December 15, 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 14, 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 13, 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 12, 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 11, 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 10, 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 [...] - 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 9, 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 8, 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 7, 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 6, 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 5, 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 3, 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 2, 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 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".
.
November 30, 2008
- Real Estate Pricing
Real Estate Pricing
Real estate prices cycle through different highs and lows. Keeping track of the following market indicators will help you decide if now is a good time to invest in real estate or not.Job Growth
People go where the jobs are, and home prices follow jobs. A strong local job market is a sure [...]
November 29, 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 28, 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 [...]
November 27, 2008
- The Bailout Bill: Did It Do Anything?
The Bailout Bill: Did It Do Anything?
One thing it did was lower your taxes. Money Editor Stacy Johnson explains… (video runs 1:15)…What do you think? Other than the tax breaks mentioned in the video, is the bailout bill a good thing, or a bad thing? Give us your comments by clicking the "comment" link below. [...]
November 26, 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 [...]
