Mortgages

Lower the Rate on All Your Loans

Cutting the interest rates on your credit card and auto loans could be as easy as asking.

What It Takes to Buy a Home

Homes are affordable and mortgage rates are low. Are your finances ready for the leap?

How to Finance a Second Home

Thinking about buying a vacation property? Here's what you need to know.

How to Get Started Buying a Home

3 New Programs Aimed at Improving the Housing Market

Can a trio of new policies ease foreclosures and get the market back on track?

Is Foreclosure Relief Fair to Everyone Else?

We're seeing state and federal foreclosure relief that looks unfair to taxpayers and arbitrary in its benefits.

5 Tips to Cut Costs on Your Home

Don't pay more than you have to when it comes to taxes, remodeling and your mortgage.

New Program Helps Homeowners Avoid Foreclosure

Bank of America is testing an approach to let people stay in their homes by leasing them.

Why a Long-Term, Fixed-Rate Home Loan Makes Sense

Despite the uptick in homeowners choosing shorter-term loans, longer-term mortgages at today's low rates provide more flexibility.

6 Ways to Retire Without a Mortgage

If your goal is to pay off the house before you retire, consider these smart strategies.

Pay Off the House or Keep the Mortgage?

Consider these factors when weighing the decision to pay off the house.

The Fatal Flaw of Obama's Mortgage Plan

Until Americans see owning a home as a good investment again, housing will continue to be a drag on the economy.

How Low Interest Rates Will Impact Your Mortgage, Loans and Credit Cards

Record-low interest rates could fall even further.

Underwater Mortgage Relief

The federal government is making it easier for homeowners who owe more on their house than it's worth to qualify for its refinancing program.

6 Good Reasons to Buy a Home Now

Houses are more affordable than they’ve been in a decade.

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Refinancing

Lenders say these borrowing blunders are common.

James Angel: Missed Financial Reform Deadlines Not All Bad

A year after Dodd-Frank became law, missed deadlines pile up.

Should You Refinance?

With mortgage rates so low, lots of homeowners are looking to get new loans. But be prepared to jump through a lot of hoops and weigh all the costs.

Amend Your Tax Return

Generally, you have up to three years after the date you filed your original return to get a refund.

Is Gentrification a Plus for the Neighbors?

Gentrification is often used unfairly to describe what should be viewed as a normal and positive stage in the life cycle of cities.

Qualifying for a Mortgage When You Already Own a Home

Having renters for a house you can't sell might not help you qualify for a new loan.

New Lower-Cost Reverse Mortgage Option

There may be a better way to tap your home equity.

More Hurdles for Home Buyers

Winding down Fannie and Freddie will raise the cost of borrowing.

Goodbye, City Life

The USDA offers mortgages for homes in rural locations that are not as far out of town as you might think.

Expect to Pay More for a Mortgage Soon

Everyone -- even those with the best credit scores -- will be hit with higher fees.

Downsize Your Mortgage?

Sometimes it makes sense to add cash or shorten the term when you refinance.

Elizabeth Warren Explains What We Can Expect from the New Consumer Agency

The Harvard law professor, who is coordinating the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, sets her sights on simplified forms for credit cards and mortgages.

Get the Best Deal on a Mortgage

If you comparison shop for everything else, don't be afraid to put those skills to use when looking for a home loan.

What It Takes to Get a Loan

Lenders loosen their grip, but your credit history will decide whether you get a mortgage, car loan or credit card.

Coupling Your Credit

A joint mortgage won't drag down your credit score -- as long as you make your payments on time.

It's Not Okay to Skip Out on a Mortgage

Default is ethical only for people who can no longer afford their home because of circumstances beyond their control, such as job loss.

Walking Away From a Mortgage

Some homeowners who can afford to pay their loans are choosing not to.

12 New Rules for Your Money

In this era of high unemployment, flat home prices and do-it-yourself retirement savings, some traditional rules of saving and investing are due for an overhaul.