Pete Gerardo, contributor

It's not always easy to remove someone from a mortgage, but it's possible. Here are several strategies you can try.

VA loans aren't just for first-time home buyers. In fact, your VA entitlement is a lifetime benefit that can be used repeatedly.

The best way to refinance involves comparison shopping, negotiating your fees, and following other refinance best practices.

If you want the lowest refinancing costs, you have to ask for them. Here's how to save money by negotiating closing costs on a refinance.

Making an offer on a house can be scary, especially if you want it very badly. Here's how to make a successful offer, or at least avoid making a bad one.

Buying a foreclosed home isn't as easy as it used to be. But good deals can still be found. Here's how to buy a foreclosed home with a mortgage.

Buying a short sale home can get you a great deal. But the short sale process can be challenging. Here's what to expect when buying a short sale.

Your closing date can make or break your move. Consider these five items when choosing when to close.

What does a real estate agent do to sell your home? It depends on the level of service you want, what you;re willing to pay, and how good your agent is.

You can apply for a mortgage refinance in person, over the phone or online. Just make sure that the company is legitimate before providing personal information online or over the phone.

Home remodeling isn't always easy, and financing home improvements can be intimidating. But it's not that hard -- you don't even need home equity to do it.

Which home improvement projects can you do yourself, and which should you hire out?

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.

What does contingent mean? Contingent real estate offers require something to happen before the deal can close -- for instance, you must get approved for a mortgage. Most offers have some contingencies, but sellers prefer cleaner deals.

By law, a real estate purchase agreement must be in writing. Be aware of potential problems they can contain. Make sure you read and understand them before signing anything.

Counteroffer definition: a proposal in response to a real estate purchase offer. The counter offer means that the seller accepts the buyer's offer, subject to certain changes. The buyer can accept, reject or counter the seller's counter-offer.

How do discount real estate brokers work? Do discount brokers save homebuyers money?

Dual agency in real estate is almost never a good idea for homebuyers. Here's why you should avoid it, and how to get your own representation.

Do you need a real estate agent to buy a house? Not really. But they can save you time and money.

If your real estate agent isn't getting the job done, you may wonder: Can you fire your real estate agent? And how do I go about it? Here's what you need to know.