Book Description

Real Estate Finance & Investments is today’s most indispensable, hands-on look at the increasingly vital arena of real estate partnerships, secondary mortgage markets, and fixed- and adjustable- rate mortgages. Updates to this edition include completely revised coverage of REITs, expanded coverage of CMBS, more detail on how underlying economic factors affect property value, and short readings based on current events.

Reviews (9)

A Must
This is one of the best books I have ever read about real estate. I read plenty of books on real estate but this one does a great job on explaining how the real estate industry works. It talks about residential real estate market and its financing. Then it goes on to commercial real estate. It talks about real estate development and then the secondary market.

It really is a great book that I would recommend to anybody interested in real estate. As a real estate appraiser I gained a lot from this book.

Great text, check out the new edition
I've taken a look at a previous edition of the Brueggeman and Fisher text and it is definitely the only nuts and bolts handbook for practitioners. If you're new to the field and just out of school, try the Geltner and Miller text, which flows from real estate economics through portfolio analysis, reads like an MBA manual - it isn't as bad as most reviewers say, they're just stating where they think they are. These two are fundamentally different books, but just as worthy in their own area of approach.

Be advised that a new edition of Real Estate Finance and Investments has just been published in June 2004 by McGraw-Hill, ISBN 0071238212 - check it out on amazon.co.uk if you can't find it on amazon.com. Should come in at about seventy bucks. Well worth the cash, if only as an aide-memoire.

I manage a private equity RE fund and this book is excellent
Great book for someone who's in real estate investment management and needs a groud up, starting with the basics, platform to understand and work in real estate finance.

Also a good review for more experienced pros, with lots of examples, financial tables, and financial concepts that you probably know enough to talk about but maybe don't remember exactly how you figure it out.

Great value!

Real Estate Finance and Investments (Real Estate Finance and
This text is the market leader for the Real Estate Finance course. This is primarily due to its comprehensive and current coverage. Instructors find the text to be authoritative, rigorous and trustworthy, making it a classic in the field. This edition continues to evolve to provide students with the tools they need to understand and analyze real estate markets and the investment alternatives available to both debt and equity investors.
Part I. Introduction1. Overview of Real Estate Finance And Investments2. Legal Considerations in Real Estate3. The Interest Factor in FinancingPart II. Financing Residential Properties4. Fixed Rate Mortgage Loans5. Adjustable Rate and Variable Payment Mortgages6. Underwriting and Financing Residential Properties7. Residential Financial AnalysisPart III. Financing Income Properties (Debt and Equity)8. Introduction to Income Producing Properties and Valuation Fundamentals9. Introduction to Leases, Projecting Cash Flows and Investment Value10. Investment and Risk Analysis11. Financial Leverage and Financing Alternatives12. Partnerships, Joint Ventures, and Syndications13. Disposition and Renovation of Income Properties14. Financing Corporate Real EstatePart IV. Financing Proposed Projects15. Financing Project Development16. Financing Land Development ProjectsPart V. Real Estate Capital Markets and Securities17. The Secondary Mortgage Market: Pass-Through Securities18. The Secondary Mortgage Market: CMOs and Derivative Securities (Collateralized Mortgage Obligations)19. Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)20. Real Estate Investment Performance and Portfolio ConsiderationsAppendix A. Annual Compound Interest TablesAppendix B. Monthly Compound Interest TablesAppendix C. Managing Interest Rate Risk

Step by step analysis with good tables in the appendix
This book has clearly stood the test of time. It is now in its 11th edition. My professor uses the 9th edition, and most of our class has a later copy. The author provides step by step help for novice financiers who want to learn mortgages, internal rates of return, and net present value calculations.
I would offer a word of warning to people who consider buying older versions in order to save money. I have the 8th edition. The concepts have not changed (although the assumed interest rates certainly have!). However, the chapters have since been rearranged and the questions in the back of the book are different. If you are using this book for a class you may need to at least have access to a newer version. ... Read more

