January 5, 2009
- Appliances: When to Repair - When to Replace
Appliances: When to Repair - When to Replace
The hot water is no more, or the furnace makes you pull out the blankets. Perhaps your washing machine just spun it's final load.
The question becomes, Fix it, or junk it?
If an electronic device cost less than $200, junk it without further thought. Repairing a relatively inexpensive item [...]
January 4, 2009
- Real Estate Auctions: Be Careful
Real Estate Auctions: Be Careful
When you go to an auction and THINK you're bidding on a property, remember one VERY IMPORTANT thing: The highest bid doesn't necessarily mean you've won…Stacy Johnson explains in this video (runs 1:18)Have you had a situation like this? Bid on a home or property at an auction and think you'd [...]
January 3, 2009
- Mortgage Help: Talk is Cheap
Mortgage Help: Talk is Cheap
With foreclosures and bankruptcies soaring nationwide, both government and private industry have been promising help to homeowners. But is that help materializing? Money Editor Stacy Johnson explains in this short (1:39) video…If you have questions about Hope Now, or other help that may be available to you, please leave [...]
January 2, 2009
- Real Estate News - January 2009
Real Estate News - January 2009
Our January 2009 Newsletter is now up…
From the right Nav Menu, Find "PAGES AND NEWSLETTERS" and Select "December 2009 below "Our Monthly Newsletters".
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January 1, 2009
- Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!
Thanks for visiting our blog and website in 2008… we look forward to helping you with all of your real estate and mortgage related questions in 2009!
December 31, 2008
- How the Fed Rate Affects Mortgage Rates
How the Fed Rate Affects Mortgage Rates
Fixed-rate mortgage rates, though not directly tied to the Fed Funds Rate, have been responding positively to market rate cuts over the past few months.
Just as an overview, the Fed Funds Rate has a strong (if not direct) affect on the following:credit card rates
adjustable-rate mortgages
interest on savings accounts
Prime Rate [...]
December 30, 2008
- Landlords Facing Foreclosure
Landlords Facing Foreclosure
It's becoming an all too familiar scenario for thousands of renters nationwide. They (the renters) are paying their bills (and rent), but the landlord isn't. The renters become the unintended victims of foreclosures. Banks are booting good tenants out into the streets with little or no notice after seizing a property from [...]
December 29, 2008
- New Year's Resolutions?
New Year's Resolutions?
Do you make New Year's Resolutions? Many people do, only to find that most of them have fallen by the wayside before the end of January.
Have you made any for 2009? (Other than hoping it will be financially better than 2008).
Tell us about your New Year's Resolution, and what you honestly feel is [...]
December 28, 2008
- Extended Warranties: Are They Worth It?
Extended Warranties: Are They Worth It?
With the 2008 Holiday buying season now behind us, you may still have 30 days to go back and purchase the extended warranty for items you either bought for Christmas, or someone gave you. But are these extended warranties worth it? Money Editor Stacy Johnson explains why they aren't. (Video [...]
December 27, 2008
- More Nations Want the Euro
More Nations Want the Euro
The euro is the Miss Congeniality of world currencies right now.
Icelanders are clamoring to adopt it. Danes and Swedes are having second thoughts about snubbing it in the past. The Poles and Hungarians are accelerating plans to make the euro their money.
Even in Britain, which has held to the pound with [...]
December 24, 2008
- Happy Holiday!
As we pause to reflect the season, we would like to wish you and your family a very happy holiday. Thank you for being a part of our blog family this year! We are taking a couple of days off now to spend with our families, and will resume posting more great information for you [...]
December 23, 2008
- Gift Shopping By Thrift Shopping
Gift Shopping By Thrift Shopping
The perfect gifts for those last minute buys might not be in the mall, but may be waiting for you at your nearest thrift store. Money Editor Stacy Johnson explains…(Video runs 1:31)…Have you purchased anything at a thrift shop this year? If not, do you plan to start shopping at one [...]
December 22, 2008
- Foreclosure Relief: Not Until Obama Takes Over
Foreclosure Relief: Not Until Obama Takes Over
Any use of $700 billion in financial industry rescue money to aid homeowners will come after President George W. Bush leaves office next month. That word came recently from Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass.
While the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. has proposed to use $24 billion from the financial bailout to [...]
December 21, 2008
- Bailouts Galore
Bailouts Galore
Is anyone out there besides us sick of all the government bailouts? Everyone and their brother seems to be getting in line to ask the government to "bail them out."
As the printing presses for the bailouts run at full speed, those in power are no longer even pretending that the new giveaways will fix [...]
December 20, 2008
- Low Credit Score Home Loans
Low Credit Score Home Loans
For the most part, you can obtain a home loan with fair credit. In some cases, you may even be able to get a low rate. Unfortunately, if your credit score falls below 500, homeownership may be impossible. Even with a credit score below 600, your loan options are limited. It's [...]
December 19, 2008
- Are Extended Warranties Worth It?
Are Extended Warranties Worth It?
Do you wonder whether you should purchase that EXTENDED WARRANTY with your gift this holiday season? Our Money Editor, Stacy Johnson, explains why you should think twice before you bite of that extra expense. (Video runs 1:30)…Have any experiences where buying an extended warranty on an item actually paid for [...]
December 18, 2008
- Barcode Shopping
Barcode Shopping
Using the new smart phone from Google, shoppers can instantly scan barcodes to find the best prices on almost any product. The technology is still in its infancy, but here is just a hint at how we might all be doing our Christmas shopping in the future. (Video runs 1:24)…You might want to hold [...]
December 17, 2008
- Tips for Keeping Costs Down During the Holidays
Tips for Keeping Costs Down During the Holidays
The economy is struggling and so are many of us. Home values are down in many parts of the country, credit has tightened and unemployment is rising.
So what do we do about it? Make sure you have a good grasp of your budget and expenses, as compared to [...]
December 16, 2008
- Cold Weather Moving Advice
Cold Weather Moving Advice
Moving can be one of the most stressful events you can go through. Moving in the winter months can add a great deal of other variables to moving, so it is critical that you prepare for anything. During bad weather, everything moves slower than usual so proper planning can equal less stress.
Here [...]
December 15, 2008
- October Pending Home Sales Slip 1%
October Pending Home Sales Slip 1%
Despite a meltdown in financial markets, a credit freeze and soaring unemployment, housing markets fared better than expected in October.
The number of homes under contract to be sold fell by just 1% year over year according to a report released recently by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), and were [...]
