At A Marathon Closing, I Need My Sleeping Bag.
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Wednesday, September 29, 2010
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Edison Park | edisonparkchicago.com Night life, and Events in Edison Park, Chicago http://ping.fm/imOH6
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Edison Park | edisonparkchicago.com Night life, and Events in Edison Park, Chicago http://ping.fm/imOH6
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
MABAS27 University Park,IL Fire Multiple Animals Rescued From Nature Center Fire (Regal Farms) http://ping.fm/yPMyY
Sunday, September 26, 2010
NFL Flag Football Regional Tournament @ Waukegan Sports Park 3391 W Beach Rd., Waukegan IL… http://ping.fm/5AOAf | Beach Park, Illinois LocalSpur - News, Yellow Page Listings, Events and Local Tweets for Beach Park, IL. http://ping.fm/yciK8
This weeks radio show Tech Savvy Talk episode #4 was all about Blogging, SEO and Analytics.
Listen to internet radio with Tech Savvy Agent on Blog Talk Radio
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Existing-Home Sales Move Up in August
Existing-home sales1, which are completed transactions that include single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, increased 7.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.13 million in August from an upwardly revised 3.84 million in July, but remain 19.0 percent below the 5.10 million-unit pace in August 2009.
@ National Association of Realtors |
Existing-home sales1, which are completed transactions that include single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, increased 7.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.13 million in August from an upwardly revised 3.84 million in July, but remain 19.0 percent below the 5.10 million-unit pace in August 2009.
@ National Association of Realtors |
Illinois Home Sales in August Improve from July:
Year-to-Date Sales Up 9.2 Percent Statewide, 15.8 Percent Chicagoland. statewide total home sales (which include single-family and condominiums) in August 2010 totaled 8,390, an increase of 2.6 percent from July’s 8,181 home sales; year-over-year home sales are down 21.9 percent compared to August 2009 sales of 10,740 homes. Year-to-date sales remain positive, up 9.2 percent January through August 2010 with 73,598 sales compared to 67,390 home sales for the same period in 2009.
@ Illinois Association of Realtors |
Year-to-Date Sales Up 9.2 Percent Statewide, 15.8 Percent Chicagoland. statewide total home sales (which include single-family and condominiums) in August 2010 totaled 8,390, an increase of 2.6 percent from July’s 8,181 home sales; year-over-year home sales are down 21.9 percent compared to August 2009 sales of 10,740 homes. Year-to-date sales remain positive, up 9.2 percent January through August 2010 with 73,598 sales compared to 67,390 home sales for the same period in 2009.
@ Illinois Association of Realtors |
Florida’s existing home, condo sales up in August:
Sales of existing homes in Florida rose 1 percent in August, with a total of 13,997 homes sold statewide compared to 13,908 homes sold in August 2009. Statewide existing home sales in August increased 3 percent over statewide sales activity in July. In Florida’s year-to-year comparison for condos, 5,706 units sold statewide last month compared to 4,662 units in August 2009 for an increase of 22 percent. Statewide existing condo sales last month increased almost 2.7 percent over July’s condo sales.
@ Florida Association of Realtors | Posted
Sales of existing homes in Florida rose 1 percent in August, with a total of 13,997 homes sold statewide compared to 13,908 homes sold in August 2009. Statewide existing home sales in August increased 3 percent over statewide sales activity in July. In Florida’s year-to-year comparison for condos, 5,706 units sold statewide last month compared to 4,662 units in August 2009 for an increase of 22 percent. Statewide existing condo sales last month increased almost 2.7 percent over July’s condo sales.