Amazon.com

For many of us, the single biggest financial transaction is buying a house. Even more significant than the hefty down payment we fork over is the 15- to 30-year mortgage that needs feeding every month. If you have this much at stake, a little knowledge can go a long way, which is where Eric Tyson and Ray Brown come in. In Mortgages for Dummies, Tyson and Brown (who also wroteHome Buying for Dummies andHouse Selling for Dummies) provide a comprehensive introduction for anyone who is contemplating a mortgage. The book tells you how to evaluate your creditworthiness, determine your borrowing power, and shop for a lender, as well as covering the various types of loans. The authors also devote a section to refinancing and discuss what you should consider when prepaying a loan. They include amortization and remaining-balance tables, and a useful glossary. Whether you're a first-time home buyer or are just looking to refinance, you'll find this a valuable, easy-to-use guide. --Harry C. Edwards ... Read more

Book Description

The definitive guide to mortgage-backed securities --now revised and updated

The classic -- and single best -- resource for understanding and trading mortgage-backed securities has been brought fully up to date with The Handbook of Mortgage-Backed Securities, Fifth Edition, giving you timely insights into everything from fundamentals to investment characteristics of mortgage-backed securities, as well as state-of-the-art strategies for capitalizing on opportunities.

The Handbook’s seven sections bring you up to speed on mortgages and pass-through securities; stripped mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations; credit-sensitive mortgage-backed securities; prepayment modeling; valuation techniques, relative value analysis, and portfolio strategies; commercial mortgage-backed securities; and non-U.S. mortgage-backed securities.

This edition is more than just a revised edition – it’s practically a new book: twenty-nine of the chapters are either new or have been substantially revised, reflecting the most recent developments in the mortgage-backed securities market, in terms of both product development and financial technology. These entirely new sections give you a seamless transition into the 24-hour, global financial markets of the 21st century. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Excellent but Compiled Work
I have seven years of experience selling these products, and I use Fabozzi's book often. This is a good reference, and a good treatment of mortgage and asset backed securities. I only gave it four stars because the fact that this is a compiled work of research material interrupts the flow of ideas. On the other hand, there is some merit to getting different angles on the subject from different viewpoints.

One caveat. Mortgage derivatives used to mean calls and puts on mortgage backed securities. Today, however, entire portfolios of mortgage risk are laid off in the form of credit derivatives.

Tavakoli has the best treatment of that topic in the book: "Credit Derivatives".

A major reference
A vast collection of articles by practitioners on Wall Street, this book covers a broad number of topics on Mortgage Backed Securities. While not a scholarly approach, 'street research' typically aims to educate the fixed income portfolio manager.

Fabozzi handbooks are overrated
It's the industry standard. Everyone has one. It stands alone in its field. And if you're reading this you're probably going to buy regardless of what is written here.

But I've found this book (along with some of the other Fabozzi 'Handbooks') to be overrated. Basically, the format of 30 or so different authors each writing a chapter in the form of an article diminishes the usefulness of the book. There is no narrative, pedagogical or otherwise. The format leads to significant gaps in coverage. The quality of the chapters is uneven, as is the level of detail covered.

Don't misunderstand me -- the Handbook isn't bad, by any strecth of the imagination. It's just not as good as it could be. It has almost no fluff, and all the information in it is good. And the competition is a very slim field. For many things Fabozzi is not only your best choice, it's your only one. ... Read more

Book Description

A one-stop reference for in-depth explanations of mortgage topics

With the creation of so many new, complex mortgage programs, it's difficult for consumers --not to mention real estate agents, attorneys, closing agents, and mortgage brokers--to keep track of them all. Written by nationally syndicated real estate columnist Jack Guttentag, The Mortgage Encyclopedia helps readers understand the various mortgage terms, features, and options by offering clear, precise explanations. The alphabetical organization of terms makes it easy to quickly find information on any topic, from FHA, Investor, and No-PMI Loans to Origination Fee and Rate Float. Each entry includes not just a description of the term, but also relevant advice for consumers, such as answers to the questions "Is this loan right for me?" and "Can I negotiate this fee?"

• Guides readers through the bewildering array of new mortgage programs
• Features definitions and explanations of common mortgage, escrow, and closing fees and arcane mortgage terminology

Reviews (7)

Solid
Cummings is one of my favorite R.E. authors. He is very thorough. This one has chapters on conventional and creative financing, tax exchanges, land development, discounting mortgages, sale-leasebacks, how to get started and even dealing with foreclosure. Table of contents is very thorough and makes it very easy to go to the exact page you want to to find specific information. He is good with the numbers and doesnt leave much to the imagination like many authors do. I recommend anything by this author.

