Recent Blog Posts
Cheap Ways to Remodel Your Bathroom
Some people view remodeling as a major effort, and wallet depleting act that will leave you tired and broke. Fortunately, that is not the reality of remodeling, which is why today, more than ever before homeowners are taking on the tasks of do-it-yourself jobs, like remodeling the bathroom or kitchen, or knocking down some walls …
Five Tips for Your Emergency Fund
Q: I often hear that you should keep three to six months’ worth of living expenses in an emergency fund, and that some people should keep even more. But in a low-yielding environment, that’s an awful lot of money to have sitting in the bank earning next to nothing. Any advice? A: You’re right–the past few …
Are Banks Ready to Lend Again?
Major U.S. banks appear to be finally opening the lending spigot. Second-quarter earnings reports due this month are likely to reveal a slight reversal of the long-term shrinkage in bank loan books, one of several positive signs for investors, bank analysts said. …”Banks are beginning to lend again and that’s a good sign,” said Timothy …
Are the Wealthy Buying Real Estate?
We have taken the stance that real estate is currently a great investment. There have been MANY that have let us know that they think we are crazy. Today, let’s look at a few prominent people, media sources and one very important group that agree that now is the time to buy. Fortune Magazine and …
Pending Home Sales Rebound, Mortgage Rates Remain Low
Pending home sales rose sharply in May with all regions experiencing gains from a year ago, a signal that the housing market could improve through the second half of the year, the National Association of Realtors said Wednesday. Pending sales, a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings, jumped 8.2 percent to 88.8 in May from …
Geithner: Details of refinance help ‘in weeks’
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) – The Obama administration will be provide in the next few weeks some details about a series of proposals to help “a meaningful” number of homeowners participate in a government program that provides refinancing to current low interest rates for so called “underwater” borrowers who owe more than their homes are worth, Treasury …
Home Prices Up, First Time in 8 Months
Data through April 2011, released yesterday by S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices, the leading measure of U.S. home prices, show a monthly increase in prices for the 10- and 20-City Composites for the first time in eight months. The 10- and 20-City Composites were up 0.8% and 0.7%, respectively, in April versus March. In April 2011, the 10-City …
Six Tips to Reduce Summer Heat in Your House
Everyone likes saving money and reducing your energy use in the summer is easier than you might think. Here are six tips to reduce summer heat in your house: 1. Don’t use the oven. Summer is a great time to grill or make one pot dishes to avoid heating the oven. 2. Check your hot …
U.S. May Back Refinance Plan for Mortgages
The Obama administration is considering further actions to strengthen the housing market, but the bar is high: plans must help a broad swath of homeowners, stimulate the economy and cost next to nothing. One proposal would allow millions of homeowners with government-backed mortgages to refinance them at today’s lower interest rates, about 4 percent, according to …
SHERI MCKIM IS LICENSED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS AND BY STATE LAW IS SUBJECT TO REGULATORY OVERSIGHT BY THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF SAVINGS AND MORTGAGE LENDING. ANY CONSUMER WISHING TO FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST SHERI MCKIM SHOULD COMPLETE, SIGN, AND SEND A COMPLAINT FORM TO THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF SAVINGS AND MORTGAGE LENDING, 2601 NORTH LAMAR, SUITE 201, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78705. COMPLAINT FORMS AND INSTRUCTIONS MAY BE DOWNLOADED AND PRINTED FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S WEB SITE LOCATED AT WWW.SML.STATE.TX.US OR OBTAINED FROM THE DEPARTMENT UPON REQUEST BY MAIL AT THE ADDRESS ABOVE, BY TELEPHONE AT ITS TOLL-FREE CONSUMER HOTLINE AT 1-877-276-5550, BY FAX AT (512) 475-1360, OR BY E-MAIL AT SMLINFO@SML.STATE.TX.US.
THE DEPARTMENT MAINTAINS THE MORTGAGE BROKER RECOVERY FUND TO MAKE PAYMENTS OF CERTAIN TYPES OF JUDGMENTS AGAINST A MORTGAGE BROKER OR LOAN OFFICER. NOT ALL CLAIMS ARE COMPENSABLE AND A COURT MUST ORDER THE PAYMENT OF A CLAIM FROM THE RECOVERY FUND BEFORE THE DEPARTMENT MAY PAY A CLAIM. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE RECOVERY FUND, PLEASE CONSULT SUBCHAPTER F OF THE MORTGAGE BROKER LICENSE ACT ON THE DEPARTMENT’S WEB SITE REFERENCED ABOVE.