@ Florida Association of Realtors | Posted
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced today that it will modify a planned approach to its financial systems modernization effort and focus on a single core financial system. http://ping.fm/bIbpo
Thursday, September 23, 2010
AT&T Chief Has No Worries of Losing iPhone Customers | Mobile Technology | ITBusinessEdge.com http://ping.fm/sNEhX
Illinois Home Sales in August Improve from July
Year-to-Date Sales Up 9.2 Percent Statewide, 15.8 Percent Chicagoland.
http://ping.fm/5r9T3
Year-to-Date Sales Up 9.2 Percent Statewide, 15.8 Percent Chicagoland.
http://ping.fm/5r9T3
Illinois Home Sales in August Improve from July
Year-to-Date Sales Up 9.2 Percent Statewide, 15.8 Percent Chicagoland
http://ping.fm/fNyxa
Year-to-Date Sales Up 9.2 Percent Statewide, 15.8 Percent Chicagoland
http://ping.fm/fNyxa
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Chicago retail sales: Recovery slow for Chicago retail sales - chicagotribune.com http://ping.fm/LPgJW
Monday, September 20, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Benefit is to raise funds to help Waukegan Firefighter.
Image by jasoneppink via FlickrFirefighter/Paramedic Kevin Oldham, has recently been diagnosed with advanced and inoperable pancreatic cancer. He is at the young age of 33, a loving husband; father of two young girls (ages 3 years and 10 months).Currently, Kevin is unable to perform his dream job of fighting fires and saving lives, but instead must undergo aggressive and exhausting chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Additionally, he has lost the ability to work his side job and Katie, his wife,was a successful entrepreneur but is now able to work minimally due to the increased responsibilities at home.Unfortunately, treatments and cancer medications are extraordinarily expensive and, compounded with lost income,have become a financial burden for Kevin's family. This benefit is to raise funds to help support Kevin and his family through this difficult time.This event will host a variety of local band talent, opportunities to get your "Hawk" on, silent auction, raffle tickets, & t-shirts.
Euro zone inflation slows as firms hold back on hiring
Consumer prices in the 16 euro countries increased 1.6 per cent from a year earlier after rising 1.7 per cent in July. Companies may find it difficult to pass on higher costs as unemployment near a 12-year high discourages consumer spending and governments cut spending to plug budget deficits.
@ Irish Times
Consumer prices in the 16 euro countries increased 1.6 per cent from a year earlier after rising 1.7 per cent in July. Companies may find it difficult to pass on higher costs as unemployment near a 12-year high discourages consumer spending and governments cut spending to plug budget deficits.
@ Irish Times
Old Chicago Main Post office will soon be paying taxes:
The old Chicago Main Post Office, the empty hulk that spans the Eisenhower Expy., is finally hitting the tax rolls. It's never been taxable before because it was under federal ownership. That changed a year ago, when secretive British investor Bill Davies bought it from the U.S. Postal Service for $25 million.
@ Chicago Sun Times
The old Chicago Main Post Office, the empty hulk that spans the Eisenhower Expy., is finally hitting the tax rolls. It's never been taxable before because it was under federal ownership. That changed a year ago, when secretive British investor Bill Davies bought it from the U.S. Postal Service for $25 million.
@ Chicago Sun Times
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Attention BUYERS:
Beginning Sept. 17, 2010, Freddie Mac will offer homebuyers and select non-profits an exclusive opportunity to purchase HomeSteps homes without competition from investors through the Freddie Mac First Look Initiative.
This on-going initiative offers owner occupant homebuyers, Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) grantees and non-profits engaged in community stabilization efforts the ability to purchase HomeSteps homes during their initial 15 days of listing, without competition from investors. The purchaser does not need to be a first time homebuyer to be eligible, however, they must be buying the home as their primary residence.
The Initiative supports Freddie Mac's mission to stabilize communities and support housing recovery through the creation of affordable homeownership opportunities.
Beginning Sept. 17, 2010, Freddie Mac will offer homebuyers and select non-profits an exclusive opportunity to purchase HomeSteps homes without competition from investors through the Freddie Mac First Look Initiative.
This on-going initiative offers owner occupant homebuyers, Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) grantees and non-profits engaged in community stabilization efforts the ability to purchase HomeSteps homes during their initial 15 days of listing, without competition from investors. The purchaser does not need to be a first time homebuyer to be eligible, however, they must be buying the home as their primary residence.
