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	<title>SY6 Blog</title>
	<link>http://sy6.net</link>
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	<pubDate>Mon, 05 Jan 2009 08:52:20 +0000</pubDate>
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		<title>Mortgage Negotiation 101</title>
		<link>http://sy6.net/archives/2009/01/05/mortgage-negotiation-101/</link>
		<comments>http://sy6.net/archives/2009/01/05/mortgage-negotiation-101/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 05 Jan 2009 08:52:20 +0000</pubDate>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://sy6.net/archives/2009/01/05/mortgage-negotiation-101/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[There are number of questions you need to ask your potential mortgage lender before signing at closing.  Asking the right questions can make the most seasoned mortgage bankers flinch.  The industry today is the most highly competitive market in the history of mortgages.  For over a decade now, mortgage lenders have enjoyed [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>There are number of questions you need to ask your potential mortgage lender before signing at closing.  Asking the right questions can make the most seasoned mortgage bankers flinch.  The industry today is the most highly competitive market in the history of mortgages.  For over a decade now, mortgage lenders have enjoyed their most prosperous business ever.  These lenders want to keep the party going, and as a homeowner you stand to gain from their desperation to do so.</p>
<p>With thousands of companies competing for your mortgage dollar, how do you know which one is best for you?  Asking the right questions when screening lenders will help save you thousands of dollars on your mortgage.  Remember, these lenders need your business more than you need them, so don&#8217;t be afraid to ask the tough questions.</p>
<p>Be upfront and ask why you should select this lender for your mortgage.  Ask what they are going to do for you to get your business. Most mortgage bankers will give you the same line:  best rates, best service, and proven track records.  All lenders claim this, and it doesn&#8217;t help you choose one.  The question you need answered is &#8220;What can I get from this lender that no other will give me.&#8221;  You are looking for a mortgage lender willing to go the extra mile for you as far as terms and conditions, not just interest rates and points.  Some mortgage lenders go the extra mile by offering home buyer assistance programs, real estate agent locators, free credit counseling, and homebuyer pre-approval programs.</p>
<p>Another important question you will need answered is the bottom line on fees the lender will be charging.  This is done by comparing the APR for each loan.  The lender is required by law to disclose this APR for you prior to closing; this is different from the mortgage interest rate because it will factor in all lender fees, and will allow you to equally compare loans.</p>
<p>Compare the lock period on each loan you are considering.  This lock guarantees your interest rate as long as you close prior the expiration of the lock period.  Barring some unforeseen circumstance that prevents your from closing, you could save yourself a lot of time and frustration by negotiating for a longer lock period.  To learn more about negotiating for the best mortgage deal, sign up for our free mortgage guidebook.</p>
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<p>Louie Latour has twenty years of experience in the mortgage industry as a mortgage broker. He is the owner of Mortgage Refinance Advisor, a mortgage resource site devoted to mortgage help with a free guidebook &#8220;Five Things You Need to Know Before Refinancing a Mortgage.&#8221; <a href="http://www.refiadvisor.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.refiadvisor.com</a></p>
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		<title>Refinancing With Cash Out</title>
		<link>http://sy6.net/archives/2009/01/03/refinancing-with-cash-out/</link>
		<comments>http://sy6.net/archives/2009/01/03/refinancing-with-cash-out/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 03 Jan 2009 20:11:27 +0000</pubDate>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://sy6.net/archives/2009/01/03/refinancing-with-cash-out/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[If you have lived in your home for a reasonable amount of time and have acquired equity through appreciation and monthly mortgage payments, you may be considering liquidating some of that equity by refinancing with cash out.
Refinancing with cash out in laymen terms simply means to refinance your existing mortgage and borrow some of the [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>If you have lived in your home for a reasonable amount of time and have acquired equity through appreciation and monthly mortgage payments, you may be considering liquidating some of that equity by refinancing with cash out.</p>
<p>Refinancing with cash out in laymen terms simply means to refinance your existing mortgage and borrow some of the equity in the home to be received in a lump sum at the closing table.</p>
<p>People refinance with cash out all the time and for a variety of reasons. The number one reason being to get a lower rate on their mortgage. The cash out scenario you can use for all sorts of reasons. Such as debt consolidation, buying a new vehicle, home improvement, college tuition, family vacation, etc.</p>
<p>If you are seriously considering refinancing with cash out, you may want to consider shopping around for a mortgage. By shopping around you can compare rates, and fees.</p>
<p>Also, be sure to educate yourself as much as possible. Take the time to learn as much as you can about the mortgage industry, so when the time comes to dealing with a loan officer you will have a strong grasp on your options.</p>
<p>Once you are done educating yourself, you will be able to track down a mortgage company to assist you with your cash out refinance.</p>
<p>Once you begin your search, don&#8217;t limit yourself to one company, talk with up to four at the very least. Allow them to assess your scenario and do inform them that you are shopping around.</p>
<p>By letting the loan officer know that you are shopping around, it will be in their best interest to offer you their best rate to prohibit you from going to their competition.</p>
<p>The mortgage industry is a very competitive one, and they will compete for your business. So sit back, relax, and wait for the best offer to come your way. Good luck.</p>
<p class="articletext">
<p class="articletext">
