February 27, 2011
- Do You Cheat on Your Taxes?
The IRS says 87 percent of Americans would never think of cheating on their taxes, but they may be wrong…
Have you ever cheated on your taxes? Tell us about it. Was it intentional, or did you just know know something was supposed to be reported as income, that you didn't? (Don't worry, your identity [...]
February 26, 2011
- 5 Tips for Choosing Homeowners’ Insurance
Finding the right homeowner's insurance is a tough job. Here are some basic tips to make choosing homeowners’ insurance an easier task:
Get past the advertising fluff. When selling your home and buying a new one, your mailbox can fill with solicitations—and one of the front-line offenders are homeowners’ insurance companies. Our quick scan of the [...]
February 25, 2011
- Debt Consolidation for People With Bad Credit
Debt consolidation is getting more popular as more people are struggling with finances. If you want to get onboard, but you have bad credit, there may be some help available. Finance companies are under pressure to find new ways to get customers. Early in 2011, at least two of them, Wells [...]
February 24, 2011
- New News about Foreclosures and Short Sales
The news continues to pour in from around the country on banks foreclosing on more and more homes, and short sales becoming more of a common thing…
Questions or comments? Use the comment link below to sound off. Your email address, although needed to post, is NEVER published on this website.
February 23, 2011
- What the Housing Market Is Signaling Now
Home prices in most major metropolitan areas are starting to stabilize. A report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) showed that 78 markets in the U.S. experienced price gains in the fourth quarter of 2010 over the previous year. Existing-home sales were up as well, rising 15.4% to an annual rate of 4.8 million [...]
February 22, 2011
- Now is the Perfect Time for Home Improvement
Real estate experts say now may be a better time than ever to invest in a home improvement or home remodel project to help boost your home value.
According to Remodeling magazine, at the height of the real estate bubble, homeowners could expect to recoup 87 percent of their home improvement costs [...]
February 21, 2011
- 3 Ways Lenders Spy on You
When you ask for a loan from the bank, they look at more than just your credit score.
Questions or comments about this video? We'd love to hear from you. Just use the "comment" link below to contact us.
February 20, 2011
- Have Interest Rates on Mortgages Hit Rock Bottom?
The interest rates on mortgage loans have been moving in a downward direction for the past few years. Recently, the rates even fell below the five percent mark, coming in at about 4.92 percent on average for a 30-year fixed rate loan. This leaves many financial experts and consumers alike wondering if the interest rates [...]
February 19, 2011
- Nearly 30% of Mortgages Are Underwater
Home prices dropped 2.6% nationwide during the last three months of 2010, pushing more borrowers underwater, according to a quarterly real estate market survey from Zillow.com.
Now 27% of homeowners with mortgages owe more than their homes are worth. That's up from 23.2% a quarter earlier.
That will surely lead to higher foreclosure rates soon. That's because [...]
February 18, 2011
- U.S. Home Prices Fall to Pre-Bubble Levels
The drop in home values caused by the mortgage crisis has resulted in at least one positive outcome: Prices have fallen so far and so fast that home affordability is back to pre-housing boom levels, according to a new report.
After reaching a peak in late 2005, the ratio of home prices to annual income fell [...]
February 17, 2011
- How to Get a Free FICO Credit Score
It normally costs money to see your credit score, but here's how you can get it for free.
Questions or comments? Use the comment link below to ask away!
February 16, 2011
- Taxes 2011 - Refund Anticipation Loans
The IRS has made it harder to get a refund anticipation loan. Here's what you need to know…
Questions or comments about this video? Click the "comment" link below to contact us.
February 15, 2011
- Home Prices Ended 2010 Showing No Change
Two separate industry gauges released recently indicate that despite the ups and downs seen in monthly reports on home prices over the last year, residential property values ended 2010 relatively unchanged from 2009 levels.
Reports from both Integrated Asset Services (IAS) and CoreLogic point to level ground over the 12-month period, although consecutive month-to-month declines were [...]
February 14, 2011
- Credit Cards Keeping You From Refinancing?
If you are thinking about refinancing your home, you may want to do it quickly. Mortgage refinancing rates have been on a rise since hitting a historically low 4.17% rate on 30-year fixed rate mortgages, and they are only expected to continue go up.
So, why have so few homeowners refinanced? The sad truth is [...]
February 13, 2011
- Taxes 2011 - Some Changes You Should Know About
Changes in this year's tax laws might help you get more money back. Let's take a look at a few of those…
Of course, if you're not sure about the changes this year (for 2010), you might be dollars ahead to hire someone to do your taxes for you.
February 12, 2011
- Are 30% Down Mortgages In Our Future?
The top mortgage lender in the country, Wells Fargo, has called for borrowers to come up with 30% down if they want to avoid higher mortgage rates and more restrictive lending tied to the “risk retention” requirements related to the Dodd‐Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010.
Essentially, the government wants to ensure [...]
February 11, 2011
- Tips to Improve Your Home Sale Chances
Selling your home this spring? Here are a few tips to improve your chances of a sale.
HomeGain.com recently surveyed nearly 1,000 real estate agents, asking them to identify the top 12 do-it-yourself home improvements that can help sell a home faster. Cleaning and de-cluttering ranked as highest return on investment, no doubt in part because [...]
February 10, 2011
- Where Will Mortgage Rates Go This Year?
While the housing market has been a drag on the economy for years now, falling prices and low rates have been great for buyers. But will that trend continue into 2011?
Questions or comments about mortgage rates? Just use the comment link below to ask.
February 9, 2011
- Mortgage Refinances May Drop 77% by 2012
Residential mortgage refinances are expected to deteriorate over the next two years due to factors not limited to rising interest rates. Some are predicting that mortgage refinancings, in fact, will fall by 77% by 2012 and drag down the overall market for originations.
Total refinances hit about $1 trillion in 2010 and accounted for 69% of [...]
February 8, 2011
- Pending Sales of Existing Homes Rise 2%
The number of contracts signed for purchases of previously owned homes rose again in December, according to data released recently by the National Association of Realtors (NAR).
The trade group’s pending home sales index increased 2.0 percent compared to its November reading, which was revised downward.
The index is based on contracts signed in December, as opposed [...]
