Total Number of News: 6274
- 10/8/2008 - Real Estate News
Glass painting tips from the pros
Q: Sometime in the past 50 or so years, someone thought it would be nice to remodel my entire entrance hall with glass blocks. And since it was never maintained, I am sure the wall below will have some water damage. Anyway, because of the glass, the h... - 10/8/2008 - Real Estate News
Homeowners make tradeoffs as costs soar
What percentage of your family budget is your mortgage or rent check? According to recently released 2007 Census figures, 7.5 million Americans spend at least half their income on their housing expenses. That's 15 percent of all Americans, up some 400,... - 10/8/2008 - Real Estate News
WaMu failed to heed lesson learned in '80s
(This is Part 1 of a two-part series.) Twelve years ago, Washington Mutual was on a can't-miss roll. The Seattle-based thrift had made 22 bank buys since 1983 and increased its lead over the competition in mortgage lending in all Northwest states. It ... - 10/7/2008 - Real Estate News
Buried gas line nothin' but trouble
DEAR BARRY: We purchased a condo last year and had it professionally inspected. The inspector could not see the gas line for the patio barbecue because it was under the concrete slab. But the seller assured us that it was installed to code. He voluntee... - 10/7/2008 - Real Estate News
Mortgage rates could dip before election
Q: What economic indicators should I be watching when trying to decide when to refinance my mortgage or home equity line of credit? A: I'd just watch the price of the mortgages themselves. Right now, we're waiting for interest rates to drop further. Bu... - 10/6/2008 - Real Estate News
Buying fixer-upper? Don't expect goldmine
Fixer-upper properties come in many varieties. Cosmetic fixers usually offer the biggest return on your investment. And, they tend to be a lot less costly than homes that require major renovation. An ideal cosmetic fixer would be a house that had been s... - 10/6/2008 - Real Estate News
Walkaway paves path to prison
DEAR BENNY: I know someone who has qualified to obtain a second house by stating that he will rent his first house; however, he has no intentions of actually renting it. Upon obtaining the new house, he plans to walk away from the first house, letting ... - 10/6/2008 - Real Estate News
Americans rush to judgment on 'bailout'
Whenever government is involved in a program to assist a private firm in trouble, much of the press reports it as a "bailout." Back in the 1980s when the savings and loan industry was in trouble, the operations of the Resolution Trust Corpora... - 10/3/2008 - Real Estate News
Deck railings become fun and exciting
Deck railings can do a lot for the appearance and especially the safety of any outdoor deck. So when designing and building your new deck, there are a number of things to take into consideration. MEETING THE BUILDING CODES The first thing you want t... - 10/3/2008 - Real Estate News
Don't forfeit home because of back taxes
Q: Several years ago my father deeded his home to me and two of my siblings. Our understanding was that he would pay the real estate taxes and the insurance premiums. The mortgage on the home has been paid off for some time, and my father still lives ...