Sponser: Financial One

An industry leader, Financial One offers mortgage and insurance services to both residential and commercial clients. In addition to providing an abundance of convenient alternatives at the lowest cost possible, Financial One's executive team is comprised of key market makers with more than 50 years of combined industry experience. This experience extends significant benefits to clients through knowledge of all types of financing alternatives including residential purchases, refinances, investment property, construction loans, mixed use and commercial as well as an array of insurance products. With a strong understanding that business success is tied directly to customer care, a significant portion of business comes by way of referrals from past clients just like you.

Since Financial One is a full service they offer Life Insurance and annuity products. Annuties are something to avoid, not neccessarilly because of risk, but because you can get better returns elsewhere. Now for the life insurance. Financial Ones online life insurance shopping system instantly compares life insurance rates from over 140 companies. The form is easy to fill out and you get quotes back within seconds of hitting the submit button.

Finally, the final product to discuss is of course mortgages. As I have said in previous posts, I believe people should save their money up rather then borrow to buy a house. However, as I have also said, a first time home owner may find it neccessary to borrow a portion. The key here is to make a bigger downpayment, and buy smaller, then upgrade when you can pay (cash + sell of the smaller home) cash for the newer home. I cannot completely condem mortgages (although some seem to miss that part of some previous posts) but be careful, avoid them as much possible. If you are buying a 2nd, 3rd, etc or even rental properties, then avoid mortgages at all costs.

For those that do look towards mortgages, then make a larger down payment (at least 50%) and get a 15-year fixed rather then the typical 30-year. Of course shorter the term the better, as long as the rates are fixed. Problem with spreading out the term is you're only paying more interest rather then decreasing your monthly payment.