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RISMedia News Center
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Exceeding Expectations, Pending Home Sales Rise 5.2%
Thursday, September 02, 2010, 3:50 PM
The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking… |
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HUD Announces First Look Program to Help Communities Stabilize Neighborhoods Hard-Hit by Foreclosure
Thursday, September 02, 2010, 3:43 PM
RISMEDIA, September 3, 2010—U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan announced an unprecedented agreement with the nation’s top mortgage lenders to offer selected state and local governments, and nonprofit organizations a “first look” or right of first… |
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Simple Tips to Update Your Home and Create a Relaxing Sanctuary
Thursday, September 02, 2010, 3:40 PM
RISMEDIA, September 3, 2010—(MCT)—Some rooms scream “Help!” Others say nothing, and that’s a problem, too. Take the typical bedroom. Michael Payne has seen thousands. “The bedroom tends to get forgotten—you spend all your money elsewhere in the house,” said… |
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FHA Gives Home Buyers One Month Window to Lock in Low Insurance Premium
Wednesday, September 01, 2010, 3:34 PM
RISMEDIA, September 2, 2010—“The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is giving homeowners and buyers until October 4, 2010 to lock in a low monthly insurance premium,” said Gibran Nicholas, chairman of the CMPS Institute, an organization that trains and certifies… |
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Real Estate Veteran Offers Cure for Home Seller’s Blues
Tuesday, August 31, 2010, 3:18 PM
RISMEDIA, September 1, 2010—With existing U.S. home sales diving to 15-year lows and millions of homes stagnant on the market, home sellers are suffering increasing anxiety, uncertainty and financial stress. To address these symptoms, motivational author Joan Gale Frank… |
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Home Buyers Are Ready to Move from the Sidelines: Survey
Sunday, August 29, 2010, 1:00 PM
RISMEDIA, August 30, 2010—Are more Americans positioning themselves for home purchase? Although May’s data showed that home sales were down 26.8% as the home buyer tax credit concluded, a new survey conducted by Relocation.com suggests some families are opting for… |
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Weekly Mortgage Rate Report: Rates Fall to New Lows
Wednesday, August 18, 2010, 4:22 PM
RISMEDIA, August 19, 2010—Mortgage rates fell to new lows this week, according to the LendingTree Weekly Mortgage Rate Pulse, a snapshot of the lowest and average mortgage rates available within the LendingTree network of lenders. On August 17, lenders… |
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Housing Starts Rise 1.7 Percent in July
Tuesday, August 17, 2010, 4:04 PM
RISMEDIA, August 18, 2010—Nationwide housing starts inched up 1.7 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 546,000 units in July from a downwardly revised figure in the previous month, according to U.S. Commerce Department figures released today. The… |
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The Real Estate Book Introduces New Search Tool for House Hunters on the Go, Launches App for iPhone, iTouch, iPad
Tuesday, August 17, 2010, 4:02 PM
RISMEDIA, August 18, 2010—More Americans are relying on their mobile devices to access information, quickly and easily. The number of people who sought local information on their smart phones grew 51% last year, with the fastest growing method of… |
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What State Has Highest Closing Costs? Bankrate.com Releases 2010 Closing Costs Survey
Monday, August 16, 2010, 4:07 PM
RISMEDIA, August 17, 2010—A new study released by Bankrate, Inc. reveals that the costs associated with buying a home may are on the rise. Bankrate’s 2010 Closing Costs Survey reveals that the average origination and title fees on a $200,000… |
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Government to Spend $3 Billion to Help Homeowners
Monday, August 16, 2010, 4:04 PM
RISMEDIA, August 17, 2010—The White House said recently it would spend an additional $3 billion to help distressed homeowners in the states with the highest jobless rates to pay their mortgages. The latest round of funding pushes the total… |
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More and Better Predatory Loan Servicing Fraud
