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The True Meltdown Culprit: Unsuitable Mortgages

By:: Tom Kerr - MortgageLoan.com | Sun, 11/30/2008

Foreclosure is usually attributed to mortgage borrowers, not to those who fund the loans. But this time, the blame lies with the mortgage lenders and investors who created an artificial demand for loans, and then came up with inappropriately risky mortgages to feed that appetite.

The Last Personal Finance Straw: Medical Debt

By:: Catherine Brock - MortgageLoan.com | Sat, 11/29/2008

Struggling to make ends meet can be a way to survive, but it gets awfully hard if you or a family member gets sick. Millions of Americans are pushed over the edge into bankruptcy or foreclosure because of high medical bills.

Mortgage Crisis Solution: Rate Buydown

By:: Tom Kerr - MortgageLoan.com | Sat, 11/29/2008

Mortgage rate buy down strategies are gaining momentum and enjoying widespread and diverse support as a solution to some of the nation's most pressing real estate problems. Rate buydowns would make homes more affordable, and stimulate the residential housing market with increased sales.

Money Smarts: Should you Rent or Buy a Home?

By:: Anders Bylund - MortgageLoan.com | Fri, 11/28/2008

Home ownership comes with benefits that a renter could never get-but also, a few unique problems.

Reverse Mortgages Hit New Records

By:: Tom Kerr - MortgageLoan.com | Fri, 11/28/2008

As a record number of baby boomers enter retirement, the volume of new reverse mortgages is also shattering records. Senior mortgages are one of the areas of lending growth that's plowing ahead, despite the demise of many other kinds of loan products tied to the housing market.

Double Whammy for Senior Mortgages: Falling Prices, Rising Debt

By:: Catherine Brock - MortgageLoan.com | Thu, 11/27/2008

Seniors are grappling with the economic crisis in their own way. They must deal with the potential for higher healthcare costs and lower net worth at a time when housing values are sliding and large senior mortgage balances are limiting their options for retirement planning.

Four Bad Borrowing Choices

By:: Greg Mischio - MortgageLoan.com | Thu, 11/27/2008

The economic downturn has been fraught with pain, uncertainty, and fear. It also contains a number of valuable lessons in money management. Homeowners are re-evaluating how they use their home equity, especially regarding investments and debt consolidation.

Credit Card Bailout for Financially Irresponsible

By:: Catherine Brock - MortgageLoan.com | Wed, 11/26/2008

The Financial Services Roundtable and the Consumer Federation of America have joined forces to promote a credit card debt settlement plan involving debt write-offs and extended repayments.

Bank Fees on the Rise

By:: Catherine Brock - MortgageLoan.com | Wed, 11/26/2008

Don't expect budget relief from falling gas prices; your bank is standing in line to pick up the slack.

Government's Bear Stearns Bet Underwater

By:: Catherine Brock - MortgageLoan.com | Tue, 11/25/2008

The portfolio of mortgage-related assets acquired from Bear Stearns by the U.S. government is dropping in value, creating unrealized losses for taxpayers.

Government to Banks: Stop Hoarding Bailout Money!

By:: Tom Kerr - MortgageLoan.com | Tue, 11/25/2008

Despite urging from the White House and the Treasury Dept., banks aren't lending. Instead, they're hoarding money to bolster their own balance sheets. That's not helping consumers or the overall financial situation, and in the absence of consumer credit, the economy is stuck in reverse.

Innocent Financial Crisis Victims: Foreclosure Pets

By:: Greg Mischio - MortgageLoan.com | Mon, 11/24/2008

The foreclosure crisis in America has produced plenty of heartbreaking scenes. But now, many of these homeowners are losing more than their homes. Animal shelters have reported increases in the number of pets abandoned because of home foreclosure, adding yet more innocent victims to the sagging U.S. economy: foreclosure pets.

Dropping the Ball: Economic Crisis Hitting Pro Sports

By:: Catherine Brock - MortgageLoan.com | Mon, 11/24/2008

Professional sports leagues are expressing concern over the economy, and how it might impact sports attendance.

FHA Offers Expensive Hope for the Walking Wounded

By:: Tom Kerr - MortgageLoan.com | Sun, 11/23/2008

Homeowners hoping for an FHA loan modification or refinance will likely get the government assistance they need. But such modification, while certainly helpful at this critical time in the foreclosure crisis, isn't necessarily affordable.

Time for a Retirement Check-up

By:: Anders Bylund - MortgageLoan.com | Sun, 11/23/2008

A Wall Street recession can scare anyone, but the terror gets worse as you close in on your retirement. Whatever you do, don't panic!

