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The 2009 Mortgage Landscape
M ost prospective mortgage shoppers should be aware by now that mortgages are tougher to get. “Stringent” is the word we keep hearing used to describe the tests for borrowers these days. That’s putting it mildly! The traditional touchstones Read More...
Posted 06 January 09 11:50 by Robert Buckman | 0 Comments   
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Credit?
F irst-time homebuyers have another reason to think about buying a home in 2009 , a federal income tax credit of up to $7,500. The credit is 10% of the cost of a home, so a house costing $75,000 will qualify for a full credit. The credit is refundable, Read More...
Posted 01 December 08 10:47 by Robert Buckman | 0 Comments   
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ESSENTIAL STEPS FOR GETTING A MORTGAGE
F irst-time homebuyers, who have never applied for a mortgage before, should understand that being totally prepared to do so takes advance planning . The biggest mistake for many first-time homebuyers is waiting until they start looking for a home to Read More...
Posted 01 December 08 10:43 by Robert Buckman | 0 Comments   
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THE STATE OF LOW-DOWNPAYMENT MORTGAGES
T here was a time, neither long, long ago nor far, far away when 100% financing (no-downpayment) mortgage loans were plentiful. In this fabled age, many potential home-buyers without downpayment funds were still assured a happy ending. Alas, this fairy Read More...
Posted 01 December 08 10:38 by Robert Buckman | 0 Comments   
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FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS GUIDE FOR 2009
T he first-time homebuyer in 2009 will have a tricky real estate environment facing them, but negotiating the challenges ahead could prove rewarding. On the positive side, home inventories remain high, so the first-time buyer will have a wide selection Read More...
Posted 01 December 08 10:27 by Robert Buckman | 0 Comments   
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EXPIRING TAX PROVISIONS ARE EXTENDED IN RESCUE BILL
S everal important tax provisions were extended in the financial rescue bill, to some extent to help line up crucial votes for the package. These have been continued on an annual basis for several years now in Congress’ version of the two-minute Read More...
Posted 04 November 08 08:26 by Robert Buckman | 0 Comments   
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REAL ESTATE AND TAX PLANNING ISSUES
R eal estate is the subject of a number of tax planning opportunities or issues that taxpayers need to be aware of. Opportunity : Flex your mortgage payment. Your mortgage payment for January 2009 actually reflects interest accrued for December 2008. Read More...
Posted 04 November 08 08:23 by Robert Buckman | 0 Comments   
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How to Make a Project Go Smoothly
E very remodeling project is going to have some challenges along the way. Here are some suggestions to help you minimize them. Figure out what you really want. You and your spouse/partner should discuss and determine your objectives before going on to Read More...
Posted 03 October 08 02:05 by Robert Buckman | 0 Comments   
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How to Select the Right Contractor
The selection of a contractor is the most important step in assuring that your remodeling project doesn’t turn into a nightmare. Recommendations of your architect or friends and family can be a good place to start your contractor search. Several Read More...
Posted 03 October 08 02:02 by Robert Buckman | 0 Comments   
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Cost-to-Value is Not the Whole Story
T here are plenty of articles on home improvement that focus on showing which projects can be expected to yield the best return when the time comes for a sale. Remodeling magazine, in conjunction with the National Association of Realtors, conducts an Read More...
Posted 03 October 08 01:57 by Robert Buckman | 0 Comments   
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Financing Investment Property
C urrently, more than 30% of American households are renters. Due to foreclosures, tougher financing rules and a fear of the market among some who might otherwise own homes, that percentage is growing, reversing a trend toward wider homeownership. Whatever Read More...
Posted 01 August 08 08:48 by Robert Buckman | 0 Comments   
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REVERSE MORTGAGE USE IS GROWING
T he slow housing market is affecting a lot of people, including older homeowners who are having no trouble meeting their mortgage payments, don’t plan to sell and may not even have a mortgage payment! Those affected are homeowners who could have Read More...
Posted 03 July 08 04:57 by Robert Buckman | 1 Comments   
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YOUR HOME & RETIREMENT
M any baby boomers are nervous. Just as they are getting ready for retirement, they have seen their home values and equity eroded by a weak housing market. The first baby boomers turn 62 this year, but some have already retired, are working just part Read More...
Posted 03 July 08 04:44 by Robert Buckman | 0 Comments   
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Mid-Year Housing Update
T he negatives of the current housing market are getting more than their fair share of play in the media: an exceptionally large number of homes available, falling prices, tougher financing rules, reluctant buyers and too many foreclosures. Everyone has Read More...
Posted 02 June 08 09:17 by Robert Buckman | 0 Comments   
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Home Equity Loans are Mortgage Battleground
I n many parts of the country, you are seeing local and regional lenders battling for your home equity business. They are plastering the newspaper and internet with ads for low rates (some advertised equity line rates are “teaser” rates). Read More...
Posted 03 May 08 07:02 by Robert Buckman | 0 Comments   
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