After a weak holiday shopping season, annual retail sales declined in 2008.

It marks the first annual Retail Sales decline since the government started tracking the data 40 years ago.

It also gives credence to the notion that the U.S. economy is suffering through a deeper recession that previously thought. A pullback [...]

An oft-touted benefit of homeownership is its tax benefits. However, like most IRS-related items, understanding how the benefits work is not always clear.

In general, homeowners are entitled to two home-related tax deductions — one for annual mortgage interest paid, and one for real estate tax bills paid.

Not everyone is eligible, though. Some of [...]

Home prices are largely based on Supply and Demand.

If demand outweighs supply, home prices rise If supply outweighs demand, home prices fall

It’s good news for home sellers, therefore, that “used” homes for sale fell 6 percent nationally last month. Less supply often means higher prices.

Of the 29 metropolitan areas [...]

Ironing boards can be bulky and awkward — especially in a cramped laundry room.

Instead of fumbling with a folding board for a quick press, look to the Touch-Up Topper instead.

The Touch-Up Topper is a heat-resistant, portable ironing surface that rolls or folds for storage. Using sewn-in magnets, the quilted [...]

Even though its effective date is April 1, 2009, mortgage applicants should start seeing Fannie Mae’s new fee structure from lenders beginning this Monday, January 12.

The reason why Fannie Mae’s mandatory loan fees are hitting lender pricing so far in advance is because lenders can take up to 30 days to package and sell [...]

When conforming mortgages started defaulting en masse in late-2007, mortgage guarantor Fannie Mae created a loss-offsetting, fee-generating scheme dubbed “loan-level pricing adjustments”.

The concept was basic: For mortgage applicants with high-risk profiles, collect up-front payments to offset potential long-term losses.

Similar to the auto insurance model in which younger drivers pay higher premiums, riskier [...]

With respect to mortgage rates, you can’t always believe what you read in the papers. Or what you see.

A terrific example is the chart at right.

Published by Freddie Mac, it shows the 30-year fixed mortgage’s “going rate” as reported by the nation’s mortgage lenders. On December 30, 2008, that rate was 5.1 percent.

[...]

The New Year is not yet one week old but that’s not stopping market “experts” from predicting what’s in store for 2009.

The calls on housing and mortgage rates run the gamut:

Home prices have farther to fall Home prices have touched bottom Mortgage rates will [...]

Poor indoor air quality is linked to Sick Building Syndrome, a combination of ailments with more than 50 seemingly separate and unrelated symptoms, including:

Dizziness and nausea Headache Symptoms related to Irritable Bowel Syndrome Personality changes

Avoiding sickness like this — as explained by The Today Show — [...]

As part of the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008, Congress authorized a conforming loan limit increase in “high-cost” areas around the country. Versus the national conforming loan limit of $417,000, for example, a Manhattan home buyer could secure a 2008 mortgage for $725,000 and still be within “conforming” guidelines.

Effective January [...]