Don't opt for the bi-weekly mortgage programs

Most lenders will offer you such programs either initially, or, sometimes, after you've gotten the loan. They're good for the lender, but not for you. Why? Such programs, in essence, turn a 30-year loan into a 22-year loan; however, they don't give you the lower rate the shorter-term loan should. However, they do require that you make two monthly payments, which are automatically withdrawn from one of your savings or checking accounts. This works out to 13 monthly payments; it also means you lose out on the 15 day grace period virtually all loans include (and gives you no wiggle room if you ever run into financial difficulty.)