When the going gets tough -- And you thought finding the right house at the right price was the hard part. You ain't seen nothin' yet! Understanding the closing process, not to mention closing costs and title insurance, is just the beginning. You have decisions to make -- about attorneys, home inspectors and appraisers. Gaining a basic understanding and an awareness of potential pitfalls can save you big bucks and serious stress.

Timing the purchase of your new home -- Find out how to avoid the mess and time your purchase properly.

Upfront costs of buying a home -- Most people know the price of the home they want to buy, but they don't realize all of the other costs that are involved in buying a home.

How to win a bidding war -- Caught in a battle over the house of your dreams? Here's how to make the winning bid.

The protection of title insurance -- Insuring the title on your new house can save you thousands in unexpected legal costs and back taxes.

Tips to avoid last-minute snafus -- Avoid last-minute mortgage surprises with these tips to help borrowers avoid lenders who offer loans at application time, then change the terms, points and parameters before closing day.