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Hope for a 'decline in the rate of decline'

By Lou Barnes, Friday, April 3, 2009.
Flickr photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ericskiff/384448091/" target=blank>ericskiff</a>.

The Fed's outright purchases of agency mortgage-backed securities -- bonds guaranteed by government-sponsored entities such as Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac -- are having the desired effect: Rates are down and staying down.

Even the Fed's immense power cannot force rates to 4.5 percent or lower (not quickly), but it has removed upside volatility. Mortgage rates should have run back way above 5 percent in a week like this -- a big bear-market stock rally and immense refinance demand -- and instead held near 4.75 percent.  more...

Need fencing? Think vinyl

By Paul Bianchina, Friday, April 3, 2009.

If you're exploring the different options for new or replacement fencing, one material to be sure to have on your list of possibilities is vinyl. Vinyl fencing manufacturers have made great strides in recent years, offering a tremendous array of sizes, styles and options to choose from. The overall quality is up; the prices have come down; and competition among the growing number of manufacturers makes it a good time to consider vinyl for your next fence project.  more...

Avoiding a real estate 'lemon'

By Tara-Nicholle Nelson, Friday, April 3, 2009.

Q: I've been wanting to buy a home for years, and now seems to be the perfect time, but I'm still procrastinating. I have a deep-seated fear that I'll buy a home that has hidden problems. I'm afraid of making such a major, long-term financial commitment and then -- surprise! -- the foundation has a problem, or the roof is bad. How do people get past these fears?

A: A number of things about home buying should be uncomfortable if you are treating the matter with the appropriate gravity. To make the momentous move from procrastinator to property owner, you must gain a certain level of comfort and control around those items.  more...