February 27, 2011
- Fannie and Freddie to Fade Away?
The Obama administration is laying out three broad options for overhauling the mortgage lending system, but will let Congress make the final decision…
What are your thoughts about the government doing away with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac? We'd love to hear your opinion about this plan. Click the comment link below and sound off…
February 26, 2011
- Debt Consolidation for People With Bad Credit
Debt consolidation is getting more popular as more people are struggling with finances. If you want to get onboard, but you have bad credit, there may be some help available. Finance companies are under pressure to find new ways to get customers. Early in 2011, at least two of them, Wells [...]
February 25, 2011
- New News about Foreclosures and Short Sales
The news continues to pour in from around the country on banks foreclosing on more and more homes, and short sales becoming more of a common thing…
Questions or comments? Use the comment link below to sound off. Your email address, although needed to post, is NEVER published on this website.
February 24, 2011
- Appraisals Scuttling Home Sales
Some people interested in selling their home have had difficulty doing so, not because they haven't been able to find a buyer, but because the bank's appraiser says the home isn't worth what the home was selling for.
A number of recent reports have highlighted the difficulty many buyers and sellers are having with [...]
February 23, 2011
- Now is the Perfect Time for Home Improvement
Real estate experts say now may be a better time than ever to invest in a home improvement or home remodel project to help boost your home value.
According to Remodeling magazine, at the height of the real estate bubble, homeowners could expect to recoup 87 percent of their home improvement costs [...]
February 22, 2011
- What the Housing Market Is Signaling Now
Home prices in most major metropolitan areas are starting to stabilize. A report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) showed that 78 markets in the U.S. experienced price gains in the fourth quarter of 2010 over the previous year. Existing-home sales were up as well, rising 15.4% to an annual rate of 4.8 million [...]
February 21, 2011
- Nearly 30% of Mortgages Are Underwater
Home prices dropped 2.6% nationwide during the last three months of 2010, pushing more borrowers underwater, according to a quarterly real estate market survey from Zillow.com.
Now 27% of homeowners with mortgages owe more than their homes are worth. That's up from 23.2% a quarter earlier.
That will surely lead to higher foreclosure rates soon. That's because [...]
February 20, 2011
- How to Get a Free FICO Credit Score
It normally costs money to see your credit score, but here's how you can get it for free.
Questions or comments? Use the comment link below to ask away!
February 19, 2011
- U.S. Home Prices Fall to Pre-Bubble Levels
The drop in home values caused by the mortgage crisis has resulted in at least one positive outcome: Prices have fallen so far and so fast that home affordability is back to pre-housing boom levels, according to a new report.
After reaching a peak in late 2005, the ratio of home prices to annual income fell [...]
February 18, 2011
- Taxes 2011 - Refund Anticipation Loans
The IRS has made it harder to get a refund anticipation loan. Here's what you need to know…
Questions or comments about this video? Click the "comment" link below to contact us.
February 17, 2011
- Home Prices Ended 2010 Showing No Change
Two separate industry gauges released recently indicate that despite the ups and downs seen in monthly reports on home prices over the last year, residential property values ended 2010 relatively unchanged from 2009 levels.
Reports from both Integrated Asset Services (IAS) and CoreLogic point to level ground over the 12-month period, although consecutive month-to-month declines were [...]
February 16, 2011
- 3 Ways Lenders Spy on You
When you ask for a loan from the bank, they look at more than just your credit score.
Questions or comments about this video? We'd love to hear from you. Just use the "comment" link below to contact us.
February 15, 2011
- Credit Cards Keeping You From Refinancing?
If you are thinking about refinancing your home, you may want to do it quickly. Mortgage refinancing rates have been on a rise since hitting a historically low 4.17% rate on 30-year fixed rate mortgages, and they are only expected to continue go up.
So, why have so few homeowners refinanced? The sad truth is [...]
February 14, 2011
- Taxes 2011 - Some Changes You Should Know About
Changes in this year's tax laws might help you get more money back. Let's take a look at a few of those…
Of course, if you're not sure about the changes this year (for 2010), you might be dollars ahead to hire someone to do your taxes for you.
February 13, 2011
- Have Interest Rates on Mortgages Hit Rock Bottom?
The interest rates on mortgage loans have been moving in a downward direction for the past few years. Recently, the rates even fell below the five percent mark, coming in at about 4.92 percent on average for a 30-year fixed rate loan. This leaves many financial experts and consumers alike wondering if the interest rates [...]
February 12, 2011
- Tips to Improve Your Home Sale Chances
Selling your home this spring? Here are a few tips to improve your chances of a sale.
HomeGain.com recently surveyed nearly 1,000 real estate agents, asking them to identify the top 12 do-it-yourself home improvements that can help sell a home faster. Cleaning and de-cluttering ranked as highest return on investment, no doubt in part because [...]
February 11, 2011
- Are 30% Down Mortgages In Our Future?
The top mortgage lender in the country, Wells Fargo, has called for borrowers to come up with 30% down if they want to avoid higher mortgage rates and more restrictive lending tied to the “risk retention” requirements related to the Dodd‐Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010.
Essentially, the government wants to ensure [...]
February 10, 2011
- Pending Sales of Existing Homes Rise 2%
The number of contracts signed for purchases of previously owned homes rose again in December, according to data released recently by the National Association of Realtors (NAR).
The trade group’s pending home sales index increased 2.0 percent compared to its November reading, which was revised downward.
The index is based on contracts signed in December, as opposed [...]
February 9, 2011
- 3 Places to Put Money This Year
There are many ways you can invest your hard-earned cash for the future, but picking the wrong option could leave you broke.
Questions or comments? Just use the link below.
February 8, 2011
- Winter Home Fire Safety Tips
Keep these tips in mind if you are considering alternative heat sources or simply want to make safety your top priority when heating your home.
Home Fire Safety with Kerosene Heaters:Precise Fuel: Do not apply fuel that is not designed for your particular make or type of heater. Use only fuel recommended by the heater’s [...]
