How to land the best loan Our plan will help you find the cheapest possible mortgage and walk you through the application process.
	Refinancing in a recession Our 6 smart moves will help you clear all the hurdles, take advantage of record low mortgage rates and cut your monthly payments.
	10 smart moves for buying a foreclosure You'll save 10% to 20% -- even after repairs -- if you get a good deal and avoid the costly pitfalls.
	PMI is tougher to get, costs more Be prepared to be scrutinized very closely if you need to borrow more than 80% of a home's market value.
	VA loans: The best mortgages around If you've served in the military, you can qualify for a good rate even with bad credit and no money for a down payment.
	How much house can you afford? Our four simple rules will make sure you can make the monthly payments and weather the recession.
	Be prepared with the right down payment Most home buyers will need 3.5% to 20% of the purchase price to qualify for a mortgage. A few will need more. A few less.

view all

	Fannie Mae to tighten lending standards Fannie Mae, the giant mortgage finance company that helps shape lending guidelines, plans more crackdowns next month to further tighten lending practices.
	Most mortgage rates fall again The average conventional 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage costs 5.00%, while the average jumbo loan costs 6.04%.
	October sales gains lift hopes for housing WASHINGTON - First-time buyers seized on an expiring tax credit, low mortgage rates and falling prices to boost home sales in October to their highest level in 2 1/2 years.
	Fannie Mae gives owner-occupants dibs Nov. 25--Fannie Mae has some encouragement for would-be homeowners tired of being beaten to the punch by investors.
	Reunited couple finds new home For Debbie Carolla and David Witkowski, the second time was the charm, both in their relationship and in real estate.
	More borrowers with good credit defaulting WASHINGTON - The foreclosure crisis likely will persist well into next year as high unemployment pushes more people out of homes, pulls down housing prices and raises concerns about the broader economic recovery.

view all

	Pay a reasonable loan origination fee Check your good faith estimate carefully to be sure you're being charged an acceptable amount.
	Take full advantage of the tax credits U.S. extends and broadens the deal for home buyers, and it's particularly valuable because it reduces your tax bill dollar for dollar.
	The dirty little secrets of home inspections Here's why a licensed general contractor will give you the best assessment of a home's condition.
	How to avoid foreclosure It's not always easy to find, but help is available -- if you know where to look for it.
	Buy foreclosures through agents, not auctions That way, you won't be up against professional investors who are expert bidders.
	Refinance if you can save a point of interest For every point you shave off your loan, you'll pocket $65 a month for every $100,000 you borrow.

view all

Mortgage calculator
Calculate the monthly payments for any fixed-rate loan. Just enter the amount and terms.