Excellent "Creative Real Estate Financing" manual
This "no-nonsense" book, by a seasoned investor and broker, is mostly focused on non-traditional real estate financing vehicles. Bits and pieces on the subject have previously taught by various gurus, but this book covers ALL of them. If every Realtor and investor read this, we would all be better off.

Other recommended RE investing reads:

The Unofficial Guide to Real Estate Investing
Landlording by Leigh Robinson
5 Magic Paths to Making a Fortune In Real Estate Investing
The Income Stream by Robt. Goodman

Solid, comprehensive, but a bit verbose
This and Landlording, by Leigh, are my two fave's so far as a real estate investor. This one tends towards overkill with many, many examples but other readers may want that more than I did. There are one or two strategy recommendations I disagree with rather heartily, but it's clear, pretty much accurate, and very readable. The no-nonsense writing reminds me a bit of T. Dallow or J. Reed, both also recommended.

Great book, but overpriced
Great book, easy to read, too pricy

Good for individual investors, less useful for professionals
Focused on real estate deals in the <$2MM category, this book offers a treasure trove of helpful tips about how to work the angles to create maximum wealth from real estate investing. Especially useful are sections on goal-setting, negotiating, dealing with banks, and secondary financing.

The book is less useful for development professionals dealing with larger developments such as office buildings, apartment communities, etc, as it omits extended discussion of the institutional players. Both individuals and development professionals will find Zuckerman, Real Estate Investment and Acquisition Workbook a useful adjunct, with development professionals perhaps more intested in Brueggeman & Fisher, Real Estate Finance and Investments than this offering. ... Read more

Book Description

With more people than ever before applying for new loans and refinancing, an easy-to-understand guide has become a necessity for anyone confused by the complicated issues at stake. Mortgages 101 answers all the questions readers typically have, detailing all the latest changes in mortgage processes, and showing readers how to save money by:* understanding important terms like ARMs and Hybrids -- and what's in the fine print * improving their credit scores to increase their borrowing power* using technology to get the lowest interest rates* maximizing their return on investment, and cutting the cost of mortgage insuranceArranged in an easily accessible question-and-answer format, the book provides up-to-date lending formulas, as well as important information on lending requirements and application procedures. Mortgages 101 contains all the information readers need to know, in one must-have reference. ... Read more

Book Description

Based on sound economic and finance principles, the primary goal of this market-leading text is to promote a greater understanding of how real estate financial markets work. The authors blend theory with practice applying the theoretical aspects of financial economics to explain how Real Estate financial institutions and markets have developed and evolved to their present state, and why they take the forms they do. The impact of major federal legislation that applies to real estate finance (especially residential) is also addressed. ... Read more

Book Description

Designed for both employees of mortgage lenders and individuals studying real estate finance, Residential Mortgage Lending: Principles and Practices provides an overview of mortgage banking and outlines strategies that mortgage bankers can utilize to compete successfully in todays competitive business environment. While clearly explaining the fundamentals in an easy-to-understand manner, this edition has a new emphasis on the practical applications of residential mortgage lending making it an excellent resource for learning mortgage banking operations.No prior knowledge of finance or any part of mortgage lending is required. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Thorough review of mortgage lending development and practice
This is a must read and good reference book for mortgage professionals, including lenders and practitioners in secondary mortgage business. The book gives excellent review of the development of residential lending in US, of government regulations, major market players, and important product types. Then the book gets to the details of mortgage lending processes and also touches the secondary markets. Readers can definitely gain valuable and practical knowledge on residential lending business after walk through the book. ... Read more

Book Description

One of America’s top real estate authorities explains the inside secrets of the mortgage business

Each year, more than ten million American homebuyers, homeowners, and realty investors enter the mortgage arena to finance or refinance their homes and rental properties. And each year, millions of borrowers pay more than they have to. But you won’t be one of them with Gary Eldred’s 106 Mortgage Secrets All Homebuyers Must Learn–But Lenders Don’t Tell.

