Mortgage, Home & Renting Tips

Get tips for managing mortgages and adding value to your home. From renting vs. buying to DIY home improvement, learn how to build and retain equity.

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How To Win a Bid in a Seller's Market

Three people sit at a kitchen island with documents and a laptop, discussing a possible sale. One man appears to be signing papers while his partner looks at the papers and smiles.

Even in a tough market, buyers can win a home.

Reasons To Refinance Your Mortgage

A family of four enters a home with excitement. The parents walk arm in arm, with the father holding the open door. Their two smiling children lead the way into the entryway.

Is now the right time to refinance your mortgage?

​​Renting vs. Buying a Home

Two young people smile at each other as they walk down the stairs inside a home or apartment while holding a pair of moving boxes in each of their hands.

​​Learn factors to consider when deciding whether to rent or buy.​

11 Ways to Fund Large Home Improvements

Two men standing side by side, smiling as they collaborate on a home renovation project. The man on the left is pointing upward and wearing a white shirt. The main on the right is wearing a plaid shirt and is holding a clip board and rolled up sketch paper. They are in a hallway indoors.

We share options to pay for home projects that work for your budget.

How To Avoid Mortgage Scams

A woman, man and dog sit on the front stairs outside their gray house. The bright yellow front door is ajar behind them.

Mortgage scams can leave you with loss of money and home.

Is Now a Good Time To Buy a House?

A family poses together in front of their house. Grouped to the left is a woman, in the middle is a child and to the right is a man. They are standing in the outside entryway in front of a green hedge and sold sign.

Here's what you should know if you're looking to buy a house.

How a Home Equity Line of Credit Works

A man and woman engage in a flooring project. The man is kneeled over and is measuring flooring on the ground and the woman is sitting behind him on steps. There's a paint can on the steps next to the woman, She has a paint brush in her hand. Both of them are smiling.

Learn how you can use your equity for home improvement projects.

Homebuying as an Unmarried Couple

Three people standing in front of a brick house, one person is holding and showing a document to the other two. The woman holding the document has curly black hair and glasses. She's wearing a green top and beige pants. The couple, are standing next to each other, looking at the document. A man, in the middle, is wearing a beige top and brown pants. He has dark hair. The woman, to the right, is wearing a white top and light jeans. She has blonde hair. To the left are some plants.

Learn about legal agreements and title options to protect both of you.
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Mortgage Glossary: Terms To Know

A man and woman pose together in front of the entryway of their home. The man is seated on a bench. On the bench are some potted flowers. The woman is standing next to him with her arm on his shoulder. They are in front of a rustic wooden background with a window behind them. To the right is the front door.

Your go-to glossary for key mortgage terms.

First-Time Homebuyer Guide

Two women sitting on the steps of a house. The woman on the right has one arm wrapped around the other. She has red long curly hair and is wearing a blue long sleeve cardigan and jeans. The woman on the left has black curly hair. She is wearing a periwinkle-colored long sleeve and black shorts. The home is blue with white trim around the windows and the steps are wooden. On the left are bushes with yellow flowers.

From credit score to the front door, navigate homebuying with these steps.

2024 Home Improvements That Increase Value

A front shot of a house with an attached garage. The house is blue with white trim. The garage door panel is wood. The front lawn shows green grass and some landscaped hedging,

Learn which projects increase home value and which to avoid in 2024.

​​15 Terms To Include in a Remodel Contract​

This is an image of three people looking at paperwork on a desk. The setting of the photo suggests a couple is getting a consultation with a home contractor. The contractor is on the left side of the image and is wearing a bright orange vest. He's wearing glasses and is pointing at paperwork on a table. In the middle is a man, who is wearing a gray shirt. Both of his hands are resting on the table, as he looks down at the paperwork. On the right-hand side is a woman. She is also wearing a gray shirt and has a ponytail. Both her hands are also resting on the table, as she looks down at the paperwork. In the background is a window and brick walls.

​​Clear contract terms can help your home remodeling project go smoothly.​

How Credit Debt Could Affect Your Mortgage

Image of a young, smiling couple standing in front of a brick home with one of the individuals holding house keys in their hand.

Find out if credit card debt affects whether you qualify for a home loan.

Time To Winterize: Fall Projects That Save Money

Homeowner double checks duct work for holes or gaps. Consumers' Checkbook logo in bottom right corner.

Improve energy efficiency and prevent the need for costly repairs.

Low-Cost Tips For Reducing Energy Use at Home

Man caulking a window. Consumers' Checkbook logo in the lower right corner.

Get tips to benefit your wallet — and the planet.

End of Rental Eviction Ban: Where To Get Help

Rental relief written in a notebook

Find help through government and nonprofit programs.
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Is DIY Home Improvement Right for You?

A woman smiles as she paints a white wall gray using a roller brush.

Save time and money and increase your home value by doing your homework.

How To Save on Moving Help and Avoid Scams

A man and woman stand in their garage doorway. The man is carrying a cardboard box labeled "BEDROOM # 2" in black marker. A woman, who is smiling at him, rests her hands on top of a stack of labeled cardboard boxes. A white text logo in the lower right says "Puget Sound Consumers' Checkbook."

Comparison shopping tips to protect your stuff and your money.

Buy or Refi? Low Mortgage Rates Boost Buying Power

Standing in front of a yellow house, man cradles woman in his arms while she dangles keys from her fingers.

Read expert tips about what low rates could mean for you.