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Improving Housing Market

Increased Housing Prices Affect Affordability

By Bill Fay | September 5, 2012

As housing values inch their way up ever so slowly and the real estate market begins to recover, higher prices may actually make it a bit harder for some Americans…

Retirement photo

Study: Almost Half of Americans Die Poor

By Bill Fay | September 4, 2012

A recent study found that nearly half of all Americans live comfortable lives during retirement but die with little money in the bank. According to the nonprofit National Bureau of…

Couple buying a home

Program Offers Down Payment Assistance to Boost Housing Market

By Bill Fay | August 31, 2012

As the nation works to recover from a struggling real estate market, an innovative program called CityLIFT has been unveiled in an effort to boost homeownership. The program will benefit…

Home foreclosure sign

FHFA Simplifies Short Sale Qualifications

By Bill Fay | August 29, 2012

New guidelines are in the works to help relieve millions of Americans trapped by underwater mortgages, meaning they owe more than their homes are worth. The Federal Housing Finance Agency…

Senior couple signing papers

Seniors Lose Money to Family, Financial Scammers

By Bill Fay | August 28, 2012

An increasing number of seniors are becoming the target of predatory swindlers who come in two forms: those who convince seniors to make large financial investments based on bogus schemes…

credit card cut up image

Credit Card Use Slows as Income Inches Up

By Bill Fay | August 27, 2012

Recent consumer reports indicate there was a slight shift among Americans and their approach toward debt — and it seems to be affecting economic growth. According to a July 2012…

Calculating tax increase

Americans Brace for Tax Hike if Bush Tax Cuts Expire

By Bill Fay | August 24, 2012

Uncertain economic times may become even more challenging in a matter of months, as millions of Americans could face 2013 riddled with significant tax increases. If changes are not made…

house underwater image

Housing Market Uptick Offers Little for Young Homeowners

By Bill Fay | August 24, 2012

Despite the modest housing market gains in the past 12 months, many younger borrowers are still likely to be underwater in their home mortgages, real estate experts recently said. About…

Coupons

Economists: Coupon Use Is Up, Expected to Continue Increasing

By Bill Fay | August 22, 2012

American consumers are doing their best to pay their bills and stay out of debt by using coupons to shrink costs. It’s working — but much more could be saved, experts say.

Debt collector call

Aggressive Debt Collectors Face Crackdown

By Bill Fay | August 21, 2012

Long accused of using aggressive and unethical tactics, debt-collection agencies have stepped up their games recently to collect owed monies during these hard economic times. In response, lawmakers nationwide have…

Sources:

  1. Christie, L. (2012, August 14). Survey says: Fewer affordable homes. CNN Money. Retrieved from http://money.cnn.com/2012/08/14/real_estate/affordable-homes-prices/index.html
  2. National Association of Home Builders (2012, August 14). Rising Home Prices Push Affordability Slightly Lower In Second Quarter. Retrieved from http://www.nahb.org/news_details.aspx?newsID=15477
  3. National Association of Realtors (2012, August 22). Existing-Home Sales Improve in July, Prices Continue to Rise. Retrieved from http://www.realtor.org/news-releases/2012/08/existing-home-sales-improve-in-july-prices-continue-to-rise
  4. National Association of Home Builders. NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI): 2nd Quarter 2012. Retrieved August 29, 2012 from http://www.nahb.org/hoi