Michele Lerner, contributor

You may be able to buy a home on $50,000 a year with today's low interest rates and special mortgage programs. Learn more here.

Mortgage points affect the interest rate you get when you finance a home. When is it smart to buy mortgage points, and when should you avoid them?

Can you get a mortgage with a 640 credit score? Yes, if you follow these guidelines and choose the right mortgage lender.

Here's how the 15-year refinance mortgage can get you a lower rate and shorten your your loan term, even when interest rates are rising.

The mortgage interest deduction is a tax break for those who itemize their deductions on a Schedule A. Here's how the mortgage interest deduction helps you.

Compare 5/1 ARM rates and 15-year fixed rates. Find out which loan program, 5/1 ARM or 15-Yr FRM, is best in today's ecomony.

Home affordability depends on your mortgage payment. Here are several ways to keep your mortgage payment as low as possible.

What is the debt-to-income ratio for FHA home loans? It's pretty flexible, and higher than you're likely to get with other programs without fantastic credit and a big down payment.

Homebuying tips: How to choose your next neighborhood. New and old school search methods to check out your next location.