Free credit reports are a good way to protect yourself from identity theft and ugly surprises when applying for a job or loan. You can get them from the government for free or by applying for credit with companies like Discover.

How do you build credit? By using small amounts each month and repaying religiously on time. By improving your mix of credit with an installment loan or a mortgage. Here is a step-by-step guide to building credit.

Recording fees and practices vary between counties in the US. But the process itself is required for all real estate transactions because they are by law public records Here's what you need to know.

What happens at a mortgage closing? You sign documents making you responsible for a home loan. You pay closing costs. And yu get the keys to the kingdom.

Credit repair services cannot legally do anything you can't do yourself, and they can charge a lot to do very little. And debt settlement companies can take all your money, ruin your credit and still land you in court. There are better ways to fix your credit.

What does homeowners insurance cover, and why does your mortgage lender require you to buy it?

If you live on the West Coast, you may want to consider selling your home. According to new data, some Western homeowners made as much as $296,000 by selling their properties last year – and considering home values have only risen since then, today’s sellers stand to earn even more when putting their home on the market.

The number of young adults sharing a home is on the rise – especially with people they’re not related to. Unable to afford a house on their own, a whopping 3.3 million share one with non-relatives, an 80-percent jump over 1990’s stats.

Is a bad home inspection good cause for pulling out of your home purchase? It depends on your contract, and the nature of the problem.

Western homebuyers can rejoice. If a recent rise in single-family residential building permits is any indication, the area could see an influx of new inventory in the coming years.

Cash to close: Plan on bringing a cashier's check or certified check. or arrange to wire the funds from your bank. You'll need your down payment and closing costs, less earnest money and lender and/or seller credits.

Luxury home shoppers are in luck. Thanks to a new augmented reality tool, shopping for high-end homes – and envisioning the possibilities in them – is now easier than ever.

What happens when your mortgage is sold from one lender to another, or to a mortgage loan servicer or investor? Not much. Here's how to handle it correctly.

Rising home prices and mortgage rates can’t keep homebuyers down. According to a new survey, confidence in the U.S. housing market is at record highs—particularly across the South and West.

Home remodeling ROI tells you which projects are likely to deliver the highest payoff. The right home improvements deliver comfort, security, good looks, and additional value.

Things aren’t looking good for renters. According to new data, most can’t afford to live where they want, and the places they can afford? They don’t offer the amenities renters are looking for.

You may need bad credit loans if your credit is poor or even fair. FICO credit score ranges divide consumers into four tiers: excellent, good, fair and poor.

Rising home prices have certainly made headlines in recent months, but according to historical data, housing’s still relatively affordable. When factoring in things like income and other data, home prices are still 32.1 percent below their 2006 peak.

When is my first mortgage payment due? You just made a down payment and paid closing costs. Here's how to determine when your first mortgage payment is due.