Real Estate and Housing

Front-loaded loans: a financial conspiracy?

A tip from Eric Fedewa sparked a discussion between Wise Bread bloggers (Andrea Dickson and me). He brought a new financial term (front-loading) to our attention that indicates how

How the subprime lending boom hurt everybody

Among the Wise Bread community, I get the sense that there's a kind of "pox on both their houses" attitude to the problems in the subprime mortgage markets. People who worked thro

Renting is cheaper

Everybody has seen a rent-versus-buy analysis. Here's a different way to look at it.

What's Faster for Mortgage Payoff: $100/Month Extra or 1 Payment/Year Extra?

Is it better to pay $100 per month extra on your mortgage or make an extra payment at the end of each year? It depends on your loan balance and interest rate.

Are You Ready for Home Ownership?

My husband and I just moved to the Great Northwest, and we batted around the idea of purchasing our first home. [more]

Dangerous neighborhoods are safer than commuting

Why do so few people live within walking--or at least bicycling--distance from where they work? I've asked a lot of people this question and gotten a lot of different answers. Some people want big houses, others big lawns. [more]

Home Details I Overlooked the First Time

If you're in the market for a new home (new to you or new period), make sure you aren't paying premium prices for so-so materials, and don't underestimate the expenses and headache

Speeding through your mortgage

Now that many of you have crunched the numbers for accelerating your mortgage payoff, I think you are ready for a quick lesson on speeding through your mortgage. Now, I am not sayi

DIY Mortgage Acceleration

Do-it-yourselfers who are weary of yet another trip to the home improvement store may like this DIY project. It has the possibilities of increasing home equity just as quickly as a bath remodel or new deck. [more]

How to Build Your Own Amortization Schedule

Looking for a dull, but financially eye-opening home project? Great! Today, we're going to build an amortization schedule. [more]

Prefab Fab - This ain't yer grandma's double-wide

Are prefabbed homes the wave of the future? Judging from some of the magazines that I receive (Sunset, Metropolitan Home), it sure looks like things are heading in that direction. [more]

20 Tips for Getting Your Security Deposit Back

Here are the tips I've garnered for how to rent well and get your money back.

Why you can't trust a real estate agent.

Surely a real estate agent would want to get you the very best price for your home. After all, they earn commission. The more they sell it for, the more they make, right? [more]

How to Avoid Foreclosure

What would you do if you were about to lose your home? What would you be willing to do to keep it? Is it even possible to keep it once you've missed a few payments? [more]

More Bang for Your Buck: Paint Me Frugal

Paul's post about DIY got me to thinking about all of the times that I wasted money on trying to improve my home. There have been many of these times, more than I care to share. [more]

The cost of a free ride - why not to use a buyer's agent

This little real estate agent secret could potentially save you thousands on your new home.

Latest Articles in Real Estate and Housing

5 Things to Know Before Adding Someone to the Deed

Before you add someone to the deed on your home, you should be aware of these five things.

5 Renovations That Don't Increase Your Resale Value

Before you get started on a new home renovation, make sure you know if it'll increase your resale value.

9 Smart Home-Buying Tips From Real Estate Experts

If you're in the market for a new home, use these smart home-buying tips from real estate experts to guide you.

6 Pitfalls of Down Payment Assistance Programs

Before you apply for a down payment assistance program to help pay for a house, make sure you understand all the potential downsides.

How to Pick the Best Home Offer

It can be tricky sifting through multiple home offers and selecting the best one. This guide will help you do that.

3 Things You Should Consider Before Selling Your House for Cash

You just got a cash offer for your home! Before you sell, consider these important things first.

A New Lender Took Over My Mortgage — Now What?

Mortgages are sold every day. If that happens to you, follow these five steps to get through the transition.

How Buying a House Impacts Your Career

Believe it or not, buying a house impacts your career as much as it does your finances.

How to Sell Your Home When You're Underwater on Your Mortgage

There are ways to sell your home even when you're underwater on your mortgage.

11 Things You Can't Hide When Selling Your Home

Before you sell your home, make sure you know what you have to tell the new owners.

8 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Home Inspector

Before you hire a home inspector, make sure you get answers to these questions.

How a Sale and Lease-Back Can Help a Homeowner Avoid Foreclosure

Losing your home to foreclosure is not the only option for struggling homeowners. Here's what you need to know about a short sale lease-back.

11 Open House Etiquette Rules Everyone Should Follow

You may be excited about finding your dream home, but you still need to mind your manners at an open house.

Need to Sell Your House? Here's How to Let Go

Selling your home is more than just signing on a dotted line. You have to find emotional closure, too.

Should You Finance a Tiny Home With a Credit Card?

The relatively low price of tiny homes makes nearly any financing option a possibility, including credit cards. But should you go that route?

Ask the Readers: Would You Rather Rent or Buy a Home?

Tell us if you would rather rent or buy a home and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

How Much Money Do You Need in Savings When Applying for a Mortgage?

You've saved up the down payment and closing costs for a new house. But do you have enough cash reserves to get the green light from your lender?

6 Things Buyers Will Hate About Your House

You may love your '90s-chic, paisley-print wallpaper, but potential homebuyers probably will not.

Best Money Tips: How to Buy a Family Home Without the Stress

Today we found articles on how to buy a home without the stress, how to choose the best sunscreen, and pro cleaning tips and tricks that will save you time.

How to Protect Yourself from a Home Improvement Scam

When you decide to get work done on your home, you have to be careful. There are plenty of people out there looking to rip you off.