Eldred explains all of your mortgage options and gives you the inside information you need to make the most intelligent money-saving choices. He simplifies the complicated math of mortgage financing and tells you how to make sure your loan rep is being honest with you. He covers every aspect of the mortgage process and highlights the key criteria you should always consider when making your decision. With these 106 secrets, you’ll have the confidence and the knowledge to:

• Increase your borrowing power
• Get the lowest interest rate
• Understand ARMs
• Cut the cost of mortgage insurance
• Save big with seller financing, foreclosures, and REOs
• Perfect your credit profile
• Avoid getting taken by the fine print
• Get maximum return on your home investment

There’s no reason to get a good mortgage, when you can get the perfect one for you. Simple, concise, and comprehensive, this book covers everything mortgage hunters should know–especially the 106 secrets lenders don’t want to reveal. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Outstanding guide to financing
I previously read Eldred's book,Investing In Real Estate.It's the best,comprehensive, and most sensible guide to investing that you'll find (read the reviews for youself). Likewise, this book on financing goes way beyond the other authors that I have read. (Sidenote: I cannot figure out what the Seattle reviewer is talking about, Mortgage Secrets deals exclusively with the ins and outs of financing techniques, saving money, cutting mortgage costs,and building equity faster. This book says nothing about using high leverage to get rich in real estate. As to infomercial hype, Eldred actually lambasts these gurus and warns how their "techniques" can lead the gullible to financial ruin. He even cautions strongly against home equity loans.) If you want to learn your financing options as well as the "tricks of the trade", you won't find a better book than this one. Although I'm in the business, I liked this book because a much more educated borrower gives us true professionals a stong advantage over our competition. Read Mortgage Secrets, then work with a broker who follows the insights that Eldred reveals. I'll make more money and you will get a better deal.

Encyclopedia of home financing
You won't be disappointed with this book. It really covers the territory--everything from qualifying tips to government programs to seller financing to saving big dollars. Before I read this book I didn't know a an ARM from a leg. Now I can talk mortgage talk with any lender and not feel like I'm prime meat for the wolves. Really gives the lowdown on all types of financing alternatives and how not to get caught by the fine print. Thoroughly shows how to pay off your loan faster and save tens of thousands of dollars. Nuff said. This knowledge will pay back a thousand times the cost of the book.

The author writes like a used car salesman
The author writes like a hustler who is trying to con you into believing he is something he isn't. From the quality of the information in this book, the author certainly seems to understand mortgage. Yet, the street-wise tone of the author actually curbs his own credibility. He uses phrases such as "Avoid the bang of a bursting balloon","How to borrow jumbo amounts without paying jumbo rates", and "[author] simplifies complicated math...[and] make sure your loan rep is being honest with you". Such lingo belongs in an infomercial. Beyond his own hoopla, the book does contain valuable information. Just don't buy into his own hype.

Wealth of knowledge for the amateur
I am new to real estate investing and I have minor experience as a loan officer. This book provides in depth detail and easy to understand knowledge on the most effective ways to obtain the correct mortgage financing for an individual based on their situation or need. The books also gives you a great amount of resources to obtain more help and knowledge on the subject of mortgages. I would highly recommend this book, and I might also add it is very easy to read and comprehend the concepts discussed in the book.

Thorough and objective guide
I just closed a loan on my first home and I found this book to be a helpful guide. It's not as sensationalistic as the title might imply, but it prepared me to know what questions to ask and how to get my credit,income, and bills in shape before I put in my loan application. Although I took out a new loan, this book goes into assumptions, seller financing, and other financing choices that I didn't know much about. I think a lot of people looking to buy might find these alternatives worthwhile. Overall, a profitable read.
P.S. This book is not an "infomercial" or "get rich quick" hype. It also strongly warns against misleading a lender--none of the advice is "fraudulent." I find it interesting to read other reviews and sometimes wonder if they actually read the book they are reviewing. Not just here, but with many other popular authors. Oh well, such is life. ... Read more

Book Description

User friendly and itneractive, this is the most thorough, practice oriented real estate finance text in print.A working knowledge of finance is a must for the successful licensee.Chapters 1 through 7 explain the concepts and issues of finance encountered with every sale while chapters 8 through 14 focus on the practical application of those concepts.New content ensures that students get the latest information from the world of real estate finance. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

"Essentials", but not much more
I expected something a bit more in-depth rather than a primer. There really isn't much here that wasn't covered in each of the, sort of generalized, real estate practice books I purchased for about the same price.

