Looking for a starter home? They are in short supply, but it's possible to find an affordable first property. Here's how.

The USDA mortgage provides zero-down financing to home buyers in rural and suburban communities. Learn the basics, and other advantages of this program.

How often can I refinance my mortgage? If you want to know how soon you can refinance after closing on a loan, we have your answers.

The VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL), also known as the VA Streamline Refinance, waives verifications and credit scores. Get more information, plus access to live VA rates, here.

Few assets build wealth as well as real estate does. Learn about home equity, how it works, and how you can accelerate its growth on your own home(s).

Frightened about mortgage insurance? Don't be. In most cases, paying MI is temporary and, in others, a well-timed refinance can erase it completely.

There are several ways parents can help their adult children achieve homeownership: loans, co-borrowing, and gifts.

Want to lock a low mortgage rate? It helps to know how mortgage interest rates work. Be a better shopper. Learn how to predict today's mortgage rates.

Increasing Home Equity: Top 7 Home Improvement Tips To add maximum home equity when you renovate, start by choosing the right projects.

VA-eligible home buyers shouldn't skip over higher-priced homes to stay within VA loan "limits." There is no actual limit to a VA mortgage.

Home values are heating up, giving FHA homeowners across the country enough equity to cancel their FHA mortgage insurance forever.

Does a HELOC make sense for you? Today’s low rates and costs can make home equity lines of credit a good value, if you shop carefully and choose wisely.

Home buyers are putting less money down at the time of purchase. Some of the programs they're using to get this done, and why being "house-poor" is no good.

If you have 5% or even 3% down, should you choose a conventional loan? You might get a cheaper payment -- and $0 down -- with USDA.

You can lower your interest rate by wrapping high-interest credit cards into a refinance. But it doesn't work for everyone.

Bridge loans can ease the transition when buying and selling a home at the same time. Bridge loan guidelines, plus alternatives.

A common misconception is that mortgage rates are set by the Federal Reserve. That's not true -- rates follow prices for mortgage-backed securities (MBS).

Mortgage interest rates are affected by several factors. Because you control some of them, you can pay less for your home loan.

Freddie Mac offers discounted properties with favorable financing options via its HomeSteps program.

2016 was a stellar year for real estate. But will real estate be a good value in 2017, and should sidelined home buyers buy now or wait?