We hear all the time that student loan debt is on the rise, and isn't likely to slow down anytime soon. For all those federal loans, though, does the government really make any money?

Why is it I never hear anyone talk about the full cost of owning a home and why its such a poor investment? By the time you pay all the fees, taxes, upkeep, interest, insurance and figure in lost investment value people will never make a dime. In fact, the house will cost double what you originally paid. It also ties people down to a certain area and helps keep them immobile. Why is it we never hear about the full and true costs of home ownership? Could it be that is not good for the economy? -Great Bunndini

"Full House," "The Cosby Show," "Golden Girls" — all of these TV shows featured noteworthy homes. Play our matching game and see if you can match each house with its TV show.

Existing home sales topped an almost four-year high in July. So what should you expect to encounter as a first-time home buyer?

The government is trying to wind down Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which could really change the mortgage picture out there. What can we expect to see if the government-backed companies go private or have a diminished role?

There are a ton of real estate apps out there. Advice on which ones should be on your smartphone.

Home ownership can be a way for low-income folks to punch a ticket to upward mobility. But many experts say that low-income people should build wealth in other ways before they take on a mortgage.

What resources are available for first-time home buyers? Is there a way to time the market right to take advantage of low mortgage rates? How can you know if you earn enough income to qualify for a refi? Personal finance expert Louis Barajas answers listeners' questions about home ownership. Plus, learn about 10 home buying mistakes you should avoid.

If you're browsing in today's housing market, you'd better be ready for some stiff competition. A Los Angeles realtor talks about all it takes to land a home you want.

I love to listen to your podcast while I work in the lab. I'm a doctoral student at MSU and my fiancée works as a technician in another lab. I have three years of school left, and I earn a meager stipend on an assistantship as I work towards my degree which includes health insurance coverage. My fiancée has a savings of about $20,000 that we have wondered what to do with. We will probably buy a house in the coming years, but we're not sure where we'll end up, depending on the position I'm able to get after my graduate work. What's the best thing to do with this money? He has no debt whatsoever, and I have about $37,000 in government student loans that I am making payments on while they are in in-school deferment right now. Is there a better investment to do with his savings than sitting in a low-interest savings account that we could still have access to somewhere in the next 5 years? Amber. East Lansing, MI