I was severely disappointed with the short shrift given to most of the topics and pity those poor souls who paid list price for this book.

Hard to believe this is a college level book
It was hard for me to believe that this was a book used in a college level Real Estate Finance class. It was simple minded and for a finance book, I found it vague. Maybe the authors were trying too hard to "dumb it down" for the masses, but please! If it is a college level textbook, one would expect a little more meat.

Essentials of Real Estate Finance
This is a great book for anyone who is interested in learning real estate finance from the beginning without a finance background. The book provides readers with a wide coverage of fundamental finance principles. Readers will get a good sence of the current finance industry trends from this book. There are many easy to understand examples given under the "In Practice" narrative feature. ... Read more

Book Description

Loan amounts of $50 to $300,000.Interest rates of 2% to 25.75%.Terms up to 40 years.

Reviews (2)

This Book is a Load of Laughs!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I mean, who doesn't like to look at mortgage amortization tables? Me and my family like to sit around and quiz each other by saying stuff like "What is the monthly payment on a 30 year fixed interest mortgage of $135,000 at 8.25%?" We've even set it up in "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" format with lifelines and what have you and we have a real blast!

When we want to take a break, we just pull out the book on the calculation of Pi to 150,000 places and see who can recite the farthest. Then we have a group hug!

All you need to know about loans and payments is here
You may not use it often, but this book will come in very handy when planning to borrow money. I've been an investment professional since 1988, and this is the most borrowed book on my shelf. I also owned the previous edition, and this version has been improved with the inclusion of rates down to 2% and the expansion of loan amounts to $300,000 in the primary table.

The book is conveniently organized in four tables, ordered from most-commonly to least-commonly used (as it happens, largest to smallest). Table 1 (monthly amortization) is where everyone spends the most time. Just turn to the interest rate page, then read across for "loan amount" and down for "years in term," and you've got your monthly payment to the penny. For non-round numbered loan amounts, you can avoid having to interpolate by grabbing a calculator and turning to Table 2 (required payments for monthly, quarterly, etc.), where you can look up the multiplier (per $1000) corresponding to the rate and term of a given loan (yep, that's how your mortgage lender does the math). Less frequently used are loan progress charts and proration data, Tables 3 and 4, respectively.

This book is straightforward, convenient, and travels well. My favorite of its kind. ... Read more

Book Description

Although designed to be used with the Mortgage-Backed Securities book, this workbook contains sufficient explanatory material to stand alone. You will discover ways to: Successfully calculate MBS prepayment rates; Combine MBS analytical techniques for maximum effect; Understand and manipulate scenario, binomial and option-adjusted spread analysis. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Excellent book; stands on its own
While you can use this workbook with the text, it is also very useful by itself. In fact, I didn't know it was a companion to a book until after I bought it.

The topics are covered in enough detail to answer all those small questions I have. In addition, it's the only book I've found that leads the reader through the details of building a simple prepayment model. There are some advanced questions in the book for more mathematically inclined readers.

Limited, but Very Good Nonetheless
This workbook was written as a companion to "Mortgage-Backed Securities" by Davidson and Herskovitz. Frankly, I think this book works much better on its own and I would recommend Fabozzi's "Handbook of Mortgage-Backed Securities" instead as a general guide to the subject. The workbook confines itself to a limited number of topics but it covers these very well. Beginning with simple cash flow and yield calculations, the authors move on to provide guidance on (simple!) prepayment modelling, basic structuring, the yield curve and regulatory tests. The approach is attractively practical, and I think of this text as a useful secret weapon to have up one's sleeve.

