As part of the loan application process, virtually all lenders will want to see a copy of your credit report. The report will list all your long-term debts (credit cards, mortgage payments, automobile and student loans, etc), as well as your payment history. If you don’t have a copy of your credit report, most lenders will generally require you to pay for a copy when they process your loan application.

Today’s homebuyer has more financing options than have ever been available before. From traditional mortgages to adjustable-rate and hybrid loans, there are financing packages designed to meet the needs of virtually anyone.

While the different choices may seem overwhelming at first, the overall goal is really quite simple: you want to find a loan that fits both your current financial situation and your future plans. Though this article discusses some of the more common loan types, you should spend time talking with different lenders before deciding on the right loan for your situation.

Most homeowners spend more time researching the purchase of a big-screen TV or cell phone than they do replacements for major systems in their home.
The following Five Smart Shopping Tips should help you ace your next major purchase for your home. Our example is windows, but apply the ideas presented here to whatever you’re shopping for. These suggestions frame issues to reveal the types of questions to ask and ask in our “buyer beware” marketplace until answers make a lot of sense.