When buying a home, look beyond the staged setting of an open house. It takes a bit more digging to make an informed decision.

Your situation can change, making your pre-approval invalid. But you can take steps to keep yourself approved, or re-approved.

Military home buyers have an advantage over others: they need no downpayment. They use zero-down loans 7 times as often as non-military home buyers.

Be proactive as a home buyer. Put strategies in place to speed the home buying process, and meet your agreed-upon closing date.

When you're shopping for a mortgage rate, the economy sets the baseline interest rate. Everything else is based on you. Here's how to get your lowest rate possible.

More than half of all FHA home buyers have a credit score below 680; many have scores lower than that. Check your FHA eligibility, despite your score.

When you're shopping for a mortgage, banks will give you varying rate quotes. But, how much of that is the bank's fault? And, how much is because of you?

Where will mortgage rates head next year? Find out what the experts think today.

USDA mortgages are getting more affordable. The agency has just announced plans to reduce upfront and monthly fees for this popular home buying program.

VA rates are sinking deeper. That's enticing more U.S. military veterans to reduce their housing costs with this homeowner-friendly program.

Is a better to buy a condo or a single-family, detached home? Recently, condos have held value better. Analysis of the condo market, plus live condo mortgage rates.

A surprising look at how the government-recommended method of mortgage rate shopping is fundamentally flawed.

Get your offer noticed and accepted, even when going up against a cash home buyer.

There are hundreds of thousands of licensed mortgage loan officers nationwide. The great ones, though, distinguish themselves pretty clearly.

For buyers in Hawaii, it would take more than 25 years just to save 10% for a down payment on a home. Thankfully, you don't need to save for 10%. Mortgage options are plenty for today's buyers of homes.

Paying off a collection account isn't always the smartest move. How to deal with collection accounts when applying for a mortgage.

Paying $100 extra per month can shave five years off your mortgage. But paying off, or paying down, your mortgage is not the best choice for everyone.

A 1031 exchange can be part of an effective tax strategy. As home values rise, rental property owners are seeking ways to limit their tax burden.

There are reasons to refinance when mortgage rates are falling; and reasons to refinance when mortgage rates are rising. It's your mortgage, though. You can do it anytime.

Freddie Mac reports 30-year mortgage rates dropping again, and hiding beneath 3.5%. Mortgage rates are down close to 60 basis points (0.60%) from the New Year.