Dec
31
New Good Faith Estimate
December 31, 2009 | Leave a Comment
The federal government has finally simplified the Good Faith Estimate. In 2010 consumers will get to decide whether the government was successful or not. Starting January 1, 2010, lenders will be required to use HUD’s new 3-page Good Faith Estimate. It used simplified language and requires lenders to state the loan amount up front, loan [...]
Dec
30
Christmas Tree Fire Safety Tips
December 30, 2009 | Leave a Comment
By Martine Wolfe-Miller, MOUNT PLEASANT, SC (Dec. 18, 2009) –
The Town of Mount Pleasant Fire Department would like to remind residents of simple steps they can take to ensure a safe and merry holiday season. “The holidays are a very special time of the year. Decorations and Christmas trees are festive reminders of the season [...]
Dec
24
Christmas Facts and Trivia
December 24, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas! I found these facts and trivia regarding Christmas very interesting. Hope you like ‘em…
The word Christmas is Old English, a contraction of Christ’s Mass.
The first president to decorate the white house Christmas tree in the United States was Franklin Pierce.
Germany made the first artificial Christmas trees. [...]
Dec
22
Home Inspector’s File
December 22, 2009 | Leave a Comment
You’ve finally gotten a ratified contract (signed by both parties), but a potential hurdle still lurks-the home inspection. Buyers typically request a home inspection to determine the home’s condition prior to closing. Sometimes what’s found in the inspection could cost the seller or in extreme cases cause the deal to collapse.
A few of the most [...]
Dec
19
Perk Up Your Kitchen
December 19, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Installing new flooring can cost less than $1,000 and can perk up your kitchen and give it a fresk new look. Appliances and cabinetry can take the spotlight in the kitchen. But in a busy household, the flooring has to hold up under heavy use and look good, too. You have plenty of options for [...]
Dec
16
Save Money - Winterize Your Home
December 16, 2009 | 1 Comment
With winter approaching, temperatures are going down and heating bills are going up. Heating and cooling account for about 56% of energy use in a typical American home, making it the largest energy expense for most homes, according to the U.S. Dept. of Energy. Many heat-saving tricks can also save cooling costs in the summer. [...]
Dec
15
40-Year Mortgage Loan Risks
December 15, 2009 | 2 Comments
40 year mortgage loans are a lending tool that is growing in popularity. Those that live in high priced housing markets tend to use these mortgages as a way to reduce their monthly payments. The additional ten years on the mortgage gives you a lower payment because the loan is stretched out over a longer [...]
Dec
11
What is HVCC?
December 11, 2009 | Leave a Comment
HVCC refers to Home Valuation Code of Conduct, a set of rules created to prevent those who stand to profit from a real estate transaction from putting pressue on the appraiser. The rules went into effect on May 1, 2009 for all conventional, single-family loans destined for sale to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. The [...]
Dec
10
Renters get relief from foreclosure
December 10, 2009 | Leave a Comment
A new federal law has now come about designed to protect renters from being evicted with little or no notice when foreclosure becomes an issue. It will protect renters from eviction if their landlord loses the property through foreclosure.
“The fundamental purpose of the Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act is to ensure that tenants facing eviction [...]
Dec
9
Is your parent ready for Senior Housing?
December 9, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Making the decision to move a parent into an assisted living facility can be difficult for the whole family. Change can be especially hard on older adults who are resistant to change or if they are accustomed to being independent and maintaining their own homes. The thought of leaving a beloved home that holds many [...]