Monday, August 16, 2010, 4:02 PM
RISMEDIA, August 17, 2010—As the vast majority of applicants for loan modification have learned, HAMP, the Home Affordable Modification Program, is little more than a thinly disguised mechanism through which to conclude the foreclosure process on behalf of financial… |
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Tax Credits Lead to Area Home Sales Bump
Monday, August 16, 2010, 3:58 PM
RISMEDIA, August 17, 2010—(MCT)—Home sales during the second quarter of this year increased — in some cases significantly — in all but one of 12 west-central Wisconsin counties compared with the same period last year. But that doesn’t mean good… |
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Nearly Half of the Homes on the Market in July 2010 Had Prices Cut, According to ZipRealty
Sunday, August 15, 2010, 1:07 PM
RISMEDIA, August 16, 2010—The number of price-reduced homes on the market increased 5.3% in July 2010 as compared to June, according to a monthly review of MLS-listed properties within 26 of the country’s largest housing markets conducted by the national |
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Beware of Foundation Problems When Getting Your Home Ready for the Market
Saturday, August 14, 2010, 12:03 AM
RISMEDIA, August 14, 2010—Selling a house isn’t easy these days. There are a huge number of homes on the market, and buyers are easily scared off if they encounter problems that may negatively impact resale value. Among the many issues… |
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Broad Stabilization in Second Quarter Metro Area Home Prices with Strong Sales
Thursday, August 12, 2010, 3:27 PM
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Obama Administration Announces Additional Support for Targeted Foreclosure-Prevention Programs to Help Homeowners Struggling with Unemployment
Thursday, August 12, 2010, 3:11 PM
RISMEDIA, August 13, 2010—The Obama Administration recently announced additional support to help homeowners struggling with unemployment through two targeted foreclosure-prevention programs. Through the existing Housing Finance Agency (HFA) Innovation Fund for the Hardest Hit Housing Markets (the Hardest… |
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Negative Equity Falls in Second Quarter 2010; National Home Values Update
Monday, August 09, 2010, 12:01 AM
RISMEDIA, August 9, 2010—Home values in the United States continued to decline in the second quarter of 2010, with the Zillow Home Value Index falling 3.2% year-over-year and 0.6% from the first quarter to $182,500. The national rate of decline… |
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How Important Changes to Mortgage Underwriting May Affect Many Buyers
Sunday, August 08, 2010, 1:08 PM
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How to Answer 5 Common Questions Homeowners Have about Default
Sunday, August 08, 2010, 1:05 PM
RISMEDIA, August 9, 2010—With so many homeowners facing tough decisions about their mortgages in or approaching default, questions abound about how to best handle the complex situation with the bank lenders they’re indebted to. To help clarify such confusion… |
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Yoga Offers Escape from Daily Grind
Sunday, April 19, 2009, 1:04 PM
RISMEDIA, April 20, 2009-(MCT)-Yoga’s gentle, healing nature can alleviate stress. Sitting, lying or standing on a mat forces the body to slow down and moves the brain away from life’s distractions to a point of mental clarity.
“The human brain does not multi-task very well,” says Carlyle Chan, professor of psychiatry and behavioral medicine at the [...]
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48% of Americans Active on Social Networking Sites
Saturday, April 18, 2009, 1:00 AM
RISMEDIA, April 18, 2009-It may seem like everyone is “Twittering” or updating their Facebook pages, but half of Americans (51%) do not use Twitter or have a MySpace or Facebook account. Just under half (48%) of adults have either a MySpace or Facebook page with 16% of adults updating their page at least once a [...]
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Getaways - Artful Ways to See the Midwest
Thursday, April 16, 2009, 3:19 PM
RISMEDIA, April 17, 2009-(MCT)-About this time of year, everyone craves color. Enough of barren trees and the grime left behind after a snowy winter. Spirits are in dire need of uplifting after weeks of grim economic news. Everyone needs beauty, a shot of creativity, an injection of awe.
One place to get an infusion of inspiration [...]
