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Archive for October, 2007

Apartment Complexes May Benefit From FCC Action Against Cable Contracts

Consumers, at least those who live in large apartment ncomplexes, may be poised to win one for a change if an article nby Stephen Labaton published in The New York Times on Monday is ncorrect. nn According to the Times report, the Federal Communications Commission n(FCC) is considering striking down exclusive contracts nbetween cable companies and apartment […]

What You Get for … $2.5 Million

A four-bedroom house in Millsboro, Del., a post and beam lodge-style house in Hailey, Idaho, and a two-story Mediterranean-style house in St. Helena, Calif. Read More…

In a Former Mining Colony, a Haven for Artists

Set on the high plains northwest of Mexico City, Mineral de Pozos is an unlikely place for a handful of foreign artists to settle. But over the past dozen or so years, that is precisely what has happened. Read More…

America’s big, fat house inventory

Houston, you have a problem — with housing inventory. And as the number of homes for sale in the country continues to creep upward thanks to waning demand, many other major U.S. cities are dealing with the same issue. Read More…

Couple dead serious about selling house

It could be the deal of a lifetime. A Pittsburgh-area couple, Bob and Ricki Husick, are offering anyone who buys their home full cash-back upon their death and even their full inheritance, currently worth at least $500,000. Read More…

ONeal is History and Merrill Lynch is Sued

As was widely expected on Monday, Merrill Lynch & nCompany Tuesday morning announced the “immediate retirement” of nStan O’Neal as the company’s Chief Executive Officer. nn In other news, an investor lawsuit has been filed nagainst Merrill Lynch & Co contending that the company issued false and nmisleading statements regarding its exposure to risky mortgage ninvestments, the […]

Home prices continued to slide in August

U.S. home prices fell nationwide in August for the eighth consecutive month, offering little hope of a turnaround anytime soon, according to the S&P/Case-Shiller index released Tuesday. Read More…

Subprimes Next Victim: Merrill Lynch CEO

A death watch was underway on Wall Street on Monday as investors and nfinancial analysts waited for what was rumored to be the imminent nresignation or firing of Stan O’Neal as CEO of nMerrill Lynch & Company. Mr. O’Neal, architect of nhis company’s plunge into the sub- prime mortgage market nannounced last week that… […]

Developers dangle discounts, toys to lure home buyers

With more new houses and condos in need of occupants, builders are tossing in money incentives and other perks to make a sale. Not all the enticements are as good as they seem. Read More…

Credit Counselors and Short Sales May Bail Out Mortgagors

Several weeks ago we wrote two-parts of a three-part series on nforeclosure fraud, i.e. scams perpetrated against ntroubled homeowners ostensibly to help them save their house or at least navoid legal action but are actually intended to strip off the home’s nequity or take legal title to the property. nn While it is pretty depressing to see […]