Mortgage Planners can Help Potential Homeowners Reduce Monthly Payments by Choosing the Correct Federally-backed Loan Product While the Temporary Increase is in Effect

Baltimore, MD -- (ReleaseWire) -- 03/10/2008 -- One immediate benefit of The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 is the increase in loan limits for high-cost areas of the country. By raising the Federal Housing Administration's loan limits on what qualifies for lower-cost FHA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans, the bill could help a quarter of a million families purchase or refinance their homes at a lower cost. Combined with record low interest rates, the change could improve the financial picture for many now facing foreclosure. The options and loan ceilings vary, however, from county to county and only a Certified Mortgage Planner can weigh all the options to determine if a new loan makes sense for an individual homeowner.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for those now paying a premium to live in high-cost states to lower their payments by switching from what was considered a subprime or jumbo loan to a federally-guaranteed loan at today's low rates," states Robert Schiller and Justin Freeman, Branch Managers with Residential Home Loan Centers, a mortgage brokerage company based in Baltimore, MD. "The right loan product can go a long way toward maximizing equity position while minimizing risk."

HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson was optimistic about the number of people who would benefit from the temporary increase. "The stimulus is providing immediate relief to homeowners," Jackson said. "It raises the Federal Housing Administration's loan limits, enabling more families to qualify for a safe, affordable FHA mortgage. This is important. Families in high-cost states have been priced out of FHA-backed loans. This has created a vacuum, filled by exotic subprime loans. Families with home loans up to $729,750 will now qualify for an FHA loan, depending on where they live."

FHA loan limits that will range from $271,050 to $729,750 with the largest loans available in high-cost metropolitan areas such as New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. But even smaller markets could see increased activity in the housing market when the new loans become available.

Schiller predicted the new rules would allow thousands of local families to access equity in their homes and make homeownership a reality for thousands more. "This is good news for people who were otherwise paying a penalty for living in areas where median priced homes required jumbo loans with higher fees," Schiller stated.

Regardless of the market, however, there is no universal optimal choice of mortgage product and potential borrowers are advised to contact a knowledgeable and reputable mortgage professional who can evaluate their current financial situation, consider their goals and capabilities, and take these factors into account when advising about potential mortgage options. "I take numerous factors into account when evaluating a borrower's fit for a specific type of loan," says Freeman. "There are far more factors than monthly payment and interest rates. I always consider the borrower's spending habits, capacity to save, risk tolerance and future goals. A good loan choice is the one that works best for the specific borrower. Suitability is absolutely critical for the deal to make sense."

Robert Schiller and Justin Freeman can be reached at info@FreeMarylandLoanTips.com, by going to http://FreeMarylandLoanTips.com or by calling 410-580-1122.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Justin Freeman Earns Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist (CMPS) Designation.

Baltimore, MD -- (ReleaseWire) -- 12/06/2007 -- Justin Freeman, a mortgage broker with Residential Home Loan Centers, has passed the qualifying exams to earn the Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist (CMPS) designation granted by the CMPS Institute, Ann Arbor, Michigan, a training, certifying and ongoing membership organization created to help mortgage professionals integrate financial planning concepts into the mortgage process. CMPS designees can offer clients strategies that encompass mortgages, debt, home equity and real estate investment.

"My focus is to help my mortgage clients build and protect wealth by better managing their home equity and personal cash flow," says Justin Freeman of Residential Home Loan Centers.

Many homeowners have become frustrated and confused with the myriad choices in today's mortgage market and the lack of both ethics and financial knowledge among many mortgage providers. The CMPS Institute is a joint effort by leaders in the mortgage and financial planning industries to raise professional standards among mortgage professionals and integrate sound financial planning advice into the mortgage process.

Today life expectancy is higher than ever before; health care costs are skyrocketing; pensions are shrinking; social security is uncertain, and corporate America has gone through one bankruptcy after another. Today's mortgage market can be a dangerous place for some consumers with certain real estate markets experiencing signs of a "bubble," and "exotic" mortgages representing a greater market share than ever before. These signs point to the fact that homeowners and buyers need expert advice on how to manage their mortgage, cash flow and home equity.

This trend toward expert mortgage advice is growing in popularity. At the CMPS Institute more than 200 mortgage professionals are taking certifying courses each month. "A mortgage professional who dedicates the time and effort to learn about these financial concepts is much more qualified, committed and equipped to serve the complex needs of today's home owner and buyer," says Gibran Nicholas, Chairman of the CMPS Institute.

The CMPS curriculum incorporates five essential skill sets including:

• Financial market and interest rate analysis
• Cash flow analysis
• Debt analysis
• Real estate equity management
• Real estate investment analysis

Justin Freeman can be reached at jfreeman@rhlcusa.com, or call 866-475-2526.