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Times Square Grows Urban Jungle in Honor of Earth Day
Wednesday, April 15, 2009, 3:22 PM
RISMEDIA, April 16, 2009-When reaching for a paper towel to wipe a spill, or a napkin to dab the mouth or even a tissue to wipe a nose, most people don’t consider the vast tree harvesting needed to produce these everyday household products.
The advent of Earth Day (April 22) provides an ideal time to think [...]
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5 Ways to Cut Costs and Save Time Online
Tuesday, April 14, 2009, 3:34 PM
RISMEDIA, April 15, 2009-The Internet is full of great information, but it’s also a useful cost-savings resource. During uncertain economic times, it’s more important than ever for consumers to understand all the ways they can make the most of the Internet.
Here are five lesser-known ways consumers can use the Internet to save both time and [...]
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Bargains Abound in These Hot Markets
Monday, April 13, 2009, 3:27 PM
RISMEDIA, April 14, 2009-Attention, potential homebuyers: home prices have fallen more than six percent over the past year, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which tracks 292 U.S. metropolitan areas. If you are a homebuyer looking for a bargain, check out FrontDoor’s top 10 bargain market picks.
Stockton, CA - Inland California cities seem to [...]
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Time to Get Your Mower in Gear
Sunday, April 12, 2009, 1:02 PM
RISMEDIA, April 13, 2009-(MCT)-With the arrival of Spring and April showers, homeowners find themselves with a list of new chores that need to be accomplished now that the weather is nice. Along with the showers comes the task of mowing the lawn while the grass seems to grow faster than you can tend to. Taking the [...]
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Getaways - Sonoma County Offers More Than Just Wine
Thursday, April 09, 2009, 2:37 PM
RISMEDIA, April 10, 2009-(MCT)-Wine-weary visitors to Northern California have a friend in Sonoma County. It’s not that wine isn’t important here - it surely is with more than 200 active wineries - but people don’t get into a lather over wine or the wine lifestyle like the folks next door in Napa. The county’s official website [...]
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8 Ways to Maximize Tax Filing Season
Wednesday, April 08, 2009, 3:15 PM
RISMEDIA, April 9, 2009-The United States federal income tax filing deadline of April 15 is less than a week away, and Bills.com reminds taxpayers of eight ways to get the most from their tax returns - and how to get help if they need it.
“This year, the economy has dictated several changes to tax policy,” [...]
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Go Green - Water Your Lawn Less and Reap the Eco-Benefits
Tuesday, April 07, 2009, 3:08 PM
RISMEDIA, April 8, 2009-(MCT)-With Earth Day just around the corner (April 22), many of us are thinking of ways in which we can live a greener lifestyle. Now that spring has arrived, one of the best ways to go green at home is to use less water in both your yard and garden.
April brings showers [...]
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It’s Back to Basics: Americans Find Affordable Foods Already in Pantry
Monday, April 06, 2009, 3:49 PM
RISMEDIA, April 7, 2009-More and more American families are getting back to the basics in a variety of ways, including their choice of foods. But a return to familiar and affordable foods doesn’t have to mean sacrificing nutrition or variety.
Sometimes cutting back on grocery bills is as easy as preparing the foods most families keep [...]
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‘Tis the Season to Spruce up Your Finances
Sunday, April 05, 2009, 1:05 PM
RISMEDIA, April 6, 2009-Spring’s arrival is obvious. The weather’s warmer, the days longer and you seem to have a little more energy. Chances are some of that energy will be used for spring cleaning - washing the windows, cleaning the closets or planting a garden. According to the Illinois CPA Society, it may also be smart [...]
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Start Eating Healthier Today
Saturday, April 04, 2009, 1:00 AM
RISMEDIA, April 4, 2009-(MCT)-Changing your diet habits isn’t easy, but here are some tips from Sharon Salsman, a dietitian with Bon Secours Hampton Roads Health System, on taking the first steps:
Adopt an “80:20″ eating plan. Try to eat healthy 80% of the time. This means you can “blow” one meal a week and also indulge [...]
