August 12, 2008
- Jobless Claims Highest in 6 Years
Jobless Claims Highest in 6 Years
According to a recent Labor Department report, the nation's jobs market sent a fresh cry of distress as the number of newly laid-off people unexpectedly hit the highest level in more than six years. The AP's Ed Donohugh reports in this short video (runs :57)…
Do you think this latest jobs [...]
August 11, 2008
- Home Buying Techniques
Home Buying Techniques
Buying a home is an exciting and important life event. Being a first time home buyer means that you will have many decisions to make — and just as many questions that need answering.
Buying your first home is a huge step. These helpful home buying tips may reduce confusion about mortgage payments and [...]
August 10, 2008
- Homeowners Insurance: Tips for Reducing Your Premium
Homeowners Insurance: Tips for Reducing Your Premium
With prices for just about everything fluctuating (mostly in the upward direction) lately, people everywhere are looking to save money where ever they can. A good place to start is with your homeowner's insurance policy.
In spite of our economy, home values have increased over the past 5-15 years. Many [...]
August 9, 2008
- Reappraising Appraisers
Reappraising Appraisers
While our nation's real estate downturn is still unfolding, there's been lots of talk about how to prevent a repeat in the future.
Part of the fix to the problem involves better regulation of appraisers. Money Editor Stacy Johnson looks at some of the changes that are in the works. Video runs 1:25…
August 8, 2008
- Sale / Rent Back Schemes: Not Always What They Seem
Sale / Rent Back Schemes: Not Always What They Seem
As the slumping economy and ensuing credit crunch takes hold, and more and more people are struggling with their mortgage repayments, a number of companies are springing-up who offer a "sell / rentback" scheme. This type of proposal involves the homeowner having their house bought from [...]
August 7, 2008
- Credit Ignorance: What You Don't Know CAN Hurt You
Credit Ignorance: What You Don't Know CAN Hurt You
Consumers remain in the dark about how the credit-scoring system works in obtaining mortgages, insurance and credit cards, costing individuals as much as $28 billion each year, according to a recent survey.
Credit scores are a vital but often overlooked part of people's financial health. The number, also [...]
August 6, 2008
- Home Prices Rise Four Straight Months - Is Anyone Listening?
Home Prices Rise Four Straight Months - Is Anyone Listening?
Amidst the gloom on Wall Street about housing someone forgot to check the stats. The National Association of Realtors® has now reported four straight months of rising housing prices, but it seems no one is listening.
According to NAR statistics, the median home price has fallen from [...]
August 5, 2008
- Fears Grow Over Mortgage Giants
Fears Grow Over Mortgage Giants
Stocks of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are being hammered as the housing slump spreads, but the Bush administration says it's not planning a federal takeover of the mortgage giants.
Here's the latest on the growing fears of Fannie and Freddic from AP reporter, Mark Smith…. (Video runs 2:00)
Do you think [...]
August 4, 2008
- Home Energy Audits
Home Energy Audits
Free energy audits from your utility company are a popular way to save up to 30% on your energy bill… but you can always do it yourself!
Money Editor Stacy Johnson explains some of the areas you need to look at if you decide to go the do-it-yourself route, and just what you [...]
August 3, 2008
- Housing: Finally Some Positive News
Housing: Finally Some Positive News
Housing is getting some good news as the markets keep fighting on despite the front running economists saying its all but dead.
First off, any good news needs a narrative and it starts with Donald Trumps record sale of his Florida Mansion.
Meanwhile U.S. Housing starts unexpectedly surged 9.1% in June, the most [...]
August 2, 2008
- Real Estate Market: Will a New President Help?
Real Estate Market: Will a New President Help?
Nearly half of all home buyers (44%) believe the housing market will improve once a new President takes office in January, 2009, according to a new survey conducted by Harris Interactive® and commissioned by Move, Inc., operator of Realtor.com®.
Forty-eight percent of women and 41 percent of men who [...]
August 1, 2008
- Real Estate News - August 2008
Real Estate News - August 2008
Our August 2008 Newsletter is now up…
From the right Nav Menu, Find "PAGES AND NEWSLETTERS" and Select "August 2008 below "Our Monthly Newsletters".
July 31, 2008
- Eco-Friendly Interior Design
Eco-Friendly Interior Design
When you decorate your home, you may not think about "going green" in the process. But maybe you should. These days more Interior Designers say green designs not only look great, but just might make you FEEL great as well. Money Editor Stacy Johnson explains… (video runs 1:26)
July 30, 2008
- Home Prices Drop in May
Home Prices Drop in May
A government report says U.S. home prices fell 4.8% in May from the same month last year.
The Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight also says prices, on a seasonally adjusted basis, fell 0.3% from April to May. The index is down almost 5% from its peak in April of last year.
OFHEO [...]
July 29, 2008
- Mortgage Points: Why Pay For Them?
Mortgage Points: Why Pay For Them?
If you are in the market for a home or considering refinancing your current mortgage, you probably have heard your mortgage professional talking about points. They may advise you to buy points or they may advise you not to, depending on your situation. The question is, do you really understand [...]
July 28, 2008
- Biggest Water Wasters
Biggest Water Wasters
Are you flushing water (and money) down the toilet every month? You may not think you're a water waster, but maybe you should find out:
Stacy Johnson has more in this short 1:31 video…
So how much water are you wasting every month? Any other ideas for saving water and/or electricity? Tell us about them… [...]
July 27, 2008
- Selling Your House? Try Staging It
Selling Your House? Try Staging It
Staging a house can be the difference between its sitting or selling. Here are some findings and simple staging tips to help turn lookers into buyers at your next open house.
Studies have shown that staged homes sell quicker - sometimes up to 40% faster - than non-staged homes. Simply stated, [...]
July 26, 2008
- The New Housing Stimulus Package
The New Housing Stimulus Package
Even with Presidential veto threats looming, the housing stimulus package has taken another necessary step to being implemented – it has taken on another round of changes, passed the Senate, and is on its merry way to the White House again.
The package is much larger than our aforementioned Foreclosure Prevention Act [...]
July 25, 2008
- Green Homeowner's Insurance?
Green Homeowner's Insurance?
Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company – the nation’s first provider of green insurance for commercial buildings – will launch green insurance for homeowners starting this summer.
This is the first-ever admitted green insurance available to homeowners in the United States. Setting a new standard, Fireman’s Fund is offering this innovative product to homeowners who currently [...]
July 24, 2008
- How to Screw Up Your Savings
How to Screw Up Your Savings
Everyone wants to see their savings grow, but step one is to keep them from actually shrinking.
Many people spend more time planning a vacation than they do in planning their savings. Money Talks editor Stacy Johnson explains:
(Video runs 1:25)
Any comments? We'd love to hear from you. Just use the "comment" [...]
