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Despite Fed cut, mortgages now more expensive

By Lou Barnes, Friday, September 21, 2007.

As incredulous clients are learning, mortgage rates are higher now than last week, back up to 6.5 percent for vanilla 30-year. Yes, higher. ("Sonny, you should be ashamed to try to trick an old lady! I still read the newspaper!  more...

Thanks for the rate cut

By Alison Rogers, Friday, September 21, 2007.

Thank you for the rate cut, Mr. Greenspan … I mean, Mr. Bernanke!

The Fed's move earlier this week to ease credit could not have come at a sweeter time. Borrowers, especially jumbo borrowers, were starting to have a terrible time getting money.

Now we have a bit of momentary quiet, although what's going to happen over the next 12 months is anybody's guess.  more...

VFlyer lets agents track return on marketing dollar Premium Content

By Bernice Ross, Friday, September 21, 2007.

(This is Part 2 of a two-part series. Read Part 1, "Opportunity knocks online for Realtors.")

Tired of having to go to a separate vendor for your fliers, your Web site marketing and creating unique Web addresses for your listings? If so, VFlyer.com has a solution to make your business soar.

One of the most difficult aspects of Web 1.0 was how complex it was to integrate the various Web solutions an agent or broker needed.  more...

How to protect home from winter's fury

By Paul Bianchina, Friday, September 21, 2007.

With fall's transition between the seasons comes a transition for your home as well. That roof and those four sturdy walls need to protect you from winter's fury, and there are several things you can do to help get ready.

1. Seal masonry surfaces: Apply a sealer to concrete driveways and walkways, brick patios and other exterior masonry. The sealer, available from paint stores and masonry supply retailers, prevents water from penetrating into cracks and crevices where it can freeze and cause serious damage.  more...

Use of private mortgage insurance climbs in 2007

By Robert Bruss, Friday, September 21, 2007.

Despite all the negative publicity about the so-called "mortgage meltdown" with more than 100 major mortgage lenders either filing bankruptcy or being unable to fund their home loan commitments, low- and no-down-payment PMI (private mortgage insurance) mortgages are readily available if you have steady income and good credit.

According to the Mortgage Insurance Companies of America, a trade group, the use of PMI is up 40 percent during the first half of 2007 from the same period in 2006.  more...