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Getaways - Tough Economy? Hire a House Sitter
Thursday, April 02, 2009, 3:55 PM
RISMEDIA, April 3, 2009-As the recession puts the squeeze on home owners throughout the world, more and more people are looking for ways to cut back on spending and all too often holidays are the first luxuries to go. Instead, why not tap into one of the newest ideas when it comes to traveling on holiday [...]
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Chicago Tops List as Best City for Men
Wednesday, April 01, 2009, 3:15 PM
RISMEDIA, April 2, 2009-AskMen.com, one of the largest online men’s magazines, announced the inaugural edition of its “Top 29 Cities for Men to Live In.” Compiled by AskMen.com editors, Chicago topped the list as the best city in the world for the everyday man. Selection criteria for the top cities included, among other factors, the [...]
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When the Going Gets Tough, Consumers Reach for Their Coupon Book
Tuesday, March 31, 2009, 3:32 PM
RISMEDIA, April 1, 2009-With the nation’s economic woes continuously hitting home, coupons sent by mail are one way to overcome financial strains, says a recent study by Pitney Bowes and DM News. Not only are consumers looking for free money vouchers in their daily mail delivery, they’re most likely to use coupons on groceries, entertainment and [...]
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Sleep on It - 28% of Americans Get 8 Hours of Sleep on Regular Basis
Monday, March 30, 2009, 3:58 PM
RISMEDIA, March 31, 2009-(MCT)-Americans are sleeping less than ever, according to a new National Sleep Foundation poll, and there is a wide range of reasons as to why Americans are getting too little sleep. Some people are losing sleep because of the economy, some are staying up too late and getting up too early, some [...]
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‘Tis the Season to Get Your Family Fit
Sunday, March 29, 2009, 1:02 PM
RISMEDIA, March 30, 2009-(MCT)-Now that the weather is warm, there are no more excuses for lazing away the evening or even the weekends. Instead, parents should get their families outside as a way to spend time together and get some exercise at the same time.Parents can improve their children’s health and fitness greatly by remembering [...]
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Bonding over Board Games - Family Game Night Is Back
Saturday, March 28, 2009, 1:04 AM
RISMEDIA, March 28, 2009-Board games are making a roaring comeback during these turbulent economic times as families turn to affordable, healthy, family-centric entertainment.
According to Gail DeGiulio, founder and chief funster of SimplyFun, a company that sells board games, puzzles, and other family entertainment products through in-home parties, the average sales per party for the months [...]
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Getaways - Economy Got You Down? Celebrate!
Thursday, March 26, 2009, 3:38 PM
RISMEDIA, March 27, 2009-While the economy continues to struggle, cruise lines continue to thrive as Americans look for ways to leave the doom and gloom behind. Celebration Cruise Line, a new cruise line that operates two and three-night cruises to Nassau, Bahamas has seen an increase in passengers as the cruise line looks for ways to [...]
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‘Green’ Buying Remains Strong
Sunday, April 19, 2009, 1:06 PM
RISMEDIA, April 20, 2009-The economy has not dampened the green commitments of most U.S. consumers, according to a recent national poll in which more than two thirds of those who purchase “green” products or services said their “green” buying habits are unchanged and one quarter said they’ve actually increased their purchase of “green” goods or [...]
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56% of Americans Say News Paints Mixed Economic Picture
Sunday, April 19, 2009, 1:02 PM
RISMEDIA, April 20, 2009-The proportion of Americans saying they are hearing a mix of good and bad news about the economy - rather than mostly bad news - continues to steadily increase.
Currently, 56% of Americans say they are hearing a mix of good and bad economic news, up from 46% in March and just 19% [...]
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Despite Economic Conditions, Retirement Plans Seen as Important Benefit
Saturday, April 18, 2009, 1:02 AM
RISMEDIA, April 18, 2009-Amid the growing concerns about the current economy, small business owners continue to recognize that having a solid retirement plan as an important issue both personally and to their employees.