The Initiative supports Freddie Mac's mission to stabilize communities and support housing recovery through the creation of affordable homeownership opportunities.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
...CHILD ABDUCTION EMERGENCY AT THE REQUEST OF THE SPRINGFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT... THE ILLINOIS EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM IS BEING ACTIVATED FOR AN AMBER ALERT. TWO CHILDREN WERE ABDUCTED FROM PASFIELD AND ALLEN STREETS IN SPRINGFIELD ILLINOIS AROUND 4:04 PM THIS AFTERNOON. THE VEHICLE IS A WHITE 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, LICENSE K 2 2 0 3 0 7. ANYONE WITH INFORMATIION SHOULD CALL 9 1 1
September 10, 2010—In an effort to help responsible homeowners who owe more on their mortgage than the value of their property, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today will begin providing an additional refinancing option for underwater borrowers.
The FHA Short Refinance option is targeted to help people who owe more on their mortgage than their home is worth—also known as being ‘underwater’—because their local markets saw large declines in home values. As announced earlier this year, this change as well as other programs that have been put in place will help the Obama Administration meet its goal of stabilizing housing markets by offering a second chance to up to 3-4 million struggling homeowners through the end of 2012.
Participation in FHA’s short refinance program is voluntary and requires the consent of all lien holders. To be eligible for a new loan, the homeowner must owe more on their mortgage than their home is worth and be current on their existing mortgage. The homeowner must qualify for the new loan under standard FHA underwriting requirements. The property must be the homeowner’s primary residence and the borrower’s existing first lien holder must agree to write off at least 10% of their unpaid principal balance. In addition, the existing loan to be refinanced must not be an FHA-insured loan, and the refinanced FHA-insured first mortgage must have a loan-to-value ratio of no more than 97.75% and a combined loan-to-value ratio no greater than 115%. Let Me If I Can Help.
The FHA Short Refinance option is targeted to help people who owe more on their mortgage than their home is worth—also known as being ‘underwater’—because their local markets saw large declines in home values. As announced earlier this year, this change as well as other programs that have been put in place will help the Obama Administration meet its goal of stabilizing housing markets by offering a second chance to up to 3-4 million struggling homeowners through the end of 2012.
Participation in FHA’s short refinance program is voluntary and requires the consent of all lien holders. To be eligible for a new loan, the homeowner must owe more on their mortgage than their home is worth and be current on their existing mortgage. The homeowner must qualify for the new loan under standard FHA underwriting requirements. The property must be the homeowner’s primary residence and the borrower’s existing first lien holder must agree to write off at least 10% of their unpaid principal balance. In addition, the existing loan to be refinanced must not be an FHA-insured loan, and the refinanced FHA-insured first mortgage must have a loan-to-value ratio of no more than 97.75% and a combined loan-to-value ratio no greater than 115%. Let Me If I Can Help.
FBI Issues Scam Warning for Home Equity Conversion Loans:
FBI ISSUES HECM LOAN SCAM WARNING
The FBI has issued a scam warning for those interested in Home Equity Conversion Loans (or HECM loans for short). With increased interest in HECM loans, both conventional loans and FHA guaranteed loans, fraud activity has also increased. FHA HECM loans offer buyers the advantage and safety of stricter controls and licensing requirements for FHA approved lenders, but some scams operate outside the areas FHA rules can protect the borrower.
If you suspect you or your family have been targeted by a reverse mortgage scam artist, file a complaint with the Department of Housing and Urban Development by calling 1-800-347-3735.
FBI ISSUES HECM LOAN SCAM WARNING
The FBI has issued a scam warning for those interested in Home Equity Conversion Loans (or HECM loans for short). With increased interest in HECM loans, both conventional loans and FHA guaranteed loans, fraud activity has also increased. FHA HECM loans offer buyers the advantage and safety of stricter controls and licensing requirements for FHA approved lenders, but some scams operate outside the areas FHA rules can protect the borrower.
