January 5, 2009
- Credit Card Companies Closing Accounts
Credit Card Companies Closing Accounts
Have you had a credit card company notify you they were cancelling or closing an account you had with them?
Many card issuers are doing just that. Credit-card companies lose money on dormant accounts, and as they feel the economic pinch, they’re more apt to close them. Unfortunately, closing a credit card [...]
January 4, 2009
- 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 [...]
January 3, 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 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
- Appraisals: Who's to Blame for Low Estimates?
Appraisals: Who's to Blame for Low Estimates? Who exactly IS at fault when an appraisal comes to a less-than-desirable valuation? And what IS a home appraisal based on?
Appraisals are typically handled through a title company and appraisers are often selected from a network of appraisers with which the title company is affiliated. They’re an unaffiliated [...]
December 30, 2008
- 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 [...]
December 29, 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 28, 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 27, 2008
- 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 [...]
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
- 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 22, 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 21, 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 [...]
December 20, 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 19, 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 18, 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 17, 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 16, 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 15, 2008
- Money Related Gifts For Kids
Money Related Gifts For Kids
Teach your kids a lesson in frugality with these educational, money related gifts. Money Editor Stacy Johnson explains..(video runs 1:22)…And for you last minute shoppers, some of these ideas might be a quick problem solver for you, and some could last a lifetime!
