HomeWord : Finances

Congress Passes Home Buyer Tax Credit Bill

Kimberly Van Hal — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:08:00 GMT

Congress has passed the Home Buyer Tax Credit extension and President Obama is expected to sign the bill today. ...(read more)

Senate Approves Extension of Federal Tax Credit for Home Buyers

Kimberly Van Hal — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:47:00 GMT

Late Wednesday afternoon, the U.S. Senate approved a bill which extends and expands the federal tax credit for home buyers....(read more)

Tax Credit Extension & Expansion

Kimberly Van Hal — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:39:00 GMT

The Senate is nearing a compromise that would extend the tax credit for first-time home buyers and expand it to include current homeowners....(read more)

Is Your House an Investment? Or Just a Place to Live?

Kimberly Van Hal — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 22:28:00 GMT

Part of a special series appearing in Money, Fortune, Time, and Real Simple magazines and websites, as well as on CNN....(read more)

Low-Ball Appraisals are Causing Problems

Kimberly Van Hal — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:57:00 GMT

The appraisal process is becoming a major stumbling block for home buyers and sellers. ...(read more)

Reverse Mortgages Allow Select Homeowners to Borrow Against Home Value

Kimberly Van Hal — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:12:00 GMT

President Barack Obama’s budget includes an $800 million request to fund a government-backed reverse mortgage program through the Federal Housing Administration. Does it make sense to get a reverse mortgage? That depends....(read more)

FHA Plans to Offer $8,000 Upfront to First-Time Buyers

Kimberly Van Hal — Wed, 20 May 2009 13:15:00 GMT

U.S. housing officials are working on a plan that would allow some first-time buyers to purchase homes by paying little money upfront....(read more)

Fight Inflation: Buy a Home

Kimberly Van Hal — Tue, 05 May 2009 20:40:00 GMT

Some economic analysts say that the possibility that the economy will go into overdrive and inflation will skyrocket is a much more frightening possibility than the current recession. One inflation hedge nearly all of them point to is real estate. Owning...(read more)

Level of Mortgage Applications Remains Depressed

Kimberly Van Hal — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 18:08:00 GMT

President Obama took time on Thursday to promote mortgage rates that have fallen to new lows....(read more)

5 Tips for Homebuyers Seeking a Mortgage

Kimberly Van Hal — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 18:15:00 GMT

Here’s a warning for potential borrowers: Nervous lenders have tough new rules and are paperwork crazy....(read more)

Mortgage Trends & How to Raise Your Credit Score

Kimberly Van Hal — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 10:55:00 GMT

An update on current mortgage rate trends and tips on how to raise your credit score....(read more)

How to Spot a Predatory Lender

Kimberly Van Hal — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 17:07:00 GMT

In communities across the United States, people are losing their homes because of predatory lenders, appraisers, and mortgage brokers. Unfortunately, predatory lenders do not have horns and tails. They will seem like nice, friendly, helpful people. They’re trained to gain your trust. So, how will you know one? ...(read more)