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Cool tools under $200
Here, in order of price, are a few tools worth considering, and all are under $200 -- many of them way under! Most are available at local home centers and hardware stores, or check out their Web sites for more information.
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Mortgage seekers hit new roadblocks
Mortgage rates on conforming loans up to loan amounts of $417,000, and $729,750 in high-cost housing markets like San Francisco and New York City, are attractively low -- hovering close to 5 percent. That's the good news. The challenge is getting through the approval process.
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When seller financing goes awry
DEAR BENNY: We carry the first and only mortgage on our married daughter's house, which is approximately $200,000. Without our knowledge they obtained an equity loan on the house for $100,000. Our son-in-law has since lost his job and we are carrying them on the first mortgage. If he defaults on the equity loan, what effect does this have on us? –Joan
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Homeowner Issues from the 2009 General Assembly
With the housing slump looming, lawmakers submitted a flurry of bills aimed at providing assistance to homeowners during this year’s General Assembly Session. Here’s a brief look at a few pieces of legislation offered during the General Assembly Session that homeowners should be aware of:
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Homeowner Web Site Launches Real Estate Assessment Guide and Webcast Series
Are you scratching your head trying to make sense of your recent city or county real estate assessment? Are you considering whether now is the right time to refinance your mortgage? Find answers to these questions and a host of other valuable information for homeowners in Virginia, by visiting the Virginia Homeowners Alliance Web site—the single, credible source of information and resources for Virginia’s homeowners.
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Tips for paying off mortgage early
DEAR BENNY: I was reading in one of your columns about paying off your mortgage faster by making an extra payment each year. You said to make sure your coupon clearly indicates you are making an extra payment. I did this at the end of 2008, but didn't know whether it should go under an extra payment or payment on the principal. I paid it on the principal because otherwise it wouldn't show up until January as a payment.
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When double-pane glass needs replacing
Q: I am sort of handy around the house and was wondering how difficult it is to remove and replace the windows in my house. There seems to be moisture between the double-pane windows now. Any tips? --Frank C.
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Contingent sale offers can benefit sellers
Convincing a seller to accept an offer that's contingent on the sale of another property can be challenging. The odds of acceptance improve if the offer is structured to the mutual benefit of both buyers and sellers.
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A primer on purchase offers
Decades ago, sellers priced a little high to leave room to negotiate down. Buyers typically offered 5 percent less. Then they negotiated and settled at a price in between. Today, there is so much variability in the housing market that it's impossible to use a pat formula for coming up with an offer price.
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