Home Loans
Why You Should Background-Search Yourself, and How
To potential employers, creditors, landlords, and strangers, your records are your reputation.
Many people make background-checking themselves a part of responsible identity maintenance, like regularly checking the three credit reports and staying on top of social media mentions. Beyond curiosity, there are practical reasons for us to look at what information is out there—and it's also OK just to be curious.
You might be curious about your s...
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Household Finances
The Credit Scores That Matter Most in Your Situation
Learn about the particular credit scores that stand between you and a new credit card, a car loan, or a mortgage.
Home Buying
Best First Time Home Buyer Tips of 2023
7 tips every first-time homebuyer needs.
Getting Started
Your FICO Score 9 Explained
How FICO Score 9 works and how you can boost your credit score.
Getting Started
Your FICO Score 8: What Is It and How Can You Raise It?
Learn about the one score that blends your activity from all three credit reports.
Mortgage Refinance
Your FICO Score 5 Is the Credit Score Mortgage Lenders Look At
A credit check reveals a lot about you to lenders, but they focus on one particular rating.
Reverse Mortgage
Is a Reverse Mortgage a Good Idea [2023]
A reverse mortgage might be a decent home loan option for certain people. Are you one of them?
VA Home Loan
How a VA Loan Works: Explained
Your thorough yet simplified guide to one of the most substantial benefits of military service.
Mortgage Refinance
Cash-Out Refinance to Buy a Second Home
Why you should consider a cash-out refinance to buy a second home for vacations, future retirement, or rental income.
Home Equity
Tap Into Your Home’s Equity With a Cash-Out Refinance or a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) and Get Money for the Things You Need
Which should you choose? Cash-out refinance vs. home equity line of credit (HELOC).
Refinancing
Return of the Cash-Out Refi
The current cash-out refi boom looks a lot different from last time. Here’s why.
Fundamentals
Learning Center: Pros and Cons of 15- and 30-Year Mortgages
No one has a crystal ball to see 15 years ahead, much less 30, but if you can swing a higher payment, a shorter term will save you a lot of money.
Fundamentals
Learning Center: Interest and APR—What's the Difference?
You see two rates when you shop for a loan, and we explain why.
Home Improvement
The Most Effective Winter Energy Tip Just Got a Lot More Important
One home improvement brings you a 117% ROI and could save you hundreds this winter.
Solar News
Is Minnesota Poised to Take Over the Solar Industry?
Minnesota’s Iron Range is planning an enormous solar panel manufacturing facility.
Solar News
California Sued Over Bogus Solar Rule
The California Solar and Storage Association is fighting back.
Solar Basics
Why the Value Proposition of Solar Keeps Improving
Marvel at all the ways solar keeps getting more affordable compared to the only real alternative people have, the grid.
Solar News
Previously Hesitant Homeowners Are Now Going Solar in Droves
As energy costs rise, solar keeps getting cheaper.
Home Improvement
Easy DIY Under-$200 Home Security Kit
7 straightforward items (including 1 freebie!) to secure your home affordably.
Solar News
Going Solar Might Get Much Cheaper
New bill introduced in Congress could make it happen.