This is according to survey results released by SunTrust Banks, Inc. Yet, despite this acknowledgement, almost 40% of small businesses do not offer [...]
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Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Helping More Homeowners - Loan Modifications Increasing
Thursday, April 16, 2009, 3:29 PM
RISMEDIA, April 17, 2009-Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac modified nearly 24,000 loans during the fourth quarter of 2008, an increase of 76% over the third quarter. The modifications, along with the suspension of foreclosures that began November 26, reduced the number of foreclosures by nearly 27% during the quarter, according to data released by James [...]
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Now’s the Time to Seize Summer Travel Bargains
Wednesday, April 15, 2009, 3:21 PM
RISMEDIA, April 16, 2009-AAA, one of the nation’s largest leisure travel organizations, is suggesting budget-minded consumers seize this summer’s travel bargains as similar savings may not be available in the future.
Now is the time to separate general economic anxiety from personal financial reality. “Given all of the negative economic news of the past six months [...]
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A Taxing Decision: 5 Tips to Make the Most of Your Tax Refund
Tuesday, April 14, 2009, 3:38 PM
RISMEDIA, April 15, 2009-Plasma TVs. Getaway vacations. Shopping sprees. The tax refund splurges of years past are not a reality for most Americans in 2009. Many people are likely wringing their hands over what to do with the money they receive back from Uncle Sam. Their concerns are well-founded: It’s more important than ever to [...]
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March Retail Sales Disappoint as Retailers Wrap up First Quarter
Tuesday, April 14, 2009, 3:27 PM
RISMEDIA, April 15, 2009-Several months of stronger-than-expected retail sales provided hope that the industry was poised to bounce back, but March retail sales demonstrate that the industry is continuing to struggle. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), retail industry sales for March (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) decreased 0.6% seasonally adjusted from [...]
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Facing Reality - Staying Optimistic in Today’s Economy
Monday, April 13, 2009, 3:22 PM
RISMEDIA, April 14, 2009-(MCT)-Optimism. For months, it’s been in rather short supply.
Like a lingering cold you can’t shake off, the economy’s blues just hang on. It’s not just our bottom line that’s been battered, but our psyches, too. And even if you haven’t lost your job or aren’t facing foreclosure, it’s often hard to feel [...]
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The Bailouts Continue - Life Insurance Receives Next Lifeline
Sunday, April 12, 2009, 1:05 PM
RISMEDIA, April 13, 2009-(MCT)-The Treasury Department confirmed that life insurers are qualified to join banks and carmakers on the list of industries getting taxpayer bailouts.
In a statement, the agency confirmed that certain life insurers are eligible to receive an unspecified amount of the money that remains from October’s $700 billion Wall Street rescue program.
“There are [...]
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Taxpayers Still Have Time to File or Amend 2005 Returns, but Must Act Quickly
Sunday, April 12, 2009, 1:04 PM
RISMEDIA, April 13, 2009-With just a few days left to file income tax returns for 2008, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service is reminding tax filers of another important tax deadline on April 15: the deadline to file or amend returns for tax year 2005. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) ecently reported that it has $1.3 billion in [...]
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Lenders Flooded with Refinancing Applications as Mortgage Rates Fall
Sunday, April 12, 2009, 1:01 PM
RISMEDIA, April 13, 2009-(MCT)-With mortgage rates dancing around a 65-year-low of 4.75%, homeowners are checking their credit scores and lenders are being deluged with refinancing applications.
“I’ve been through about four refinance crazes in my career, and this is the most significant I’ve seen,” said Marshall Boyd, co-president of Southwest Bank Mortgage and a founding and [...]
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Families Who Save Feel Less Stressed in Current Economy
Saturday, April 11, 2009, 1:04 AM
RISMEDIA, April 11, 2009-American families who are putting money into savings every month are significantly less likely to feel stressed by the current economic situation than those who do not, according to the First Command Financial Behaviors Index.
Results of the Index’s March 2009 survey indicate that less than a quarter (22%) of Americans who put [...]
