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07/23/2012
As the housing market improves and interest rates remain low, many first time homebuyers are moving forward with plans to purchase their dream home. When the time comes to make your dream home a reality, Better Business Bureau reminds consumers to do their due diligence when selecting a home builder.
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06/29/2012
The number of consumers searching home security system dealers continues to increase year to year, according to Better Business Bureau. Inquiries are especially high during the summer months, when families are planning their summer vacations and looking for ways to avoid leaving their home vulnerable to thieves.
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10/01/2007
Advance Fee Loan Scams, Appliances, Automobiles, Charity Scams, Contractor Scams, Credit and Money, Damaged or Lost Documents, Debris Removal Scams, Door-To-Door Sale (Cooling Off Rule), Fake Disaster Officals, Flood Restoration, Foundation-Excavation-or-Waterproofing Work, Home Ownership Issues, Home Repair Scams, Identity Theft, Job Scams, Money and Credit, Pest Control, Rental Listing Scams, Utility Related Scams, Water Treatment or Purification Devices
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06/01/2007
The possibility of losing your home because you can't make the mortgage payments can be terrifying. Perhaps you are one of the many consumers who took out a mortgage that had a fixed rate for the first two or three years and then had an adjustable rate. Or maybe you're anticipating an adjustment, and want to know what your payments will be and whether you'll be able to make them. Or maybe you're having trouble making ends meet because of an unrelated financial crisis.
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05/01/2007
Whether you’re shopping for appliances or automobiles, groceries or gadgets, travel services or tax preparers, the Internet has changed the way most people gather information about products and services.
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02/01/2007
Using a credit line to borrow against the equity in your home has become a popular source of consumer credit. And lenders are offering these home equity credit lines in a variety of ways.
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07/01/2006
Could a simple medical test tell you if you are likely to get a particular disease? Could it evaluate your health risks and even suggest a specific treatment? Could you take this test in the privacy of your home, without a doctor’s prescription or guidance?
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07/01/2005
Warranties for Newly Built Homes: Know Your Options
For many people, a home is the most expensive purchase they ever make. It’s no wonder, then, that buyers of newly built homes are interested in warranties, which promise to repair or replace certain elements of the home, if necessary, within a certain time. According to the Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency, if you’re considering a home warranty it’s important to understand what it covers, how to make a claim, and the process for resolving disputes that may arise between you and the builder or warranty company.
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06/01/2005
Whether seeking money to finance a home improvement, pay off a current mortgage, supplement their retirement income, or pay for healthcare expenses, many older Americans are turning to “reverse” mortgages. They allow older homeowners to convert part of the equity in their homes into cash without having to sell their homes or take on additional monthly bills.
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01/01/2004
If you need money to pay bills or make home improvements, and think the answer is in refinancing, a second mortgage, or a home equity loan, consider your options carefully. If you can't make the required payments, you could lose your home as well as the equity you've built up.
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11/01/2003
When you apply for a home mortgage, you may think that the lender will hold and service your loan until you pay it off or you sell your house. That's often not the case. In today's market, loans and the rights to service them often are bought and sold.
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10/01/2003
Are you in need of cash? Do you want to consolidate your debts? Are you receiving home equity loan or refinancing offers that seem too good to be true? Does your home need repairs that contractors tell you can be easily financed?
If you are a homeowner who needs money to pay bills or for home repairs, you may think a home equity loan is the answer.
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07/01/2000
If you put less than 20 percent down on a home mortgage, lenders often require you to have Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI). PMI protects the lender if you default on the loan. The Homeowners Protection Act of 1998 - which became effective in 1999 - establishes rules for automatic termination and borrower cancellation of PMI on home mortgages. These protections apply to certain home mortgages signed on or after July 29, 1999 for the purchase, initial construction, or refinance of a single-family home. These protections do not apply to government-insured FHA or VA loans or to loans with lender-paid PMI.
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06/01/2000
Heating and cooling systems are some of the most important investments you'll ever make in your home. Whether you're buying a new house, renovating an old one or making an emergency purchase because "old faithful" finally conked out, there's a lot riding on the choices you make: Your comfort and safety are at stake, but so is your wallet.
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06/01/2000
You go shopping for a new refrigerator, and you're on a budget. The best buy is the 'fridge with the lowest sales price, right? Not necessarily. If you buy the lowest-priced refrigerator, you may end up spending more than if you buy a more expensive one. The reason? The cost of owning a home appliance has three components: the initial purchase price, the cost of repairs and maintenance, and the cost to operate it.
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