If you suspect you or your family have been targeted by a reverse mortgage scam artist, file a complaint with the Department of Housing and Urban Development by calling 1-800-347-3735.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Fiberoptic cable could boost businesses | wausaudailyherald.com | Wausau Daily Herald http://ping.fm/wxCxy
The Latest Real Estate Scam... Helping People Buy and Sell In The Chicago Land Area. http://ping.fm/A8cPB
Saturday, September 11, 2010
HUD Funding to Local Governments Looks to Curb Foreclosures | The Afro-American Newspapers | Your Community. Your History. Your News. http://ping.fm/jD2Gs
FDNY put together this tribute video to remember those lost in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. 343 firefighters lost their lives as a result of the attacks. You can watch the video and find more FDNY 9/11 coverage at FDNY's website.
http://ping.fm/FEcbv
http://ping.fm/FEcbv
Thursday, September 09, 2010
The 13th Annual Paul Fabbri Memorial Golf Outing is September 18th in Grayslake - Triblocal - Voice of the town http://ping.fm/uxyjL
Federal Reserve Bank's Beige Book - August 2010
"Consumer spending appeared to increase on balance despite continued consumer caution that limited nonessential purchases, while activity in the travel and tourism sector picked up relative to seasonal norms. Activity was largely stable or up slightly for professional and other nonfinancial services. Reports on manufacturing activity pointed to further expansion, although the pace of growth eased according to several Districts."
@ Federa Reserve Bank
"Consumer spending appeared to increase on balance despite continued consumer caution that limited nonessential purchases, while activity in the travel and tourism sector picked up relative to seasonal norms. Activity was largely stable or up slightly for professional and other nonfinancial services. Reports on manufacturing activity pointed to further expansion, although the pace of growth eased according to several Districts."
@ Federa Reserve Bank
Daley era ends: How will plans for O'Hare, Midway define his legacy?:
History may judge expansion of O'Hare International Airport to be one of Mayor Richard M. Daley's biggest accomplishments, even as he hands off an uncertain completion to an unknown successor. What's less clear is what will become of plans to privatize Midway Airport, which could have been another capstone of his career.
@ Crain's Chicago Business
History may judge expansion of O'Hare International Airport to be one of Mayor Richard M. Daley's biggest accomplishments, even as he hands off an uncertain completion to an unknown successor. What's less clear is what will become of plans to privatize Midway Airport, which could have been another capstone of his career.
@ Crain's Chicago Business
Fla. gets biggest chunk of new federal aid for housing crisis:
Florida is receiving another $208.4 million in federal aid to help improve neighborhoods hardest hit by the foreclosure crisis. The money, announced Wednesday by U.S. Housing and Urban Development, is part of $1 billion allocated nationally in a third round of Neighborhood Stabilization funding. Florida's share is the highest of all the states, followed by California, which is receiving $149.3 million
@ Miami Herald |
Florida is receiving another $208.4 million in federal aid to help improve neighborhoods hardest hit by the foreclosure crisis. The money, announced Wednesday by U.S. Housing and Urban Development, is part of $1 billion allocated nationally in a third round of Neighborhood Stabilization funding. Florida's share is the highest of all the states, followed by California, which is receiving $149.3 million
@ Miami Herald |
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
OBAMA ADMINISTRATION AWARDS ADDITIONAL $1 BILLION TO STABILIZE NEIGHBORHOODS HARD-HIT BY FORECLOSURE http://ping.fm/LKpI2
Chicago $15,996,360
Cook County $7,776,324
State Of Illinois $5,000,000
Lake County $1,370,421
Illinois Total $30,143,105
Chicago $15,996,360
Cook County $7,776,324
State Of Illinois $5,000,000
Lake County $1,370,421
Illinois Total $30,143,105
OBAMA ADMINISTRATION AWARDS ADDITIONAL $1 BILLION TO STABILIZE NEIGHBORHOODS HARD-HIT BY FORECLOSURE http://ping.fm/LKpI2
FHA Commissioner: GSE's Considering Principal Forgiveness in Short Refi's - CNBC http://ping.fm/LPrF4
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
Waukegan Illinois Series C : All Municipal Bonds : Municipal bond recent trades, bond rates, tax-free bonds for sale and news : MunicipalBonds.com http://ping.fm/hZ1Up
Sunday, September 05, 2010
Saturday, September 04, 2010
Friday, September 03, 2010
The NSP Resource Exchange just made finding what you're looking for a whole lot easier. Welcome To The Neighborhood Stabilization Program Resource Exchange http://ping.fm/QBs64
Modest Inflation Expectations Allow Mortgage Rates to Once Again Set New Record Lows http://ping.fm/ioE5N
Thursday, September 02, 2010
Check out RealBird. Real estate listing marketing & property search for your blogs and more http://ping.fm/EsvDw
What is a Short Sale?
