Everything you need to know before you borrow? Unless you're sitting on a pile of cash, chances are you'll need to take out a mortgage when you're ready to buy a home. But how do you know how much house you can afford? What should you look for in a loan? What kind of paperwork is needed . . . and how do you improve your odds of getting a great rate? Mortgages 101 eliminates the confusion and stress with clear-cut answers to all your questions. Updated to reflect the enormous changes in the mortgage market in recent years, Mortgages 101 is the all-in-one reference you've been looking for. Covering a wide range of topics — from negotiating the best deal to saving on closing costs — this revised third edition provides the latest information on:   Application procedures Online lenders New loan and government programs Qualifying requirements Credit strategies Down payment assistance and zero-down options Guidelines for self-employed borrowers Bankruptcies and waiting periods Refinancing and home equity loans Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rules The Ability-to-Repay mandate And much more   This is THE book you need to read before you sign on the dotted line.