Laws, Sausages — & Securitized Mortgages Laws are like sausages ” it is best not to see them being made. –Otto Von Bismarck To “laws” and “sausages,” now add “securitized debt,” circa 2004-2008. It turns out that Wall Street’s financial sausage factory was even more toxic and laxly run than previously thought. The latest chapter...Read More
Requesting a Sat. Showing on Wed. I don’t have any statistics backing me up, but it sure seems like there’s a relationship between how far in advance a showing is booked, and how serious the Buyer is. The explanation? Here’s my theory: Serious buyers are methodical, and methodical Buyers carefully plan what they want to...Read More
Just Don’t Call it ‘Doctoring’ What’s holding up virtual staging? Virtual staging is the practice of digitally altering photos to show an empty room as it would look fully furnished and accessorized. Much faster and cheaper than the real thing, you’d certainly guess that by now the technology isn’t rocket science. And yet virtual staging...Read More
“Democrats Lose House?!” If current trends hold, how much do you want to bet that at least one major newspaper (OK, maybe just The Onion) runs some variation of the following headline: Banks Balk at Short Sale, Dem’s Lose House Not necessarily fair — but more than a little true . . . P.S.: I’d...Read More
Is Your Mortgage Assumable? The interest rate on your mortgage is already low (or, you don’t have a mortgage). You’re allergic to paying bank fees. And you’re not contemplating moving any time soon. Should you still refinance? The surprising answer is, perhaps “yes” — especially if your current mortgage is not assumable. That latter feature...Read More
How to Buy a Cheap Flat Panel TV Before Christmas Don’t worry, this isn’t a(nother) dire post about the stock market. It’s about how to buy cheap electronics between now and Christmas. Strategy #1 is to wait for Black Friday — traditionally the day after Thanksgiving, when Christmas shopping kicks off — and get up...Read More
