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Why mortgages under $50,000 are hard to find

By Jack Guttentag, Monday, July 30, 2007.

Providing small loans at affordable prices has always been a challenge. The core problem is that the cost of originating and servicing a loan is much the same for a small loan as for a large one but the interest return, based on the loan amount, is smaller on the smaller loan. The obvious remedy, a higher interest rate on the smaller loan, makes it costly and perhaps unaffordable.  more...

Home prices are up, so should I sell?

By Dian Hymer, Monday, July 30, 2007.

The median price of homes sold in the San Francisco Bay area was up 6.6 percent in April 2007 compared to a year earlier. For homeowners waiting for a signal that it's time to sell, this could be good news. Or, is it?

Half the homes sold in a given time period sold for more than the median price quoted for that period and half sold for less. Changes in median price do not necessarily reflect changes in home values.  more...

Even thirtysomethings need living trusts

By Robert Bruss, Monday, July 30, 2007.

DEAR BOB: My 31-year-old niece died recently without a will. She purchased a condominium about three months ago. Can her mom now sell the condo, or does she have to do something else first? --Georgia Z.

DEAR GEORGIA: Unfortunately, because your niece died intestate without a will or a revocable living trust, her condo and other major assets will have to be "probated." That means the local probate court will determine who inherits her assets.

Purchase Bob Bruss reports online.  more...