December 15, 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 14, 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 13, 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 12, 2008
- The Ultimate Gift?
The Ultimate Gift?
If you're looking for a unique gift idea this holiday season…here's one that might be easy to swallow: how about a personal chef? Money reporter Stacy Johnson gives the idea a taste. (Video runs 1:32)Have any really unique gift ideas this year that you haven't heard of anywhere else? We'd love for you [...]
December 11, 2008
- Lower That Electric Bill
Lower That Electric Bill
Did you know… of the total energy consumed in America about 39% is used to generate electricity, and most of the electricity in the US is generated from fossil fuels. We can all start making small changes to not only lower our electricity bills, but to also clean up our environment. Below [...]
December 10, 2008
- New Home Sales Fall to 18-Year Low
New Home Sales Fall to 18-Year Low
Sales of newly constructed homes slumped in October to an annual rate not seen since 1991, according to government figures released recently.
The U.S. Census Bureau reported that new home sales fell to an annualized rate of 433,000 in October. That's down 5.3% from the revised 457,000 annual rate recorded [...]
December 9, 2008
- HUD Issues New Mortgage Rules
HUD Issues New Mortgage Rules
HUD will require, for the first time ever, that lenders and mortgage brokers provide consumers with a standard Good Faith Estimate (GFE) that clearly discloses key loan terms and closing costs. HUD estimates its new regulation will save consumers nearly $700 at the closing table.
Last March, HUD proposed reforms to the [...]
December 8, 2008
- Check Out Those Charities
Check Out Those Charities
It's the time of year when charities are asking for their annual Christmas help. Here are 3 ways to make sure charitable donations aren't squandered. (Video runs 1:42)…If you have any tips for verifying charities that others might benefit from, use our comment link below and share them with our readers.
December 7, 2008
- The 4 Day Work Week
The 4 Day Work Week
A 4 day work week can help businesses cut their budget, increase energy efficiency and even reduce overtime, sick time and turnover. Money Editor Stacy Johnson explains… (video runs 1:30)Has the company you work for toyed with or switched to this 4 day work week? Are you already enjoying a 3 [...]
December 6, 2008
- Economic Meltdown, or Media Hype?
Economic Meltdown, or Media Hype?
Have you noticed anything weird about this economy? One of the weirdest, most perceptually jarring things about the economic crisis is that everything looks the same. We are told every day and in every news venue that we are in Great Depression II, that we are in a crisis, a [...]
December 5, 2008
- Credit Repair - Tips to Improve Your Scores
Credit Repair - Tips to Improve Your Scores
Increasing your credit report score rating is not a difficult proposition. It simply takes time and patience. You cannot expect to see results overnight. And if you are approached by someone from a credit repair company insisting they are capable of cleaning up your credit report within a [...]
December 4, 2008
- Credit Card Fees Keep Rising
Credit Card Fees Keep Rising
Where is the consumer's share of the Fed's recent rate cut? Card issuers are raising fees and interest rates, even on good customers, to offset their losses.
Used to be, when the Fed cut rates, credit card issuers followed suit, resulting in lower monthly payments for cardholders. Though average credit card rates [...]
December 3, 2008
- Saving on Holiday Shopping
Saving on Holiday Shopping
According to the National Retail Federation, the average American couple will be spending an extra $1,500 on gifts this year. With the economy in the shape it's in, everyone is looking for ways to save. Money Editor Stacy Johnson has a few tips for you in this short (1:29) video…
December 2, 2008
- Selling A Home During Christmas
Selling A Home During Christmas
If you want to try selling during the holiday season, here are a few tips:
The power of the nose is underestimated by many people. Smell is the first sense we develop and is deeply associated with food and emotion. A clean smell is great, as it does not cause negative [...]
December 1, 2008
- Real Estate News - December 2008
Real Estate News - December 2008
Our December 2008 Newsletter is now up…
From the right Nav Menu, Find "PAGES AND NEWSLETTERS" and Select "December 2008 below "Our Monthly Newsletters".
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November 30, 2008
- Saving Money on Organic Food
Saving Money on Organic Food
Get the healthy, organic food you want, without breaking your budget. Our Money Editor, Stacy Johnson, explains… (video runs 1:31)Any comments on the video? Just click the comment link below and tell us. We'd love to hear from you.
November 29, 2008
- The Mortgage Meltdown: Can Anyone Stop It?
The Mortgage Meltdown: Can Anyone Stop It?
Fifteen months into the worst credit crisis in decades, major banks and the federal government are coming together on a solution for struggling mortgage borrowers.
The goal is to hasten the process for renegotiating hundreds of thousands of delinquent loans, either those held by major banks or held by Fannie [...]
November 28, 2008
- Reasons to Buy Real Estate Before 2009
Reasons to Buy Real Estate Before 2009
You may be among the masses of people wondering if they should consider buying real estate now, or wait. There are some strong reasons to act now… namely significant changes in the FHA loan requirements that are scheduled to change in January of 2009.
Statitics show that nearly 80% of [...]
November 27, 2008
- Obama: Good or Bad for Real Estate?
Obama: Good or Bad for Real Estate?
Now that a new President has been elected, the question becomes what kind of changes are we likely to see and how will the policies of the new Administration shape the different economic markets.
Will Obama help or hurt the real estate market?
According to a recent article in the Daily [...]
November 26, 2008
- 5 Cheap Ways to Go Solar
5 Cheap Ways to Go Solar
Going solar doesn't have to send your costs through the roof. Money Editor Stacy Johnson explains. (Video runs 1:35)…Have any other energy and moeny saving ideas for going green that wasn't mentioned in the video? Use the comment link below and tell us about them. Your email address will never [...]