Jennifer Hershey has more than twenty years of experience in the Mortgage Industry as a loan officer. She is the owner of <a href="http://www.explainingmortgages.com/" rel="nofollow">www.explainingmortgages.com/</a>, a mortgage resource site devoted to making mortgage terms and products easy to understand.</p>
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		<title>A quick guide to mortgages</title>
		<link>http://sy6.net/archives/2009/01/02/a-quick-guide-to-mortgages/</link>
		<comments>http://sy6.net/archives/2009/01/02/a-quick-guide-to-mortgages/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 02 Jan 2009 20:18:32 +0000</pubDate>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://sy6.net/archives/2009/01/02/a-quick-guide-to-mortgages/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Buying a dream home is one of the major milestones of any individual&#8217;s life. The price of real estate is increasing day by day. The designer and flashy homes, which appeal us the most, are beyond the financial capabilities of a lot of individuals. However, this fact should not deter us from fulfilling such a [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Buying a dream home is one of the major milestones of any individual&#8217;s life. The price of real estate is increasing day by day. The designer and flashy homes, which appeal us the most, are beyond the financial capabilities of a lot of individuals. However, this fact should not deter us from fulfilling such a dream. With widely available low interest mortgages, now even a common man can own the residence of his choice. </p>
<p>Starting with the basics, mortgage is a type of loan that any individual can take, in order to buy a home or a property. The property being bought is used as collateral to the loan, this often means that if the repayments schedule of the mortgage is not complied with fully, the lender can take the possession of your property, and sell it to recover his amount. </p>
<p>Any mortgage deal whether it is the first one, or a remortgaging effort, requires a lot of hard work. The best advice given by any lender is cleverly disguised to suit his interest the most. So, the first thing that any borrower should do is to take a closer look at any lender&#8217;s advice and compare it with other offers floating in the market.<br />
Choosing the mortgage that is right for you and getting the best deal, involves taking a lot of decisions. The two main things that require the greatest attention are the interest rates charged for the mortgage and the repayment method of the mortgage.<br />
The rate of interest to be paid for mortgages are determined by the base rates prevailing in the loan market. A borrower should go for a low interest mortgage, since the lower the interest rate; the lower will be the monthly repayment. At any given point of time the borrower might get hundreds of offer for mortgage. Each lender has different conditions and charges. The borrower is advised not to succumb to any offer with cheap initial interest rates; instead he or she should look at all the features of mortgage before accepting any deal.</p>
<p>As for the repayment method the borrower has two options - a repayment mortgage or an interest only mortgage. <br />
In a repayment <br />
Mortgage, the borrower has to pay off the amount in equally spaced installments. The installments gradually recover the principal amount coupled with the interest from the borrower. Thus, the mortgage is fully paid by the end of agreed term.<br />
In an interest only mortgage only the interest is charged in the installments. The principal amount is not included in the monthly repayments. The arrangement to repay the principal amount is made by other means, usually at the end of the mortgage term or as agreed between the two parties. The mortgage amount is guaranteed by some investment in shares, or stock. The borrower has to make sure that his investment grows, so as to pay the mortgage by the end of agreed term.<br />
Most lenders will offer mortgage up to 95% of the property&#8217;s value under consideration, but the borrower might have to pay a higher lending charge if he borrows more than 75% of his property value. There are other costs also, which are essentially involved with a mortgage. The lender might ask you to deposit an amount upto 3-10% of the asking price of the property. Valuation fees, solicitor&#8217;s fees and higher lending charges also escalate the price of mortgage. </p>
<p>After deciding on a mortgage, the borrower has to apply formally to the lender. He should take care to fill in all the details carefully. If he feels confused at any stage he should take the help of a financial advisor, instead of making wrong assumptions. If everything goes smoothly the borrower will soon receive a mortgage offer. </p>
<p>Aldrich Chappel has been associated with get-secured-loans,since its inception.Having completed his Masters in Finance from Lancaster University Management School,he undertook to provide useful advice through his articles that have been found very useful by the residents of the UK.To Find Secured loans,loans for homeowners,best secured loans visit <a href="http://www.get-secured-loans.co.uk" rel="nofollow">http://www.get-secured-loans.co.uk</a></p>
<p class="articletext">
<p class="articletext">
Aldrich Chappel has been associated with get-secured-loans,since its inception.Having completed his Masters in Finance from Lancaster University Management School,he undertook to provide useful advice through his articles that have been found very useful by the residents of the UK.To Find Secured loans,loans for homeowners,best secured loans visit <a href="http://www.get-secured-loans.co.uk" rel="nofollow">www.get-secured-loans.co.uk</a></p>
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		<title>Buying and Financing a Manufactured House: Pros &#038; Cons</title>
		<link>http://sy6.net/archives/2009/01/02/buying-and-financing-a-manufactured-house-pros-cons/</link>
		<comments>http://sy6.net/archives/2009/01/02/buying-and-financing-a-manufactured-house-pros-cons/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 02 Jan 2009 09:42:59 +0000</pubDate>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://sy6.net/archives/2009/01/02/buying-and-financing-a-manufactured-house-pros-cons/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[If you are currently in the market for a new home, perhaps you have considered manufactured housing. What is a manufactured house? It is typically a home that is built completely in a factory (commonly known as a mobile home). When it is finished, it is moved to the site where it will be installed.
