Key takeaways Home equity loans, HELOCs, and cash-out refinancing are three popular ways to borrow using your home as collateral. A cash-out refinance replaces your existing mortgage while home equity loans and HELOCs involve taking on an additional debt. With all three, the amount you can borrow will depend on the amount of equity (ownership stake) you have in your...

If you're looking to use your retirement account to get in on the alternative investments boom, you'll need to open a special kind of account known as a self-directed IRA, or SDIRA. These accounts allow investors to hold assets such as real estate, precious metals, private equity and cryptocurrency. But be sure to watch out for high fees and other...

Key takeaways The process of selling a house can take quite some time, so it's crucial to plan ahead and stay organized. Start by setting a timeline to aim for and hiring a local real estate agent who knows your market well. Be sure your listing photos are the highest quality possible -- homebuyers look at listings online first before...

Cryptocurrencies are enormously volatile, but that volatility can create opportunities for profit if you're looking to trade these digital assets. Cryptos such as Bitcoin and Ethereum have risen a lot since their debut -- but they've also experienced tremendous boom-bust cycles along the way. Experienced traders have been speculating on cryptocurrencies for years, but how can you get started if...