Lowing your property taxes is as simple as understanding how they work. Since property values are estimated by a computer, your assessed value could be wrong, and you could be entitled to a smaller tax bill. How do you go about getting it?

When it comes to home improvement, some people are so handy, they’d never think of hiring of a pro. Others are all thumbs, so they always call for help. The rest of us fall somewhere in between. But how do you decide when a contractor is the way to go?

With the housing market still in decline, many sellers are wondering when the turnaround will finally come. Fortunately, there are a few signs you can look for that will tell you when things are starting to look up.
While all markets are different, it all boils down to supply and demand.  So first, check on [...]

There are few things in life more expensive than selling your home, because that agent’s cut will run into the thousands of dollars. Is there a way to make it less? Sure. Just ask.

Think being the highest bidder at a real estate auction means you’ve won? Think again… Most property sold at heavily advertised public auctions is subject to lender approval, so if your winning bid isn’t high enough, the lender can try to get you to pay more, or simply refuse to sell.

The nation’s ongoing housing crisis has many would-be homeowners looking for the bargain of a lifetime. One way of buying cheap is foreclosures… another is with a short sale. But what is a short-sale and how does it work?
A short sale is potential solution for a homeowner that is in financial distress, that would [...]

The nation’s housing crisis is crippling our economy. So, what’s the government going to do about it? One idea is to reform the mortgage process, eliminating the ‘bad brokers’ more interested in making a commission than a responsible loan.
The Federal Reserve has proposed new rules that would require all states license mortgage brokers, [...]

Even while our nation’s real estate downturn is still unfolding, there’s been lots of talk about how to prevent a repeat in the future. But, proposals like the billion dollar bailout of brokers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac aren’t enough… a drastic overhaul of the mortgage system is needed. Step one, remove the [...]

When you decorate your home, you may not think about “going green” in the process… but maybe you should. These days more Interior Designers say green designs not only look great, but just might make you FEEL great, too. And the best news? Its easier (and less expensive) than you might think.

Housing Futures allow you to trade the real estate market as if it were stock. Think prices will go down in one area? Short some housing futures. Think they’ll go up? Buy some futures. So, the concept should be familiar, but with the housing market in the tank, the potential [...]

If you’ve ever been tempted to attend a free seminar on real estate investing, or felt attracted to a money-making course you see on some late night infomercial, this next story is for you.

Do you think you know what’s going to happen to interest rates, the economy and the stock market this year? Compare your guesses to those of the experts.

Foreclosure tours are new way to shop for real estate bargains. The premise, you tour homes that are in foreclosure, pick out one you like, then negotiate with the lender and buy the house for less than market value. There are those who say this form of real estate amounts to a clever [...]

When it comes to food and fuel, prices, they’re going through the roof. But what about the roof itself? There the news might be a little better.

Owning your own home: an idea so popular it’s known as the American dream. But as prices fall and foreclosures rise, for many it’s become a nightmare instead. How do you know whether renting or owning is the way to go?

You’ve got a little extra cash coming in…do you invest it, or would it be smarter to pay extra on your mortgage? Let’s find out: simple answers to complex questions: that’s coming up on Money Talks.

With foreclosures and bankruptcies soaring nationwide, both government and private industry have been promising help to homeowners. But is that help materializing?

While the credit crunch has made borrowing for… or against… your home more difficult, home equity loans and lines of credit remain popular for those with equity. Stacy Johnson explains what these loans do and if you should consider them.

If you’re behind on your mortgage, you’ve got options. One of those options is trying to get your lender to help you by doing any number of things: changing the rate on your mortgage, the terms…even the amount. Your ability to help yourself, however, depends on your ability to negotiate! So, negotiation is key [...]