Betsalel Cohen
Passionate about helping people improve their finances. Worked in mortgage banking, private banking, and personal financial coaching. When he is not working, he loves running and spending time with his family.
Should I Take a Fixed Rate or Adjustable Rate MortgageMar 30, 2014
Which is your best choice, a Fixed Rate or Adjustable Rate Mortgage? You can save a lot of money with an adjustable rate mortgage, but make sure that you...
Reverse Mortgage Rules | Changes in 2013Sep 29, 2013
Reverse Mortgage Rules | The FHA insured reverse mortgage program is losing money. Learn about proposed mortgage rules for 2013 and how they will help...
HECM Loan | Changes in Loan Amounts - 2013Sep 16, 2013
Starting September 30, 2013 the HECM loan will not look the same. New rules include changes in the overall amount of loan you can borrow and the amount you...
FHA Loan After Foreclosure and other Economic HardshipSep 11, 2013
Looking to buy a home and take a FHA loan after a foreclosure, short sale, deed-in-lieu, or bankruptcy? The FHA introduced a shorter waiting period, if you...
What to Do when Mortgage Rates are Going UpJun 16, 2013
Mortgage Rates Going Up? Mortgage rates are continually changing. After hitting record lows in 2012, mortgage rates are increasing in mid-2013. Make sure...
Wells Fargo Mortgage Modification and Foreclosure PreventionJun 4, 2013
Wells Fargo Modification is just one of many foreclosure alternatives. If you also have a second mortgage, then...
Home Affordability | Regional HOI IndexMay 21, 2013
Home Affordability varies over different regions and neighborhoods. Make sure that you look at local data and prepare your finances so that your income...
Home Affordability Index TipsMay 16, 2013
Before buying a home and taking a mortgage learn about Home Affordability. Housing prices, income, and interest rates are important factors to consider when...
FHFA Streamline Modification: A HAMP AlternativeMay 12, 2013
The FHFA Streamline Modification is available for Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae loan. You must be delinquent at least 90+ days, but you don't have to prove...
FHA Mortgage Insurance - Changes in 2013May 6, 2013
Changes in FHA Mortgage Insurance in 2013 will cause FHA loans, popular for first time buyers and borrowers with low credit scores, to be more expensive.
HARP 2.5? The Boxer-Menendez Refinance BillMar 11, 2013
Boxer-Menendez Refinance Bill | Senators Boxer and Menendez introduced for the third time their Refinance bill to improve the HARP program; however, it still...
RAHPP | Sen. Merkley's 4% Mortgage Pilot ProgramFeb 14, 2013
Rebuilding American Homeownership Pilot Program | Is this the start of HARP 3? The results of the pilot will help determine if Sen. Merkley can push through...
Home Affordability: Preparing for the 2013 Housing MarketJan 6, 2013
Housing Market 2013 and Home Affordability: There are signs that housing prices and mortgage rates will increase in 2013. Make sure that you can afford...
Reverse Mortgage Counseling | A Necessary StepDec 24, 2012
Reverse Mortgage Counseling | Reverse mortgages require a counseling session (all HUD backed ones). Counselors are not financial planners, so make sure that...
How Does A Reverse Mortgage Work?Dec 24, 2012
How a Reverse Mortgage Works | Learn about the differences between a regular mortgage and a reverse mortgage. A reverse mortgage can work for you, but...
Reverse Mortgage | Pros and ConsDec 24, 2012
Reverse Mortgage Cons | Reverse Mortgages are complicated. Avoid trouble by understanding how they work. By learning about the disadvantages you can avoid...
FHA Loan Limits - 2013Dec 13, 2012
FHA Loan Limits 2013 | FHA loan limits remain, for most areas, the same as for 2012. FHA loans are a popular choice for homebuyers and with low...
Control Your Holiday Spending and Deal with Holiday DebtDec 5, 2012
Holiday Spending and Holiday Debt | Gifts, vacations, family gatherings are all reasons for a joyous holiday. Keep your budget and deal with your debt to best..
Learn About Reverse Mortgage ComplaintsNov 22, 2012
Reverse Mortgage Complaints | High pressure and false advertising lead some borrowers to take reverse mortgages. Make sure that a reverse mortgage is a good...
Hit by Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane Insurance and HelpNov 15, 2012
Hurricane Insurance and Hurricane Sandy | Make sure that you have the proper insurance coverage to cover natural disasters. Get tips on how to deal with...
Housing Recovery and the FHA BailoutNov 8, 2012
FHA Bailout and Getting a Mortgage | A FHA bailout could potentially hurt a housing recovery by making it harder to get FHA loans. Learn about the importance...
HARP 2 Mortgage | Keeping UpdatedNov 5, 2012
HARP 2 Mortgage Updates | The HARP 2 mortgage has stepped up helping more borrowers, with high LTVs. However, you need to shop around to find the best HARP 2...
CFPB New Credit Card RulesOct 28, 2012
CFPB Proposes New Credit Card Income Rules for Non-Working Spouses | New proposed rules to help non-working spouses qualify for credit cards will...
What is A Reverse Mortgage | A Complex Financial ToolOct 22, 2012
What is a Reverse Mortgage? | A reverse mortgage is a complex financial tool for people over 62 who have equity in their homes. Be very careful to avoid..