Fed Rate Cuts: How Low can they Go?

By:: Tom Kerr - MortgageLoan.com | Sat, 11/22/2008

Usually, a Fed funds rate cut of even a quarter percentage point is extreme. But within the past few weeks, the Fed has slashed rates by half a point, not just once, but twice. Now that rates stand at a half-century low mark, economists wonder how much lower Fed Chairman Bernanke can go from here.

Homeowners: Still Hopeful, but Recovery Slow

By:: Catherine Brock - MortgageLoan.com | Sat, 11/22/2008

One month after going live, Hope for Homeowners is making slow progress. Does this program lack what it takes to solve the foreclosure problem?

Countrywide Offers a Model for Loan Modifications

By:: Tom Kerr - MortgageLoan.com | Fri, 11/21/2008

Countrywide Mortgage, now owned by its buyout rescue savior, Bank of America, earned a reputation for bilking borrowers. Now, the lender may be atoning for its sins by creating a model for loan modifications that may save homeowners, even if Countrywide isn't doing it voluntarily.

Are Your Savings Secure?

By:: Catherine Brock - MortgageLoan.com | Fri, 11/21/2008

Banks seem to be failing left and right. Could yours be next?

Young People Crumbling Under Student Loan Debt

By:: Greg Mischio - MortgageLoan.com | Thu, 11/20/2008

Although politicians don't seem to agree on many things, all parties believe that educating young people is critical if America is going to regain its financial footing. Unfortunately, many students are finding that a higher education, and the student loans required to pay for it, has been priced out of their reach.

Investing in Gold: Folly or Brainy?

By:: Catherine Brock - MortgageLoan.com | Thu, 11/20/2008

Have you had it with stocks and bonds, and are you ready to try something new? Gold is an option, but make sure you know what it will and won't do for you before you buy.

Possible Bottom for Housing Prices?

By:: Tom Kerr - MortgageLoan.com | Wed, 11/19/2008

New home sales moved up in September, and that was a positive sign that housing prices may be finally finding a floor. Recent data shows both encouraging and worrisome indicators related to a possible housing bottom, but the only certain thing in today's economy is that nothing is certain.

Foreclosure Prevention Efforts Gaining Steam

By:: Catherine Brock - MortgageLoan.com | Wed, 11/19/2008

Data from one foreclosure prevention group indicates that the mortgage industry may be gaining traction against the crisis; but there are still some significant challenges to overcome.

Financial Crisis Hits Charities

By:: Catherine Brock - MortgageLoan.com | Tue, 11/18/2008

Nonprofit organizations, like the American Red Cross, are facing sharply lower charitable contributions at a time when they need it most.

Worldwide Financial Crisis: What to Tell the Kids

By:: Greg Mischio - MortgageLoan.com | Tue, 11/18/2008

Adults aren't the only ones feeling the strain of the current financial crisis. Kids also feel the stress by how their parents act, and what they see on the news. Now would be a great time to reassure your children, and use the slumping economy as a lesson in personal finance.

Bailout Plan Paves Way for Tax Breaks

By:: Catherine Brock - MortgageLoan.com | Mon, 11/17/2008

The financial rescue plan is loaded with tax breaks, and many apply specifically to individual taxpayers. Do you know what the changes will mean for you?

Does Bailout Lack Adequate Consumer Help?

By:: Catherine Brock - MortgageLoan.com | Mon, 11/17/2008

The $700 billion bailout plan addresses the mortgage crisis by reaching out to institutions and investors. FDIC Chairperson Sheila Bair and other politicians are baffled by the strategy; why not help homeowners instead?

Credit Card Companies Slashing Benefits

By:: Catherine Brock - MortgageLoan.com | Sun, 11/16/2008

Credit card issuers aren't doling out revolving credit accounts the way they used to. In fact, they're reigning in availability, and leaving some of their customers without the credit they thought they had.

Do-It-Yourself Credit Repair

By:: Greg Mischio - MortgageLoan.com | Sun, 11/16/2008

It seems like everyone is in need of credit repair these days. But while the federal government is relying on taxpayers to help our country out of a jam, not everyone can expect a bailout. If "fix credit" is at the top of your "to-do" list, don't wait for help from anyone else. There are a number of steps you can take to fix credit.

Federal Deficit Spinning out of Control

By:: Catherine Brock - MortgageLoan.com | Sat, 11/15/2008

The federal deficit reached a record high point for fiscal year 2008, and all signs say that fiscal 2009 will be even worse.

