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By Craig Johnson

Why You Should Background-Search Yourself, and How

To potential employers, creditors, landlords, and strangers, your records are your reputation.

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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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Mortgage Refinance

How Many Times Can You Refinance A House?

Learn more about refinancing so that you can take advantage of falling interest rates.
Household Finances

Mortgage Prepayment: The Surprising Savings of $100 Extra

Paying down your loan principal with a little extra each month saves you big money in interest and builds equity quicker.
Home Buying

6 Negotiating Tips for Winning When You Buy a Home

We are in a seller's market, but you can still get ahead of the competition with this expert advice.
Home Loan

Cosigners and Mortgages: What Borrowers Need to Know

A mortgage cosigner could mean better terms and interest rates for the primary borrower, but how is the cosigner affected?
Mortgage Refinance

Act Now to Avoid the Adverse Market Refinance Fee

Thinking of refinancing? Do so before a new fee goes into effect.
Home Buying

Mortgage Process Checklist

Ready to buy a house? Follow these 10 easy steps to secure your dream home.
Home Buying

How Home Buying Is Different Right Now

With interest rates that previous generations could only dream of and a low housing supply, the market is red-hot despite the chill over the rest of the economy.
Household Finances

The True Cost of Late Mortgage Payments

Learn about the cost and other impacts of missing a mortgage installment.
Mortgage Refinance

2 More Good Reasons for a Cash-Out Refinance—and 1 Terrible Reason

Convert equity to cash with a timely cash-out refinance, but if you don't have a sensible plan for the money you're better off leaving it in the home.
Home Loan

Here's Why Your Debt-to-Income Ratio Is So Important

A low DTI paves the way for a competitive mortgage.
Getting Started

Don't Make These 4 Common Mistakes of First-Time Homebuyers

As record-low interest rates battle with record-low inventory, you can benefit by learning what first-time buyers wish they'd done differently.
Home Loan

The Secret to Getting the Best Interest Rate

Do this to get a low interest rate so you can save thousands over the life of a loan.
Personal Loan

4 Good Uses for a Personal Loan—and 1 Bad Use

From debt consolidation to home improvement, you can put a personal loan to smart use.
Personal Loan

Cash for Whatever: Check Out Personal Loans

Personalized terms and lower interest than most credit cards make personal loans a viable method of getting cash fast.
Personal Loan

A Personal Loan Can Lift You Out of Credit Card Debt, Raise Your Credit Score

A personal loan is the flexible financial tool that lets you consolidate and pay down debts sensibly.
Reverse Mortgage

Reverse Mortgage Pros and Cons

The controversial loan product does have sensible uses and lets homeowners enjoy the equity they have built up without selling.
Home Loan

Mortgage Prequalification vs. Preapproval

Learn the differences between the two so you don't miss out on your dream home.
Mortgage Refinance

3 Good Reasons for a Cash-Out Refinance

Homeowners do a cash-out refinance so they can turn some of the equity they've built up in their home into cash.
Home Buying

Easily Improve Your Financial Health With These 5 Tips

Evaluate your financial health and get tips for ways to better prepare for your future.
VA Mortgage Refinance

VA Rate Reduction Refinance

Hello, my name is IRRRL: The faster, easier way that military members and families can refinance their VA loan and lock in lower rates.
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