QUESTION: Reverse Mortgages
My mother is being offered a reverse mortgage. She's single, 70 years old, in great health and needs a bit more cash to meet expenses. She lives modestly, on $30,000 to $40,000 a year - from Social Security, about $150,000 in CDs and a modest amount of savings. We've discussed selling her home, which is worth about $600,000. But what do you think about the reverse mortgage?

Q&A: Mortgages and PMI

Q: I'll be 62 next year. The military contractor I work for is switching from a defined benefit retirement plan to a defined contribution plan ...

The Cash-Out Re-fi: Get It While You Can
It might not be around forever.

The Cash-Out Re-fi: Get It While You Can
It might not be around forever.

Are You Ready for Home Ownership?
Answer these 10 questions to learn if you are ready to buy a home.

Q&A - Downsizing Before Retirement

Vacation Homes: Tranquility or Slavery?
Don't underestimate the expense and work of a second home

The Latest in Mortgage Trends: Cash-In Refinancing
Does it make sense for you?

Question: Ric, from a personal finance perspective, how do you see California?

Question: I know I'm moving next summer because I'm in the military. My house is currently worth about what I owe on it, which is considerably less than what I paid for it. Should I sell it or rent it?

Q&A Update: The Overpriced House Saga Continues

Should You Refinance Again?

Neither the Best of Times Nor the Worst of Times
But home buyers and sellers won't admit it

Don't Be Seduced by 15-Year Mortgage Rates
30-year loans are still better

We have to dip into our life savings because we're not making enough interest to make these big, huge mortgage payments.What should we do?

Refinancing? Don't Make a Last-Minute Mistake
Yogi Berra was right

Question: I'm looking at pulling some money out of my home to remodel and add a room. I've been fascinated by your comment that a 30-year mortgage is better than a 15-year loan. I wanted to understand that a little bit better.

Don't Forget to Deduct Points When Refinancing Again

Question: I recently refinanced my house and thus now have an extra $500 in cash flow each month...

Question: Did he sell? Or did he hold out for more money?

Why All the Hubbub?
Lots of unnecessary handwringing over the latest foreclosure stats

Bi-Monthly Mortgage Payments Question
Is there any advantage to sending in half of your mortgage payment in the middle of the month so it gets credited to your account earlier?

Does Another Wave of Foreclosures Loom?
Not likely, but you won't hear that from the media

A Big Reason to Avoid Condos
Condominiums can be fine purchases in urban areas, but in the suburbs, you often buy them at your peril.

Steps to Avoid Foreclosure
Foreclosures are setting records; what to do if you are about to lose your home.

Caught in a Housing Squeeze?
Two years ago, you signed a contract to build your dream home. It's nearly finished, and you move in soon. But you haven't sold your current house yet, and you're starting to worry.

11 Great Reasons to Carry a Big, Long Mortgage
Never own your home outright. Instead, get a big 30-year mortgage, and never pay it off -- regardless of your age and income.

Don't Sell Your Home Too Quickly
Your house is on the market. You get an offer. You take it. Congratulations - you probably just cost yourself some money.

Do You Wish You'd Never Bought That Timeshare?
Although some people are happy owners of timeshares, millions of others regret having bought theirs...