Q: I've been hearing a lot lately about the benefits of home equity loans. But how do I know how much equity I have in my home?

Q: How can I negotiate a better mortgage rate?

Q: I've read it's a good idea to get pre-qualified or pre-approved for a mortgage before going house hunting. What is the difference between these terms?

Q: How long do you need to be employed in order to qualify for a mortgage?

Q: I've heard that it's possible to buy a house with less than the standard 20 percent down payment. Is this true?

Q: If you apply for a home and a car loan at the same time, will this have a negative effect on either one? And will it be bad for your credit score?

Q: I understand lenders charge lower rates for "conforming" mortgages than they do for "jumbo" mortgages. When are mortgages considered jumbo? And is it a good idea to refinance an old jumbo loan if it would now qualify as conforming?

Q: I recently took out a mortgage and now there are several things I want to do to my new home. Would it be advisable to refinance to cover the cost?