all doubts related to a home loan while availing services of a home loan company. The borrower must be ale to explain to the lender in the best possible manner as to what he/she is expecting from a home loan. All queries relating to minimum costs, grace period, closing costs etc must be clarified so that the borrower does not encounter any nasty surprises once he/she has opted for a home loan company.

•If the borrower is credit challenged, he/she must look for a home loan company which offers competitive rates for bad credit home loan. The borrower must choose lenders who offer the best interest rates irrespective of credit scores.

Finally, the borrower must ensure that the home loan company that he/she finally opts for must be one that matches their needs and circumstances the best. Home loan decisions are for life and must be chosen with care and precaution. Interest rates and repayment terms will largely dictate the borrower’s outgoings and savings and therefore need to be chosen after weighing pros and cons of the options.

Log onto www.yourbudget.co.uk to find avail services of a reputable home loan company and secure the best home loan deals.

Tags: home loan mortgage company, personal loan company, home loan mortgage company, loan company

Can You Afford A House

The time has come to buy a house. Questions buzz around in your head like a swarm of angry bees: “How much can I borrow? How much do I have to put down? How much will my payments be?” Well, let me suggest starting with the “How much can I borrow?” question.

There are many factors you need to take into consideration when purchasing a home. First and foremost, ask yourself what size monthly payment you can afford. When determining how large a mortgage you can afford, be sure to factor in all your current expenses such as car payments, credit card bills, student loans, utilities, and the like. You may also want to factor in how much you spend on things like entertainment, eating out, and traveling. You don't want to add a mortgage payment and say goodbye to your social life. Instead, you want to make sure that you're not overextending yourself financially so you can enjoy a good quality of life.

At the present time, most lenders will allow for a whopping debt-to-income ratio of 45% - 50%. Your debt-to-income ratio is the sum of your mortgage payment and any other credit card or loan payments, divided by your monthly gross income. Lenders use this ratio to help determine your credit worthiness. All of your revolving debts along with your mortgage payment divided by your monthly gross income should not exceed the 36% - 45% debt-to-income ratio. Here’s a quick formula to help you figure out how much you can afford to put toward your monthly house payment:

--Multiply your gross monthly income by 0.45

--Subtract your non-mortgage debt payments from the result

--What's left is your allowable mortgage payment

So, if we have a couple with a combined monthly gross income of $5000 and they pay $700 a month toward two auto loans and one credit card, they would qualify for a monthly payment of $1550.

In case you don’t know, not all of your monthly housing payment goes toward your principal and interest. A portion must go toward homeowner's insurance and property taxes. I mention this because on most mortgage calculators that’ll you use, you’ll need to enter these figures to get an accurate idea of what your real monthly mortgage payment will look like, and you’ll need the numbers to figure out how much of a house you can afford.

Property taxes are typically a percentage of your home's assessed value. To calculate property taxes, local jurisdictions generally multiply the tax rate by a home's assessed value. For example, if you pay 0.5% in property taxes of the assessed value, a home assessed at $250,000 would have a yearly property tax bill of $1,250. In order to find out the tax rate, you will need to contact your county tax assessor, or a local mortgage broker or bank may be able to assist you. As for the homeowner’s insurance, your best bet is talking to a local broker or bank to get a general idea of what it is for your area. Mortgage calculators will ask you for a percentage rate sometimes and others will ask for a yearly figure. It can be confusing for a new buyer; so don't be afraid to seek a little assistance.

Figuring out how much you can afford to put toward your monthly house payment is a start. Now, you want to know how much house you can afford. There are mortgage calculators galore that will help you do this, but, as I mentioned above, they will require you to enter real estate taxes, homeowner’s insurance, and interest rates. Once you know how much you can comfortably spend a month toward a home, and you’ve gathered your tax and insurance rates, you only need an idea of what kind of interest rate you’ll get. You can probably kill three birds with one stone by trying to get rates for the taxes, insurance, and interest rate in one phone call. Once you have an idea of what your interest rate may be, you can plug in all your numbers on any of the numerous mortgage calculators on the internet to get a good idea of what you think you can afford.

Afterwards, if you like, you can call a local bank or broker and get pre-qualified to see if you’re numbers were in the ballpark. If your figures are similar, congratulations on a job well done. If your results are different, take the time to figure out why and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Remember, buying a house is one of the biggest financial decisions of your life. You owe it to yourself to be as thorough as you can. By taking the initiative to read this article, you're already ahead of the learning curve. Keep up the good work, and happy house hunting.

Brian Pollard is a loan officer/marketing coordinator for Bend Mortgage Group Ltd. and mortgage company in Bend, Oregon.

Tags: Oregon home loan, Bend Oregon mortgage, mortgage company in Bend Oregon, Oregon mortgage

Appraisal Methods

Most appraisers use three approaches to establish the value of a property. The Sales Comparison Approach is normally considered to be the best indication of value for residential property.

Sales Comparison Approach: In this approach the appraiser finds three to four comparable properties in the neighborhood which have recently sold. Ideally, these properties are within a one-half mile radius of the subject property and have sold within the last six months. The appraiser compares the sold properties to the subject property. The factors used in the comparison include square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, property age, lot size, view, and property condition.

Cost approach: This approach considers the value of the land, assumed vacant, added to the cost to reconstruct the appraised building as new on the date of value, less the accrued depreciation the building suffers in comparison with a new building.

Income capitalization approach: In this approach the potential net income of the property is capitalized to arrive at a property value. This approach is suited to income-producing properties and is usually used in conjunction with other valuation methods. The process of converting a future income stream into a present value is known as capitalization.

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M & M Resources Unlimited, Inc.

Helping customers since 1986

1577 Ridge Road West, Suite 119 - Rochester, NY 14615 Office: (585) 865-0950 Fax: (585) 865-3202 Toll Free: 1-800-937-2350

Licensed Mortgage Banker/NYS Banking Department

M&M Resources Unlimited, Inc. is a mortgage company that has been offering home mortgages, mortgage refinancing and home loans since 1986. We offer you the competitive rates and service you deserve.