A short sale is the sale of real property which falls short of the amount due on that property’s mortgage(s). Since it means that the lender(s) will discount their debt(s) and take a loss on their investment, the sale must be approved by the lender(s) on all mortgages and liens on the property. A short sale is generally approved only as an alternative to foreclosure.
A short sale is the sale of real property which falls short of the amount due on that property’s mortgage(s). Since it means that the lender(s) will discount their debt(s) and take a loss on their investment, the sale must be approved by the lender(s) on all mortgages and liens on the property. A short sale is generally approved only as an alternative to foreclosure.
Bank Are Suppressing the Real Estate Market & Here is the darn Countrywide story! | Helping People Buy and Sell In The Chicago Land Area. http://ping.fm/dvvEM
6 steps to a better credit score:
A FICO score of 700 (FHA)/740 (Conventional) or better qualifies you for the lowest rates. In fact, it qualifies you just as well as a higher score, so if you’re at or over 700/740, there’s no loan qualification rationale for investing effort into boosting it. But these are firm breaking points. The difference between a score of 698 and a score of 700 (in an FHA loan scenario) can cost you a quarter of a point in interest, or thousands of dollars over the life of your mortgage.
I’ve found that people asking about how to boost their credit to qualify for the best interest rates is similar to people asking me how to lose weight: I tell them the truth, then their eyes glaze over when I give them the straight dope, no magic bullets. No one wants to hear: eat vegetables, cut the sugar, and exercise; similarly, they don’t want to hear pay your bills on time, every time.
But I’ve been asked this question a lot recently, so here goes, anyway!
1. Pull your reports online – get them for free, no strings attached, at the government authorized website AnnualCreditReport.com. This doesn’t get you your actual FICO scores, but it does get you the content of your report. Look for errors that could be depressing your score, like accounts that don’t belong to you, balances that are actually lower than reported, old debts that are paid off that should have been removed entirely (7 years for credit cards, 10 for bankruptcies).
2. Consider reopening accounts you thought were open but have been closed because you haven’t used them in so long - it will help boost your utilization ratio, one element of your credit score that is dependent on how much available credit you have.
3. Pay down some debt. This both decreases your debt-to-income ratio (36% is the goal, including the proposed mortgage payment) and increases your credit score, if you do it right (see the next tip).
4. Don’t close any accounts. Instead, spread your debt out. The ideal utilization ratio is about 20-30% of your available credit overall, and on any given account. Closing accounts reduces the amount of credit that is available to you, so it makes it look like you’re closer to being maxed out.
So if you have one card that’s near its max and several others that have zero balances and you’re trying boost your score a bit, quickly, consider balance transfers to spread our your debt more evenly, aiming for 20-30% of the available credit on each card.
5. Use your credit regularly – and pay it on time, every time: Having a good FICO score doesn't happen because you have sound personal finances, including no debt. FICO scores are a measure that shows that you have a history of responsibly using and managing and repaying your debt on an ongoing basis.
6. Finally, check in with your mortgage broker. Have them pull your report and score, as the report they pull is the one they’ll have to go by in the final analysis. If you’re really close to a score level higher, that would empower you to qualify for a lower rate, they can actually run a credit diagnostic on your score and generate some recommendations for which actions you could take to raise your score by the needed few points. Then many of them can do what’s called a ‘Rapid Rescore’ – once you’ve paid that bill off, they can actually submit a request directly to the credit bureaus to update that information and your score in just a few days.
None of these tips will get someone with a 500 credit score to a 700 (other than a massive debt reduction program). But if you’re trying to get a little boost to get you over a credit score hump, these can be potent, and save you beaucoup bucks in interest.
