By Jim Woodard
Published: May 3,2012
About 20 percent of mortgages are now underwater, and about 46 percent of bankers surveyed by FICO expect to see the volume of strategic defaults this year exceed 2011 levels. A strategic default is when a homeowner walks away from his home, even though he can afford to make the mortgage payments. In addition to [...]
By Thomas Lawing, guest columnist
Published: April 30,2012
How do you use today’s technology, and is it a job-killer as pundits have claimed for the past 30 years or just a job-changer?
By Benny Kass
Published: April 30,2012
DEAR BENNY: In reference to your article about force-placed insurance, I have a client who recently closed on a short sale as the seller. He had moved out about a year and half prior to the final closing and maintained insurance coverage up until the final months leading up to the closing. The lender is [...]
By Malcolm Berko
Published: April 30,2012
Dear Mr. Berko: During the past 25 years, I purchased more than $47,000 in collectable silver coins and beautiful non-silver coins from the Franklin Mint for my retirement because I thought the scarcity and limited edition minting of these coins would drive up their value over the years and because I believed the silver content [...]
By Benny Kass
Published: April 27,2012
DEAR BENNY: Every other year, I review and shop for homeowners insurance about three months before my anniversary date, which is Nov. 1. However, my lender has taken to paying whatever company I have two months early. Nobody can explain why. In 2009, Farmers raised its rates, and Travelers was about 30 percent less. So [...]
By Malcolm Berko
Published: April 27,2012
Dear Mr Berko: I bought 100 shares of Sears Holding last year at $69, and it went to $80, and I wanted to sell it but my broker told me he thought it could easily go back to $100 because the economy is improving, increased consumer spending will increase Sear’s revenues and earnings and its [...]
By Jim Woodard
Published: April 27,2012
A key factor in today's home-selling market is the growing activity by investors, both individuals and institutional investors. They are buying low-cost distressed properties and converting them into income-producing rentals.
By Benny Kass
Published: April 23,2012
DEAR BENNY: In December 2007 I purchased a one-bedroom unit on the top floor in a mixed-income development. Nearly seven months ago, management ran a water test on the roof that resulted in water flowing into my unit, as well as both structural and personal damage to my ceiling and possessions. I am a board [...]
By Malcolm Berko
Published: April 23,2012
Dear Mr. Berko: We have two questions. You suggested a reader watch your columns for high-yield convertible bonds and preferred stocks. Our paper stopped printing your column, so we don’t have access to investments paying 9 percent or better. We have $400,000 in a conservative stock trust fund yielding 3 percent or $12,000 in dividends. [...]
By Jim Woodard
Published: April 23,2012
This is the time of year when families begin to think and plan for vacations. Increasingly, that involves the possible purchase of a vacation home.
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