Reverse Mortgages | Learn and Go SlowOct 17, 2012
Reverse Mortgages- Learn, Prepare, Go Slow | Reverse mortgages are complex and hard to understand. Learn how the loan works, and guard against the dangers...
HARP 2 & LTVOct 17, 2012
HARP 2 and LTV | Although under the HARP 2 program there is unlimited LTV, many lenders have tighter rules. According to the FHFA August 2012 report, more...
Pre-Approval and Pre-Qualify for a Mortgage LoanOct 14, 2012
Mortgage Pre-Qualification and Pre-Approval | Before you purchase a home or refinance a mortgage make sure you are prepared to qualify. Ask the lender for a...
HARP 3 - Will Congress Expand the Program?Oct 11, 2012
HARP 3 Expansion | There are a large number of borrowers who don't qualify for the HARP program. Congress is reviewing a number of proposals to expand HARP 3...
Hardest Hit Fund: Helping Struggling HomeownersSep 23, 2012
Hardest Hit Fund | 18 states established a foreclosure avoidance program to help unemployed and struggling borrowers get current and also...
Nelnet Derogatory on Credit ReportSep 20, 2012
Derogatory Entry on Credit Report by Nelnet | If NelNet reported accurate derogatory information to the credit reporting agencies, then you can...
Learn About Installment LoansSep 5, 2012
Installment Loans | Learn about different types of installment loans and payment terms. Get valuable tips about installment loans and your credit, budget, and..
Rebuilding American Homeownership - The 4% MortgageAug 19, 2012
Rebuilding American Homeownership | In late July 2012 Sen. Merkley proposed a program for all underwater borrowers. Will it become the new HARP 3 program, or...
Using a 401k Withdrawal to Invest in Real EstateAug 19, 2012
401k Withdrawal to Invest in Real Estate | A traditional 401k does not allow for a real estate investment, unlike some IRA Roth Accounts. Weigh carefully your..
#MyRefi | Social Media to Mass Refinancing PlanAug 14, 2012
MyREfi# | The White House initiated a social campaign to gain support fro a HARP 3 mass refinancing plan. The plan requires Congressional action, but...
Mortgage Modification or Refinance | Avoid ForeclosureAug 12, 2012
Mortgage Modification or Refinance | If you are having trouble making your payments, then look into a mortgage modification. But if you have good credit, then..
Prepaid Cards | The BasicsAug 12, 2012
Prepaid Cards | Prepaid debit cards are becoming a more popular product, especially for teen and collage aged students, offering more budgetary controls, but...
Hardest Hit Fund: Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac UpdatesJul 27, 2012
Principal Reductions to HARP, HAMP and Hardest Hit Funds | Due to changes in state regulations and Freddie Mac & Fannie Mae guidelines, principal reductions...
Steps to Establish CreditJul 22, 2012
Establish Credit | It takes time to establish credit. Build a strong financial plan (budget, save money). Be careful before co-signing or adding an....
Eminent Domain | A Mortgage Relief OptionJul 20, 2012
Eminent Domain and Mortgages | Can a local government take over mortgage loans? Learn about a proposal to use eminent domain to help underwater borrowers refi..
California Law to Protect Homeowner from ForeclosureJul 6, 2012
California Foreclosure Protection | The California legislature passed a law to help homeowners avoid foreclosure. The law includes no dual tracking and more...
FHA Streamline | Low Credit ScoreJul 5, 2012
FHA Streamline Refinance | Low credit scores can be a barrier to a FHA streamline refinance, because lenders have stricter requirements. There are lenders who..
Home Purchase Mortgage Rates | Shop and CompareJul 1, 2012
Compare Home Purchase Mortgage Rates | When shopping for a home purchase loan make sure that you compare mortgage fees and mortgage rates. The best rates are...
Compare Bank Mortgage RatesJun 28, 2012
Bank Mortgage Rates | Look at big Banks to see their mortgage rates. But make sure that you shop around for the best mortgage rates and compare....
Choosing between Life Insurance Term and Unviersal PolicyJun 28, 2012
Life Insurance: Term vs Universal Policy | Life insurance policies cover for different events. Make sure that you choose a policy that covers your needs and....
Today's Mortgage Interest RatesJun 18, 2012
Today's Interest Rates | Bills.com gives you today's mortgage rates. Rates vary over time, by lender, and by borrower., so make sure to compare...
20-Year Mortgage Rates | Save Money Jun 17, 2012
20-Year Mortgage Interest Rates | 20-Year Mortgage Loan Rates are generally lower than 30-Year rates. Before taking a loan learn to compare rates and fees...
Low Interest Mortgage Loans | Shop AroundJun 6, 2012
Low Interest Home Loans | Shop around and find a low interest rate mortgage. Compare products, loot at both mortgage rates and mortgage fees. Learn how...
10-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesJun 3, 2012
10-Year Mortgage Rates | If you want to pay off your mortgage quickly, then look into 10-Year mortgage rates. However, make sure that you have sufficient...
15-Year Refinance Rates May 30, 2012
15-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates | Take advantage of low rates and refinance into a 15-Year FRM. Check to see how you can refinance into a lower interest rate and..
15-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesMay 29, 2012
15-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates | 15-year mortgage rates are cheaper than 30-year rates. However, make sure that you can afford them. Compare between real...