A FICO score of 700 (FHA)/740 (Conventional) or better qualifies you for the lowest rates. In fact, it qualifies you just as well as a higher score, so if you’re at or over 700/740, there’s no loan qualification rationale for investing effort into boosting it. But these are firm breaking points. The difference between a score of 698 and a score of 700 (in an FHA loan scenario) can cost you a quarter of a point in interest, or thousands of dollars over the life of your mortgage.
I’ve found that people asking about how to boost their credit to qualify for the best interest rates is similar to people asking me how to lose weight: I tell them the truth, then their eyes glaze over when I give them the straight dope, no magic bullets. No one wants to hear: eat vegetables, cut the sugar, and exercise; similarly, they don’t want to hear pay your bills on time, every time.
But I’ve been asked this question a lot recently, so here goes, anyway!
1. Pull your reports online – get them for free, no strings attached, at the government authorized website AnnualCreditReport.com. This doesn’t get you your actual FICO scores, but it does get you the content of your report. Look for errors that could be depressing your score, like accounts that don’t belong to you, balances that are actually lower than reported, old debts that are paid off that should have been removed entirely (7 years for credit cards, 10 for bankruptcies).
2. Consider reopening accounts you thought were open but have been closed because you haven’t used them in so long - it will help boost your utilization ratio, one element of your credit score that is dependent on how much available credit you have.
3. Pay down some debt. This both decreases your debt-to-income ratio (36% is the goal, including the proposed mortgage payment) and increases your credit score, if you do it right (see the next tip).
4. Don’t close any accounts. Instead, spread your debt out. The ideal utilization ratio is about 20-30% of your available credit overall, and on any given account. Closing accounts reduces the amount of credit that is available to you, so it makes it look like you’re closer to being maxed out.
So if you have one card that’s near its max and several others that have zero balances and you’re trying boost your score a bit, quickly, consider balance transfers to spread our your debt more evenly, aiming for 20-30% of the available credit on each card.
5. Use your credit regularly – and pay it on time, every time: Having a good FICO score doesn't happen because you have sound personal finances, including no debt. FICO scores are a measure that shows that you have a history of responsibly using and managing and repaying your debt on an ongoing basis.
6. Finally, check in with your mortgage broker. Have them pull your report and score, as the report they pull is the one they’ll have to go by in the final analysis. If you’re really close to a score level higher, that would empower you to qualify for a lower rate, they can actually run a credit diagnostic on your score and generate some recommendations for which actions you could take to raise your score by the needed few points. Then many of them can do what’s called a ‘Rapid Rescore’ – once you’ve paid that bill off, they can actually submit a request directly to the credit bureaus to update that information and your score in just a few days.
None of these tips will get someone with a 500 credit score to a 700 (other than a massive debt reduction program). But if you’re trying to get a little boost to get you over a credit score hump, these can be potent, and save you beaucoup bucks in interest.
Consumer confidence among Floridians inched up a point in August to 67.
Two of the five components of the index increased, while one decreased and two remained unchanged. Perceptions of personal finances now compared to a year ago rose four points to 52 from a record low in July while perceptions of personal finances a year from now rose three points to 78.
@ University of Florida Bergstrom Center for Real Estate Studies |
Two of the five components of the index increased, while one decreased and two remained unchanged. Perceptions of personal finances now compared to a year ago rose four points to 52 from a record low in July while perceptions of personal finances a year from now rose three points to 78.
@ University of Florida Bergstrom Center for Real Estate Studies |
Hurricane Earl on path toward U.S. East Coast:
"Interests from the Carolinas northward to New England should monitor the progress of Earl," the Miami-based hurricane center said in its 5 a.m. EDT advisory. Earl was a strong Category 4 storm with top sustained winds of 135 miles per hour and was 290 miles east-southeast of Grand Turk Island. It was moving west-northwest on a curving track the hurricane center said could take it near Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, on Thursday and Friday.
"Interests from the Carolinas northward to New England should monitor the progress of Earl," the Miami-based hurricane center said in its 5 a.m. EDT advisory. Earl was a strong Category 4 storm with top sustained winds of 135 miles per hour and was 290 miles east-southeast of Grand Turk Island. It was moving west-northwest on a curving track the hurricane center said could take it near Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, on Thursday and Friday.