October 2006 - Posts

• Should you invest in stocks?

  Tuesday, October 31, 2006 6:06 AM

  When it comes to the stock market, most people are slightly intimidated. But there really isn’t anything to be afraid of. The stock market is just like most things in life, you just need to do a little research. Most first timers are a little nervous, but with time, knowledge and wise choices, most are better off for their efforts Read More Posted by rateempire 0 Comments Go to top

• ARM borrowers are anxious over rate increases

  Tuesday, October 31, 2006 6:05 AM

  A recent survey indicates that homeowners are worried about rising interest rates, but they plan to refinance if necessary. In the third annual homeowners study by Wells Fargo, one in seven respondents was holding an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM). Eighty percent of these homeowners were concerned on varying levels about future rate increases Read More Posted by rateempire 0 Comments Go to top

• More homeowners are using reverse mortgages

  Tuesday, October 31, 2006 6:05 AM

  According to the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association, the number of federally insured reverse mortgages increased by 77% during the 2006 fiscal year. For the fiscal year, which ended September 30, a reported 76,351 Home Equity Conversion Mortgages were insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Read More Posted by rateempire 0 Comments Go to top

• Take back control of your finances

  Tuesday, October 31, 2006 6:03 AM

  When it comes to money, control is everything. Have you ever noticed how out-of-control your entire life can seem when you are up to your ears in debt? It can almost paralyze other parts of your life. You are stressed. You can't think, you can't sleep and you dread paying the bills or checking your account balances Read More Posted by rateempire 0 Comments Go to top

• Living frugally can be an interesting challenge

  Tuesday, October 31, 2006 6:00 AM

  When it comes to saving money it doesn't have to be all work. It can also be a little fun. I know that living frugally brings to mind all sorts of unpleasant things to many people. But those that live frugally often have a zealous approach to frugal ideas Read More Posted by rateempire 0 Comments Go to top

• Mortgage Rate Predictions Oct.30-Nov.3

  Monday, October 30, 2006 2:26 AM

  Mortgage Rate Predictions: Arrows indicate --rates will move higher --rates will move lower --rates will remain unchanged CONVENTIONAL LOAN - Loan Amount to:$417,000 $417,000 for single family mortgage $533,850 for mortgages on two-family properties $645,300 for mortgages on three-family properties $801,950 for mortgages on four-family properties Loan Program October Monthly Outlook +/- Monday October 30 Tuesday October 31 Wednesday November 1 Thursday November 2 Friday November 3 40y Fixed Mortgage 6 Read More Posted by rateempire 0 Comments Go to top

• Start Planning As Early As Possible

  Monday, October 30, 2006 2:24 AM

  So many people don't even think about their retirement until they begin to get close to it. However, wise financial planning with goals, such as retirement, is something that should start as soon as you begin earning your first paychecks. I know that you are looking at trying to catch up Read More Posted by rateempire 0 Comments Go to top

• Saving Money On Your Health Insurance With An HSA

  Monday, October 30, 2006 2:23 AM

  When it comes time to providing a good level of health protection for you and your family, it always pays to shop around a little first. In addition to finding a lower cost, though, there may be some additional savings that you can get out of the deal, too Read More Posted by rateempire 0 Comments Go to top

• Budgeting For Less Stress

  Monday, October 30, 2006 2:21 AM

  Budgets have gotten a bad name for limiting how much you can spend. But that isn't the actual truth behind a budget. A budget does limit your spending, but it does so in order to let you have money for the things that you really want. It gets you where you are going in life financially Read More Posted by rateempire 0 Comments Go to top

• Saving Money By Using Credit Cards Wisely

  Monday, October 30, 2006 2:19 AM

  Certainly all of us have heard about the misuse of credit cards that is going on today. It goes on around all of us - and it is possible that even you are guilty of not using them to your advantage. Instead, money could be going down the tubes unnecessarily Read More Posted by rateempire 0 Comments Go to top

• Watch Your Spending

  Monday, October 30, 2006 2:13 AM

  You can never have enough money to buy everything you want. It doesn't matter if you make $150,000 a year or if you make $35,000 a year. You can still be just as broke. In fact, those with the higher incomes may be even more broke. The simple truth is that it isn't how much you make, it is how much you spend Read More Posted by rateempire 0 Comments Go to top

• Five Steps To Getting Out Of Debt

  Monday, October 30, 2006 2:12 AM

  When it comes to debt, there is no quick way out. Those ads on television just don't tell the entire truth. Debt is easy to get into, but difficult to get out from under. The problem is that often, we simply let debt overwhelm us. You look at how much you owe and how long it is going to take to pay it off, and then you simply aren't able to see where you should start Read More Posted by rateempire 0 Comments Go to top

• Forecast Predicts Stable Mortgage Rates

  Monday, October 30, 2006 2:10 AM

  According to the Mortgage Bankers Association forecast, fixed mortgage rates aren't expected to rise dramatically in the next few years. Fixed-rate mortgages are expected to remain around 6.3% to 6.4% for the rest of 2006, according the latest forecast Read More Posted by rateempire 0 Comments Go to top

• Mortgage Rate Predictions Oct.8-Oct.13

  Sunday, October 08, 2006 9:34 PM

  Mortgage Rate Predictions: Oct.8-Oct.13,2006 Read More Posted by rateempire 0 Comments Go to top

• Be careful about secured credit cards

  Saturday, October 07, 2006 4:21 AM

  A secured credit card is often the first step to establishing or re-establishing credit. Many advisors will recommend starting out with a secured card and then moving on to a unsecured card. In general, it is a good way to build a credit history. Most lenders like to see some sort of revolving credit on your report Read More Posted by rateempire 0 Comments Go to top

