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Consumer Credit Default Rates Decrease in September 2015

Consumer credit default rates decreased in September 2015, with the composite rate ranking at 0.89 percent, down seven basis points from the previous month, according to data released by S&P Dow Jones Indices and Experian. The bank card default rate was 2.77 percent for September, up six basis points from August. The auto loan default […]
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Buyer Beware: Would You Scare Up the Cash for These Haunted Houses?

Ever wondered what it’d be like to live in a haunted house? Skip the ghost tour and buy one of these haunted listings, perfect for those unafraid of sharing space with the supernatural. Ann Starrett Mansion Port Townsend, Wash. $750,000 Overlooking Puget Sound, the Queen Anne-style Ann Starrett Mansion is reportedly haunted by a red-headed […]
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Scary Home Problems That Could Raise the Dead

Foundation issues, mold problems, water damage – these are just a few home problems that can bring the strongest homeowner to his knees. While painting a room, replacing a broken light fixture and even minor electrical repair jobs may be within your purview, some jobs should be left to the pros. Foundation issues Perhaps the […]
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New Survey Uncovers Concerns about Identity Theft

There were nearly 17 million victims of identity theft in 2014, according to the Department of Justice. With those numbers, consumers have plenty to be concerned about. An online survey by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling® (NFCC®) has taken a look at levels of consumer awareness related to identity theft, and reveals how concerned […]
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Don’t Overlook the Tax Break Given for Mortgage Points

(TNS)—Homeowners already know the major tax advantage available by deducting mortgage interest payments. But many homeowners overlook another home loan tax break: the deduction for points paid to get their home loans. In some cases, the points also could cut tax bills for folks who refinanced or got an equity loan or line of credit. […]
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Americans Are Expected to Spend $6.9 Billion on Halloween This Year

(TNS)—Batman bib-and-booties costume for $14.99 caught the eye of Joanna Robles as she searched for something for her months-old son to wear while she holds him as she hands out candy on Halloween. “His dad is really obsessed with superheroes,” Robles says while strolling through a Spirit Halloween store outside Los Angeles. In the next […]
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What Every Seller Should Know about Comps

“Comps” – or recent comparable sales – give real estate practitioners and appraisers the information they need to price a home at fair-market value. Though comparable data are clear-cut to a professional, how many sellers understand the various tangibles and intangibles that inform these comparisons? If the gap between seller perception and appraiser opinion is […]
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Consumer Trends Shaping the Future of Home Amenities

When selling a home, you need to understand the current consumer expectations and lifestyles. Appliance companies have tracked these for a while, and while some trends come and go, others remain popular for years. Recent consumer demands for energy efficiency and for connectivity via a smart phone are shaping the future of home amenities these […]
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Great Spaces: 820-Acre Waterfront Plantation Makes Moves in Maryland

A majestic Maryland beauty is going to auction this month: the historic Talisman Plantation, an 820-acre waterfront estate. Located in Grasonville, the palatial estate was originally established in the early 1930s by renowned Maryland advertising legend Arthur H. Kudner, Sr., an icon of the Madison Avenue advertising scene and creator of the once-celebrated cigarette slogan […]