One [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>If you are currently in the market for a new home, perhaps you have considered manufactured housing. What is a manufactured house? It is typically a home that is built completely in a factory (commonly known as a mobile home). When it is finished, it is moved to the site where it will be installed.</p>
<p>One of the biggest cons to buying this type of a house is that you can almost never get a traditional mortgage. Lenders do not like to finance these types of houses as they could be moved at any time. Also, it is hard to build equity in a manufactured home (for reference, equity is the property value minus the debt). Many owners of manufactured houses do not own the land their house is sitting on, and land is a big part of equity. Manufactured houses simply do not tend to go up in value. They are also geared towards lower income levels, and sometimes there are inferior building materials used. These are a few of the reasons why it is hard to get a traditional mortage on a manufactured home.</p>
<p>The pros are that manufactured houses are very affordable, and provide people without a lot of income with a way to own their own home. More and more people are buying manufactured homes and permanently installing them on land that they own. Because of this sometimes they are able to qualify for a traditional mortgage.</p>
<p>If you are planning on considering a manufactured home, arrange for your own financing (do not necessarily go with the offer the seller of the home will try to talk you into). You will usually get a better deal arranging for financing yourself. Lots of financing tips are available on <a href="http://www.mortgage-refinancing-online-guide.com." rel="nofollow">www.mortgage-refinancing-online-guide.com.</a> Also, avoid &#8220;all in one packages&#8221; that include everything (installation, financing, home-site, etc). You can get a more competitive price on your home by shopping for just the home. Try to find a good site to install your home on, before you buy the home. Also, consider buying rather than renting the site where your home will be.</p>
<p>Manufactured homes have both pros and cons, and are often a good housing solution. Just be sure you get all the facts and options before you sign any contracts.</p>
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<p>Casey Smith worked for years in the mortgage industry and often contributes to the popular website <a href="http://www.mortgage-refinancing-online-guide.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.mortgage-refinancing-online-guide.com</a></p>
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		<title>PBX Vs. Voip</title>
		<link>http://sy6.net/archives/2009/01/01/pbx-vs-voip/</link>
		<comments>http://sy6.net/archives/2009/01/01/pbx-vs-voip/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 01 Jan 2009 21:01:11 +0000</pubDate>
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		<category><![CDATA[Universe Of Telecommunication]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://sy6.net/archives/2009/01/01/pbx-vs-voip/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Many of those out there are considering the best way to go, PBX versus VoIP.  While there are some similarities between the two, the differences are large as well.  As a business owner, you need to consider more than just which one looks like it&#8217;s the right choice.  You will need to [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Many of those out there are considering the best way to go, PBX versus VoIP.  While there are some similarities between the two, the differences are large as well.  As a business owner, you need to consider more than just which one looks like it&#8217;s the right choice.  You will need to cover:</p>
<p>&#8226;	Ease of use of the system with your employees.</p>
<p>&#8226;	The costs of use of the system compared to that which you are using now.</p>
<p>&#8226;	The installation cost of the system.</p>
<p>&#8226;	The quality of the system and whether or not it will be reliable for your company&#8217;s needs.</p>
<p>Looking at this, there are many reasons to do a PBX versus VoIP analysis.  Yet, this is also quite difficult to do.  Supposed you looked throughout the internet for options.  The bottom line is that whichever service the company you find is selling is going to tell you that their product is better.  That doesn&#8217;t seem to help your needs for answers about PBX versus VoIP.  So, now what?</p>
<p>Understanding Your Options</p>
<p>In your search for answers about which is the right choice for you, PBX versus VoIP, you will want to consider both choices.  Here are some things to help you do just that:</p>
<p>&#8226;	The largest benefit of VoIP is the way in which you are charged for calling out of state/country.  Because the rates are just so much lower, many businesses see the extreme value in the money aspects.  Simply, in PBX versus VoIP when it comes to cost, VoIP wins hands down.  The more you can save on phone calls, the more business you can get and the more profit doesn&#8217;t get flushed.</p>
<p>&#8226;	Also, VoIP allows for businesses to have a lesser expensive installation process.  In most cases, you are already fairly established in what installation needs done.  Most of the VoIP services simply connect through an Ethernet.  Most computers, phone systems and fax machines already have this feature.  It&#8217;s a matter of plugging them in.</p>
<p>&#8226;	But, in the battle of PBX versus VoIP, when it comes to wanting to be able to have extensions and other PBX related applications, you may not be able to find this through the VoIP service providers.  Instead, you will need to stick with your PBX or look at other options.</p>
<p>Understanding The Services</p>
<p>It is also important to understand the services that each of these has to offer.  While PBX is a system that allows you to have several connected lines through one actual public phone line, VoIP takes it through the internet.  This allows for a completely different ability and product.</p>
<p>It is also important to note that services tend to change all the time as well.  For example, through the development of new technologies, it is becoming much cheaper to install the PBX systems.  While in the past, the cost of installation was so high as it allowed many small business and even some larger ones to simply look elsewhere for their needs, now they are able to fill those needs much better.  PBX is becoming more affordable for these companies due to improved technology.</p>
<p>You can expect the battle of PBX versus VoIP to go on for a long time.  There are many reasons for wanting to choose one product over the other. The best suggestion that you should take, though, is the simple one that you are able to research each company and offer thoroughly on the web to see just how well it does fit your needs.  PBX versus VoIP is a question only you can ultimately answer.</p>
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<p>David A. Williams writes for the Business Catalyst, where you can find information on Small Business Startups.  You can find more articles by David on Voip at <a href="http://www.voip-pbx-service.info." rel="nofollow">http://www.voip-pbx-service.info.</a></p>
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		<title>Using a Mortgage Refinance Company Online</title>
		<link>http://sy6.net/archives/2008/12/31/using-a-mortgage-refinance-company-online/</link>
		<comments>http://sy6.net/archives/2008/12/31/using-a-mortgage-refinance-company-online/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 01 Jan 2009 03:31:26 +0000</pubDate>
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		<description><![CDATA[Online mortgage companies make refinancing convenient and competitive. By researching mortgage rates and lenders online, you can be assured that you have the best refinancing rates.