Five Ideas to Find a New Job

By:: Greg Mischio - MortgageLoan.com | Sat, 11/15/2008

Job hunting in a slumping economy is no picnic. However, just because competition is fierce shouldn't mean that you give up. "Collecting unemployment" pales in comparison to the elation of "landing new job." Here are five simple tips to help you become gainfully employed.

Lawyers Feeding on Mortgage Mess

By:: Tom Kerr - MortgageLoan.com | Fri, 11/14/2008

In some ways, the mortgage meltdown reminds lawyers and their class-action plaintiffs of the Enron scandal. After the fall of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and Lehman Brothers, lawyers are pushing class-action litigation to try to recover losses for investors caught up in the mortgage mess.

Misery Loves Company: Credit Card Industry the Next Shoe to Drop

By:: Greg Mischio - MortgageLoan.com | Fri, 11/14/2008

The decimated home mortgage market has crippled Wall Street and brought our government to its knees. Unfortunately, the party isn't over. Credit cards will likely be the next financial tool to feel the wrath of the global credit crunch.

Mortgage Fraud Past and Present

By:: Tom Kerr - MortgageLoan.com | Thu, 11/13/2008

The authorities have cracked down hard on appraisal fraud and subprime liar loan products that encourage mortgage dishonesty through overstated income. But mortgage fraud is still alive and well and living in America.

Mortgage Crisis Silver Lining: Savings on the Rise

By:: Catherine Brock - MortgageLoan.com | Thu, 11/13/2008

For years, Americans spent almost every penny of their income. But new economic data indicates that the financial crisis may be pressuring some to finally start saving once again.

Treasury Plan Pushing up Mortgage Rates

By:: Tom Kerr - MortgageLoan.com | Wed, 11/12/2008

As the Treasury bailout plan opens the faucets to thaw credit markets, and maybe even jumpstart the overall economy, affordable housing is slipping away due to rising-not falling-mortgage rates.

New Regulation to Clean up Financial Industry Mess

By:: Catherine Brock - MortgageLoan.com | Wed, 11/12/2008

Legislators and economists are still trying to get their arms around how the subprime mortgage crisis blossomed into a full-blown financial industry meltdown. Fingers are being pointed at the fractured regulatory system that failed to provide much-needed oversight.

Big Banks Halting Foreclosures and Modifying Mortgages

By:: Bill Rice - MortgageLoan.com | Tue, 11/11/2008

Chair of the FDIC continues to lobby her counterpart at the Treasury, Hank Paulson and the White House to implement loan modifications as a primary strategy in the mortgage market rescue. However, this bureaucratic battle may be irrelevant--the mega-banks are already rolling out the plan.

Following Warren Buffett: Is it Time to Buy Stocks?

By:: Anders Bylund - MortgageLoan.com | Tue, 11/11/2008

The Oracle of Omaha is buying American stocks. Should you do the same?

Financial Tips for Frugal Living

By:: Greg Mischio - MortgageLoan.com | Tue, 11/11/2008

As banks tighten their purse strings, the trickle-down effect is reaching consumers. Whether they're battling inflation or scared of a more restrictive lending environment, people are trying to find ways to spend less and save more.

Congressional Democrats, President-elect Obama Press for TARP Aid for Auto

By:: Bill Rice - MortgageLoan.com | Mon, 11/10/2008

The Big Three auto makers continue their death march, burning millions in cash every month while auto sales drop to the lowest in 25 years. Help may be on the way.

Retailers Dreaming of a Gloomy Christmas

By:: Catherine Brock - MortgageLoan.com | Mon, 11/10/2008

The holiday season is just around the corner, and retailers are making gloomy predictions for their fourth quarter sales. How does your holiday spending outlook size up to retailers' expectations?

Planning for Retirement During Financial Crisis

By:: Catherine Brock - MortgageLoan.com | Mon, 11/10/2008

Retirement accounts just aren't what they used to be. If your account balance has turned south, where do you go from here?

Paulson Picks Bailout Czar

By:: Tom Kerr - MortgageLoan.com | Sun, 11/09/2008

The person chosen to oversee the $700 billion mortgage bailout plan shares some distinctive traits with Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson. Neel Kashkari, the new bailout czar, is a bright economist who, like Paulson, used to be an investment banker at Goldman Sachs.

Local Sheriff takes Action to Avoid Foreclosures

By:: Tom Kerr - MortgageLoan.com | Sun, 11/09/2008

Sheriff Thomas J. Dart of Cook County, Illinois suspended evictions and foreclosure because he said that foreclosures and sheriff sales were putting innocent renters at an unfair disadvantage. His defiance sparked an immediate protest from bankers, but the lawman stuck to his guns.

