Mortgage rates take a big jump this summer With the average 30-year, fixed-rate loan costing more than 6.5%, ARMs have suddenly become an attractive alternative.
	FHA loans can help first-time buyers If you have little or no money for a down payment, or iffy credit, this could be what you need.
	How to find the best loan for you You want the lowest rate and smallest monthly payment from your lender. Follow our plan to land a great deal on your mortgage.
	What's going on with jumbo loans? Although interest rates are down for some types of large mortgages, lenders are still demanding big down payments.
	10 smart moves for buying a foreclosure You'll save 10% to 20% -- even after repairs -- if you get a good deal and avoid all the costly pitfalls.
	How to find the best real estate agent These 5 smart moves can help anyone buying a home hire the right agent, at the right price, with the right contract.
	The 7 biggest mortgage mistakes Avoid these pitfalls and you'll save time, money and trouble.

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	Determine a home's walkability before you buy Here's a Web site that determines how far it is from schools and stores, and scores how much you can do on foot.
	Count child support and alimony as income They can boost your total earnings and help you qualify for a mortgage if you have proof they're actually being made.
	Take advantage of more than 2 million empty homes Whether it's owned by a bank, builder or individual, a vacant home gives you more leverage to pay less and dicker for incentives.
	Get three bids for home insurance Your lender will insist that you have a policy that's paid for, and in effect, when you close on your home purchase.
	Consider a 5/1 ARM These adjustable-rate mortgages are suddenly offering good enough rates to be an alternative to fixed-rate loans.
	Expect unexpected expenses First-time buyers should be prepared to spend at least $100 a month on routine maintenance and improvements.

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	Watch out for new mortgage fees The higher charges are being imposed by the two government-chartered companies that buy or guarantee 40% of all home loans.
	Mortgage rates fall a little in our latest weekly survey The average conventional 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage now costs 6.53% while the average jumbo loan costs 7.69%.
	Foreclosure tours make sense Hopping on a foreclosure bus is a surprisingly good way to see a wide variety of repossessed homes in just a few hours.
	You won't save much with 40-year loans Due to higher rates, the only part of your payment that's reduced is the relatively small portion that repays the principal.
	Home sales down but stable We're now buying just under 5 million homes a year, about a million fewer than during the go-go years of the real estate boom.
	This is the worst housing market since the Depression That's the conclusion of an influential new study that says "the slump … has not yet run its full course."

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