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Consumers’ Confidence in Banks on the Rise
Saturday, April 11, 2009, 1:02 AM
RISMEDIA, April 11, 2009-Consumers’ confidence in their own bank, and in the banking system as a whole, is improving for the first time since September 2008, according to a new Morpace survey.
Sixty-six percent of consumers are “very confident” in their primary bank at this time - an increase from the 61% low recorded in January [...]
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Mobile Banking Has Consumers Wary
Saturday, April 11, 2009, 1:01 AM
RISMEDIA, April 11, 2009-U.S. consumers believe mobile banking is important but do no not want to pay for it and also are wary of using their mobile devices such as cell phones, smartphones, and personal digital assistants (PDAs) for financial transactions and online banking, according to results of a survey conducted by KPMG LLP, the [...]
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Americans Optimistic about Economy
Thursday, April 09, 2009, 2:47 PM
RISMEDIA, April 10, 2009-(MCT)-Slightly more than half of Americans think the U.S. economy has stabilized, and almost three in every four think it will take longer than six months for a massive economic stimulus program to be felt, an Ipsos-McClatchy tracking poll showed. A separate survey released by Ipsos, done for the Royal Bank of [...]
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Mortgage Applications Increase in Latest MBA Weekly Survey
Wednesday, April 08, 2009, 3:11 PM
RISMEDIA, April 9, 2009-The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) released its Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending April 3, 2009. The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, was 1,250.6, an increase of 4.7% on a seasonally adjusted basis from 1,194.4 one week earlier. On an unadjusted basis, the Index increased [...]
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Investors Turn to Self-Directed IRAs
Monday, April 06, 2009, 3:52 PM
RISMEDIA, April 7, 2009-(MCT)-After Tom Fafinski lost money in tech stocks, he began searching for alternative places to invest. Fafinski, 44, of Farmington, Minn., discovered self-directed IRAs and used money earmarked for his retirement and his kids’ college to buy a townhouse as an investment property.
Sick of being stuck with a dozen mutual funds in [...]
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Managers and Support Staff Not in Sync on Top Rewards
Monday, April 06, 2009, 3:47 PM
RISMEDIA, April 7, 2009-Many managers underestimate the power of a pat on the back, new research suggests. While supervisors surveyed rated job promotions and cash as the two most valued forms of recognition to administrative professionals, support staff favored a simple thank-you and having their accomplishments passed on to senior management.
The study was developed by [...]
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Businesses Encourage Telecommuting to Drive Down Real Estate Costs
Sunday, April 05, 2009, 1:07 PM
RISMEDIA, April 6, 2009-As recession-battered companies look to save money on real estate costs, a growing number of businesses are equipping their employees with Blackberry smartphones and laptops and moving them out of the main office as a way of reducing expenses. The Regus Group, one of the leading global providers of workplace solutions, is [...]
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Americans Support Wide Array of Proposed Energy Policies, but Not Yet Ready to Make Tradeoffs
Sunday, April 05, 2009, 1:03 PM
RISMEDIA, April 6, 2009-Despite partisan debate, the American people find common ground on their support for a number of measures to address the nation’s energy problems. At least 10 major energy proposals that would provide incentives for energy efficiency, reduce gasoline usage and support alternative energy have widespread support. But the public may not yet [...]
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The Bailouts Continue - Life Insurance Receives Next Lifeline
Sunday, April 12, 2009, 1:05 PM
RISMEDIA, April 13, 2009-(MCT)-The Treasury Department confirmed that life insurers are qualified to join banks and carmakers on the list of industries getting taxpayer bailouts.
In a statement, the agency confirmed that certain life insurers are eligible to receive an unspecified amount of the money that remains from October’s $700 billion Wall Street rescue program.
“There are [...]