Creative Financing for Small Businesses: Peer-to-Peer Lending

By:: Catherine Brock - MortgageLoan.com | Sat, 11/08/2008

Banks may be denying more small business loan applications, but company owners still have options. An up-and-coming solution for business financing gives entrepreneurs an alternative to adjustable-rate credit card debt.

Housing Rescue: Slow Going

By:: Tom Kerr - MortgageLoan.com | Sat, 11/08/2008

Despite housing rescue initiatives like Hope Now, and a mortgage bailout plan worth $700 billion, the housing rescue is moving slowly. Each month, 200,000 homes still enter foreclosure.

Simple Upgrades Lower Home Energy Cost

By:: Greg Mischio - MortgageLoan.com | Fri, 11/07/2008

As the stock market goes down, the need for energy savings goes up. Consumers are thinking less about spending and more about saving, and they're focusing heavily on home energy costs. If you think the only way you can realize some efficiency gains is through expensive home improvements, think again.

Credit Crunch Squashing Auto Loans

By:: Anders Bylund - MortgageLoan.com | Fri, 11/07/2008

The global banking meltdown is causing blowouts on auto loans. Or is it?

Getting to Know Your Mortgage Documents

By:: Tom Kerr - MortgageLoan.com | Thu, 11/06/2008

American homeowners should study their loan documents to make sure that they know their obligations. Otherwise, loans like ARM and interest-only mortgages could blow up in their faces.

Climbing Out of a Personal Credit Crisis

By:: Greg Mischio - MortgageLoan.com | Thu, 11/06/2008

Credit trouble used to be a problem for only a small percentage of people. Today, it's a global affliction that's causing many banks to revise their offerings. The credit crunch is going to create some serious headaches for people in need of debt relief.

States Feeling Credit Crunch Pain

By:: Catherine Brock - MortgageLoan.com | Wed, 11/05/2008

The combination of declining revenues, increasing expenses, and insufficient access to capital is a deadly one for local municipalities.

Small Businesses Struggling for Survival in Economic Downturn

By:: Catherine Brock - MortgageLoan.com | Wed, 11/05/2008

Credit availability is in short supply, energy costs are volatile, and no one's sure how the bailout plan is going to help the economy. These concerns are weighing heavily on the minds of small business owners.

Bailout a Potentially Lucrative Investment for Taxpayers

By:: Catherine Brock - MortgageLoan.com | Tue, 11/04/2008

The $700 billion financial bailout plan gives the U.S. Treasury an option to buy, on behalf of taxpayers, an equity stake in troubled financial firms. If the plan facilitates the recovery of these firms, that equity provision could create big profits down the road for American taxpayers.

Bankruptcy, the Final Frontier

By:: Catherine Brock - MortgageLoan.com | Tue, 11/04/2008

When you've exhausted all options and you still can't get out of debt, there's always bankruptcy.

College Graduates Drowning in a Challenging Market

By:: Greg Mischio - MortgageLoan.com | Mon, 11/03/2008

The payoff for going to college used to be enormous. But with more students graduating deeply in debt, a higher education's higher earning potential is becoming negated. With tuition increasing faster than inflation, and job prospects shrinking, college debt has become a real problem.

New Economic Scourge-Underemployment

By:: Catherine Brock - MortgageLoan.com | Mon, 11/03/2008

A good job is hard to find. The number of qualified workers who are forced to take low-paying or part-time jobs is increasing, which spells continued trouble for the U.S. economy.

Is the Economic Crisis Hurting our Kids?

By:: Catherine Brock - MortgageLoan.com | Sun, 11/02/2008

During bad economic times, parents don't just have to make ends meet; they also have to take steps to minimize the negative impact the economy might have on their kids.

How the Bailout Could Help You

By:: Tom Kerr - MortgageLoan.com | Sun, 11/02/2008

The $700 billion economic stabilization bill that just passed Congress may not save the stock market or revive the economy. However, through loan modifications and modified refinance initiatives, it could rescue lots of homeowners who are at risk of losing their homes to bank foreclosure.

Escaping the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Quagmire

By:: Catherine Brock - MortgageLoan.com | Sat, 11/01/2008

Paycheck-to-paycheck living may be the way you roll, but it isn't sustainable long-term. Take steps to give yourself some financial breathing room.

More Bailouts: Are Individual States Next?

By:: Tom Kerr - MortgageLoan.com | Sat, 11/01/2008

As the credit markets unravel, states across the U.S. are faced with mounting financial challenges. Soon, taxpayers may be asked to ante up emergency funds for state bailout programs. California has already said that it may need $7 billion to tide it over until spring.