Charlie Weiblen's (archwood) Blog

While Michigan, Maine and Rhode Island are losing a small percentage of their residents, Texas added the most new residents to their population in the past year.  One reason the population keeps increasing in Texas is because the housing market has remained fairly stable compared to other states...

With home resale values still in a slump, there are a few cheap improvements you can make to the exterior of your home to up the sales price.  The cost of these projects will be minimal when compared to the higher price tag on your home.  The most valuable exterior upgrade has come from replacin...

1. Prices to bottom: After three years of continuously falling prices, homes will finally hit rock bottom in 2010.  Projected bottom is expected to occur in the third quarter.  2. Mortgage delinquencies up: With the unemployment rate significantly elevated and an expected increase in the beginnin...

Citigroup is giving 4,000 borrowers a break for the holidays as they curb foreclosures an evictions for 30 days. Starting today, this temporary relief will run through January 17th but is only for those who have loans owned by Citigroup.  While some borrowers make payments to Citigroup, their loa...

The Making Home Affordable program urges popular lenders, and even some local loan servicers, to lower interest rates for existing and refinanced mortgages, but not the principal.  During a trial run, only 0.2% of homes enrolled in the program made this a permanent status, but the goverment is ho...

If you're not sure if the time is right for you to buy a home, consider these questions.    Q: Why are rates so low?A: Since January, the Federal Reserve has been purchasing mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae in an effort to stabilize the housing marke...

Just like the real estate market skyrocketed a few years ago, so did the home-equity lines of credit.  But when the real estate market crashed, the HELOC followed the wave right back down.  Like home sales, once the economy stabilizes, the HELOC will once again be easily available.  While you won...

No matter where you're moving to or from, don't pack all your warm clothes away. Plan for winter weather by keeping a shovel handy for any last minute snow removal on either end of the move. Make sure you have your utilities-especially the heat-arranged in advance in your new home. As you pack, ...

On Tuesday, President Obama proposed a plan that would reimburse homeowners for the 50% of the cost to installing energy-efficient appliances, windows & insulation.  This rebate is included on the replacement of heating and cooling units, washing machines, dryers, refrigerators.  The rebate caps ...

Jack Guttentag, AKA The Mortgage Professor has broken down what sometimes seems to be a complicated process into 6 easy steps.    Step 1: Borrower interviews lenders to select one with which to proceed. Step 2: Borrower contacts the selected lender to get price and perhaps other information beari...