For more information on the CMPS Institute go to http://www.cmpsinstitute.org, or call 888-608-9800.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Baltimore, Maryland based Mortgage Broker Robert Schiller and Justin Freeman reveal 3 things you should watch out for when shopping for home-finance products on the Internet.

Baltimore, MD -- (ReleaseWire) -- 11/30/2007 -- Baltimore, Maryland Based Mortgage Brokers Reveals 3 Things Lenders Don't Want You to Know About Shopping for a Mortgage Online

Anyone who's even remotely interested in shopping for a home loan has probably paid attention to all those commercials on TV touting the ease of using any of a variety of Internet services to compare mortgage offers from the comfort of your home. You may even have tried a couple of them yourself. But Robert Schiller and Justin Freeman, Loan Officers with Residential Home Loan Centers, say Baltimore, Maryland residents need to watch out when trying to use the Internet to do the heavy lifting for them.

"Sometimes, these Internet services might work fairly well for certain people." "But the one-size-fits-all approach they offer is going to leave a lot of people with loans that aren't the best for them, or even worse, they may be shut out of the process altogether."

Robert Schiller and Justin Freeman say the problem with these services is that they never really get to know anything about your financial situation other than your credit history and income level. "So basically what winds up happening is that you're reduced to a number to them. And if they don't like whatever that number is, you're out of luck."

Here are three things you should watch out for when shopping for home-finance products on the Internet – things most online mortgage sites hope you ignore:

*Do they take the time to find out about your unique situation, or are you just a cyber-borrower in their eyes? Most of these sites simply don't have the manpower to individually work with every borrower. So a lot of times you wind up with a bad loan simply because there was no one to check if they could have gotten you a better deal.

*What do they offer people in special financial circumstances – such as the self-employed or people with damaged credit? Most of these sites don't even want to work with you unless you meet their stringent criteria.

*Do they provide advice to help when choosing between loan products? Most sites simply gather offers, throw them in your lap, and pressure you to choose between them. Unless you're a pretty experienced mortgage pro, deciding on the best offer can be difficult, if not impossible.

So, what's the solution? Use the Internet to educate yourself and then work with a real human being. You may not have thought about "old-fashioned" methods of finding the best deal, such as working with a mortgage broker. "But for anyone who values a real person sitting down with you and working through the process, there's no better option," says Schiller.

Baltimore, Maryland - based mortgage experts Robert Schiller and Justin Freeman specialize in providing information to Maryland residents that allows them to make informed decisions about their mortgage financing options and learn the insider secrets that can save them thousands of dollars over the life of their loan.

Robert Schiller and Justin Freeman are available for interviews and will welcome all your mortgage related questions.

Call 410-580-1122 for a Free No-Obligation Consultation or visit:

http://freemarylandmortgagetips.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Borrowers should take caution when they select who to broker or fund their loans

Baltimore, MD -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/16/2007 -- The liquidity crisis that resulted in the recent failure of a number of lenders, including American Home Mortgage Investment Corp. and New Century Financial Corp., has not only shaken confidence in the mortgage industry, but has also left many homeowners wondering how to take the safe road when securing a mortgage loan. While liquidity issues can be detrimental to lenders, they don't have to impact individual borrowers, as long as borrowers know what to look for when selecting a mortgage professional.

"Borrowers need to be careful when choosing who will broker or fund their loans," advises Robert Schiller, a Mortgage Planner with Residential Home Loan Centers, a mortgage brokerage company based in Baltimore, MD. "While it may be difficult for a borrower to determine if a particular lender is going through liquidity issues, a savvy mortgage professional will have a finger on the pulse of the industry, and will be able to place the loan at a lender that offers the most safety and benefit to the borrower."

American Home Mortgage was the most recent major lender to fall victim to a liquidity crisis when, in a slowing market, high default rates in the subprime and Alt-A markets caused investors to raise premiums to lenders. Faced with a scenario of incurring thousands of additional dollars in the cost of each loan, yet confined by the limited flow of business due to tighter underwriting guidelines and a cooling market, American Home Mortgage faced a liquidity crisis that resulted in closure of the business.

"The closure of these lenders does not mean that there's a problem with the core business of writing, buying and selling mortgage loans," explains Schiller. "People will continue to buy homes, reposition their debt and equity structure, and utilize their mortgages to help them achieve their goals for their futures and the futures of their families. Banks will continue to loan money and qualified Mortgage Planners will help position borrowers to get favorable loans from those banks."

The primary factor leading to speculation among homeowners is the slowing activity within the mortgage market. Banks are making fewer mortgage loans than they had during the past decade, and that slowing rate that has led to the dismal tone of headlines news stories.

