Paying down your home mortgage balance faster than required is not a new idea. But you may be surprised to discover how powerful it can be. I will explain. But first, note the following.

This is not for everybody

The accelerated mortgage paydown idea can only work for folks who ...

When your home is on the market, it needs to stand out from the crowd. And certain features like beautifully appointed open kitchens or impeccable hardwood floors are great at drawing eyeballs for listings. But what if you can't afford to renovate—even if certain things have fallen into a ...

If you need a mortgage to buy a home, rest assured: Prospective lenders will ask you a lot of questions. After all, loaning someone money is a risky proposition, so they'll want some assurance you'll pay them back!

So what questions might they ask you? Allow us ...

How long does it take to close on a house? During your house-hunting adventures, you've turned on (and hopefully off) at least 20 water faucets and peered into about 50 closets (oh, the things you've seen!). And now, at long last, you've saved your down payment, researched ...

Curious about how to become a homeowner in your 20s? If you're dubious it can be done, we get it. Between entry-level salaries, college loans, and the desire to just be young and have fun, 20-somethings often think buying real estate is beyond their reach. No so! It is ...

Property liens are one of the most common conditions that can slow down a real estate transaction. So what exactly is a lien on a house? In general, it is a legal notice that's put on file as the consequence of an unpaid debt. When creditors want you to ...

Moving involves so many tasks: planning, packing, hiring movers, enlisting emotional and physical help, and lots more. Moving with pets can add even more to your to-do list.

When we moved a couple of years ago, I never really considered how our two Lab mixes, Coco and Cookie, would handle ...

Are you thinking of moving? As the customer, it makes sense for you to review each company and the prices. Flat-rate movers may sound like the best deal. You pay one moving rate, no matter what. But when hiring a moving company, you want to save money, right? Sometimes hiring ...

What is a home warranty? In a nutshell, it's a policy a homeowner pays for that covers the cost of repairing many home appliances if they break down.

After all, lots of things you buy come with a warranty in case they break down, from cars to smartphones. But ...

Staging your home is universally acknowledged as one of the most important things you can do to make it appeal to potential buyers. And while no one ever goes in thinking it'll be easy, it doesn't have to be an insane amount of work, either—which is especially good ...