Household Finance

Mortgage & Home

Single-family house sitting on a pile of money.

Household Finance

HELOC vs. second mortgage: Different home equity loan types

Two ways to tap home equity.

Photo of a house with a "For Sale" sign in front.

Household Finance

Selling a house? Follow the 7 steps in our staging checklist

Declutter, beautify, update as needed.

Recently Posted

Could a bill negotiation service save you money?Let someone else make that awkward call.

Adjustable-rate mortgage: Money saver or budgeting headache?ARM yourself with knowledge.

First-time homebuyer programs: Help with becoming a homeownerUnlock the door to your future.

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Adjustable-rate mortgage: Money saver or budgeting headache?

ARM yourself with knowledge.

Community solar programs: Are they worth it?

Power from the sun with less hassle.

Could a bill negotiation service save you money?

Let someone else make that awkward call.

Could biweekly mortgage payments save you money?

Pay off your debt and own your home sooner.

First-time homebuyer programs: Help with becoming a homeowner

Unlock the door to your future.

First-time homebuyer? Here’s what you need to know

It’s a big step. You ready?

Getting maximum value from downsizing: Declutter for fun and profit

Simplify, simplify.

HELOC vs. second mortgage: Different home equity loan types

Two ways to tap home equity.

Home improvement projects that pay for themselves

Updates that add real value to your home.

Homeowners associations (HOAs): Pros, cons, and what you need to know

We’re thankful for them (but we complain anyway).

How does a mortgage work? A walk through the numbers

Principal, interest, escrow, and more.

How much does it really cost to buy a home?

You’ll be paying for more than a mortgage.

How much does it really cost to maintain a home?

Know what you’re getting into.

How to buy solar panels for your home

Sun-thing worth considering.

Is your head spinning with mortgage terms?

Here’s a glossary for you.

Jumbo vs. conventional mortgage: What’s the difference?

Know your limits.

Mortgage financing: The complex system behind home lending

A place for everybody.

Mortgage prequalification: Learn your limits and maximize your resources

Don’t fall in love with a house you can’t afford.

Mortgage refinancing: Lower payments, shorter terms, or “cash-out” refi?

You have choices.

Mortgage types: Fixed vs. variable, 30-year and other loan terms, and more

You thought choosing paint would be hard.

Pay off your mortgage or invest: A homeowner’s dilemma

Pros, cons, and opportunity costs.

Private mortgage insurance (PMI): Why it’s sometimes required (and how to avoid it)

It’s another good reason to build equity.

Renting out your property: Tips for first-time landlords

Turn your house into reliable cash flow.

Selling a house? Follow the 7 steps in our staging checklist

Declutter, beautify, update as needed.

Should you rent or buy your home? Weighing the costs and benefits

Planting roots or rolling stone?

The debt-to-income ratio: Your ticket to loan approval and lower rates

Lower your DTI; raise your credit status.