This was one of several books I ordered as learning and reference tools as I embark on my new career as a loan officer. While I have not read any of the books from cover to cover, they are all serving me well as reference and training tools. The book was shipped in a timely manner and arrived in the condition described.

Jack Guttentag's Mortgage Encyclopedia includes more raw information helpful to understanding the language, terms, and structure of a commercial or home mortgage than any other book on the market.

The book is organized just the way it says - as an encyclopedia, in alphabetical order by topic. There is a useful index/table of contents up front which make it possible to quickly check to see if your topic of interest or one related to it is included in the book, and then each of those topics are given from a paragraph to a couple of pages of definition or explanation. For mathematical concepts all sorts of clearly explained charts are presented, and every topic is easy to understand for even a complete amateur.

If you are looking at generating or getting into a conventional or even somewhat nonconventional financing instrument, you will find what you are looking for in this book. If the book has a weakness or omission, it is that there is really no information on getting mortgages through private lenders, venture capitalists, or nonconventional sources (as happens to be my business).

Nonetheless, both mortgage professionals as well as anyone interested in fully understanding the terms of their own mortgages and lending instruments stands to learn a great deal by reading through this book, or simply using it as a reference tool for individual items and terms. Highly recommended.

Been of the non-real estate profession, it has enlightened my reading arsenal, well at least I hope so. Also, I'd like to thank you for not having any problems during delivery. Once again thanks. Hubert M.

Wow, what a book!! Tons of info!! Highly recommend to anyone shopping for a mortgage.

If you are in the industry, great reference book.

However, if you are a first time buyer, this book has a lot of technical terms within the definitions! So technical, it can make you head spin!

This is a great little book. We have a few copies at my office for all my employees to refer to when they can't get online. Love it.

This as an almost indispensible tool for anyone involved in real estate transactions. If you own a home, or you're planning to buy one, you will want to have this book as a guide to the myriad types of loans available, and the dizzying amount of real estate terms that are used. All of it is explained in plain English. It can be used by real estate professionals and laymen alike.

I find this book also useful for notary signing agents. Although we're not required (or supposed) to discuss the loan terms with the borrower at the closing, it still helps to know what all of these terms mean.

What I like about the book is the organization. All of the topics are in alphabetical order, making it easy to find the information you need quickly. There are many cross references and references to web sites. And unlike an ordinary encyclopedia, there are opinions from the author. If you've read his articles or visited his website, then you're already familiar with the wisdom he shares with his readers.

This is one encyclopedia you'll want to read from A to Z.

This is a great little book. We have a few copies at my office for all my employees to refer to when they can't get online. Love it.

I rate this book a 1 star because I am a lender... this book is a basic promotion that all brokers are good and all lenders are bad. I will put it simply and hold everyone's hand like a small child in my review; if you are by chance a Broker, you will love this man's philosophy, however, if you are by chance a Lender/Loan Originator, he will come off insulting and distasteful, and if you are a new consumer looking for advice as to how to get the best loan program, this book will lead you down a path of ill information. Either way, he does not approach the subject of mortgage lending in an objective way to educate, but rather in a stance to promote those in his field (ie brokers) and slander those in the opposite side of the ring (ie lenders). Disappointing to lead innocent and unknowledgable borrowers the wrong way just to promote your business/field.

This book is exactly what it claims to be. Being New to the business I found it to be a GREAT help!

I bought this book before buying a house and it helped me a great deal, explained in detail the different types of mortgages and gave great advice. I recommend this book for anyone who wants to better understand the mortgage process.

Really got me thinking and was filled with very useful, helpful, informative, but easy and simple to understand tricks. One of my favorites. A+

A must have book for everyone in the mortgage industry and consumers. I'm a new Loan Officer and the book has really helped me understand the terminology I need to better serve my clients well.

I love it. It read well and is just the right book for someone learning the Mortgage biz...

Perfect conditions and fast delivery mahke a good deal for future purchase!

