The Mortgage Encyclopedia

This as an almost indispensible tool for anyone involved in real estate transactions. If you own a home, or you're planning to buy one, you will want to have this book as a guide to the myriad types of loans available, and the dizzying amount of real estate terms that are used. All of it is explained in plain English. It can be used by real estate professionals and laymen alike. I find this book also useful for notary signing agents. Although we're not required (or supposed) to discuss the loan terms with the borrower at the closing, it still helps to know what all of these terms mean. What I like about the book is the organization. All of the topics are in alphabetical order, making it easy to find the information you need quickly. There are many cross references and references to web sites. And unlike an ordinary encyclopedia, there are opinions from the author. If you've read his articles or visited his website, then you're already familiar with the wisdom he shares with his readers. This is one encyclopedia you'll want to read from A to Z.

This book is excellent for those of us just getting into the mortgage business. It familiarizes you with the mortgage broker jargon. Highly recommended

Great book for the first-time home buyer to the experienced mortgage broker.

Jack Guttentag is a legend in not only the US - but the global mortgage industry - and his Mortgage Encyclopedia is the best investment any borrower can make in their own future whether you currently own a home or would like to someday own one. A mortgage is the largest amount of money most of us will ever borrow for the longest period of time and as such, is the centerpiece of your financial portfolio. Guttentag proves that knowledge is power by giving everyone equal access to the information that will help anyone make one of the most important decisions in their life. If you're ready to take control over your own finances, read this book before going to a broker so that you can make better informed decisions. After reading this book, put it on your bookshelf next to your home medical encyclopedia because you'll need it when you refinance. Not only should every consumer read this book, so should every professional in the mortgage industry - and I expect they will. Jack, for those of us "experts" in the industry you've done all of us a great favor - now when friends, friends-of-friends and family call for free mortgage advice, we can send them the book - it gives better explanations and advice than most of us would have given anyway! And of course we'll all be reading it ourselves. (Note to readers: I have never had the privilege of meeting Jack Guttentag but read his [...] website weekly. In 20 years in the global mortgage industry, I have never seen anyone as articulate and forthright about the strengths and weaknesses of this industry from an insider's perspective, nor have I ever found a stronger consumer advocate than Professor Guttentag. I have no direct financial benefit from this review.)

This is an extraordinary piece of work that no mortgage professional should be without. There is so much I could say about this book, but if I said what I wanted to say, this review would be half as long as the book. There is value on every single page of this thing! You'll keep turning the pages and you'll be amazed at how much you learn. Written in clear, lucid, helpful, well-documented terms, this is a completely trustworthy resource that any mortgage loan originator - newcomer or veteran - will learn a great deal from. Real estate journalists, regulators, and legislators should not do their work without having this book by their side. Don't move ahead with any mortgage-related activity without consulting this incredible work. I am going to adopt it as one of the required textbooks for my community college classes for new loan originators. This will be required reading, and will prove to be an invaluable daily-reference resource as the students move into their careers. In my work around the country for www.trainingpro.com as a trainer for the ten largest mortgage companies in the country, I recommend this book to every originator I see. And I have to keep a close watch on my heavily dog-eared copy because I watch it slipping away at every class I show it to. Once originators have it in their hands they don't want to let it go, and I understand why. I take it with me everywhere I go, and prop it up in front of my classes so students will know what I think of it. It is an invaluable teaching and learning resource. Furthermore, whenever anyone in or outside the business asks me where to go to learn about mortgages I immediately recommend this author's website. There are tutorials on a wide array of mortgage-related subjects. He is at www.mtgprofessor.com I know this sounds like I am some kind of shill for this guy, but the fact is I have never met him and have only talked with him a few times on the phone and via e-mail, and I have no financial interest in the book whatsoever. His picture makes him appear to be a gruff old coot, but he is friendly and helpful and seems genuinely interested in explaining mortgage concepts to consumers and to loan originators. He is the real deal, a great asset to consumers and to the mortgage industry. His column is syndicated, and he is at Yahoo Finance, in addition to his books. I also recommend his Pocket Mortgage Guide. Buy his books. I guarantee you won't be disappointed. If someone showed me the information in this book in manual form I would assume the price would be in the hundreds of dollars. Whoever priced this thing left a lot of money on the table. Their loss, your gain.