Consumer News and Advice Archive


Consumers’ Moods Improve in August

Monday, August 31st, 2009
RISMEDIA, September 1, 2009—(MCT)-U.S. consumer sentiment improved in late August, but not quite enough to exceed the reading from July, according to a survey released by the University of Michigan and Reuters. ...


New Regulations, FICO Study Big News for Credit Card Holders

Sunday, August 30th, 2009
RISMEDIA, August 31, 2009-(MCT)-Last week brought significant news to credit card holders. First, the initial phase of a landmark bill overhauling


Tax Breaks Beneficial for Buyers, Sellers and Owners

Saturday, August 29th, 2009
RISMEDIA, August 29, 2009-First-time homebuyers aren't the only ones to benefit from tax breaks. H&R Block urges homebuyers who are relocating for work or buying for other reasons to take advantage of incentives that can lower their tax bill. Plus, sellers should know how to report profits and losses to ...


Rand Realty ‘Goes Green’; Helps Buyers and Homeowners Conserve Energy

Thursday, August 27th, 2009
RISMEDIA, August 28, 2009-Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty, one of the Hudson Valley's largest real estate brokerages with 22 locations, is "going green" in its offices and has introduced energy-audit discounts and educational programs to help sellers and homeowners reduce their energy consumption and bills. ...


RE/MAX Creates PSA Program to Educate Consumers on $8,000 Tax Credit, FHA Loans and Home Buying Process

Thursday, August 27th, 2009
RISMEDIA, August 28, 2009-RE/MAX of New England launched a series of public service announcements (PSAs) geared toward educating consumers during the home buying process. The series is the direct result of first-time homebuyer focus groups that showed that consumers lacked general knowledge about the home buying process and the tax ...


First-Time Home Buyers Dominate Real Estate Market

Wednesday, August 26th, 2009
RISMEDIA, August 27, 2009-With the first-time home buyer's tax credit in full effect, younger buyers are taking the opportunity to enter the real estate market and the New Jersey real estate market has seen its fair share of first-time buyers enter the playing field recently. Across the state, agents are finding that they must consider the first-time home buyers' unique needs and adapt to this new type of client. "Those first-time home buyers who've entered the housing market- drawn by the perfect storm of historically low interest rates, attractive prices and the $8,000 tax credit- expect much more


Regional Spotlight – Massachusetts Home Sales Climb 12% in July; Price Decline Smallest in Over a Year

Tuesday, August 25th, 2009
RISMEDIA, August 26, 2009-Bucking a six-month trend of falling home sales, Bay State home sales shot up nearly 12% in July 2009 year-over-year while the decline in median home prices narrowed, The Warren Group reported. ...


Budget-Cautious Renters Turn Toward Apartment Amenities for Entertainment

Tuesday, August 25th, 2009
RISMEDIA, August 26, 2009-Renters across the country have cut costs this summer and remained closer to home. According to an Apartments.com national survey of more than 1,000 renters around the country, 55% of respondents said they are spending more time in their apartments this summer compared to previous years, citing ...


The Eagle Has Landed, and All Is Well

Monday, August 24th, 2009
RISMEDIA, August 25, 2009-Just over 40 years ago, Neil Armstrong opened the hatch of his lunar module and stepped out onto the surface of the moon.


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