5 tips for refinancing a mortgage today

ip No. 1: Shop around.
Mortgage rates vary widely, so experts recommend doing lots of research before settling on a deal.

"We're seeing an increase (in) pricing disparity between lenders, which means it's more important than ever to shop around for your loan," says Mona Marimow of mortgage website LendingTree.com. "Rates can vary by 1% or more from lender to lender, translating into a difference of about $140 per month on a $250,000 loan."

Lantz adds that consumers should look at more than just rates.

5 tips for first-time home buyers

So you've decided to go for it. Buying a home can be thrilling and nerve-racking at the same time, especially for a first-time home buyer. It's difficult to know exactly what to expect. The learning curve can be steep, but most of the issues can be resolved by doing a little financial homework at the outset.

Take these five steps to help make the process go more smoothly.