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    Even after two decades writing about the personal finance aspects of housing, Elizabeth Razzi finds there’s always more to talk about. Buying and selling, improving, insuring, squabbling with the homeowners association -- whatever the housing topic, let this be your virtual back fence.
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Local Address: September 20, 2009 - September 26, 2009

Pickled Hard-Boiled Egg Mortgages? The Weekend Poll

Chances of Congress requiring lenders to include "plain vanilla" versions on their menus of mortgages and other loans seemingly died this week. House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank circulated a memo to Democrats on the Committee listing changes he intended to make in the bill that would establish a Consumer Financial Protection Agency. "Financial institutions will not be required to offer plain vanilla products and services and CFPA will not have authority to approve or change business plans," the memo said. But it looks like Frank had already taken vanilla off the menu back in July.

By Elizabeth Razzi  |  September 25, 2009; 6:00 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Mortgages , Neighborhoods , Poll , Weekend Poll  
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WHO Urges Lower Threshold for Acting on Radon

The World Health Organization just recommended that countries set an action level for getting rid of radon that's lower than the one established by the U.S. Environmental Protection agency.

By Elizabeth Razzi  |  September 24, 2009; 6:00 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (3)
Categories:  Fortress Home , Home features , New construction , Remodeling and repair  
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Lousy Loan Offers Still Coming by Mail

If anyone thinks mortgage brokers have been chastened by the financial calamity we've all been through the past few years, think harder. My husband and I received a particularly shoddy refinancing offer just a few weeks ago.

By Elizabeth Razzi  |  September 22, 2009; 6:00 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (4)
Categories:  Foreclosure , Loan modifications , Mortgages  
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Chat Plus: Questioning the Appraisal

We had a particularly active online chat on Friday. This was one of the questions I couldn't get to within that hour. Next chat is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 2. Outside Annapolis: Hello, and thank you for the chats! I am desperate for some advice right now. It's another of those "appraisal came in too low" type questions, but with a twist. I tore down the old house I'd been living in for 10+ years, and the new house is under construction. I guess I should have anticipated cost overruns, but I was naive.

By Elizabeth Razzi  |  September 21, 2009; 6:00 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (0)
Categories:  Chat Plus , Mortgages , Remodeling and repair  
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