Mortgages 101: Quick Answers to Over 250 Critical Questions about Your Home Loan

Reed, an experienced loan officer and columnist for Realty Times, offers an easy-to-digest look at the world of mortgages. With definitions of the various types of loans, explanations of credit scores and a discussion of how the Internet has changed the real estate business, the book is a handy reference for anyone involved in real estate transactions--though best for beginners who want a map to navigate their way through the complexities of mortgages. The book explains such basic issues as the difference between renting and buying, which individuals at a bank actually approve loans and how to figure out debt ratio. More complex topics, like construction loans and getting online approvals, are also included. Reed writes in a straightforward, conversational tone and offers appropriate cautions, such as not to reveal confidential information online. While much of this information is available elsewhere, Reed serves up useful advice that is rarely discussed. For example, there is a""rescission"" period for refinanced mortgages that gives people a three-day grace period to get out of the mortgage agreement with no penalties; he also discusses various types of appraisals. While there are books that cover this information in more depth, the q&a format makes this a worthwhile addition to the real estate shelves.