There are many ways to get information about appliances before you make a final purchase decision. You can check a manufacturer's Web site, consult Consumer Reports, ask your neighbors and friends, and catch a salesperson's spiel. But in real time in your real house, how will they perform?

In most cases, you have to buy the products to find out, but not always. Last fall, I was invited by Whirlpool to test any appliance in their catalogue in my home. The terms: I would use the appliances for six months and offer my candid observations.  more...

If you are thinking about buying a house or condo while mortgage interest rates are still low, it's not too late. We are now entering the best time of the year to buy a home.

To be very specific, between Thanksgiving Day and New Year's Day is the absolute best home-buying season in most areas. This "prime time for home buyers" even extends until Super Bowl Sunday or later in cities with harsh weather.

Purchase Bob Bruss reports online.  more...