Mortgage rate trend for the week of 5/11. Looks like the rate will go up in the coming weeks.

FBI officials Tuesday disclosed complaints of mortgage fraud are piling up at record levels this year, and appear certain to shatter last year's record.

Plan would let government back loans for at-risk borrowers. Key lawmakers reach compromise: Taxpayers will not be on the hook if loans go bad.

A step by step introduction on the mortgage loan process. Maybe useful for first time home buyers.

A loan comparison table with some basic loan types.

The mortgage rate has been creeping up due to the inflation prospect. And it is harder to get approved as well.

Mortgage rates fell abruptly Monday, a day after the federal government announced that it was taking control of home lending giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

While 2008 is winding down 2009 forecast is out. Some home price predictions, mortgage trends and action suggestions from Money Magazine.

With the great mortgage rate and the higher tax credit, it may be a good timing for the potential home buyers to step in from the sideline. Although it may still be too early for certain areas in California (prices are still too high).

A good read on HELOCS from The Mortgage Professor Jack M. Guttentag.

What is the loan modification and how you can use this government program to help the mortgage payment.

Getting a mortgage "fixed" only to fail again is another sad twist in this already heart-rending housing situation.

If you're looking for a way to refinance your mortgage, you might want to consider a loan that's backed by the Federal Housing Administration or, if you're a U.S. military veteran, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Loans backed by these two federal government agencies are especially attractive today because the loan amount limits have been raised, and some loan programs are open to homeowne...

And you thought 5 percent was a good rate? After already bringing mortgage rates down near 50-year lows, Fed Chief Ben Bernanke unleashed a surprise attack on the housing slump Wednesday by announcing aggressive steps that should make home loans even more attractive.

With a traditional mortgage, each monthly payment comprises principal plus interest. In the early years of the loan, most of the payment goes for interest. Gradually, more and more of the monthly payments go toward principal. At the end of the term, the loan is completely repaid. This process of paying principal and interest until the loan is paid off is called amortization.

Homeowners who make a down payment of less than 20 percent are usually required to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI), because they are considered to be at higher risk of default. PMI premiums are typically around half a percent of the interest rate, which is about $83 a month on a $200,000 mortgage.

A benchmark mortgage rate hit its lowest point in more than 50 years, and homeowners stampeded into loan offices to apply for refinances.

Simple steps to refinancing your mortgage.

Some of the 3 to 4 million homeowners eligible for loan modifications could see interest rates as low as 2 percent under the Obama administration's new "Making Home Affordable" (MHA) initiative.

The lowest interest rate shouldn't be the only factor to consider for the mortgage or loan package that you want to get.

In this tough economic time, you need to be aware of mortgage scam that get you into deeper trouble. Here are some advices for you.

And what to ask when considering one.

Thirty year fixed mortgage rate is around 5.6% now. It is one full point above the record low, but still a very low rate.

"It's a common denominator among vehicles that have the highest losses -- a lot of smaller, sportier vehicles, says Russ Rader, spokesman for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Surprising? Not really.

It sounds like a great idea to provide more protection to the consumers. Especially after what happened in mortgage industry these recent years. But do we need a new government agency (CFPA) to get into what seemingly mostly about personal responsibilities and decision making?

You should always hire an inspector before buying a home. The inspector you hire should work for you and not your real estate agent (to help close the deal). Do some homework and hire a certified inspector who has Errors Inspectors Insurance. Go to ashi.com for some referrals.