Read it!
Best book I ever red about mortgage-backed securities. I recomend this book for everyone who work with mort.back securities. ... Read more

Book Description

This edition includes a stellar cast of contributors. Experts from the Mortgage Bankers Associaiton, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae discuss the most critical issues facing the mortgage lending industry today, including: merges and acquisitions; legal and regulatory issues; origination--retail, wholesale and builder protection; hedging mortgage pipeline fallout; automating mortgage banking operations. ... Read more

Book Description

This text is ideal for people studying for a real estate licensee, individuals seeking to enter the mortgage loan business and for those already actively working in the industry.Key topics of coverage include appraisal, credit agencies, title and escrow, and computer programs used in the industry.Important legal concepts such as trust fund handling and both federal and state compliances are also covered.There is extensive coverage of the forms necessary for the industry such as loan application, credit authorization, actual escrow instructions and much more. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Only good if you can read it.
I can't image how a well know publisher like South-Western could mess up this badly. I have perfect 20/20 vision and have read countless textbooks in my life - that said, I can tell you that this is an exceptionally difficult book to keep focused on - literally! My eyes begin to strain and ache after 5 min. of reading, primarily because of the poorly chosen typestyle and typesize.

There may be valuable information in here - but I'm going to find it elsewhere. ... Read more

Book Description

How to take full advantage of changing interest rates, the details of getting a mortgage to purchase a home, dealing with banks and other mortgage holders, and much more. Here's a reliable guide for home buyers. Titles in the easy-to-understand Business Keys series are directed at consumers and non-professionals, with advice on saving, investing, protecting assets, and increasing wealth through prudent money management. The books define terms, cut through business jargon, speak in plain language, and take the mystery out of business. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

mortgage financing
author could have spend more time detailing his example

The layman's guide to learning the mortgage industry
This book is an excellent source for obtaining a comprehensive knowledge of the mortgage industry. Whether you are a prospective home buyer seeking to save money on a mortgage, or seeking knowledge and training for a job in the mortgage industry, this book tells just about all there is to know about the important points of financing a home. This book is written in language that just about anyone can understand, and if it is followed with relative care from beginning to end, a strong foundation of mortgage industry knowledge can be obtained. This book is written from the standpoint of empowering home-buyers with valuable, unbiased knowedge of the industry, and I highly recommend it for this purpose as I use the knowledge contained in it every day. ... Read more

Book Description

Find The Home Mortgage That’s Right For You

Finding the right mortgage can be complex, confusing, and frustrating. But that doesn’t mean you have to settle for anything other than the terms you want. This indispensable and newly updated second edition of How to Save Thousands of Dollars on Your Home Mortgage spells out everything mortgage hunters need to know in clear and accessible terms. It covers more loan alternatives than any other book and examines the importance of discount points. It offers complete details on virtually every mortgage option currently available, what advantages each option offers, how to choose the right one for your needs, and how to save money in the process. New information in this edition will help you use the Internet to find a home and get a mortgage, examine automated underwriting models and conforming loan limits, and weigh new shopping strategies. Easy-to-read charts and graphs, helpful sample forms, and numerous examples will help you understand:

• First-time buyers programs
• APR, buy-downs, reverse mortgages, accelerated payoffs, and zero point loans
• Refinancing strategies
• Closing costs, lender fees, and other expenses
• How to dispute credit report errors and fix credit problems
• How to use the Internet for loan analysis

Reviews (24)

Some interesting detail, but could be better
This book is written by a mortgage industry insider and makes the claim that it will reveal the inner workings or even secrets of the process of obtaining a mortgage. And there is some interesting detail concerning ARMs, lender rate sheets, zero-point loans, etc.

But I think the book lacks organization and consistency. Like a lot of "insider" books it needed to have been read by a lot of "outsiders" for coherency before publishing. The author is not consistent in using the terminology that he defines at the start. He often is not clear about when he is talking about the firm originating your loan or the ultimate buyer of the loan. He creates as much confusion as clarity in his sloppy use of the terms: rebates, points, loan discount points, or loan origination points. Furthermore, for a detail-oriented book I was surprised that section numbers of a standard settlement form, 800, 900, 1000, etc, were not referred to when discussing closing costs.

I would have like to have seen more realistic discussion about the ability of a consumer to force a loan originator to reveal or discuss the profit margin on a loan as the author suggests one do. As far as I know American businesses are not in the habit and in fact resist revealing markups to consumers.

For some readers this book may be just what they are looking for, but I suspect that for most the detail is just not presented in a way that makes it particularly understandable or usable.

not very useful
Very disappointing. Contrary to the title, I did not find any useful information on how to save money on a mortgage. The author spends very little time on junk fees which can add hundreds or even thousands of $$$ in unnecessary fees to unwary buyers.

