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Homeowner’s Toolkit Archive
RISMEDIA, September 16, 2010—Taking steps to minimize your energy use is not only good for the Earth, but for homeowners as well. While being altruistic and helping a cause generally means giving—not getting—back, going green provides noticeable benefits
RISMEDIA, September 14, 2010—(MCT)—The Federal Housing Administration isn't talking publicly about it, but the agency may be getting ready to lessen the upfront costs of reverse mortgages for some borrowers. The agency also, however, may be reducing the amount seniors can borrow from their homes.
RISMEDIA, September 13, 2010—U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan awarded an additional $1 billion in funding to all states along with a number of counties and local communities struggling to reverse the effects of the foreclosure crisis. The grants announced today
RISMEDIA, September 10, 2010—In an effort to help responsible homeowners who owe more on their mortgage than the value of their property, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today will begin providing an additional refinancing option for underwater borrowers. Originally announced in March, this enhancement of Federal Housing Administration (FHA) refinance program will offer certain 'underwater' non-FHA borrowers who are current on their existing mortgage and whose lien holders agree to write off at least 10% of the unpaid principal balance of the first mortgage,
RISMEDIA, September 10, 2010—(MCT)—A growing number of homeowners are finding out what it means to be a landlord after failing to sell their homes in today’s economy. With home prices down nationwide, many don't want to take a huge loss
RISMEDIA, September 8, 2010—The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has sent a final rule to the Federal Register establishing new housing goals for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) for 2010-2011. The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HERA) required FHFA to establish housing goals for the Enterprises for targeted segments of the mortgage market.
RISMEDIA, September 10, 2010—(MCT)—A growing number of homeowners are finding out what it means to be a landlord after failing to sell their homes in today’s economy. With home prices down nationwide, many don't want to take a huge loss
RISMEDIA, September 3, 2010—(MCT)—Some rooms scream "Help!" Others say nothing, and that's a problem, too. Take the typical bedroom. Michael Payne has seen thousands. "The bedroom tends to get forgotten—you spend all your money elsewhere in the house,"
RISMEDIA, August 30, 2010—(MCT)—Maria Olmo doesn't like her chances of paying off her new, 40-year mortgage. "I'll die before it's paid off," said Olmo, who got her 30-year mortgage modified because she was at risk of losing her home to foreclosure. "This is the most ridiculous thing I've heard in years. They didn't take my age or my income into consideration." Since last year, companies servicing delinquent mortgages have been under orders from the federal government to modify the loans rather than foreclose on them.
RISMEDIA, August 28, 2010—(MCT)—While today’s real estate market is keeping many home buyers on the sidelines, there's no need to feel stuck in your house. You can still move out and up within your own home. The latest lifestyle trend is shuffling the old floor plan—without adding on—to make our living spaces new again. Converting a spare bedroom into a dressing room, for example, is becoming a popular option.
RISMEDIA, August 26, 2010—(MCT)—Kitchens have long been among the most popular remodeling projects. But with fewer clients requesting kitchen upgrades during this recession, one kitchen designer has turned the economic slowdown to her advantage.
"If I couldn't remodel as many client kitchens as usual, I decided to remodel my own showroom. That way, I'd be ready to show the latest trends and the most exciting new products when this down period ends," said Joan DesCombes, president of Architectural Artworks in Winter Park, Fla.
RISMEDIA, August, 18, 2010—(MCT)—With sweeping financial reform legislation enacted, the White House and Congress now must focus on fixing the mess created by the failed housing finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. It's a complex challenge with high stakes for taxpayers and the struggling real estate market.
RISMEDIA, August 16, 2010—The number of price-reduced homes on the market increased 5.3% in July 2010 as compared to June, according to a monthly review of MLS-listed properties within 26 of the country's largest housing markets conducted by the national
RISMEDIA, August 16, 2010—Homeowners who are more active in their communities benefit from improved education opportunities and report higher levels of self-esteem and happiness when compared to renters, according to leading research. A new report from the National Association of Realtors, Social Benefits of Homeownership and Stable Housing, explores the impact of stable housing and the positive social outcomes resulting from homeownership.
RISMEDIA, August 14, 2010—(MCT)—Erin Kennedy-Florez was 10 months into a one-year lease on a home in Richmond, Calif., when she found a notice on her door saying the home was being foreclosed.
She said she called her landlord, who told her that he was trying to refinance the house and to keep paying him rent. "I was paying the rent, but he was not paying the mortgage," Kennedy-Florez said.
