Marci Kahan threw the stack of mortgage brochures down on the . She had already spent months finding the perfect townhouse. She couldn't believe she had to shop for a mortgage too! "With tens of mortgage products to choose , where do you start? By figuring out how long you’ll live in your new home."...

A "fixed" rate is just that. The bank tells you now what your rate will be for this year, and next year, and the next 20, 30, or 40 years after that -- all the years until you pay off your loan. "Adjus" rates, on the other hand, rise and fall depending upon the market the rate is indexed to. Some adjus rate mortgages will start with one rate (sometimes referred to as a “discounted”, "intro" or a "teaser" rate) that is not tied to an index and then, at a specified time, switch to an adjus rate for the rest of the loan's duration . When the rate goes up, so does the monthly payment....

Kim Jackson and her husband, Ken, have spent the last four years renting a house just outside of Atlanta. During that time, they've had two kids, changed jobs, and outgrown their rental. The Jacksons know just where they want to live and how much money they can put down on a new house and still live a good life. They’re smart shoppers, in no need to rush into a purchase. You might say the Jacksons have discovered one of the best-kept secrets of homebuying: Finding the right lender or broker is as important as finding the right home. The right lender or broker can save you money over the lifetime of a loan, not just by providing or finding the best possible interest rate but also by making sure that the specific mortgage product is the right one for your family's long-term financial needs....