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I need to do some major home improvements. I have a lot of equity in my home. What is my best option to pay home improvement costs.

My wife and I have lived in our home for 14 years. It's gone up in value significantly. Currently the home is worth $850,000. We refinanced about 6 years ago and have a 3.375% rate with a balance of just under $300,000.  We would like to do some major work (Kitchen, add a bathroom, new landscaping) and have received bids for the projects so we can estimate the cost at about $100,000. What is t...
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Is it Difficult to Qualify for a Cash-Out Refinance?

I now have equity in my house and want to take out some cash to pay off credit card debt. My credit score took a hit because of medical bills and a temporary loss of work. I am now self-employed and hope that I can qualify. Do you have any advice on how I can qualify for a cash-out mortgage?

Can I Save Money by Refinancing?

My husband and I bought our first home about three years for $300,000. Because we had a low down payment and only fair credit we took out a 30-year FHA mortgage at 4.45%. I recently got a significant raise and both of our credit scores have improved. My husband thinks that mortgage costs are too high, but I think that it might be a good idea to refinance.

Do you think that we shou...
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Which is better, a Fixed Rate Mortgage or an Adjustable Rate Mortgage?

I noticed that mortgage rates are going up. I am interested in a 30-year mortgage. Should I take a fixed rate loan or an adjustable rate mortgage?

I need help with my Wells Fargo and Charter One Mortgages? Modification, short sale or...?

I own a home in Seattle that is worth $300K but we owe $400K. Wells Fargo, the first lien holder, agreed to modify the loan. Charter One (second lien holder) charged-off the 2nd right before the modification was approved. Charter One has not signed off on the Wells Fargo modification yet. Can/will Charter One hold up the Wells Fargo modification? Is short sale an option once a 2nd mortgage l...
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Will there be new reverse mortgage rules in 2013?

I read that the FHA is running a deficit and may need a bailout. Also, the HECM (reverse mortgage) program is a huge drain. Will this affect their reverse mortgage program? Will there be new reverse mortgage rules?

Can I give money to my daughter to help her buy a home? What is a wraparound mortgage?

Can I give my daughter $100,000 from the sale of my home, so she can make a down payment on a home. Also, what is a wrap around mortgage and is it safe to do?

I want a HELOC, to take cash out of my home's equity. Should I pay for an appraisal, after my bank did an automated appraisal that showed a lower value than my house is worth?

I purchased my home 4 months ago and the in home appraisal valued my home at $220k. My tax appraisal came in at $209k. Prices in my neighborhood have risen slightly since I had the appraisal. I applied for a HELOC but the bank's robo-appraisal only came back at $190k. Is it worth it to pay $350 for another in home appraisal, hoping the value of the home will be higher? The bank won't...
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Can you help me find a second mortgage lender?

I need a list of lenders who will finance a second mortgage.

Should I refinance now, or do a loan modification and then refinance?

How much will a modified refinanace (4-5 mths with reduced payment) hurt our credit score? Then refinance to lower rate and pay full payment.We both are in the upper 700s to 800 credit score.