Before You Refinance
Before you refinance your current mortgage, do a little financial housekeeping. Check your credit report and make sure all your financial records are in order. This is also [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Online mortgage companies make refinancing convenient and competitive. By researching mortgage rates and lenders online, you can be assured that you have the best refinancing rates.</p>
<p><b>Before You Refinance</b></p>
<p>Before you refinance your current mortgage, do a little financial housekeeping. Check your credit report and make sure all your financial records are in order. This is also a good time to close a couple of unused credit card accounts.</p>
<p>Also, be sure that refinancing your mortgage will actually save you money. The rule of thumb is to make sure that the new refinanced mortgage will pay for itself within three years.</p>
<p>To figure the savings, take the amount you save in reduced payments over three years and subtract the cost of the new loan. This is just a rough estimate since the length of your loans will also make a difference.</p>
<p><b>Comparing Rates</b></p>
<p>Online mortgage companies allow you to quickly compare rates by asking you for some basic information. Based on the loan amount, your general credit ranking, and the estimated down payment, you will receive a generic quote. This will give you a rough idea of who is the most competitive lender.</p>
<p><b>Accurate Quotes</b></p>
<p>Accurate quotes will only come when you provide the mortgage lender with detailed information. Mortgage rates depend on such factors as your current employment history, home&#8217;s location, and your precise credit score.</p>
<p>You will also want to add in any points or fees that are part of the loan&#8217;s cost. At this point in your refinancing process, you should still be comparing financing packages from at least three different lenders.</p>
<p><b>Applying Online</b></p>
<p>The hardest part of refinancing a mortgage is finding the right mortgage lender. Once you have found the best rates and fees, you can complete the application process from the convenience of your home.</p>
<p>Online mortgage applications require you to fill out your typical personal and financial information. Once you submit your information, you will receive the final paperwork in the mail within a couple of weeks. You will need to review the terms, sign on the appropriate lines, and have it notarized. The paperwork is then sent back to the mortgage lending company for final approval. The whole process can take less than six weeks.</p>
<p>To view our list of recommended sources for mortgage refinance loans<br />
online, visit this page:<br />
Recommended Mortgage<br />
Refinance Companies Online.</p>
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<p>Carrie Reeder is the owner of ABC Loan Guide, an<br />
informational website about various types of loans.</p>
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		<title>Mortgage Loan Closing Costs for Refinance Loans and Home Purchase</title>
		<link>http://sy6.net/archives/2008/12/31/mortgage-loan-closing-costs-for-refinance-loans-and-home-purchase/</link>
		<comments>http://sy6.net/archives/2008/12/31/mortgage-loan-closing-costs-for-refinance-loans-and-home-purchase/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:37:41 +0000</pubDate>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://sy6.net/archives/2008/12/31/mortgage-loan-closing-costs-for-refinance-loans-and-home-purchase/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[If you are going to obtain a mortgage loan, for whatever purpose (home purchase or refinance) you are going to pay closing costs&#8230;period.  Let me clarify regarding a purchase of a home&#8230;the seller may pay some or even all the closing costs in a transaction, but it essentially works out to just lowering the [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>If you are going to obtain a mortgage loan, for whatever purpose (home purchase or refinance) you are going to pay closing costs&#8230;period.  Let me clarify regarding a purchase of a home&#8230;the seller may pay some or even all the closing costs in a transaction, but it essentially works out to just lowering the purchase price of the home and reduces or eliminates the need for the buyer to come up with the cash or finance the closing costs.</p>
<p>While many mortgage lenders, brokers, bankers, advisors, or whoever may tell you that you can get a zero closing cost loan, the fact is, they simply don&#8217;t exist.  One way or another you are going to pay/incurr closing costs.</p>
<p>That said, there are many ways to pay those closing costs:</p>
<ol>
<p>
<li>On a purchase, the seller may agree to pay some or all of the closing costs which reduces your cash outlay for closing costs</li>
</p>
<p>
<li>In most cases, you may opt to take a higher interest rate in order to reduce or eliminate closing costs</li>
</p>
<p>
<li>You can pay the closing costs in cash, at the closing table, eliminating the need to pay finance charges on the closing costs</li>
</p>
<p>
<li>You can normally opt to have the closing costs included or rolled into the loan itself, reducing your cash outlay at closing</li>
</ol>
<p>The above list does not cover all the possible options, however, it covers the basic options.  The other options will simply be some variation of those listed above.</p>
<p><strong>Estimating the closing costs</strong><br />
Items that are part of, or considered closing costs include:
<ul></p>
<p>
<li>Loan origination fee</li>
</p>
<p>
<li>Lenders fee - if using a mortgage broker</li>
</p>
<p>
<li>Credit report fee</li>
</p>
<p>
<li>Appraisal Fee</li>
</p>
<p>
<li>Processing Fee</li>
</p>
<p>
<li>Wire transfer Fee</li>
</p>
<p>
<li>Underwriting Fee</li>
</p>
<p>
<li>Survey</li>
</p>
<p>
<li>Title insurance</li>
</p>
<p>
<li>Closing or Escrow fee</li>
</p>
<p>
<li>Filing Fees</li>
</p>
<p>
<li>Attorney Fees</li>
</p>
<p>
<li>Pest inspection</li>
</p>
<p>
<li>Recording and/or transfer fees</li>
</p>
<p>
<li>Document Preparation</li>
</p>
<p>
<li>Notary Fee</li>
</p>
<p>
<li>Mailing or courier</li>
</ul>
<p>Those are the major items that can be included as closing costs.  Some are required, some are not.  Some may be negotiable, others are not.  Some will vary from lender to lender, lender to broker, broker to broker, or title company to title company, others will not.</p>
<p>Some items that are NOT considered closing costs, but need to be taken into consideration when trying to estimate any cash out of pocket or you loan size, include the followng:</p>
<ul>
<p>
<li>Pre-paid interest</li>
</p>
<p>
<li>Mortgage Insurance Premium</li>
</p>
<p>
<li>Hazard insurance (homeowners insurance premiums</li>
</p>
<p>
<li>Reserves for payment of future property taxes, homeowners insurance, and mortgage insurance premiums</li>
</p>
<p>
<li>Flood insurance premiums</li>
</p>
<p>
<li>Property taxes that are due at the time of closing</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Important Facts</strong>
<ul></p>
<p>
<li>Title insurance is regulated by the state insurance commission, varies from state to state, and is not negotiable</li>
</p>
<p>
<li>Flood insurance, if required (this is determined by the location of the propety, if it is in a flood zone) is not negotiable as to whether or not you need it, however, premiums are determined by whoever you choose as an insurance provider</li>
</p>
<p>
<li>The fees which are charged by the title company you close with include, but are not limited to; recording fees, fed-ex or mailing fees, closing or escrow fees, document preparation, and attorney fees (where required),  do vary from title company to title company.</li>
</p>
<p>
<li>You have the right to choose the title company you close with - however, in a purchase transaction, in most cases, the seller has already established or set up preliminary escrow with a title company.  That does not mean you can&#8217;t demand that it be changed.  Just keep in mind that the seller may not be willing to change the title company and your sales contract may/should state where the closing will take place.  That still does not mean that you can&#8217;t choose to change it, just expect some resistance</li>
</p>
<p>
<li>In most cases, an appraisal is required - the only exceptions to this are normally small home equity lines of credit and/or very low Loan to Value loans.  In either case, the lender will make the final determination if an appraisal is required</li>
</p>
<p>
<li>It is a requirement that you be given a Good Faith Estimate of settlement charges within 3 days of applying for a mortgage loan - if you don&#8217;t get one, automatically, make sure you ask for one</li>
</p>
<p>
<li>You may only be charged the exact cost for the credit report and the appraisal</li>
</ul>
<p>This article is simply trying to explain what closing costs are along with some specific facts about some general closing costs.  It is just intended to give you an idea of what may be included as closing costs so you have a basic idea as to what to expect.</p>
<p>I would always suggest that you do some shopping around before deciding on a lender or broker to handle your mortgage transaction.</p>
<p>Obviously, the best source of good information is from friends and/or family members regarding someone or a company that they have used in the past.  A referral to a good company or individual from someone you know and trust is normally the best place to start.</p>
<p>Ok, back to closing costs.  It is imperative that when you are comparing costs from one company to another that you have all the facts and information straight from all companies that you are comparing.  The Good Faith Estimate, in what you will normally utilize to compare costs.  You simply need to make sure you are comparing &#8220;apples to apples&#8221;.</p>
<p>This is often easier said then done.</p>
<p>The most important area of comparison when comparing lender to lender or broker to lender, or broker to broker, is the top portion of the Good Faith Estimate.  The origination fee and below in the &#8220;Items payable in connection with loan&#8221; is the heading of the section - it is numbered as 800.</p>
<p>This is really the only section where the company you are dealing with has any real control over.  Unfortunately, the confusion normally begins with the lower sections of the Good Faith Estimate and here&#8217;s why;</p>
<p>1)  Some companies will underestimate the Title Fees and recording fees</p>
<p>2)  Some companies will try their best to give you accurate numbers for these other sections</p>
<p><strong>Why do they do that?</strong></p>
<p>Well, some will underestimate the costs simply to try to get your business.  The unfortunate part about this, other than the outright lying, is that you will typically not find out about it until you are at the closing table.  This is exactly what they are hoping for, taking the chance that you will figure it is too late to do anything about it and simply sign the documents.</p>
<p><strong>Why can&#8217;t they give you exact numbers?</strong></p>
<p>For some items they can, while other fees are strictly dependant upon a third party and they simply have no control over those costs.  However, any mortgage broker or lender that has been in this business for any length of time, can certainly do a good job of getting you very close in your estimates of closing costs.</p>
<p>Let&#8217;s look at an example:</p>
<p>I am in Texas.  Although I do some loans outside of Texas, I am most familiar with Texas and the corresponding fees so I will use Texas as an example.</p>
<p>Being in Texas, I know, based on the size of your loan, how to estimate your title insurance policy and escrow fees (the title company charges).  Since, as stated in my last post on closing costs, title insurance is state regulated and the very same amount at every single title company based on your loan size, I can tell you with good certainty what your title insurance costs will be.    Additionally, I can give you a very close estimate on the title company closing costs.  So, with that information, there is no excuse while I can&#8217;t give you a very close approximation of all the fees associated with the title company.</p>
<p>Although the insurance and property taxes are not considered closing costs, they are still a very important part of the real estate transaction.  And, again, the consumer is very concerned about their total cash outlay at closing, be it closing costs or pre-paid items.  Therefore, I feel that it is essential that you get good information about these items as well on your Good Faith Estimate.</p>
