Craig Johnson

Home Buying

What's Coming If You Buy or Refi in 2021

Low rates and decelerating home prices are two pieces of good news for anyone who wants to buy a home in the new year.

Advantages of Buying in a New Neighborhood

New construction has the appeal of freshness but costs more.

Reverse Mortgage

Is a Reverse Mortgage Right for You? Q&A

For certain people a reverse mortgage is a worthwhile loan product, but how do you know if you're one of them?

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Home Selling

Sell Faster With This Home Staging Advice From the Experts

From first impressions to lasting appeal, smart staging makes your home stand out.

Home Equity

4 Ways to Build Quick Equity

Tried and true strategies for optimizing the investment in your home in a relatively short time.

Home Buying

What Is PMI and Can I Avoid It?

PMI is the drawback of buying a home for a low down payment, but equity earns your way out.

Home Buying

How Much for a Down Payment?

Money talks. What does your down payment say?

Home Improvement

6 DIY Weekend Home Projects

Results in a weekend from these do-it-yourself home life improvers.

VA Home Loan

Buying a Home With a VA Loan

No down payments and good rates are just two of the excellent mortgage benefits for military members.

Mortgage Refinance

COVID-19: Timing Right for Mortgage Refi

Low and volatile rates are drawing many refinancers to the market right now.

Home Loan

Interest Rate vs. APR: What's the Difference?

Making sense of annual percentage rates and interest rates.