The subprime mortgage crisis underlines the importance of understanding mortgage offers and planning for a mortgage before you sign on the dotted line. A real estate investor or home buyer has to look at both side of the issue. What are the relative benefits, in terms of tax savings and asset appreciation, as well as the long term ability to make mortgage payments.

In this section, we outline the basics of mortgage agreements, pre-approvals, costs, penalties, mortgage insurance, real estate investment tax benefits, working with brokers, ballon and simple interest mortgages and other mortgage related issues.