Henry D's (arrakis) Blog

Home equity loans can be great financial tools that not only facilitate home improvements but also contribute toward building wealth. Proper use is essential, however. Just as a knife is helpful when cutting open a box, it can also hurt you if it's used carelessly. Through a combination of proper...

Earlier this week Banco Popular the #1 provider of ITIN mortgages completely exited the ITIN mortgage market with the following announcement. "Effective October 31, 2008, the Banco Popular Mortgage division will discontinue our mortgage lending programs. Because of continuing distress in the U.S....

We all know the phrase "buy low, sell high." Many of you may be wondering if now is the time to "buy low" in the real estate market. Prices are down, inventories are up, and interest rates are near historic lows. In this blog  we look at how a smart investor or homeowner can become loan ready, an...

Not long ago, FHA lending was just another government-sponsored program unworthy of political attention or media limelight. Now, with no less than three new reform initiatives, FHA is generating excitement, confusion, speculation, and even venom for political pundits and the media.We wanted to se...

Every day you read another horror story about the subprime collapse. Most of the stories focus on the negative impact Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMs) will have on subprime borrowers once their interest rates reset. But what's often unreported in these news pieces is the fact that the risk extend...

Many people ask how we came to have the motto of Honesty, Reliability & Integrity.  I think it best to instead say we didn't really just "come up with it" but it is basically a way of doing business and not words on a wall or in an email signature.In this particular blog we will examine the chara...

It's said that history repeats itself; that distinct patterns and regular cycles are apparent and even predictable to those who can correctly analyze and interpret the data. When it comes to economic markets, the same holds true. Stocks, bonds, and real estate markets each go through basic cycles...

The holidays are upon us and the season of giving is now in full swing. But when you're making your holiday gift list, don't forget that you need to take care of the person writing the checks as well, namely you! Federal Reserve Chairman, Ben Bernanke, recently spoke of the need for all Americans...

Everyone wants a deal. Whether you're buying lunch or a designer suit, if you believe you spent too much money, it will ruin your day. On the other hand, if you obtain a great discount, you'll be smiling all week long. So what's a homeowner or home buyer to do? After increasing steadily over the...

In this time of real estate bargains the theory of Invest your money, watch it grow, and then sell off the investment. It sounds like a great idea... until you write a big check to the IRS on the gain. Seems inevitable, right? While in most situations this may be true, it's not the case for certa...