Sal Gutierrez's (sal_g) Blog

A government report says U.S. home prices fell a record 5.9 percent in August from the same month last year. The Federal Housing Finance Agency also says prices, on a seasonally adjusted basis, fell 0.6 percent from July to August. The index is down 6.5 percent from its peak in April of last year...

I have been hearing more and more stories of buyers approaching sellers with offers that include "Cash-Back". Why is this white collar crime and mortgage fraud making a re-occurrence? - Buyers are taking advantage of 'desperate' sellers hoping they will cross the line to do anything to sell a hom...

-- Americans are more reliant on debt then ever before. The portion of disposable income that U.S. families devote to debt hit an all-time high in the second half of last year, topping 14 percent, figures from the Federal Reserve show. When other fixed obligations -- like car lease payments and h...

On of the most puzzling , confusing and secretive little corners of the financial world is mortgage rates ; and how you can get the 'best' available rate for your personal credit and financial situation. Mortgage brokers perform a very important function. However, when it comes to what rate you ...

Is America's long era of easy credit over? Experts say that even when the current credit crunch eases, the nation may finally have maxed out its reliance on borrowed cash. Today's crisis is a warning sign, they say, that consumers could be facing long-term adjustments in the way they finance thei...

Here's what you should do 1st. Contact your lender to make them aware of the pending problem. You may be surprised of their understanding and willingness to work with you to keep you in your home prior to a bank foreclosure. If you contact a Realtor. Make sure you work with a foreclosure or short...

More than ever, consumers start their home buying (or selling) process on-line. A great idea, and something I recommend. However, I also suggest that you enlist the tools of more specialized and localized professionals, Realtors, neighbors, news outlets, etc... to either confirm or help assimilat...

These are 3 main problems why Short-Sales are getting more difficult. Most solutions, such as Forbearance, Deed-in-lieu of foreclosure and short-sales require lender approval and negotiations. However, as David and Bill point out, many lenders are shutting down the lines of communication. As Lynn...

some words of advice before you buy... !! Make sure you sell your home first. Especially, here in Phoenix and Scottsdale. Remember, you cannot control the price a seller will pay. However, you can control the price you pay. Thus, only after you sell your home. Evaluate the less amount you had hop...

A battle broke out Friday for control of Wachovia, Wells Fargo agreed to pay $14.8 billion for Wachovia bank . The surprise announcement that Wachovia Corp. agreed to be acquired by  Wells Fargo & Co. in the all-stock deal -- without government assistance Only four days earlier, Citigroup Inc. ag...