November 4, 2008
- Rescue for U.S. Homeowners?
Rescue for U.S. Homeowners?
Housing is at the root of the financial crisis, and preventing foreclosures could bring a double-barreled benefit. It would allow families to remain in their homes and could also help keep the housing market from spiraling out of control. The more foreclosed homes that get dumped on the market, the [...]
November 3, 2008
- Home Sales Up, Prices Down
Home Sales Up, Prices Down
Sales of existing homes rose in September, but prices continued to drop, according to the latest reading on the battered housing market by the National Association of Realtors. The report shows sales by homeowners jumped in September to an annual pace of 5.18 million, up 1.4% from a year ago. It [...]
November 2, 2008
- Need a Mortgage? There's Still Hope
Need a Mortgage? There's Still Hope
Credit standards have been getting tighter all year, reducing the number of people who qualify for loans. It's hard to quantify how many people have been disqualified because of stricter lending standards, but mortgages are still available despite all the hoopla about the credit crunch.
Qualified borrowers can find conforming and [...]
November 1, 2008
- Real Estate News - November 2008
Real Estate News - November 2008
Our November 2008 Newsletter is now up…
From the right Nav Menu, Find "PAGES AND NEWSLETTERS" and Select "November 2008 below "Our Monthly Newsletters".
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October 31, 2008
- True Costs of Home Improvements
True Costs of Home Improvements
How do you decide when hiring a contractor is the right way to go versus doing it yourself?
Money Editor Stacy Johnson looks at this question in this short video (runs 1:34)…Any comments about doing it yourself versus hiring a contractor? We'd love to hear your thoughts. Just click the comment link [...]
October 30, 2008
- Great Jobs Without a Degree
Great Jobs Without a Degree
With the economy reeling and unemployment on the rise, how can you find a great job if you don't have that college degree? It may be easier (and cheaper) than you think, as Money Editor Stacy Johnson explains in this short (1:16) video….
October 29, 2008
- Homeowner Insurance: Getting the Best Quote
Homeowner Insurance: Getting the Best Quote
Too many people will find the most obscure, no-name insurance companies in order to get the cheapest deal and find out later that the company doesn't pay on insurance claims!
Bottom Line: It's a great idea to apply for online quotes from different companies, but before you move forward make sure [...]
October 28, 2008
- Lower Your Property Taxes
Lower Your Property Taxes
As many as 60 percent of us pay TOO MUCH on our property taxes. So how do you get your taxes lowered? Money Editor Stacy Johnson has some suggestions in this short (1:38) video….
October 27, 2008
- Economy: How Have You Been Affected?
Economy: How Have You Been Affected?
We're interested in knowing how you have been affected by the nation's economy.
Have you done anything different, like taking on another part time job? Cut back on driving due to gasoline prices? Put off making large purchases? Or have you not been affected at all?
Have you pulled out of [...]
October 26, 2008
- 3 Best Credit Cards, and Why
3 Best Credit Cards, and Why
How many credit card offers do you get in the mail every week? How do you know which cards are best? Money Editor Stacy Johnson looks at the best 3 cards to consider, but all have their advantages and disadvantages, depending on how you use them. (Video runs 1:43)…
What's in [...]
October 25, 2008
- Lenders Don't Want Your House
Lenders Don't Want Your House
With the huge number of homeowners facing foreclosure, it is true that your lender does not want your home. In fact, mortgage lenders are also victims in this crisis (believe it or not) as well. Your problem has become their problem!
With 8 homes in every 1000 currently in foreclosure (and many, [...]
October 24, 2008
- Selling Your Home: Will Anyone Want to Look?
Selling Your Home: Will Anyone Want to Look?
According to statistics, 80% of all new home buyers will use the Internet to check things out and then do a "drive by" on their own before ever contacting the seller or a real estate agent to see the house. Will anyone want to even see your home? [...]
October 23, 2008
- Financial Meltdown: Who's Really to Blame?
Financial Meltdown: Who's Really to Blame?
If you watch a lot of cable TV, you've no doubt been hearing all the nonsense about unqualified borrowers who got loans as a form of economic affirmative action.
They claim that the entire weight of the global financial collapse rests on the shoulders of unqualified poor, minority borrowers who got [...]
October 22, 2008
- Housing Recovery: Greenspan Speaks Out
Housing Recovery: Greenspan Speaks Out
According to an article he wrote recently for Emerging Markets magazine, former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan says he sees the U.S. housing market will begin to recover in the first half of 2009.
Greenspan wrote that the recent slowing in the rate of decline in U.S. home prices is [...]
October 21, 2008
- Bankruptcy: Won't Help Foreclosure
Bankruptcy: Won't Help Foreclosure
Can filing for bankruptcy help homeowners facing foreclosure? Apparently, not much.
For most people, trying to negotiate changes in their loan with help from a housing counselor or lawyer is a much better option. While bankruptcy judges can reduce or eliminate certain kinds of debt, they aren't allowed to alter the total amount [...]
October 20, 2008
- Crash 08: Should You Be Scared?
Crash 08: Should You Be Scared?
With the Dow in a free-fall one day, back up the next, down the next, you may be wondering: should I be scared?
History will show, we've been here before, and we'll survive this time, just like before. Money Talks editor Stacy Johnson explains… (Video runs 1:40)…So, with the markets going [...]
October 19, 2008
- Saving Money: Is This Being TOO Thrifty?
Saving Money: Is This Being TOO Thrifty?
When the Rachel Ray show was looking for the thriftiest mom in America, they found Margie Read. Is this being a tad bit too thrifty? (Video runs 1:36)…So, have you ever picked up the condiments when you left McDonalds and taken them home to use them? We'd love to [...]
October 18, 2008
- Making This a Green Fall
Making This a Green Fall
Summer is a thing of the past and fall is upon us. In some parts of the country, you may already have turned on your furnace during cold nights. In many northern U.S. states, temperatures have already dipped into the 40s and high 30s, and snow has already fallen in some [...]
October 17, 2008
- Avoiding Overdraft Traps
Avoiding Overdraft Traps
There are some ways banks are zapping depositers for fees and you need to be aware of them and not fall into these traps. Money Editor Stacy Johnson explains… (Video runs 1:29)…Have you been hit by any of these fees? Were you able (or did you even try) to get any of those [...]
October 16, 2008
- 10 BIGGEST Home Buying Mistakes
10 BIGGEST Home Buying Mistakes
Based on 25 years of home-building experience for 30,000 people, here are the 10 biggest mistakes in home buying:
1. Not doing your homework. Knowledge is power. Tremendous information is available on the Internet. There is no excuse for entering the market unprepared.
2. Trying to make a shrewd investment. People need to [...]
