Steadfast Finances

 Financial Planning, Real Estate         6 comments

Share
Being one that is easily fascinated by consumer psychology and social trends, I noticed a few interesting correlations that appears to exist in the latest round of foreclosure numbers.
It would appear that foreclosure rates are substantially lower in states with a blue collar image, share a border with Canada, or …

 Financial Planning, Mortgages, Vulture Investing         1 comment

Share
If you’re like most people, you’ve probably heard a new financial phrase in the news called “mark-to-market accounting” and wondering just what it’s all about.
Mark-to-market is really nothing but a pseudo confusing accounting practice that says you should price your goods at prices the market is willing to pay for them.
Meaning, you take an asset like your …

 Consumer Education, Financial Planning, Mortgages         46 comments

Share

Every now and then you see one of those news stories that make you shake your head and say…
What???
CNN ran an all too common story today about a family who is, sadly, about to lose their $800,000 home due to foreclosure (see video below).
Such stories are becoming commonplace and subsequently losing their newsworthy …

 Financial Crisis, Mortgages         1 comment

Share
For anyone that doesn’t understand how the stock market crash and the credit crisis are related to the foreclosures in your neighborhood, this video might be for you.
It clearly shows how one simple family based (sub prime?) mortgage was converted into a “ticking time bomb” after some creative financial processing.  …

 Auto Sales, Bargain Hunting, Consumer Education, Vulture Investing         13 comments

Share
I had an interesting talk with a family member yesterday regarding her neighbors — the stereotypical Mr. & Mrs. Jones – who now find themselves in a personal finance bear trap.
They’re trying to unload their 2 year old SUV because they can no longer keep up with the payments on three cars.  That’s right folks – they …

 Consumer Education, Financial Crisis, Mortgages, Real Estate         No comments

Share
As I’ve said numerous times, anyone who didn’t see the housing bubble coming was either blind, not paying attention, or simply got caught up in the buying frenzy.
Or perhaps they were affiliated with the National Association of Realtors and just didn’t give a damn because they wanted to cash one more bloated commission …