July 9, 2010
- Protect Your Home While on Vacation
Protect Your Home While on Vacation
Leaving for vacation means leaving your home vulnerable to intrusions while it is unoccupied. Making sure you take the proper steps to secure your home while you're away will give you more piece of mind while you're enjoying time away.
So how is it possible to ensure home security in an [...]
July 8, 2010
- Is Now the Time to Remodel?
Is Now the Time to Remodel?
While selling your home may be tough, remodeling it has gotten easier and adds value… which then makes it easier to sell.Questions or comments about remodeling your home? Use the comment link below. We'd love to hear from you.
July 7, 2010
- Housing Predictions Were Not So Good
Housing Predictions Were Not So Good
Every year, so-called "experts" make their predictions for the housing market. As 2009 came to a close, many experts predicted two things over and over again:
1. Home prices would fall in the first half of 2010 2. Mortgage rates would be higher in 2010
Here we are over half way [...]
July 6, 2010
- How to Seal a Garage Floor
How to Seal a Garage Floor
Home improvement expert Danny Lipford explains the steps involved in applying epoxy sealer to your garage floor to improve its appearance.Have questions or comments? We'd love to hear from you. Just click the comment link below and let us know what's on your mind.
July 5, 2010
- Existing Home Sales Dip in May But Remain at Elevated Levels
Existing Home Sales Dip in May But Remain at Elevated Levels
Following two consecutive months of increases, existing-home sales fell slightly from April to May but were still significantly higher than year-ago levels
According to the National Association of Realtors report, existing-home sales were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.66 million units in May, down [...]
July 3, 2010
- Tired of Being Robbed by Your Bank?
Tired of Being Robbed by Your Bank?
While interest rates paid to you by banks are at historic lows, fees charged by banks are heading the other direction – higher and more numerous. It’s no wonder consumers are getting fed up with banks. But before you make any sudden moves to switch your account to another [...]
July 2, 2010
- Flood Insurance Getting Harder to Find
Flood Insurance Getting Harder to Find
From the Gulf oil spill and the floods in Arkansas and Oklahoma to the procession of hurricanes forecast for this year, the stage is set for major property damage in 2010.
Yet people looking to bolster their homeowners-insurance protection are likely to find that premiums are [...]
July 1, 2010
- Real Estate News - July 2010
Real Estate News - July 2010
Our July 2010 Newsletter is now online…
http://pittsburghhomesandliving.com/our-monthly-newsletters/2010/july-2010/
June 30, 2010
- The Coming 1099 Tsunami
The Coming 1099 Tsunami
Thanks to health care reform, a new law will unleash a flood of 1099 forms on small businesses. What does health care reform have to do with all this? Stacy Johnson explains in this short video:Have questions or comments about this article? Send them to us via the "comment link" just [...]
June 29, 2010
- Building the Perfect Credit History
Building the Perfect Credit History
Here are some ways to build up that "Perfect Credit History"…Have questions about building good credit? Use the comment link below to contact us and we'll get you the answers you need.
June 28, 2010
- New Home Sales Plunge 33 Percent With Tax Credits Gone
New Home Sales Plunge 33 Percent With Tax Credits Gone
Sales of new homes collapsed last month, sinking 33 percent to the lowest level on record as potential buyers stopped shopping for homes once they could no longer get government incentives.
The Commerce Department says new home sales fell in May from a month earlier to a [...]
June 27, 2010
- Reverse Mortgages: Possible Answer for Struggling Seniors
Reverse Mortgages: Possible Answer for Struggling Seniors
Many older Americans find themselves house rich and cash poor. They own their home, or at least have significant equity in it, yet struggle to make ends meet each month. They could sell their home, but are not inclined to move and leave their memories behind.
A reverse mortgage may [...]
June 26, 2010
- House Sizes Down
House Sizes Down
Initial results from the US Census are in, and more Americans are choosing smaller living spaces when compared to previous years. Over the last 30 years, census data has shown house sizes gradually increasing. From 2008 to 2009, the average house size is down 51 square feet, to an average of 2,422 square [...]
June 25, 2010
- Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
Home improvement expert Danny Lipford demonstrates how to make your home more energy efficient using plastic materials such as caulking, foam, and vinyl.Have any other energy saving tips to share with our readers? Use the comment link below and tell us about them.
June 24, 2010
- Which is Better for Home Sellers?
Which is Better for Home Sellers?
If you're trying to sell your home, you may find yourself asking the question, "Which is better, lowering the price of the home, or offering to pay some closing costs?"
In short, there is no right or wrong answer to that question, it's just a matter of which strategy gets the [...]
June 23, 2010
- How to Buy a Foreclosure
How to Buy a Foreclosure
Investors and some home buyers are finding what they consider the bargains of a lifetime, but you have to know what you're doing, or you could lose your shirt! Stacy Johnson explains…Have a questions about buying foreclosures? Use the comment link below and we'll get you answers.
June 22, 2010
- Mortgage Interest Deduction Elimination Press Continues
Mortgage Interest Deduction Elimination Press Continues
The White House and Congress see the 100 billion dollars a year that goes to homeowners and want to spend it on their own projects. They have realized they are spending way too much money and the deficits are growing out of control.
How out of control? Let’s talk nearly 20 [...]
June 21, 2010
- Home Loan Modification Approval - 3 "Must Do" Things
Home Loan Modification Approval - 3 "Must Do" Things
Getting approved for a home loan modification can be a confusing process. Most people won't need to pursue mortgage relief more than once or twice in their lives, and for that reason, few individuals seeking loan modifications are familiar with the steps involved in getting approved. This [...]
June 20, 2010
- Comparing a Home Equity Loan to a Second Mortgage
Comparing a Home Equity Loan to a Second Mortgage
A home-equity loan and a second mortgage are very similar. Both use the equity you have in your existing property as collateral for a new debt. The main differences between the two options are in the structures of the liens and the payment schedules.
Lien Structure
A second mortgage [...]
June 19, 2010
- How NOT to Buy a Foreclosure
How NOT to Buy a Foreclosure
Buying a foreclosure can be a great way for the inexperienced to lose a lot of money. Stacy Johnson explains!Need more information on foreclosures and how NOT to get burned? Contact us, we'll answer any questions you may have.