This book is excellent for those of us just getting into the mortgage business. It familiarizes you with the mortgage broker jargon. Highly recommended

Great book for the first-time home buyer to the experienced mortgage broker.

Hi, my name is Jameson Thottam and as a mortgage industry participant (VP with various firms such as The Loan Page, IndyMac Bank, Homestore), I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about how the mortgage industry works (soup to nuts: Mortgage Value Chain, Secondary Mortgage Loan Insider Trading, Marketing, and issues related to OCC / OTS / SEC / FDIC, RESPA legal issues & litigation, Operations and other significant issues).

Hope you enjoy,


Jameson Luke Thottam
(Job History: Battery Ventures/The Loan Page, IndyMac Bank, Homestore, Morgan Stanley Investment Banking, LEK Management Consulting)

Jack Guttentag is a legend in not only the US - but the global mortgage industry - and his Mortgage Encyclopedia is the best investment any borrower can make in their own future whether you currently own a home or would like to someday own one. A mortgage is the largest amount of money most of us will ever borrow for the longest period of time and as such, is the centerpiece of your financial portfolio. Guttentag proves that knowledge is power by giving everyone equal access to the information that will help anyone make one of the most important decisions in their life. If you're ready to take control over your own finances, read this book before going to a broker so that you can make better informed decisions. After reading this book, put it on your bookshelf next to your home medical encyclopedia because you'll need it when you refinance. Not only should every consumer read this book, so should every professional in the mortgage industry - and I expect they will. Jack, for those of us "experts" in the industry you've done all of us a great favor - now when friends, friends-of-friends and family call for free mortgage advice, we can send them the book - it gives better explanations and advice than most of us would have given anyway! And of course we'll all be reading it ourselves. (Note to readers: I have never had the privilege of meeting Jack Guttentag but read his [...] website weekly. In 20 years in the global mortgage industry, I have never seen anyone as articulate and forthright about the strengths and weaknesses of this industry from an insider's perspective, nor have I ever found a stronger consumer advocate than Professor Guttentag. I have no direct financial benefit from this review.)

This is an extraordinary piece of work that no mortgage professional should be without. There is so much I could say about this book, but if I said what I wanted to say, this review would be half as long as the book. There is value on every single page of this thing! You'll keep turning the pages and you'll be amazed at how much you learn.

Written in clear, lucid, helpful, well-documented terms, this is a completely trustworthy resource that any mortgage loan originator - newcomer or veteran - will learn a great deal from.

Real estate journalists, regulators, and legislators should not do their work without having this book by their side. Don't move ahead with any mortgage-related activity without consulting this incredible work.

I am going to adopt it as one of the required textbooks for my community college classes for new loan originators. This will be required reading, and will prove to be an invaluable daily-reference resource as the students move into their careers.

In my work around the country for www.trainingpro.com as a trainer for the ten largest mortgage companies in the country, I recommend this book to every originator I see. And I have to keep a close watch on my heavily dog-eared copy because I watch it slipping away at every class I show it to. Once originators have it in their hands they don't want to let it go, and I understand why. I take it with me everywhere I go, and prop it up in front of my classes so students will know what I think of it. It is an invaluable teaching and learning resource.

Furthermore, whenever anyone in or outside the business asks me where to go to learn about mortgages I immediately recommend this author's website. There are tutorials on a wide array of mortgage-related subjects. He is at www.mtgprofessor.com

I know this sounds like I am some kind of shill for this guy, but the fact is I have never met him and have only talked with him a few times on the phone and via e-mail, and I have no financial interest in the book whatsoever.

His picture makes him appear to be a gruff old coot, but he is friendly and helpful and seems genuinely interested in explaining mortgage concepts to consumers and to loan originators. He is the real deal, a great asset to consumers and to the mortgage industry. His column is syndicated, and he is at Yahoo Finance, in addition to his books. I also recommend his Pocket Mortgage Guide. Buy his books. I guarantee you won't be disappointed. If someone showed me the information in this book in manual form I would assume the price would be in the hundreds of dollars. Whoever priced this thing left a lot of money on the table. Their loss, your gain.