How to land the best loan Our plan will help you find the cheapest possible mortgage and walk you through the application process.
	Test drive your dream condo Get ready to take advantage of lower prices on oceanfront or golf course condos by renting for a year.
	6 smart moves to refinance now Here's how to beat all of the strict new rules for getting a new mortgage and land the loan you need.
	10 smart moves for buying a foreclosure You'll save 10% to 20% -- even after repairs -- if you get a good deal and avoid the costly pitfalls.
	PMI is tougher to get, costs more Mortgage insurers no longer accept every borrower, or the terms of every loan, banks send their way.
	State programs can help you buy a home From low-cost mortgages to cash for down payments, every state offers some kind of help, especially for first-time buyers.
	8 critical questions your GFE should answer Use your good faith estimate to make sure you're getting the loan you've been promised and avoid nasty surprises.

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	Credit scores can drop after getting loan help WASHINGTON - Some homeowners who sign up for the government's mortgage assistance program are getting a nasty surprise: Lower credit scores.
	New GFE criticized as 'not clear, not simple' SAN JOSE, Calif. _ If you're a prospective homebuyer exploring real estate this spring, there's plenty to learn about, from bank-owned properties to the strict criteria for getting a mortgage these days.
	Most mortgage rates fell in latest survey The average conventional 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage costs 5.07%, while the average jumbo loan costs 5.88%.
	Fed holds interest rates at record lows WASHINGTON - The Federal Reserve on Tuesday repeated its pledge to hold interest rates at record lows to foster the economic recovery and ease high unemployment.
	5 states hurry plans for housing funds PHOENIX - The five states hardest hit by the foreclosure crisis have been given only weeks to plan how to spend $1.5 billion in federal funding announced by the Obama administration last month.
	Borrowers wait for help to save homes WASHINGTON - Hundreds of thousands of homeowners are in limbo waiting to find out if they will be accepted for the Obama administration's foreclosure prevention program.

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	Pay down your bills before trying to refinance Lenders will count your auto and student loans and credit card debt, plus any alimony and child support you owe, before giving you a new loan.
	Making the right bid is critical in short sales Your first offer needs to be realistic and have a good chance of being accepted by the lender.
	Beware condos loaded with investors It's a signal that no one is paying monthly maintenance fees for those units, so routine repairs aren't being made.
	Ask a lender to preapprove you for a loan It's the best way to find out where you stand and how much you owe on everything.
	Compare final, estimated costs at closing The government's new standard settlement statement makes it easy by cross-referencing the numbers.
	Ask the seller to pay your closing costs With the glut of properties on the market, sellers are often very motivated to negotiate with prospective buyers.

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