The book also makes little use of the internet resources that are now available to compare rates.

I would also expect a general opinion as to certain large lenders.

There is little useful information here. Save your money and buy a copy of your credit report instead.

250 pages dedicated to obtaining a mortgage
There hasn't been a single question about mortgage this book hasn't fully answered for me. This book is geared towards the first time home buyer who can't tell the difference between a mortgage from a smorgage. Although it won't make you an expert, it will provide a comprehensive understanding of every aspect of obtaining a mortgage. I particularly found the section on garbage fees very helpful. It has shaved off hundreds of dollars from my closing fees, and that alone was worth the price and the time invested in reading this book.

Good Book for Loan Officer Too.
As a new Loan Officer and looking for some real world experience i'm looking for some book with some real life advise and experience that i can gain deep knowledge about mortgage.
This book give a solid foundation and in depth knowledge that i can't get from other Loan Officer in our company.
I will definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for some in depth knowledge and practical way to learn this industry and save money and time for homeowner as well as for new loan officer.

i'm getting another one because the first book is fully hightlighted.

A Must Read for Home Owners
As both a home owner and a mortgage reseacher, I found Randy's book, "How to Save Thousands of Dollars on Home Mortgage", to be invaluable both from personal perspective and professional perspective.

Through this very well written book with lots of practical guides and hints, Randy tought me a lot of details about home mortgage, mortgage refinancing, and saving a lot of money on your next home purchase or refiance.

So read Randy's book and save yourself money! ... Read more

Book Description

Financial experts Chuck Ramsey and Frank Ramirez join Frank Fabozzi for the third edition of Collateralized Mortgage Obligations: Structure & Analysis. Because of the complexity and the risk associated with CMOs, portfolio managers need specific keys to understand and unlock the potential of these unique investment tools. Fabozzi and company provide this understanding with detailed explanations of all aspects of CMOs, including factors affecting prepayment behavior; whole loan CMO structures; and accounting for CMO investments. Filled with relevant examples and in-depth discussions, Collateralized Mortgage Obligations: Structure & Analysis sheds light on this somewhat controversial and highly technical subject–which is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the fixed-income securities market. ... Read more

Book Description

With mortgage rates at historic lows, it's never been a better time to invest close to home. But scrutiny of the fine details is absolutely vital to getting the best deal on a new or refinanced mortgage. Renowned real estate expert Julie Garton-Good provides an easy-to-follow road map through the harrowing twists and turns of the home mortgage loan process. Her bestselling book is filled with practical know-how and solutions to all your home loan questions.

This new edition includes a resource guide listing Internet sites, as well as names and contact information for consumer lending organizations and other valuable consumer resources. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Great mortgage book
I'm a programmer analyst for a mortgage company. However, the one year experience I had working for a mortgage company with all the ongoing trainings and mortgage software application designs are nothing compared to this book. This is a great book with all info you need to know about mortgages. Would recommend to anyone.

All I can say is this is a great book, that is equivalent to 3 years of mortgage experience.

Good for home buyer, fair for fledgling mtg loan officer
I suppose this reference work is very informative to the home buyer ... if perhaps a bit too much to digest for the average casual reader. For an intern loan officer in an agressively propserous mortgage brokerage, the book provided some key information, but not the depth I had hoped for. Is it worth getting if your a mortgage professional? Yes, most definately. So much of the do's and don'ts of this industry are shrouded in statements like "well, we always did it that way" rather than simple straight forward explanations. This book was a breath of fresh air when I was floundering in my first year as a loan officer. Now, as a Senior Loan Officer at my company I still find myself referring to it from time to time for some of those elusive little details that always seem to arise in the loan process. Go ahead and get a copy. Either you'll learn something new or your boss will think you're applying yourself at home as well as on the job!

Great Reference Book!
This book is a great book for consumers as well as real estate professionals. You will definitely want to keep it close by to reference information about FHA, VA and conventional loans. It is easy to forget some of the details about differnt loans but Ms. Garton-Good has made it easy to look up information such as who can pay closing costs on VA loans and does the veteran have to pay the funding fee. Having a list of closing costs FHA borrowers are allowed to pay or not pay is also very helpful. This book answers a lot of questions you probably wanted to know but may have been afraid to ask!

