September 15, 2008
- Real Estate Auction Warning
Real Estate Auction Warning
Ever been to a real estate auction? Ever been told you can pick up a steal at a real estate auction?
our Money Editor, Stacy Johnson, explains why the highest bid at a real estate auction DOESN'T necessarily mean you've won the bidding and bought the property.
Video runs 1:18…
Keep these points in mind [...]
September 14, 2008
- Homeowners Insurance: Are You Sure You're Covered?
Homeowners Insurance: Are You Sure You're Covered?
Being smack dab in the middle of the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season tends to make us all think about homeowner's insurance. What's the most important thing you need to know about your homeowners insurance? The answer: What it does — and doesn't — cover.
The list may not [...]
September 13, 2008
- Credit Card Changes: Are You Affected?
Credit Card Changes: Are You Affected?
Credit card terms are changing, and not necessarily for the better. Are you affected?
Chances are, your terms are changing, and you may not even know it, unless you pay close attention. Here's what you need to know:
1-Know what's changing
Interest rates are trickling up. In addition, fees on transfers are going [...]
September 12, 2008
- Home Gardens Reduce Food Costs
Home Gardens Reduce Food Costs
Looking for ways to cut down on that rising grocery bill? Money Talks editor Debi Marie has some tips in this short video on growing your own groceries with a simple, low-maintenace home garden.
Have any comments or suggestions about home gardening? Use our "comment" link below to sound off. Your email [...]
September 11, 2008
- New Home Sales Rise: A Welcomed Sign for Housing
New Home Sales Rise: A Welcomed Sign for Housing
The sale of newly constructed homes in the month of July rose 2.4%, according to a report issued recently by the United States Census Bureau. This follows another report issued by the National Association of Realtors indicating that July sales of previously owned homes hit a 5-month [...]
September 10, 2008
- Selling Your Home This Fall in a Buyer's Market
Selling Your Home This Fall in a Buyer's Market
Historically, the fall season brings on slower home sale activity. So how do you make your home the highlight of the house-hunt? While curb appeal is still very important, what you do on the inside of your home can be equally as powerful. Here are a few [...]
September 9, 2008
- Existing Home Sales Hit 5 Month High
Existing Home Sales Hit 5 Month High
The National Association of Realtors announced recently that Existing Home Sales, after falling to 10-year low in June, rebounded in July to a 5-month high. The report, which measures the month-over-month sale of previously owned homes, indicated sales of such homes increased 3.1 percent.
Bob Walters, Chief Economist for Quicken [...]
September 8, 2008
- Retirement in Your 40s
Retirement in Your 40s
In our last post on retirement, we looked at "Retirement in Your 50s". When you're in your 40s, retirement's no longer a vague concept…it's a reality looming in your future. Money Talks editor Stacy Johnson explains in this short (1:29) video why "your kids DON'T come first anymore if you're at this [...]
September 7, 2008
- Real Estate: What Are Short Sales?
Real Estate: What Are Short Sales?
Short sales may mean major money to real estate buyers and easy exits for troubled homeowners. But if you're a first time homebuyer, our Money Talks editor Stacy Johnson explains, it's not as easy as some may want you to think it is. This video runs 1:33…
Know anyone who has [...]
September 6, 2008
- Interest Rates: Will the Fed Hike Rates?
Interest Rates: Will the Fed Hike Rates?
Even as they grappled with inflation worries, most Federal Reserve officials at their August meeting didn't believe the Fed's key interest rate was too low given harder-to-get credit conditions straining consumers and businesses alike.
The Fed, at its Aug. 5th meeting, decided to hold its key rate steady at 2% [...]
September 5, 2008
- Recession? Are You Better Off or Worse Off?
Recession? Are You Better Off or Worse Off?
It's been seven years since the last recession. Times are tough once again. We'd love to hear your feedback on the question in the Subject Line above…
Are you Better off, or worse off, than during the last economic downturn?
Your name and email address are required in order to [...]
September 4, 2008
- Pricing Your Home in a Fall(en) Market
Pricing Your Home in a Fall(en) Market
It's not new news. Real estate markets everywhere have fallen. If you're trying to sell your home, or even thinking about putting your house on the market, pricing the home to sell quickly can be the trickiest part of all.
Our Money Editor, Stacy Johnson, has some advice on pricing [...]
September 3, 2008
- How to Come Up With a Down Payment
How to Come Up With a Down Payment
Not long ago, no-down-payment loans were big for homebuyers. But now that lenders have tightened their standards, borrowers once again are expected to pony up some cash of their own for a down payment.
Many homebuyers have difficulty coming up with a down payment. Here are some ways to [...]
September 2, 2008
- 2 Million Borrowers Avoid Foreclosure
2 Million Borrowers Avoid Foreclosure
Hope Now has helped more than 2 million at-risk borrowers stay in their homes during the past 13 months. Despite this progress, foreclosures continue to climb; 91,752 families lost their homes in July. That represents an increase of 14% from June and more than double the number of July 2007, when [...]
September 1, 2008
- Real Estate News - September 2008
Real Estate News - September 2008
Our September 2008 Newsletter is now up…
From the right Nav Menu, Find "PAGES AND NEWSLETTERS" and Select "September 2008 below "Our Monthly Newsletters".
August 31, 2008
- Finding Money to Save
Finding Money to Save
Trying to figure out ways to offset all the things you have to pay more for than you used to, but your paycheck is just not keeping pace?
Saving an extra couple of hundred dollars each month is easier than you think if you follow some of the ideas from Money Talks editor [...]
August 30, 2008
- Winter Heating Bills Could Soar
Winter Heating Bills Could Soar
Home heating bills are expected to soar this winter and Americans, already struggling with high gas and food prices, are bracing for more financial hardship.
On average, consumers are expected to pay $1,182 to heat their homes this year, up 20% from last year, according to recent estimates from the Energy Information [...]
August 29, 2008
- Foreclosures: We Have to Warn You!
Foreclosures: We Have to Warn You!
Seems everyone these days thinks they can score a house on the cheap by buying a foreclosed property. There are good deals to be had, but we have to warn you, the process is complicated and risky. Foreclosure properties are much like fire, and you know the old saying, "play [...]
August 28, 2008
- Home Prices Down 7.6%
Home Prices Down 7.6%
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported recently that 'Nationwide, the median existing single family home price plunged 7.6% to $206,500 in the second quarter, down from $223,500 in the same period of 2007. The median price represents the point at which half of all homes sold for more and half sold [...]
August 27, 2008
- Lengthening Check Float Times
Lengthening Check Float Times
Not so long ago, getting funds into your checking account to cover a check you'd written was much easier. Electronic banking has all but eliminated the check float… or has it?
Money Talks editor Stacy Johnson looks at some ways you can lengthen the float time on your money. The video runs [...]