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Taxpayers Still Have Time to File or Amend 2005 Returns, but Must Act Quickly
Sunday, April 12, 2009, 1:04 PM
RISMEDIA, April 13, 2009-With just a few days left to file income tax returns for 2008, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service is reminding tax filers of another important tax deadline on April 15: the deadline to file or amend returns for tax year 2005. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) ecently reported that it has $1.3 billion in [...]
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Americans Optimistic about Economy
Thursday, April 09, 2009, 2:47 PM
RISMEDIA, April 10, 2009-(MCT)-Slightly more than half of Americans think the U.S. economy has stabilized, and almost three in every four think it will take longer than six months for a massive economic stimulus program to be felt, an Ipsos-McClatchy tracking poll showed. A separate survey released by Ipsos, done for the Royal Bank of [...]
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American Taxpayers Planning to Save Rather Than Spend
Monday, March 30, 2009, 4:03 PM
RISMEDIA, March 31, 2009-As the tax deadline approaches, many Americans have refunds on their mind. While the arrival of a refund once meant a shopping spree to many, this year, Americans are skipping the spring sales to boost their savings and eliminate debt, according to a new survey released by ING DIRECT.
According to the company, [...]
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Federal Reserve’s Announcement Spurs Refinance Activity in Latest MBA Weekly Survey
Wednesday, March 25, 2009, 4:02 PM
RISMEDIA, March 26, 2009-The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) released its Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending March 20, 2009. The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, was 1159.4, an increase of 32.2% on a seasonally adjusted basis from 876.9 one week earlier. On an unadjusted basis, the Index increased [...]
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Some Experts Unsure Whether Federal Buy-Up of Bank Debt Will Work
Tuesday, March 24, 2009, 4:02 PM
RISMEDIA, March 25, 2009-(MCT)-Yesterday’s announcement by Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner that disclosed the details of the long-awaited and highly-anticipated $1 trillion plan to relieve the nation’s banks of the bad debt that has crushed lending and helped put the country into a recession has some economists and business experts unsure of the plans effectiveness.
While the [...]
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Treasury Delivers Details of ‘Toxic Asset’ Treatment Plan
Monday, March 23, 2009, 4:04 PM
RISMEDIA, March 28, 2009-(MCT)-Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner took the wraps off a long-awaited key component of the Obama administration’s bank rescue plan, detailing a public-private partnership to buy up the so-called toxic assets that are polluting bank balance sheets.
After a disastrous first attempt to explain the plan that sent markets into a nose dive because [...]
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Banks Lend Heavily to Insiders Amid Credit Crunch, Bailouts
Monday, March 23, 2009, 4:02 PM
RISMEDIA, March 24, 2009-(MCT)-Insider lending amid a credit crunch and bailouts is not as uncommon as many would believe, as banks nationwide hold $41 billion in loans to directors, top executives and other insiders, a portfolio that experts say should be stripped of secrecy.
Insider lending to directors is particularly troublesome because it could cloud the [...]
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4 Ways to Protect Your Personal Data when Filing Taxes Online
Monday, March 23, 2009, 3:53 PM
RISMEDIA, March 24, 2009-(MCT)-As April 15 approaches and taxpayers scramble to complete their tax returns, it’s critical that they take extra care to guard their personal information. Consider what’s exposed and vulnerable: your Social Security number, address, name and financial information. According to the Identity Theft Resource Center, “These numbers can be a gold mine [...]
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Mortgage Rates Dip in Response to Fed’s Decision to Buy Treasury Bonds and Mortgage Securities
Sunday, March 22, 2009, 1:07 PM
RISMEDIA, March 23, 2009-(MCT)-Mortgage rates are again dropping to near-record lows - below 5% - in the wake of the Federal Reserve’s decision to buy up Treasury bonds and mortgage securities. Lower rates may help spur home sales, but analysts expect much of the action to come from homeowners who are looking to refinance, but [...]
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Treasury Throws 5 Billion Dollar Lifeline to Auto Suppliers
Sunday, March 22, 2009, 1:06 PM
RISMEDIA, March 23, 2009-(MCT)-Adding to the growing list of economic sectors going under the protective wing of the Government, the Treasury Department announced that U.S. auto-parts suppliers will receive up to $5 billion in a taxpayer-funded revolving line of credit.
