Home rich: increasing the value of the biggest investment of your life

The rules

Buying. How much house can you afford?; Assess the market; Picking a real estate agent; Choosing a mortgage lender; Avoiding mortgage fraud; Narrowing your search; Finding the right house; Choosing the right mortgage; Negotiating the deal; Surviving the closing

Maintaining. Managing your equity; Going green; Curb appeal: your yard and garden; Maintaining your investment

Upgrading. Financing (and paying for) your renovation; Small budget improvements; Choosing and managing a contractor; Remodeling projects that pay off for any budget

Selling. Choosing a real estate agent or going it alone; Prepping your home for sale; Setting the right price; Marketing your home and negotiating an offer

The conclusion.