January 5, 2009
- 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 [...]
January 4, 2009
- 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 [...]
January 3, 2009
- Cheapest Way to Ship Overnight?
Cheapest Way to Ship Overnight?
FedEx, UPS, or the Post Office… who has the cheapest overnight shipping? Money Editor Stacy Johnson has an intersting report on this that might surprise you. (Video runs 1:27)…Questions or comments? Use the comment link below and let us hear from you.
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
- 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 [...]
December 30, 2008
- 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 [...]
December 29, 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 28, 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 27, 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 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
- 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 22, 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 21, 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!
December 20, 2008
- Home Staging: Get Help Selling Your House
Home Staging: Get Help Selling Your House
Home staging, a method of presenting a home in its best light in order to appeal to the broadest audience base, has gained recognition through several popular cable television programs such as "Designed to Sell" and "Sell This House." It can range from simply repainting walls to tearing them [...]
December 19, 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 18, 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 17, 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 16, 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 15, 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 [...]