"Although there's a lot of press surrounding the difficulties in the industry, it's important to understand that these particular lenders were facing a liquidity crisis within their own businesses, not a foundational crisis within the industry," adds Schiller. "A qualified Mortgage Planner who has more training than simply a loan officer, will be best equipped to work with a borrower on finding an appropriate lender and structuring the loan package in a way that makes sense for everyone involved. We're helping borrowers achieve their homeownership goals, whether the market is thriving or cooling."

Robert Schiller can be reached at rschiller@rhlcusa.com, by going to http://MarylandLoanAdvisor.com or by calling 410-580-1122.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Did you know? Less than 1% of the mortgage lenders and brokers in the U.S. are CMPS certified. By finding a CMPS professional in your area, you will have the opportunity of working with the "cream of the crop" among all the mortgage professionals in the country!

Baltimore, MD -- (ReleaseWire) -- 04/18/2007 -- Robert Schiller, a mortgage broker with Residential Home Loan Centers, has passed the qualifying exams to earn the Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist (CMPS) Designation granted by the CMPS Institute, Ann Arbor, Michigan, a training and certifying organization created to help mortgage professionals integrate financial planning concepts into the mortgage process. CMPS designees can offer clients strategies that encompass mortgages, debt, home equity and real estate investment.

"My focus is to help my mortgage clients build and protect wealth by better managing their home equity and personal cash flow," says Robert Schiller.

Many homeowners have become frustrated and confused with the myriad choices in today's mortgage market and the lack of both ethics and financial knowledge among many mortgage providers. The CMPS Institute is a joint effort by leaders in the mortgage and financial planning industries to raise professional standards among mortgage professionals and integrate sound financial planning advice into the mortgage process.

Life expectancy is higher than ever before, health costs are skyrocketing, pensions are shrinking, social security is not secure and corporate America has gone through one bankruptcy after another. Today's mortgage market can be a dangerous place for some consumers with certain real estate markets experiencing signs of a "bubble" and "exotic" mortgages representing a greater market share than ever before. These signs point to the fact that home owners and buyers need expert advice on how to manage their mortgage, cash flow and home equity.

This trend toward expert mortgage advice is growing in popularity. At the CMPS Institute more than 125 mortgage professionals are taking certifying courses each month. "A mortgage professional who dedicates the time and effort to learn about these financial concepts is much more qualified, committed and equipped to serve the complex needs of today's home owner and buyer," says Gibran Nicholas, Chairman of the CMPS Institute.

The CMPS curriculum incorporates five essential skill sets including:
• Financial market and interest rate analysis
• Cash flow analysis
• Debt analysis
• Real estate equity management
• Real estate investment analysis

Robert Schiller can be reached at rschiller@rhlcusa.com, by going to http://www.FreeMarylandLoanTips.com or by calling 410-580-1122.

For more information on the CMPS Institute go to http://www.cmpsinstitute.org, or call 888-608-9800

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Baltimore, MD -- (ReleaseWire) -- 09/20/2006 -- Robert Schiller announced today a large investment in increased education for home buyers by joining the National Association of Responsible Loan Officers.

By joining NARLO, Robert Schiller has agreed to adhere to the strictest Code of Professional Conduct in the mortgage financing industry. In addition, the association has a complete consumer mediation service available to any consumer who seeks financing from an NARLO member. This ensures consumers always have a somewhere to turn for independent information about their home financing; NARLO's goal is to ensure consumer protection.

"As a responsible mortgage broker, I am proud to stand with others around the country to provide increased consumer protection and education." said Robert Schiller, "A family home is typically their largest investment, responsible loan officers provide the critical information they need to make informed financing decisions."

Robert Schiller helped hundreds of families finance their homes over the last 10 years through out the Baltimore area. Residential Home Loan Centers currently specializes in providing mortgage solutions to families who have had bankruptcies or other credit challenges.

Robert Schiller is available for interviews by phone and can be reached at 410-580-2000, ext 206.

Robert Schiller
Residential Home Loan Centers
1777 Reisterstown Rd, Ste 295 Baltimore, MD 21208
Phone: 410-580-2000, ext 206 - Fax: 410-580-9278
Email: rschiller@rhlcusa.com - Website: freemarylandmortgagetips.com

Recent headlines indicate that many home buyers do not understand the scope of their home financing or worse, are not treated fairly by their mortgage lender. The National Association of Responsible Loan Officers was created to educate consumers about their home financing options and ensure they understand the financing options available to them. By participating as members of NARLO, loan officers are financing the most aggressive public education effort in the mortgage financing industry.

Robert Schiller is a member of NARLO
A complete member directory is available at www.NARLO.com/directory

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm