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Finding religion with real estate search

By Glenn Roberts Jr., Sunday, June 1, 2008.

StopWandering.com, a Web site now in beta, displays real estate listings in proximity to synagogues in the United States. Another site, ShalomHome.com, offers referrals to real estate professionals who offer to guide clients to synagogues and other resources in a community.  more...

Despite foreclosure, pay rent on time

By Benny Kass, Sunday, June 1, 2008.

DEAR BENNY: I recently signed a one-year lease with a property management company for a house for my family. As I was opening junk mail the other day, I came across a letter addressed to the property owner notifying her of a pending notice of default and demanding mortgage payments for the last several months in the total amount of $21,000.  more...

Why home purchases fall apart at last minute

By Dian Hymer, Sunday, June 1, 2008.

Most buyers and sellers feel relieved when the negotiations are done and the purchase agreement has been signed by all parties. It's a milestone. But, you might want to hold off celebrating until the transaction closes.  more...

Struggling borrowers get fresh start under new plan

By Jack Guttentag, Sunday, June 1, 2008.

(This is Part 5 of a five-part series. Read Part 1, "Lenders wise to beef up default-risk reserves"; Part 2, "Borrowers, insurers would save with new mortgage insurance"; Part 3, "Mortgage insurance cheaper under new plan"; and Part 4, "Help from feds not a bailout.")

This series of articles introduced a new type of mortgage insurance called mortgage payment insurance, or MPI. Under MPI, insurers guarantee timely receipt of the mortgage payments after the borrower defaults, as well as protection against loss if the loan goes to foreclosure.

Despite the fact that the insurer under MPI assumes virtually the entire risk of default, because MPI also reduces the rate on high-risk loans, MPI on such loans will cost the insurer less than traditional mortgage insurance (TMI).  more...

Remember to charge your Blackberry?

By Alison Rogers, Sunday, June 1, 2008.

Maybe it's just me -- or maybe all agents out there go through chaos when trying to leave the house each day. Here are 10 reasons I can't leave the house on time:

1) Because I really do try to carry only the client folders I think I will need, but for some reason Mary has three folders, one labeled with her name, one labeled with her address, and one labeled with her name and address, so when I'm running late I grab all three.  more...