Detroit tops list of most stressful cities: study - [at MarketWatch] - Detroit is the most stressful U.S. city in which to live, according to Portfolio.com’s list of places where residents are most frazzled.
Don't tap retirement fund to pay off mortgage - [at MarketWatch] - In this week's Realty Q&A, a retiree says his only debt is his $94,000 mortgage, and he wonders whether he should tap his 401 to pay off that bill. Lew Sichelman offers some advice.
Pending home sales index climbs 5.2% in July - [at MarketWatch] - Pending home sales in July rose 5.2% from downwardly revised June levels, the National Association of Realtors reports, though the indicator shows the market for existing homes is still depressed after the expiration of a key tax benefit.
A 15-year mortgage isn't for everyone - [at MarketWatch] - A growing number of homeowners are choosing to pay down their mortgages at a faster rate -- even if it means a substantial jump in their monthly payments.
The dark side of loan-modification assistance - [at MarketWatch] - An employee at a home-loan modification "law firm" offers a word of warning about the services offered by the company for which he works.
Fixed mortgage rates fall in nine of past 10 weeks - [at MarketWatch] - Rates on fixed-rate mortgages hit another low this week, after recent reports showed drops in existing- and new-home sales, according to Freddie Mac’s weekly survey.
Foreclosures drop, but new delinquencies rise - [at MarketWatch] - The percentage of homes somewhere in the foreclosure process fell in the second quarter, Mortgage Bankers Association data show. It marks the first drop since 2006 and the largest quarter-to-quarter drop since 2005.
Eight credit-repair tips after bankruptcy - [at MarketWatch] - You’re one of the millions of consumers who have erased financial hardships by filing for bankruptcy. Now what?
Four ways to lower your mortgage rate - [at MarketWatch] - If you’re looking to save some money, look no further than your mortgage. After all, that loan is probably your biggest monthly expense -- and rates are at record lows.