Topics in Home
and Auto
Updated - May 8, 2008


Sell Your House
Easy and inexpensive tricks to make your home look better fast!

When Cleaning Equals Energy Saving
Have a clean, more energy efficient home.

Can't Afford Auto Lease
How to get out of a too-expensive auto lease.

My Story: House Cleaning Service
What you need to know before hiring a cleaning service.

Saving on Pool Expenses
Maximize savings with a little common sense and basic maintenance.

Quick and Cheap Family Room Decor
Brighten up the most used space in your home.

Maintain Today, Save Tomorrow
Four critical, but often overlooked maintenance items.

Container Mania
Using containers to add zip to your landscaping.

Recipe for a Successful Remodeling Project
Avoid the pitfalls of home remodeling project.

Put Together a 5-Star Guestroom on a Beer Budget
Create a guestroom with style and elegance.

Where's My Money?
Getting your utility deposits back.

Garden Décor Ideas
Charming ideas to spruce up any garden.

The Cheapskate’s Guide to Children's Rooms
They could be the hardest rooms in your home to decorate.


Ask Bob: Auto Answer Man

The Occasional Alternator
Every week or so her car won't start.

O2 Sensors & Gas Mileage
Will he save enough on gas to pay for the cost of new O2 sensors?

Gas in the Oil
Is it true that gas and oil shouldn't be mixed?

Oil Change Frequency
Bob responds to those who think that 3,000 miles is too frequent.



Got a car care question?
Visit the Car Care Clinic

The Natural Handyman

Holey Walls
Holes should be quickly covered.

Patching a Ceiling
Does he need to use drywall compound?

Draft in the Game Room
It's cold on the floor. What's the solution?

Insulating a Floor
What is a good method of reducing heat loss through a concrete floor?



We Paid Off Over $300,000!
"Today the last payment to a debt cleared the bank. We have paid off, including interest (but not the house), $307,501.85!!!! We own our lives for the first time in 15 years!"

I Now Feel More Secure and Confident!
Tari grew up thinking how she would always have a car payment and house payment. However, now she realizes that was false!

I just feel whipped
Lisa has a very bad thought ... is there ever a point where you CAN'T make an impact on your money?

Storage Costs Down the Drain
"We paid for storage for 7 YEARS before I finally got over my bad self and decided to sell it," Sharon said.

Bankrate's stories, interactives and calculators will help you decide which remodeling projects are right for your situation and whether you should DIY or hire a pro.

First Things First
Before launching into any home improvement project you should carefully consider your motivations and goals. Enhance your lifestyle? Increase salability? Accommodate an aging parent?

Get Ready
Preparation is the key to the success of any home remodeling project, from deciding whether to hire a pro or go it alone, choosing a contractor and selecting the best tools and products.

Start Improving
Ideas and suggestions for your next home improvement project, from simple plans for renters to designing extensive renovations to every room in the house, along with tips on what not to do.

On the Money
Whether it's a fresh coat of paint or a total home renovation, sooner or later it comes down to paying for it. Thankfully, there are many ways to finance the job and even some others on getting outside help.

Calculators and Tools
These calculators will help you do the math on a wide variety of projects you may have in the works.


Seeking a workout? Be patient
If there's a lesson for homeowners trying to avoid foreclosure, it is this: Be patient, don't take mortgage servicers' actions personally, and be ready to send paperwork multiple times.

Low consumer confidence plagues market
Optimistic consumers are more likely to buy a home, say economists, but with consumer confidence at its lowest level in 17 years, the real estate market is unlikely to rebound soon.

Foreclosures: Tragedy or opportunity?
This may be your big chance, but it's no place for amateurs.

Using an IRA for home closing costs
You can avoid the penalty and some of the taxes on an IRA withdrawal if it is used for a first-time home purchase, says CPA George Saenz.

Car-buying services shop for you
Here are six things to know before hiring a car-buying service to find your next set of wheels.

How low can you go on a housing bid?
In this real estate environment, lowball bids are more common. But how do you determine the difference between an insult to the seller and a smart bid?

'Timing' market big gamble for first-time buyers
It's a real estate buyers market in most areas of the country but many would-be purchasers -- especially first-timers -- may be outsmarting themselves by waiting for prices to fall still further.

Predatory lending victim facing bankruptcy
Senior citizen's mortgage balloons to exceed her Social Security income, but before she files bankruptcy, she should seek legal recourse, says the Bankruptcy Adviser.


Car Expert Terry Jackson

Trading in gas guzzler may cost you
Dumping a gas guzzler may not be your best financial move.

Don't say 'I do' to car loan for fiance
Never take out a loan for your beloved until you've said "I do".

You may still owe after repossession
Lenders retain the right to collect money owed following a repossession.

Dumping car on lender will trash credit
"Voluntary repossession" is a surefire way to trash your credit.

The Real Estate Adviser

Home sellers offer a range of incentives
When it comes to incentives for buyers, don't be impressed with a mere TV. Get cold, hard cash.

Property value adjustment
Local assessors won't automatically adjust property value on the tax rolls, but, armed with the right information, homeowners can present a case.

Violating a purchase agreement
If a seller backs out of a purchase agreement, there could be legal repercussions.



Bankrate: Fighting Foreclosures

With the home equity bubble popping, consumers could find their homes in peril, especially those with adjustable-rate mortgages.

Fight Foreclosure
A number of factors started the housing mess but it ends with homeowners fighting to keep a roof over their heads.

8 Do's and Don'ts for Fighting Foreclosure
What to do and what to avoid in order to avert a financial disaster.

Mortgages: Mortgage Foreclosure Timeline for Day 1 through Day 415
Homeowners have several chances to stop the foreclosure process once it's started. Here are the details to help you keep your house.

Avoiding Foreclosure-Rescue Scams
The convergence of economic and political forces may soon bring about a home-equity version of the stock market crash of 1929.

Double Whammy: Foreclosure and Taxes
Losing your home in a foreclosure is bad enough. Wait until you get the tax bill.

Facing foreclosure? Try a Workout.
If you're in trouble with your mortgage, here are steps to take to work out a solution with your lender.

Foreclosure Counseling for Homeowners
Community organizations offer a less intimidating alternative to banks for homeowners trying to work through foreclosure.

Know-Your-Mortgage Worksheet
Can't keep the terms and conditions on your adjustable-rate mortgage straight? Use this work sheet to pull the key information together on one simple form.

Mortgage Reset Calculator
Do you know what your new mortgage payment will be when your rate adjusts? Use this calculator to find out what your payment would be if your rate was to adjust today.


Bankrate's guide to auto buying.

Getting Started
Before you go car shopping, do your homework. Know what you want and how you plan to pay for it.

Shop 'til You Drop
Whether shopping online or off, discover how to track down the best vehicle at the best price.

The Buying Experience
You know your budget and did your shopping. Now, it's time to bargain with the seller.

The Leasing Experience
Leasing makes sound, financial sense in certain situations and for certain people. Is that you?

Financing the Deal
Shop for a loan just as you'd shop for a vehicle. Do your homework before signing on the dotted line.

Insuring Your Vehicle
Buying a new car, or a different one than the one you now own, will mean a change in insurance costs.