I would recommend anyone thinking about buying or selling real estate and all real estate professionals make this book a part of their reference library right away.

MAKE IT MORE SIMPLE. TOO MUCH IS TOO MUCH
THIS IS AN EXHAUSTIVE TREATISE ON A VERY OBVIOUSLY COMPLICATED SUBJECT. THERE ARE MANY, MANY ISSUES COVERED HERE BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A MORE USER FRIENDLY APPROACH.

THE AUTHOR OBVIOUSLY KNOWS HER SUBJECT MATERIAL BUT I FELT IT WAS PRESENTED IN A MUCH TOO COMPLICATED WAY FOR THE AVERAGE HOME BUYER. I LEARNED MORE FROM MY LOCAL MORTGAGE BROKER IN A ONE HOUR INTERVIEW THAN I DID FROM THE BOOK. I DO FEEL THE AUTHOR DID HER HOMEWORK AND I THINK THE BOOK IS WORTH THE MONEY. I JUST THINK THE BOOK WAS OVERKILL.

This book is the reason I'm a homeowner
My friend loaned me a copy of this book to read before applying for a loan. I had credit problems in the past and thought it was impossible to obtain a mortgage. After taking the steps the author suggested in checking my credit and removing the errors I found, I sailed through the mortgage process and am now a home owner. Thank you, Ms. Garton-Good, for helping me make this happen! ... Read more

Book Description

A straightforward explanation of the ins and outs of reverse mortgages

This book explains reverse mortgages in easy language so seniors (or their family members) can fully understand, and benefit from, these loans. Reverse loans allow seniors to convert part of their home equity into tax-free income. This lets seniors easily borrow against the value of their home without giving it up, and makes it easy for seniors or their children to repay the loan when the home is sold. The New Reverse Mortgage Formula helps readers fully understand–and take full advantage of–these helpful loans.

Tom Kelly (Rolling Bay, WA) is a former real estate editor for the Seattle Times. An experienced real estate investor, he currently writes a nationally syndicated column and hosts a nationally syndicated radio program. ... Read more

Book Description

Thomas C. Steinmetz helps consumers find the best deals on mortgage loans and refinanced home loans.

Buying a house is the most signigicant purchase many consumers make, and it pays to get the best advice.Thomas C. Steinmetz, consumer real estate expert and author of The Mortgage Kit, now in it's fifth edition, offers knowledgeable, easy to use, and money saving advice. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Very helpful
This book is great for your average Joe who is planning to buy or refinance a home. It is written in simple English with a minimum amount of technical language. As a first time home buyer looking to educate myself, I found it very helpful.

No that Bad
If only for the calculators and the formulas you should pick this book up. Of all the mortgage books I've read this one has the best charts, calculators. etc. to help you figure out what you can afford and how much your monthly bill will be. It also has an incredible formula to help you compare the many fixed rates that you will be bombarded with. So if you are receiving rates of 7, 7.5, 8 3/8 plus 1, 1 1/2 and 2 points you will be able to calculate the APR for EACH of these different fixed rates. No book that I have read has included such a formula. The book paid for itself just because of this one item.

Mortgage Kit provides insight in a way you can understand
Most books about mortgages quickly lose your attention because they are written in a way that only insiders can understand. This book explains the process in a way most people can comprehend.

I used this book to train myself when I got into the mortgage industry. As a manager in a mortgage company, I use this book as a training tool for mortgage loan officers, so they learn to describe the process and loan programs in a way that the general public can understand.

The Mortgage Kit provides a detailed explanation of the entire mortgage process in every day language. It provides great inside tips for consumers about all different aspects of getting a mortgage. Including how to know whether or not your mortgage lender is treating you fairly, and important insights that will protect you from being taken for a ride.

All of the important basics are covered; from what your lender will look at when deciding whether or not to approve your loan, to the paperwork you need to pull together before going to apply for a loan and choosing the best mortgage program for your own needs.

The book is well organized in its layout. It is educational if you read it cover to cover. But more importantly, it's laidout in a way that allows you to find the topics you have questions about easily, so you can focus on learning the answers to them. ... Read more