It's not only the real estate markets that differ from town to town -- the Cost of Living does, too. Insurance costs, tax bills and just plain, day-to-day living will dent a household budget differently depending on where that household is.  It can be a nerve-wracking fact for families moving across state borders. As an aid for the budget-aware, Bankrate.com keeps a Cost of Living Comparison Calculator on its website.  The calculator asks 3 questions: (1) Where do you live now, (2) To where you are moving, and (3) What is your salary.  It then spits out a detailed, 58-item cost comparison list between the two cities. Some of the key costs compared include:....... Read the COMPLETE BLOG POST HERE: Moving To A New City? Check The Local Cost Of Living First. -------------------------------... 12/29/2009

Mortgage markets made a 4-day losing streak last week on thin holiday volume and overall economic optimism. It was awful news for rate shoppers because mortgage rates were higher every day last week. The holiday-shortened week marked the third out of 4 during which rates worsened and last week's action happened to be especially harsh. Monday's action was the worst for rates since July, for example.  Tuesday's was only slightly less worse. Today, conforming, 30-year fixed mortgage rates have reached at a 15-week high -- well off the lows set in early-December. Normally, when mortgage markets worsen this badly, this quickly, it's because of strong economic data, or growing inflationary expectations.  Last week saw neither. Existing Home Sales showed strength, but was offset by New Home Sa... 12/27/2009