The Pitfalls of Mortgage Refinances

We’ve all heard at some time or the other how great cash out refinances are.   At first glance they seem to offer more than one benefit; they roll all your debt into one thus allowing you to manage what you owe more easily; they generate extra cash that you can use for other much-needed expenses; and […]

Uncle Sam Bails Out Freddie & Fannie

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac sound like an aging aunt and uncle, but these are both “government-sponsored enterprises”. This means that they are privately owned, but receive support from the Federal Governement, and assume some public responsibilities. The recent mortgage crisis and fallout from sub-prime lending has gotten both Freddie & Fannie in dangerous waters […]

Texas Housing Market Update

Nationally communities still reeling as foreclosure rates rise and as mortgage defaults and foreclosures continue to rise, the impact is spreading well beyond those who are losing their homes. Fortunately majority of Texas, especially the Austin & san Antonio markets, seem to not be feeling the sub-prime collapse as much as the rest of the […]

Fed to Cut Rates Again

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told Congress Thursday that America’s economic outlook has deteriorated and signaled that he was prepared to cut rates as needed to stimulate the econonmy. Bernanke said the one-two punch of the housing and credit crises has put much pressure on our struggling economy. Hiring has slowed and people are likely […]