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The 4.5% mortgage myth?

By Lou Barnes, Friday, December 19, 2008.
Flickr photo by <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/moe/15797987/" target=blank>Moe</a>.

The Fed's cut to "zero to 0.25 percent" cost of money and non-response in the mortgage markets combined to produce consternation among a refinance-hungry public.

Excepting a frantic hour at no-fee 4.75 percent on Wednesday morning, mortgage rates remain as they have been for 10 days, roughly 5 percent with an inescapable origination fee. And that deal is available only for the best FICOs and loan-to-values.  more...

When double-pane glass needs replacing

By Paul Bianchina, Friday, December 19, 2008.

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.

A: If you are seeing moisture between the panes of glass in a double-pane window, that indicates that the air-tight seal has failed, which is not unusual. What you want to do is replace the insulated glass unit, not the entire window -- the same as what would happen if you broke the window glass.  more...

China at forefront of environmentalism?

By Arrol Gellner, Friday, December 19, 2008.

(This is Part 3 of a four-part series. Read Part 1, "China's growth has lessons for U.S.," and Part 2, "As China grows, so do its problems.")  more...

How will bank bailout affect my mortgage?

By Tara-Nicholle Nelson, Friday, December 19, 2008.

Q: My home mortgage is held by a bank that was just bought out, and the bank that bought it has received some of the bailout money. How will the buyout and the bailout impact my mortgage?

A: Despite all the hyperbole in the media, the buyouts and bailouts will not affect the vast majority of homeowners. If you are happy with your mortgage, the biggest impacts you might see are an institutional name change and/or a change in Web site address and mailing address for your mortgage payment. However, if you are struggling with your mortgage, the buyout may have an impact on your situation.  more...