Plan At Least $204,060 to Raise a Child
On Monday the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced how much it cost to raise a child in 2007. The amount? $204,060 by a child's 18th birthday. If ...
Today’s BusinessWeek.com Column On Higher Commissions
This is a response to an article that ran today on BusinessWeek.com and MSN Money: http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/HomebuyingGuide/PayMo...
Avoid Moving Company Scams
How can you pick the right moving company? It's not all about finding the lowest price. Some movers are scam artists that will hold your belongings hostage until you pay up. Do your research and check out your movers with the Better Business Bureau and other professional organizations to help you select a moving company.
How Do Tax Sale Properties Work
How can someone buy properties through tax sales? If a homeowner has failed to pay real estate taxes that may be due on his or her property, the local jurisdiction that collects the taxes has the right to sell off the property for the amount of unpaid taxes. Generally, there is a time period by which the homeowner can come up with the money to pay the tax bill even after the property has been "sold" for unpaid taxes.
Mortgage Fraud For Housing Versus Mortgage Fraud For Profit
The mortgage industry divides mortgage fraud into two categories: fraud for housing and fraud for profit. Florida had the most mortgage fraud in the U.S. in 2007.
Picking Up The Pieces After Mortgage Loan Fraud
A homeowner wonders about mortgage loan fraud alleging her husband applied for loans without his name on the home's deed. How was he able to possibly commit mortgage loan fraud?
Reverse Mortgage Helps Seniors Pay Bills
Should seniors pay heating bill and their mortgage using a credit card? Ilyce suggests they either sell their home or get a reverse mortgage to stop paying the heating bill with the credit card. The reverse mortgage would allow seniors to stop charging their home heating bill on the credit card.
When Deed In Lieu of Foreclosure Is Good Option
If you know for sure you have to give up your home but you don't want to go through a lengthy foreclosure process, sign a deed in lieu of foreclosure. A deed in lieu of foreclosure transfers ownership of your house to the bank and allows you to move on without a foreclosure on your credit history. Learn who may be the best candidate for a deed in lieu of foreclosure and how it's usually used for investment properties.
Breaking A Realtor Contract
A first-time home buyer wants to break the contract with her Realtor because the agent is doing a poor job. The contract is through the brokerage, and a managing broker should be able to set this buyer up with a new agent. If the managing broker won't solve this problem, the buyer's agent contract should be canceled in writing.