Mortgage & Home, 50--WHY
At some point in their lives, most Americans will own some real estate. Home buying and selling, taking out a mortgage or home loan, remodeling, and other home-related decisions require education and planning.
Mortgage & Home Encyclopedia Articles By Title
50-year mortgage: How it stacks up against 15- and 30-year loans
Buying a houseâitâs the classic American dream. You want the right home for your lifestyle, but you also need a......
Adjustable-rate mortgage: Money saver or budgeting headache?
If youâre buying a home or other property, itâs a good bet youâll need a mortgage. One of the first decisions youâll......
Buy or rent? It depends on who (and when) you ask
Editorâs note: This article first appeared in Money Matters, a newsletter from Britannica Money, on April 15, 2026.......
Capital gains exclusion: How to save on taxes when you sell your home
Selling a home is a difficult process. You need to find a broker or sell it yourself, find a buyer who is the right......
Community solar programs: Are they worth it?
Solar power is a popular form of clean energy that can help reduce carbon emissions and electricity costs for households......
Could a bill negotiation service save you money?
Recurring bills such as Internet, cell phone, satellite radio, and home security can quietly add hundreds of dollars......
Could biweekly mortgage payments save you money?
Paying off your mortgage early can save you thousands in interest payments and cancel your debt years ahead of......
First-time homebuyer programs: Help with becoming a homeowner
Buying your first house or condominium has long been a monumental step, but steadily increasing home prices have......
First-time homebuyer? Hereâs what you need to know
Buying your first home can feel intimidating. Itâs complicated and expensive, and once youâve signed the documents......
Getting maximum value from downsizing: Declutter for fun and profit
If yours is like many American households, you may have more things hiding in your cupboards, closets, or basement......
HELOC vs. second mortgage: Different home equity loan types
Your home might be your castle and your most precious asset, but it also can be a source of funding for anything......
Home improvement projects that pay for themselves
Remodeling your home may get you more money when you sell it, although some projects offer a better return on investment......
Homeowners associations (HOAs): Pros, cons, and what you need to know
The homeowners association (HOA) can sometimes garner a negative reputation. Maybe youâve heard about a meddling......
How does a mortgage work? A walk through the numbers
Buying a home is often the biggest financial commitment youâll ever makeâespecially once you factor in the complexities......
How much can you trust a Zestimate?
Editorâs note: This article first appeared in Money Matters, a newsletter from Britannica Money, on August 2, 2026.......
How much does it really cost to buy a home?
Maybe youâve been renting for a while now and are thinking about buying a home. You hear advice about âbuilding......
How much does it really cost to maintain a home?
If youâve already purchased a home, good for you! Now you need to make sure you have enough money in your budget......
How to buy solar panels for your home
Federal and (depending on where you live) state incentives make installing solar panels on the roof of your house......
Is your head spinning with mortgage terms?
When youâre taking out a mortgage to buy or refinance a home, it can feel like visiting a foreign country. There......
Jumbo vs. conventional mortgage: Whatâs the difference?
If youâre in the market for a homeâand a mortgageâyou may soon find yourself inundated with unfamiliar terms. The......
Long-distance moving: Timelines, decisions, and real-world logistics
A local move can sometimes be handled on a weekend with a rented truck and a few helping hands. Long-distance and......
Mortgage financing: The complex system behind home lending
Getting a mortgage is one of the most complex (and expensive) financial transactions youâll likely undertake. Anyone......
Mortgage prequalification: Learn your limits and maximize your resources
For many, buying a home is still the American Dream. However, unless you have about $360,000 sitting around (the......
Mortgage refinancing: Lower payments, shorter terms, or âcash-outâ refi?
Once you have a mortgage, youâre stuck with it for decades, right? Maybe not. You might be able to refinance your......
Mortgage types: Fixed vs. variable, 30-year and other loan terms, and more
When buying a home, youâll face a host of choices. You may be debating a smaller home or condo in the city versus......
Moving to a new state: A practical guide for what to do before, during, and after your move
Moving to a new state is often about something bigâa new job, a lower cost of living, or simply a fresh start.......
Pay off your mortgage or invest: A homeownerâs dilemma
A mortgage is a big expense, but itâs only one part of your familyâs budget. Decisions about it need to be made......
Private mortgage insurance (PMI): Why itâs sometimes required (and how to avoid it)
Buying a home is a complex transaction, with mountains of paperwork full of jargon, confusing terms, and above......
Real estate commissions and agent fees: What homebuyers and sellers should know
When a home changes hands, money moves in more ways than one. Beyond the price tag, thereâs the cost of paying......
Renting out your property: Tips for first-time landlords
If youâre thinking about moving, you may also be considering what to do with your existing home. Sure, selling......
Selling a house? Follow the 7 steps in our staging checklist
Looking to sell your house? Thereâs a whole host of to-do tasks to accomplish before putting up that âFor Saleâ......
Should you rent or buy your home? Weighing the costs and benefits
For many of us, purchasing a home is the biggest financial decision weâll make in our lives. In fact, your home......
Small home upgrades that add value
Editorâs note: This article first appeared in Money Matters, a newsletter from Britannica Money, on May 6, 2026.......
The costs of owning a home
Costs of Home MaintenanceHome sweet home or cost center?© dmitr1ch, mars58, Rattanachat/stock.adobe.com; Photo......
The debt-to-income ratio: Your ticket to loan approval and lower rates
Unless youâre independently wealthy, major purchasesâlike cars and homesâwill involve taking on some type of debt.......
The housing affordability paradox
Editorâs note: This article first appeared in Money Matters, a newsletter from Britannica Money, on July 19, 2026.......
The housing bill nobody talks about
Editorâs note: This article first appeared in Money Matters, a newsletter from Britannica Money, on May 31, 2026.......
What to know about having a new home built
Building a house lets you create a home tailored to your needs, from selecting the floor plan to choosing the finishes.......
Why everybody moves in summerâand why you should care
Editorâs note: This article first appeared in Money Matters, a newsletter from Britannica Money, on June 17, 2026.......