• Eliminating your credit card debt

  Saturday, October 07, 2006 4:20 AM

  When it comes to credit card debt it is easy come, hard to get rid of. It is estimated that the average American household has around $9,000 of credit card debt. Some estimates put the debt much higher. It has even been said that the average household has 10 credit cards Read More Posted by rateempire 0 Comments Go to top

• Mortgage activity up as refinances increase

  Saturday, October 07, 2006 4:17 AM

  With mortgage rates falling, weekly mortgage activity is on the rise. According to the Mortgage Bankers Association weekly report, the seasonally adjusted total mortage activity for the week ending September 29, 2006 saw an increase of 11.9%. On an unadjusted basis, mortgage activity was up 11 Read More Posted by rateempire 0 Comments Go to top

• New Study Shows Homeowners Could Be Saving

  Thursday, October 05, 2006 6:49 AM

  A new study reveals that some homeowners could be saving more each month by paying attention to their reluctance to file claims. According to a new study from MIT's Sloan School of Management, many homeowners don't file insurance claims for relatively minor damage to their homes, even if the repair costs exceed the deductible Read More Posted by rateempire 0 Comments Go to top

• Start By Making Your Budget Yours

  Thursday, October 05, 2006 6:48 AM

  It isn't always possible to find the right budget for your finances on your first try. People think of finances as being a solid, written-in-stone thing. They look at budgets as being unmoving. They couldn't be more wrong. Your finances change constantly Read More Posted by rateempire 0 Comments Go to top

• Debt Repayment Plans That Don't Work

  Thursday, October 05, 2006 6:48 AM

  There are a million people out there telling you how to pay off your debt. Finances are a very individual thing. While there are guidelines you should follow, not everything works for everyone. You have to consider your personal spending habits and reasons before you are able to make a debt repayment plan that works for you Read More Posted by rateempire 0 Comments Go to top

• What Does It Mean To be In Control Of Your Finances?

  Thursday, October 05, 2006 6:47 AM

  Personal financial planning seems like such a lofty task to so many people. But it is really a simple idea. You are in control of where your money goes. So few people are. And there really isn't any reason why. Managing your finances isn't a difficult task Read More Posted by rateempire 0 Comments Go to top

• Congressional Democrats and Republicans Talk Taxes

  Thursday, October 05, 2006 6:46 AM

  The Democrats are pointing at the Republicans, and they are pointing back. Both sides of Congress took their turns portraying the other party of wanting to boost taxes for middle class American taxpayers. A package of expired tax breaks appears to be unlikely to be reinstated before the Congress adjourns at the end of this week Read More Posted by rateempire 0 Comments Go to top

• How High Did Home Prices Really Go?

  Wednesday, October 04, 2006 6:56 AM

  The U.S. Census Bureau released data on Tuesday that revealed where the nation's hottest markets were during the past five years. According to the report, median home values increased 32% from 2000 to 2005 on a national level. The survey looked at 7,000 markets with a population of 65,000 or more Read More Posted by rateempire 0 Comments Go to top

• Do You Have a Debt Problem?

  Wednesday, October 04, 2006 6:55 AM

  So many people are in way to deep when it comes to debt -- they just don't know it yet. I am constantly surprised at how many people tell me that they have everything under control. Yet, they don't have enough money to pay the bills without juggling things around Read More Posted by rateempire 0 Comments Go to top

• Property Taxes Increase With Home Prices

  Wednesday, October 04, 2006 6:55 AM

  With the increasing value of your home comes the increasing bill from your property taxes. Property tax collections have increased 35% from 2002 to 2006, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. With high property taxes pressuring the budgets of many homeowners, consumer backlash has been seen across the nation Read More Posted by rateempire 0 Comments Go to top

• Spending Money Is Easy

  Wednesday, October 04, 2006 6:54 AM

  The simple problem is that it is so very easy to spend money. We get it in our minds that we deserve something, that we need something, that something will make our lives better -- and we just buy it. No matter how little we can afford it. Have you been there? Well chances are that you've used a credit card to buy the thing that you couldn't resist Read More Posted by rateempire 0 Comments Go to top

• Are You Making Money Mistakes?

  Wednesday, October 04, 2006 6:53 AM

  You have your finances in order. But are you still making mistakes that could cost you? The credit cards are paid off. You are saving money every month towards your goals. But in the world of finance and money management, growth never ends. There are always things you can improve upon Read More Posted by rateempire 0 Comments Go to top

• Financial Success Isn't Difficult

  Wednesday, October 04, 2006 6:51 AM

  Financial success isn't a hard task to master. It simply takes dedication, hard work and a little old fashioned commitment. But it also takes a little knowledge. Too many consumers are ignoring what are financial truths. They run up large amounts of debt just to appear successful to those around them Read More Posted by rateempire 0 Comments Go to top

• Mortgage Rate Predictions Oct.2-Oct.6

  Tuesday, October 03, 2006 12:57 PM

  Mortgage Rate Predictions: http://www.rateempire.com/newmainpage/mortgageratepredictions.html Arrows indicate --rates will move higher --rates will move lower --rates will remain unchanged CONVENTIONAL LOAN - Loan Amount to:$417,000 $417,000 for single family mortgage $533,850 for mortgages on two-family properties $645,300 for mortgages on three-family properties $801,950 for mortgages on four-family properties Loan Program October Monthly Outlook +/- Monday October 2 Tuesday October 3 Wednesday October 4 Thursday October 5 Friday October 6 40y Fixed Mortgage 6 Read More