Home > How-to Guides & Advice > How-to Guides

How-to Guides

MOST POPULAR GUIDE THIS MONTH:

Home Refinancing Basics
Yahoo! Finance | 128 Comments
In recent years, millions of homeowners have taken advantage of low rates and refinanced their mortgages. This article describes the advantages and possible... more
TOPICS:
Top Rated Guides
168
17
Understanding Points, Rates and Fees
Quicken Loans | 80 Comments
Not only do you have to understand what type of mortgage you should choose, you have to understand the costs associated with your mortgage. All of these... more
 
22
0
Mortgage Basics
Yahoo! Finance | 11 Comments
Adjustable or floating rate, 15-year or 30? How much mortgage can you afford? These are just a few of the many questions home buyers will find information... more
 
91
9
Buying Your First Home
Yahoo! Finance | 54 Comments
Finding the right first home starts with a price range and a short list of desirable neighborhoods. But there are many other factors you'll need to consider... more
 
62
7
Choosing The Best Lender
Lending Tree | 41 Comments
You're shopping for a mortgage and you've received four offers from four lenders. How do you choose? The first factor most people consider is the interest... more
 
30
2
How Does Escrow Work?
Lending Tree | 18 Comments
If you've ever made an informal bet with a friend, you may have asked a third person to hold the money until the wager was resolved. When you take out... more
 
145
33
Best Times to Buy
Zillow | 106 Comments
A Conventional wisdom says that you need to stay in a home a minimum of five years to ensure that you recoup your purchasing costs. But with some markets... more
 
24
4
Improve Your Credit Score
Quicken Loans | 15 Comments
There are no quick fixes for improving your credit score. But you can raise your score over time by demonstrating that you consistently manage your finances... more
 
24
6
Down Payment Options
Informa | 20 Comments
One of the components a lender uses to help determine what loan amount to approve is your down payment. A down payment not only serves as a commitment... more
 
24
6
The Closing Process
Lending Tree | 18 Comments
Closing consists of all the necessary final steps involved in sealing the deal on a home purchase. It includes: The offer to purchase There's no foolproof... more
 
359
123
How Much Can You Afford?
Lending Tree | 272 Comments
If you're like many first-time homebuyers, chances are you've been spending your weekends driving around visiting open houses and new model homes. This... more
 
6
2
Types of Lenders
Informa | 5 Comments
Today's choices include banks, mortgage brokers, home builders, and Internet lenders. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, and rates vary from lender... more
 
213
383
Buying vs. Renting
Informa | 488 Comments
A home is one of the most expensive purchases most of us will ever make during our lifetime. Whether you decide to rent or buy, either choice comes with... more
 
Top Rated Guides
30
2
How Does Escrow Work?
Lending Tree | 18 Comments
If you've ever made an informal bet with a friend, you may have asked a third person to hold the money until the wager was resolved. When you take out... more
 
126
18
Increasing Seller's Property Value
Zillow | 84 Comments
Understand first of all that there IS a difference between price and value. Price is the amount you are asking for the property. Value is buyer perceived,... more
 
17
2
Documentation for Your Lender
Lending Tree | 10 Comments
When you apply for mortgage financing, you must provide the following documentation to the lender before your loan is granted: Name and address of landlord(s)... more
 
24
6
The Closing Process
Lending Tree | 18 Comments
Closing consists of all the necessary final steps involved in sealing the deal on a home purchase. It includes: The offer to purchase There's no foolproof... more
 
Top Rated Guides
234
13
Home Refinancing Basics
Yahoo! Finance | 128 Comments
In recent years, millions of homeowners have taken advantage of low rates and refinanced their mortgages. This article describes the advantages and possible... more
 
8
2
Your Home and Your Retirement
Yahoo! Finance | 6 Comments
Many retirees are planning to access home equity, hoping it may make the difference between a comfortable retirement and just getting by. This article... more
 

Recent News

» See all Recent News

Real Estate Expert Opinion

Author Pic
Jack M. Guttentag
The Mortgage Professor
Fixing the Crisis by Fixing the System, Part 5
Sat, Sep 6, 2008
Mortgage payment insurance could help reduce the number of foreclosures and reduce losses on foreclosures... more
» See all Expert Advice
Related Yahoo! Services:
Jobs - Personal Financial Advice
 Help us improve Yahoo! Real Estate - Send Your Feedback - Partner with Yahoo! Real Estate
Some Yahoo! Real Estate information is provided by our trusted partners.
However, Yahoo! does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any third party content.