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Wednesday, January 04, 2006

The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Online Mortgage LendingOnline mortgage lending

The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Online Mortgage Lending
Online mortgage lending appears to be the way of the future.
However, there are some important things to consider when dealing
with online mortgage lenders.

Let's start with the advantages of online mortgage lending.

Online mortgage lending is a growing field that is starting to
seriously compete with traditional 'in person' lenders. The
process is relatively easy. The important thing to remember is to
make sure your know the ins and outs of any and all online home
mortgage loans prior to submitting your personal information.

In some cases, you'll find online mortgage lending fees can be
much cheaper than traditional 'in person' lenders.

Further, when it comes to online mortgage lending you may
discover a greater range of mortgage loan programs available.
Among the highlights of these programs may be lower rates of
interest and flexible repayment terms.

Also, borrowers with a bad credit history may find online
mortgage lending to be the answer to their prayers. In most
cases, web-based lenders offer more alternatives to those with
less than desirable credit ratings.

Finally, online mortgage lending can shave a ton of time off of
the traditional 'in person' route and having to wait (what might
be several days) to be approved. The bonus here is if you don't
get approved the first time, you can apply to another lender
right away and like the first time, you'll get your answer quick.


Now let's explore the disadvantages of online mortgage lending.

It's important to realize that not all online mortgage lenders
have representation in each of the 50 states. Before taking the
time to apply online, it's in your best interest to make sure
that the lender in question is represented in the state in which
you reside.

A big negative with online mortgage lending is unfortunately
accountability. It's your job as the potential borrower to do
your homework and keep on top of your application. It's wise to
check out the company to make sure they're legit and will be able
to fulfil any promises they make regarding terms and interest
rates.

Unfortunately with both traditional and online mortgage lending,
the mortgage loan programs offered may be more in lender's best
interest than in yours. Again, it's so very important that you do
some research and comparison shopping. Just like with traditional
'in person' lenders you want to make sure that any online
mortgage lending is in your best interest not theirs.

Another possible negative is the fact that some online mortgage
lenders will charge you a fee prior to you learning whether or
not your application has been successful. Please note that some
traditional lenders also ask for a fee upfront. Borrowers beware
- there are many legitimate traditional and online lenders than
don't insist on such a fee.

Unlike any negative dealings you may have with traditional
mortgage lenders, online mortgage lending isn't regulated by a
governing organization in which you can complain to.

The bottom line is that while online mortgage lending may be the
way of the future, it's also important to research the lender and
ask the right questions. And, while applying for a mortgage loan
online may seem like a great idea, don't discount the value of
getting a comparison quote from a traditional 'in person'
lender.









































































The Difference between Health Insurance and Life InsuranceHealth insurance protects

The Difference between Health Insurance and Life Insurance
Health insurance protects the insured against incurring extensive medical expenses by offering full or partial coverage for certain medical treatments and procedures. Life insurance, on the other hand, is an insurance policy that pays out the face value of the policy, in a lump-sum payment, to the person designated as the beneficiary, upon the death of the insured.

There are two basic types of life insurance: whole life and term life. Term life insurance is by far the less expensive of the two because it offers just life insurance. A term life insurance policy can be purchased for as little as one year and for as long as 30 years. In order for the beneficiary to cash in on the policy, the insured must die sometime during the term. This is probably why so many people wait until they are older before purchasing life insurance.

Whole life insurance is a combination of a life insurance policy and an investment plan. The premium associated with the whole life policy is shared between the two with a portion going towards the life insurance premium and the balance being invested into whichever investment vehicle has been chosen: mutual fund, money market, stock and bonds, etc. The benefit of a whole life policy is that it forces the insured to save money for retirement by using a portion of the premium as investment money. In reality however, these policies are typically loaded with fees and commissions, and after taking these costs into consideration, it often is not the best use of an individual's investment dollars.

A life insurance policy is totally different from a health insurance policy and the price for each ultimately depends upon a person's age and physical well-being. In general, individuals who are young and healthy pay less than those who are older, and especially those who are older and in poor health.

It's not possible to advise a person which is better, a health insurance policy or a life insurance policy. Many people obtain health insurance through their employer, and many employers also offer as a benefit the ability to purchase a low face value life insurance policy for a nominal cost. If this is your situation, it's advisable to take advantage of both these benefits.

Otherwise, deciding which insurance policies to purchase becomes more a matter of how much you can afford each month and your personal situation. It's advisable to choose health insurance coverage, even though it probably will be more expensive because it only takes one uninsured medical illness or accident to leave you with insurmountable medical bills. Also consider this. If you don't have health insurance, and your medical bills (and/or other bills) are considerable, it might be a good idea to purchase term life insurance with a face value high enough to pay off your bills and designate your spouse as your beneficiary. That way, your spouse won't have to worry about inheriting your sizeable debt!