Organic Baby Bouncer

Have you finally decided to buy your first home? The realization of the greatest American dream is to have your own home. Thus, if you want to buy your first home, you surely want to find the lowest mortgage rates.

Now, if you have perfect credit rating, then there is no reason why you will not be able to find the lowest mortgage rates. However, if you have low credit score, it may be a challenge for you to find the lowest mortgage rates but then, shopping around may do some good things for you.

If you want to find the lowest mortgage rates, you have to shop around. Research several lenders and ask for their quotations.

The trick in comparing quotations is to compare the total cost of mortgage fees in the same mortgage terms.

Never compare a 15-year term against 30-year term or fixed term as compared to adjustable term. Remember, you have to compare apples to apples and not apples to orange and thus if you will need to compare, compare it with the same term conditions.

When you have several mortgage quotations at hand, do not merely glance at them, you have to compare all the parameters provided. Some may call a certain item differently than with others.

The first step for you of course is as mentioned, look for several reputable lenders and compares their quotations.

The next step is to sort out the quotations by sorting their terms. Thus, you have to ask several quotations and different terms from each lender. Do not tie yourself up in only one term say 30 year fixed term. You have to see which once among those mortgage rates is the lowest and thus asking for several quotations and in different terms will help you gage which once good for you.

The third and important step is to compare them. Some fees bare different names in some lenders and thus you have to understand them. If you find it difficult to know which once the processing and which once the underwriting fees, mortgage insurance premium, appraisal fee, cost of credit report, taxes and other mortgages fees, you may therefore need to add up all the lenders fees and compare them.

You can just look for the total, deduct the loanable amount and consider the term period. Of course, understanding each item in the mortgage package is the best. Thus, you have to ask questions as much as you can.

When you finally decide which once provides the lowest mortgage rates, then you will be able to sign up for the mortgage that will give you the lowest mortgage rate.

You may likewise consider your capacity to pay and thus looking at the quotations will help you gage which month amortization is going to be convenient for you.

Realization of the greatest American dream of owning your own home is a challenge in the economically challenged time we are in. Thus, if you are given the chance to do it, go find the lowest mortgage rate that you can afford and make sure to keep paying your amortization on time. This will surely be the best way to own your own home soonest.

Finding the lowest mortgage rate is possible. You will however need to do some researching and comparing. This is to ensure that your capacity to pay and the lowest mortgage rates will both work to your advantage in realizing the greatest American dream. Yes, even in the economically challenged time you live in today.

Ralph King has been contributing to leading magazines for the past 10 years. He's also an accredited researcher on the subject for leading research institutes in the US.

Donating your used car to charity is a win-win situation; the charity gets your gift and you get tax deduction. Below are some simple steps to make a car donation.

1. Understand the rules. A good place to read the government rule on car donation is IRS Publication 4303, A Donor's Guide to Car Donations (available on the IRS's website at www.irs.gov). This guide outlines some important rules regarding car donation. For example, one important rule states that car donation must be made to qualified organizations in order to be tax deductible.

2. Determine the value of your used car. Although the blue book might help you determine the value of your car, you should read IRS Publication 561, Determining the Value of Donated Property (available on the IRS's website), to see what your car really worth.

3. Find a charity to donate your vehicle. If you are associated with any charity or non-profit organizations, that organization might be your choice for donating your car. Otherwise, check the Yellow Book or search on the Internet to find an organization to which you feel like donating your car. After you have identified a candidate, you should review IRS Publication 78, which is a list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions. This document is also available on the IRS's website and it's searchable. Make sure the candidate charity is eligible. Otherwise, you might not get your tax deduction!

4. Make your donation. After you have made the donation, make sure to ask for a written acknowledgement from the charity. You will need to attach this acknowledgement to your tax return in order to get your tax deduction.

John Lee is a freelance Internet writer. He has written articles for websites such as Car Donation Helper, (http://www.car4donation.com)