5 Mistakes to Avoid When Paying Off Your Mortgage Early  ​   

PLUS: Ideal Debt-to-Income Ratio for Mortgages and What Is Mortgage Fraud?   [HOME BUYING]( |  [RETIREMENT]( |  [TAXESÂ]( |  [INVESTING](     The Latest From SmartReads     5 Mistakes to Avoid When Paying Off Your Mortgage Tips for Getting Ahead of Schedule     Paying off your [mortgage]( ahead of schedule could be a good idea if you want to save money on interest. In the process of getting rid of your home loan just one or two years early, you could potentially save hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars. But if you’re planning to take that approach, it’s important to avoid the pitfalls that some homeowners run into.   [Read More](    What's the Ideal Debt-to-Income Ratio for Mortgages?     What Is Mortgage Fraud?    The debt-to-income ratio is one of the most important factors mortgage lenders use to evaluate the creditworthiness of borrowers. It measures the size of your monthly debt burden relative to the size of your monthly pay. And in addition to your credit score and other financial information, it helps lenders decide whether you’re capable of taking on another loan. Worried that you have too much debt to buy a house? Let’s look at what lenders have to say about...    Mortgage fraud occurs when a potential homebuyer or mortgage lender provides false information or omits certain details in order to complete a mortgage transaction. As a homebuyer, you may encounter predatory lenders who want to scam you. And if you’re in a tight spot, you may be tempted to do whatever it takes to secure a loan. But know that the penalties for mortgage fraud are severe. We can show you how to avoid these schemes...   [Read More]( [Read More](   Find the Right Financial Advisor for You: Finding the right financial advisor that [fits your needs]( doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with [pre-screened fiduciary financial advisors]( in your area in 5 minutes. Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is legally bound to act in your best interests. If you’re ready to be matched with local advisors that will help you achieve your financial goals, [get started now](.   [Get Started](   Can't wait for the next email? SmartAsset keeps you up-to-date on personal finance news, financial literacy terms and data-driven studies with regular posts. Check out the latest from our editorial team:   [SmartReads](   [www.smartasset.com]( 632 Broadway 4th Floor | New York City | New York | 10012      [footer image] This email was sent to {EMAIL} [why did I get this?](     [unsubscribe from this list](     [update subscription preferences]( SmartAsset · 632 Broadway 4th Floor · New York City · New York · 10012 [( [Click here to view the online version.]( [google analytics]