<p>Getting back to the Texas example&#8230;I know, being in Texas, approximately what your homeowners insurance is going to cost and how many months of reserves are going to be required at closing.  It is the same with property taxes.  In Texas, for example, property taxes are always due in December (actually, they are not considered late until the end of January).  So, for example, if you are refinancing your mortgage, in Texas, during the month of say, March and your first payment is not due until May 1st, then it will be required that the reserves for the taxes will be 5 months.  The tax rates are published and are available, and besides that, I can estimate within a few hundred dollars, the actual property taxes on the property without knowing the exact caluclation for the city that the property resides in.  If you simply use one of the higher tax rates in Texas for the estimate, then your estimate will be very close if not actually a little higher than the actual cost at closing.  The other charges of the appraisal and a survey (if needed) are also costs that can be easily estimated very closely.</p>
<p>The bottom line is that any lender/broker should be able to give you very close estimates.  As a matter of factly, there is no reason why the Good Faith Estimate should not be within a few hundred dollars of the actual costs and, hopefully, it is over-estimated so that the situation I spoke of earlier (coming to closing and finding out your costs are actually substanially higher) does not occur.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, there is nothing out there, as far as the law is concerned, that states that any Good Faith Estimate has to be within a certain dollar amount of the actual costs.  At this time, you are having to rely on the person you are dealing with to give you good numbers.  It has always been my practice to get my Good Faith Estimates as close as possible, and even over-estimating in cases where some costs are not known perhaps due to some unusual circumstances or not knowing, at this point in the process, if an item such as a survey will be required or not.</p>
<p>There is simply nothing to gain by under-estimating closing costs on the Good Faith Estimate.  It tells the customer up-front, how much cash they are going to need, and saves any unnessessary aggrevation for the customer later, so why not get the numbers as close as possible?</p>
<p>On the other side of that issue, you are depending on someone to estimate the fees of a third party.  As I hope I have made clear, while it is clearly not possible to get the exact numbers of the third party fees, it is surely very possible to get very close to the actual numbers.    It simply takes some experience and a little bit of time.  If you happen to get a loan officer, whether they work for a lender or a broker does not really matter, that is relatively new to the business, then they may not have the experience to get close to the actual numbers on their own.  This is not an excuse at all, as there is surely someone there, who they work for, that has the experience to get the numbers close for you.</p>
<p>As of this writing, the best thing that you can do is gather the Good Faith Estimates of the companies that you have been talking to and do your best to make the comparisons accurate.  With the information above, you should be able to work through the costs associated with the loan and discount those that you know will be very close, if not exactly the same, no matter who you decide to go with, and compare the remaining costs.</p>
<p>Once you have eliminated the essential &#8220;fixed costs&#8221; you can narrow your comparison down to the &#8220;variable costs&#8221; (for lack of a better term) for each companies Good Faith Estimate.  One last note that is critical to comparison shopping is making a comparison regarding the rate and term of the loan along with the Good Faith Estimate to make your final decision.  As stated in an earlier post, one company may offer you a better rate, but higher closing costs, while another is offering lower closing costs but a higher interest rate.  That portion of the comparison is for another discussion and will be included in another post, however, the gist of that comes down to what situation works best for you.</p>
<p>Just remember that in all cases, you have the right to choose the title company, and, in most cases, even the appraiser (albeit with some limitations).  If a company tries to tell you that you &#8220;must&#8221; use their title company to close the loan, you can choose to push the issue as there is no such requirement.  To the contrary it is not lawful for anyone to force you to utilize any particular third party service.  However, do keep in mind, that if you are buying a house, while you still have the same options of choosing the title company, alot of times it is simply easier to use the title company that has been designated either by the seller or the builder.  That is not to say that you should not comparision shop other title companies if you feel strongly about it,  all I am saying that in a purchase transaction it is typically easier to use the designated company (especially if buying a new home from a builder) as chances are they are already familiar with the property and have already obtained a preliminary title report on the property itself.</p>
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<p>David Demko</p>
<p>Credit Questions Answered at:<br />
<a href="http://www.financial-counseling.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.financial-counseling.com</a><br />
Texas Mortgage Loans and Information on Mortgages at:<br />
<a href="http://www.mortgagecreditsource.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.mortgagecreditsource.com</a><br />
Business Consulting, Internet Marketing, and Web Design<br />
<a href="http://www.ddemko.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.ddemko.com</a></p>
<p>I have over 15 years of experience in the mortgage industry and have spent the last several providing information to consumers and businesses about the mortgage industry.  In addition, I answer consumer credit questions and provide business consulting primarily to small businesses looking to become successful on the internet.  I can be contacted through any of the web sites listed above.  I hope you find the articles interesting and informative and if you have any special areas of interest, please email me and I will put the information together for an article.</p>
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		<title>VA Loans, A Gift from Uncle Sam</title>
		<link>http://sy6.net/archives/2008/12/31/va-loans-a-gift-from-uncle-sam/</link>
		<comments>http://sy6.net/archives/2008/12/31/va-loans-a-gift-from-uncle-sam/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 31 Dec 2008 08:47:20 +0000</pubDate>
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		<description><![CDATA[Uncle Sam has a gift for the men and women who serve our country. It is the VA loan. The VA loan, short for Department of Veterans Affairs home loans, is available to veterans, active service members, reservists, and members of the Public Health Service. These loans are so popular, that in the past fiscal [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Uncle Sam has a gift for the men and women who serve our country. It is the VA loan. The VA loan, short for Department of Veterans Affairs home loans, is available to veterans, active service members, reservists, and members of the Public Health Service. These loans are so popular, that in the past fiscal year alone, Uncle Sam has guaranteed 300,000 VA loans totaling more than $38 billion.</p>
<p>Why are these loans considered a gift to our servicemen and women? Because VA loans require no down payment and are available from most lenders. Additionally, the government limits the amount of closing costs, origination fees, and appraisal fees. Because VA loan rates generally run the same as conventional rates, skipping the down payment is a big advantage. Not surprisingly, about 91 percent of VA buyers do just that.</p>
<p>Best of all, there is no private mortgage insurance (PMI) because the government prohibits lenders from requiring it. Not having PMI is a considerable cash savings for a borrower. For example, on a $126,000 loan, PMI would run approximately $40 to $64 a month for the first three to five years of a 30-year loan. The total savings? $1,440 to $3,840.</p>
<p>However, there is a downside:</p>
<p>* FUNDING FEES - In 1982 Congress levied a one-time funding fee on VA loans. And these fees can range anywhere from 1 1/4 percent to 3 percent, depending on the veteran&#8217;s service and whether it&#8217;s a first or subsequent loan. Although the VA will lower the fee if the borrower makes a down payment of at least 5 percent, and a buyer can finance the fee along with the home, there is a hidden cost. For example, on a $126,000 mortgage, a 2-percent fee can bloom into $14,474 over the 30-year life of a 6-percent loan.</p>
<p>* LOAN LIMITS - The maximum guaranteed is $240,000, yet buyers in high-priced markets such as California or Manhattan may have to evaluate other options for their financing. And while the eligibility certificate indicates how large a loan the government will guarantee, the vet may not be eligible. Just like a conventional loan, the actual mortgage amount will be based on income, assets, debts and credit history.</p>
<p>* QUALIFIYING - VA loans are available for active and former members of the armed forces who have a specific length and time of service and discharge conditions. Reservists and National Guard members may be eligible if they served at least six years and received an honorable discharge. Veterans discharged for a service-related disability are potentially eligible, as are some members of the Public Health Service and foreign veterans who served with the Allied forces during World War II. Additionally, a widow or widower may also apply for a loan, provided the spouse&#8217;s death was service related. MIA and POW spouses may also qualify.</p>
<p>Applying for a VA loan is no different than applying for a conventional loan, except that one needs to obtain a certificate of eligibility from the VA. Not only are VA loans easy to get, Uncle Sam has made it even easier this year. The actual loan process takes about two to six weeks, the same time as a conventional loan. And just about every lender that handles FHA or conventional loans also makes VA loans.</p>
<p>Yet the greatest gift of all remains the fact that VA loans allow a buyer to purchase a home without investing a down payment. And that is a very good gift indeed.</p>
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<p>Genesis Font is an SEO and Developer for LoansInteractive.com > Mortgage and Loan Officer Websites. We also offer Quality Web Hosting Services.</p>
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		<title>Business Networking - Extroverted Web Weaving for the Introvert</title>
		<link>http://sy6.net/archives/2008/12/29/business-networking-extroverted-web-weaving-for-the-introvert/</link>
		<comments>http://sy6.net/archives/2008/12/29/business-networking-extroverted-web-weaving-for-the-introvert/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 29 Dec 2008 14:36:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Social Info]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[If you have been in business for any amount of time, you go to networking
 events. Did your body just seize up? Was there a swelling of nervousness in your gut? Are you about ready to stop reading? I encourage you to stay with me about networking. Let me ask: what&#8217;s the difference between someone [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>If you have been in business for any amount of time, you go to networking<br />
 events. Did your body just seize up? Was there a swelling of nervousness in your gut? Are you about ready to stop reading? I encourage you to stay with me about networking. Let me ask: what&#8217;s the difference between someone who asks you at a picnic or at church,  &#8220;Who do you know who &#8230;?&#8221; versus the reality that this is the same question being asked by everyone at a formal networking event? The difference is likely that phrase &#8220;networking event!&#8221;</p>
<p>Estimates are that we each know about 200 to 250 people. In this group of<br />
 people, this sphere or circle of influence, business happens informally and formally,<br />
 passively and actively and with success and without. Since I am an introvert, my take<br />
 on networking comes from a want to make the most of the event in the shortest<br />
 amount of time. My energy drains too fast in too much of a great event! Here are a<br />
 few pointers to put extroverted behaviors for the most introverted of us with high<br />
 success.</p>
<p><u> 1. Go to a networking event with an intention. </u></p>
<p>What usually works is to set an intention to meet just three new people. Or, an<br />
 intention to get business cards from three new people. Something immediate and<br />
 small is usually doable for any of us.</p>
<p><u>2. Carry business cards everywhere</u></p>
<p>My business cards are with me everywhere. I always have one box of business<br />
 cards in my car, a few business cards in a jacket pocket and always in my business<br />
