Closing-cost reform movement lives on - 2004-04-01
It looked for a while that the federal government was going to make the mortgage industry guarantee closing costs and simplify the loan process for consumers.

But the industry's big guns shot down the housing department's reform proposal. A few lenders offer guaranteed closing costs anyway.
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Serial mortgage refinancers: Beware tax pitfalls on points - 2004-04-01
If historically low mortgage rates made you into a serial refinancer, beware of the tax pitfalls surrounding the deductibility of any points you paid on your new loan (or loans).

As a veteran homeowner, you're already well acquainted with your house's many tax breaks. You've claimed mortgage interest and property tax deductions for years. And when you refinanced the first time, you were wise enough to know that the interest on the new loan.
Read the full story at Bankrate.com