www.dotcomhunter.com Learning about Re-Financing Online Many homeowners find the Internet to be very useful during the re-fi nancing process. The Internet may be useful because it provides the homeowner with a wealth of information, because it provides the abil ity to submit loan applications and receive estimates online and bec ause makes it easy for homeowners to consider complicated mathematic al equations for a variety of options with ease. While the Internet can be a homeowner’s best friend it can also be the homeowner’s wors t enemy. Homeowners who are using the Internet to perform the majori ty of their re-financing research should be aware of the potential p roblems associated with finding information online. Additionally, th is article will provide the reader with useful information regarding the types of information they may find on the Internet as well as t ips for selecting reliable Internet resources. Exploring the Internet Whether you refer to it as the Internet or the World Wide Web, there is no denying the way the Internet has changed our society. Just a fe w years ago, the process of re-financing was largely done during bank ing hours by meeting directly with financial advisors. However, this is no longer the case. The major advantage young homeowners have over their parents or gra ndparents is the ability to learn more about re-financing options q uickly and even receive quotes online in a matter of minutes. While the process of re-financing still involves elaborate mathematical calculations, many of these calculations have been automated so the homeowner only has to enter in the known variables to solve for th e unknowns. These calculators are readily available throughout the Internet. Each calculator may not be designed identically so homeow ner should use a couple of calculators to determine an approximate range of answers. Besides finding information and utilizing mortgage calculators, the I nternet can also be used to obtain quotes. Homeowners are able to fil l out simple forms with only a few pieces or relevant information and lenders are able to contact the homeowner with information about the types of re-financing options and interest rates they may be able to offer to the homeowner. Selecting Reliable Resources on the Internet The Internet is filled with useful information. However, the Internet is also filled with incorrect information. Homeowners should be aware of this fact and should avoid using the Internet exclusively in the re search process. This will enable the homeowner to independently verify the information they find online. A gift from www.dotcomhunter.comwww.dotcomhunter.com One way homeowners can avoid coming into contact with misinformatio n is to select only reputable websites on the subject of home mortg ages. Determining which websites are reputable and which ones are n ot is not always easy. Website design is a fairly simple process an d there are many people who can create a website which looks profes sional. However, the appearance of the website does not ensure the quality of the content provided on the website. Even the most profe ssional looking website may contain inaccurate information. This ma y not be intentional but it often occurs when the website owner is quite knowledgeable about website design but is very knowledgeably about the subject or re-financing. One way to avoid the possibility of being misinformed on the Internet is to rely solely on websites maintained by well known lenders or fi nancial institution. Often the ownership of the website may be diffic ult to decipher but many well known financial institutions use their name as their domain name and optimize their website for keywords rel ated to their name. This is done to ensure those who search for their name will be directed to their website. Using Caution on the Internet It is always wise to use caution when participating in Internet activ ities. As previously discussed, this involves verifying the informati on obtained on a particular website. This may be done by using indepe ndent resources such as published books or consultations with financi al advisors to confirm the Internet research. Additionally, homeowners should be cautious about divulging sensitiv e information such as full name, address or social security number. This type of information should only be given to sources which are d eemed to be reputable. PPPPP Word count 675 A gift from www.dotcomhunter.com