The Auto Supplier Support Program will let troubled carmakers General Motors (GM) and Chrysler determine which [...]
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Fed Takes Action to Bolster Lending
Thursday, March 19, 2009, 3:47 PM
RISMEDIA, March 20, 2009-(MCT)-The Federal Reserve escalated its war on the nation’s credit crisis, announcing that it would more than double the amount of money it will spend in the coming year in an aggressive effort to force down interest rates on mortgages - perhaps by as much as one percentage point - as well [...]
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A Lending Hand - HUD and DOT Announce Partnership to Promote Sustainable Communities
Thursday, March 19, 2009, 3:38 PM
RISMEDIA, March 21, 2009-U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) secretary Shaun Donovan and U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) secretary Ray LaHood announced a new partnership to help American families gain better access to affordable housing, more transportation options, and lower transportation costs.
While the average working American family spends nearly 60% of its budget [...]
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Small Businesses to Benefit as Credit Lines are Loosened
Wednesday, March 18, 2009, 3:54 PM
RISMEDIA, March 19, 2009-(MCT)-As the economy continues to suffer and jobs are lost and business owners continually push to keep things moving forward so they are in the right place at the right time when the market turns, President Barack Obama is doing his job to help small businesses get on the right track. Working [...]
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HUD Awards $12 Million in Grants to Bring Jobs, Economic Independence to Public Housing Residents
Friday, March 13, 2009, 3:58 PM
RISMEDIA, March 16, 2009-The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded nearly $12 million in grants to 207 public housing agencies across the U.S. to help public housing residents find jobs that lead them toward economic independence.
The grants are provided through HUD’s Public Housing Family Self-Sufficiency Program, which enables public housing agencies (PHA) [...]
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Mortgage and Financial Markets Continue to Slow Housing Activity
Thursday, March 12, 2009, 3:21 PM
RISMEDIA, March 13, 2009-The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) told Congress that the housing sector is still being significantly affected by the upheaval in the financial and mortgage markets that started in 2007, and there is deep concern that these financial dislocations will increase the depth and length of the housing downturn.
Testifying before the [...]
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Appraisal Institute Urges Congress to Address Feeble Oversight
Thursday, March 12, 2009, 3:09 PM
RISMEDIA, March 13, 2009-In testifying before Congress yesterday, the Appraisal Institute told lawmakers that mortgage reform legislation is needed to address structural weaknesses in mortgage industry regulation. Calling current regulatory oversight “feeble,” the Appraisal Institute called upon Congress to provide state and federal appraisal oversight agencies with greater enforcement power, the lack of which has [...]
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Committee Passes Small Business Administration Budget Recommendation
Thursday, March 12, 2009, 3:07 PM
RISMEDIA, March 13, 2009-The House Committee on Small Business submitted its recommendations for the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Fiscal Year 2010 budget, doubling previous budgets by proposing $1.43 billion in funding for agency programs that will help local businesses stay afloat and promote economic recovery. The recommendations submitted by the committee would restore SBA funding [...]
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Predatory Lending Practices among Latinos to be Addressed before Congress
Wednesday, March 11, 2009, 3:35 PM
RISMEDIA, March 12, 2009-The National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the largest civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, will testify before the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services today on Latino wealth-building priorities and reforming the nation’s broken mortgage system. Since the hearing will look at consumer protection in the financial services [...]
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Realtor Recommendations Make Headway in House
Sunday, February 01, 2009, 12:08 PM
RISMEDIA, February 2, 2009-The U.S. House of Representatives has taken a significant step toward economic recovery in passing H.R. 1, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
“On behalf of NAR and its 1.2 million members, I’d like to thank Chairman Frank, D-Mass., Chairman Rangel, D-N.Y., and the House of Representatives for passing legislation that [...]
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