Radian Guaranty, a mortgage insurer hired Harris Interactive to survey homeowners about the [mortgage options at the time they purchased their homes. [Inman].](http://www.inman.com/inmannews.aspx?ID=48914) “Harris Interactive conducted the online study Oct. 25-27, 2005, among a nationwide cross section of 2,003 U.S. adults aged 18 or older, of whom 1,310 own their current residence.”

Here are the key results and its pretty ugly:

* 52% were not at all or only somewhat knowledgeable about the mortgage options available to them

* 66% own their home (Fannie Mae indicates 69%)

* 47% have a mortgage (I assume this must be a factor of the 66%)

* 49% of woman and 46% of men said they were knowledgeable about the options

* 47% have a mortgage (I assume this must be a factor of the 66%)

Areas with higher housing prices in the Northeast and West had more informed borrowers:

* 50% Northeast

* 50% West

* 46% South

* 45% Midwest