 portfolio. In the rare situation that I might not have one, then I ask the person I<br />
 meet for theirs. No one has ever refused to give me his or her card because I did not<br />
 have mine.</p>
<p><u>3. Communicate eyeball to eyeball.</u></p>
<p>As I wrote that I wondered, &#8220;Who sustains eye contact better, introverts or<br />
 extroverts? Maybe there is research on that. For me, eye contact is easy. I feel better<br />
 when I focus on the person I am talking with and not seeing all the hustle around<br />
 us. For a fact, we know that in general, most people have more positive feelings<br />
 from eye contact than lack of it.</p>
<p><u>4. Use people&#8217;s name: you&#8217;ll both be uplifted. </u></p>
<p>Doesn&#8217;t it<br />
 make you feel important when someone remembers your name? You don&#8217;t need a<br />
 memory course to do this better. The easier you make it the better, particularly for<br />
 an introvert. One, two, three: One, use a person&#8217;s name immediately when you meet<br />
 them: &#8220;It&#8217;s great to meet you Cindy Tracy. Two, then use their name in your<br />
 conversation when you ask a question: &#8220;How long have you been coming to these<br />
 events Cindy?&#8221; And, easy three, if someone else approaches the group you&#8217;re in,<br />
 introduce the person you just met by their name.</p>
<p><u> 5. Stand out from the crowd with follow-up. </u></p>
<p>Even the shyest of us can easily reap results in this part of the process! Write a<br />
 short, simple thank-you note within about a week to those three new people you<br />
 meet. Thank them for talking with you and helping you learn about what they do in<br />
 business. Include your business card. I am amazed how few people continue to<br />
 make this part of their networking system.</p>
<p><u>6. Propel yourself forward with giving.</u>Let&#8217;s just say that<br />
 everyone at this event is seeking a recommendation for something. Your best bet is<br />
 to discover what they are seeking. It could be anything - a good movie to watch, a<br />
 restaurant recommendation, where they can get a previously released music cd -<br />
 anything for any aspect of life. When you follow-up, ask about what they thought<br />
 about your recommendation. With your focus on how to help someone fill the<br />
 smallest need first, you&#8217;re still moving forward in your networking.</p>
<p><u>Right On!</u></p>
<p>Whether you are an introvert or an extrovert, networking can be more<br />
 comfortable and confident when you come from the place of knowing that everyone<br />
 is seeking a recommendation at some time. The &#8220;networking event&#8221; just puts formal<br />
 dress on web weaving - connecting people with whoever or where ever will get them<br />
 what they want.</p>
<div style="float: right; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 1px; border-style: solid; border-color: white; background-color: white"><img height="90" width="69" src="http://ezinearticles.com/members/mem_pics/Patricia-Weber_599.jpg" border="0" alt="Patricia Weber - EzineArticles Expert Author"></div>
<p>Pat Weber is a coach, certified telelcass leader, and corporate trainer. In her<br />
 business coaching, she works with small business owners, independent<br />
 professionals and salespeople to help them get more of what they want sooner than<br />
 later.</p>
<p>Visit her website at <a href="http://www.prostrategies.com." rel="nofollow">http://www.prostrategies.com.</a>  Sign up for her free<br />
 ezine.</p>
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		<title>What is a Remortgage?</title>
		<link>http://sy6.net/archives/2008/12/28/what-is-a-remortgage/</link>
		<comments>http://sy6.net/archives/2008/12/28/what-is-a-remortgage/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 29 Dec 2008 02:24:27 +0000</pubDate>
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		<description><![CDATA[A remortgage is changing your mortgage without moving your home. Remortgaging is the process of switching your mortgage to another lender that is offering a better deal than your current lender thereby saving money. A remortgage can also be used to raise additional finances by releasing equity in your property.
More detailed information&#8230;.
When you remortgage you [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A remortgage is changing your mortgage without moving your home. Remortgaging is the process of switching your mortgage to another lender that is offering a better deal than your current lender thereby saving money. A remortgage can also be used to raise additional finances by releasing equity in your property.</p>
<p>More detailed information&#8230;.</p>
<p>When you remortgage you are ending your old mortgage deal and switching to a new one.</p>
<p>This normally involves switching your lender although you can sometimes change deals with<br />
your current provider. If you do remortgage with your current lender it normally involves changing<br />
your existing deal.</p>
<p>You can borrow from &#163;25,000 up to &#163;500,000. Rates are variable, depending on status.</p>
<p>It is important to note that there are costs attached to remortgaging such as redemption<br />
penalties. These need to be taken into account when you are considering a remortgage.</p>
<p>It is however worth bearing in mind that often the benefits of remortgaging can outweigh<br />
the costs involved.</p>
<p>A remortgage deal on your UK house or flat should offer you:</p>
<p>Lower &#038; discounted interest rates</p>
<p>Reduction of your monthly outgoings by up to 50%</p>
<p>The chance to clear your existing mortgage, plus any arrears or other debts<br />
Consolidation of existing loans into one easier-to-manage monthly payment<br />
Release of equity in your house or flat for a new car, home improvements, luxury holiday etc.</p>
<p>No restrictions on what you do with any extra cash raised<br />
The chance to borrow more money and still find you are paying the same or even less than your current mortgage repayment.</p>
<p>You may freely reprint this article provided the author&#8217;s biography remains intact:</p>
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<p>John Mussi is the founder of Direct Online Loans who help UK homeowners find the best available loans via the <a href="http://www.directonlineloans.co.uk" rel="nofollow">http://www.directonlineloans.co.uk</a> website.</p>
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