Mortgages are a trillion dollar business in the US. Mortgages started in 1934, when the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) lowered down payment requirement on loans and allowed 80 loans-to-value loans. The FHA also increased loan terms to 15 years compared to 3, 5, 7 year loans that ended in balloon payments. This led to a flurry of activity and spurt in mortgages.

Compared to 1940, when only 40 percent of households owned homes, the mortgage business boom has resulted in 70 percent ownership in 2000. In 2003, total U.S. residential mortgage production reached a record level of $3.8 trillion through record low interest rates.

New Jersey Mortgage companies offer finance for new home purchases, debt consolidation loans, refinancing loans, home equity loans and commercial property mortgages.

In each case, the debtor needs to prove creditworthiness. There are two basic types of amortized loans. ARM or Adjustable Rate Mortgage has a fixed interest fate for a certain period that is eventually adjusted according to market rates. FRM or Fixed Rate Mortgage has a fixed interest in monthly payments until the end of loan period. A third kind called a Balloon loan calculates interest for a certain period but the outstanding principal is made payable at some date within this period.

To start the mortgage process, a borrower submits a credit report to an under writer. A mortgage broker may select the best company suited to the borrower's needs. Next a lender is chosen. The lender charges various fees including entry, exit, administration and lender mortgage insurance fees.

Mortgage lending is big business in the US. In New Jersey there are numerous companies offering mortgage services including

Go Apply.com, Lending Tree, 4Low rates, Abacus Mortgage, All Options, America's Lending partners, Ameriquest Mortgage, Champion Mortgage, Circle lending, Countrywide loans, E-loan, Fast Find, Featured Bank, Greenpoint Mortgage, GuidetoLenders, Home123, Household Finance Corporation, ING Direct, Loan Web, Loan Atlas, Loanapp, Low cost Lending, Low rate Source, Money Nest, Money Search, Mortgage Health Planning.com, National mortgage Network, Princeton Mortgage, Reliable resources inc., Respond.com, Savings path, Service Magic lending, The Loan page, Windsor Financial Mortgage corporation, Shearson Mortgage,1st Metropolitan Mortgage and American Real Mortgage Corporation.

Mortgage companies have different rules and operating rates. The borrowers will do well to consult an experienced financial advisor to find the best deal.