With all the fuss about websites set up to actually gather information and offer actually home loans to the consumer, sites that specialize in providing information on mortgages and the loan process often get overlooked. Also known as “no-loan” sites, these mortgage information websites are a great place to find out about almost any area of the mortgage business about which you have questions.

Many of these sites offer constantly updated content about market forces that have the potential to influence rates or other costs. Usually updated at least daily, these sites provide current information and analysis of mortgage rates, indexes, and market events. You might want to check one of these sites out for information on the latest rates for refinances, mortgages, or home equity loans in your specific region.

In addition to current events, many sites also offer mortgage libraries with varying levels of comprehensive coverage. Consumers can turn to these libraries to learn more about specific mortgage programs or the plain meaning of mortgage terminology.

Many sites also provide information on how to better understand lenders’ underwriting procedures and find out more about the loan qualification process. Many of these sites also offer a variety of mortgage calculators, an easy way to compare numbers on mortgages that might otherwise involve complex calculations. Information about credit – how it can affect your ability to get a loan and how you can find out about your credit – is also usually included.

No-loan sites may also serve the purpose of referring the consumer to specific lenders or lending sites through ads or links embedded in the sites content. The referrals are of limited use, unless you can compile enough of them to meaningfully compare loan costs.

A final, and often overlooked, category of no-loan sites are those provided by the federal government or quasi-governmental entities. Web sites for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development can provide very useful information for many mortgage consumers.