Mortgage

I purchased a condo with a good friend approximately 5 years ago. We co-signed the mortgage and have had a great experience co-owning as friends. I recently got engaged and it's time for me (us) to move on. I'm having a difficult time finding an alternative to having my name removed from the co-signed mortgage. What options exist for us? Tom, Minneapolis, MN

I have $30,000 and want to know where best to put it. Ultimately, I want to put it away for my three boys' futures. I want it to make something, however slowly, without risk. But, 0.4 percent? Is that really the best I can do? Joanna, Hammond, IN

My husband and I just refinanced our house at a great rate (15-year fixed mortgage at 2.875 percent). Our house payment is low and we can afford to pay more each month. Would the best use of our money be to pay down the principal on this low-interest loan or put extra away for retirement or for our children's college fund? We have two young children and are in our late 20s/early 30s. Thanks for your help! Katie, Helena, MT

Credit reporting agency TransUnion says the percentage of people behind on their mortgages is down to its lowest level since 2009.

I recently was accepted to grad school, and my wife and I will be moving from Michigan to New Mexico. We are having a debate as to whether we should buy a home. After I finish my degree, I would like the freedom to leave New Mexico, if necessary, without having to worry about selling a home. My wife doesn't like the idea of paying rent and getting nothing back from it. Any and all advice would be much appreciated.

The two major banks beat expectations with JPMorgan reporting a $5.4 billion profit last quarter, and Wells Fargo making a $4.2 billion profit. Both said an uptick in mortgage lending helped their bottom lines.

When I look at the interest rates on various savings accounts, they are all way lower than the 4.6 percent I'm being charged on my mortgage. I do recognize my condo as providing me with a service, and my minimum payment now is actually less than the rent I was paying on a studio 4 years ago! But, if I think of the equity I gain as a sort of savings account for a future upgrade, I'm just not sure how to compare my options. The simplified thought process I currently go through is that any extra I pay on my mortgage saves me 4.6 percent in interest that I would have to pay, while that same money would only earn me maybe 2 percent in a savings account, so it is better to save 4.6 percent by never having to pay it. Am I totally off? Erin, Boston, MA

The $25 billion settlement announced last month finally details all the different types of relief for borrowers. But it sure took a long time.

President Obama reportedly plans to announce some new help for hurting homeowners. There's word one part of the plan would make it cheaper to refinance mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration.