Scott Skinner's (scottskinner) Blog

a better-than-expected reading on the economy in the third quarter gave way to further questions about corporate profits. Still, the market appeared generally relieved after a government report showed the economy contracted in the third quarter by less than expected and after the Federal Reserve'...

There are several challenges we still face: Large inventory/supply - almost 11 months average across the country rising interest rates - FED indicated rate cuts are over High energy and food costs - oil at $142/barrel - $4.25/ gallon at the pump tighter access to credit - the inability/difficulty...

--- NEW STOCK MARKET TERMS CEO --Chief Embezzlement Officer. CFO -- Corporate Fraud Officer. BULL MARKET -- A random market movement causing an investor to mistake himself for a financial genius. BEAR MARKET -- A 6 to 18 month period when the kids get no allowance, the wife gets no jewelry, and t...

Check out PolicyMap.com ; the site offers: over 4,000 indicators related to demographics, real estate, crime, health, schools, housing affordability, employment, energy, and public investments." where you can " Search any location by address, census tract, county, state, zip code, school district...

In many area of the country and in parts of Arizona water damage from floods are a serious issue.  In fact, flooding is the leading natural disaster in the U.S., reports the Federal Emergency Management Administration. Flood losses averaged $2.4 billion a year the past decade. However, in Maricop...

Federal Reserve policymakers are expected to cut interest rate by a half-point, pushing the federal funds rate down to 1 percent, as they wrap up a two-day meeting Wednesday. The worst financial crisis in 70 years has forced the Fed to employ all the weapons in its arsenal - including cutting int...

Home prices fell in August for the 25th consecutive month and prices in 10 major markets plunged a record 17.7% year over year, according to a key index of real estate values released Tuesday. The S&P Case-Shiller Home Price 10-city index dropped 1.1% for the month. The 20-city index recorded a r...

Importantly, remember the reasons you are buying a home. Is it a place to live? A place to raise your family? Are you planning on retiring? Do you need the favorable tax advantages? Are you looking for a hedge against inflation? Are you looking for long-term appreciation? A place to live and call...

The investing " Holy Grail " "Finance 101 will often tell you that, "the best time to buy is when opportunities are created out of seller necessity. A couple I have worked with for some time, just bought a home straight out of a Builders Inventory (these days, builders have taken homes back from ...

One strategy for stockpiling cash is to tap a home equity line of credit (HELOC). Sure, falling housing prices mean fewer of these credit lines are being given, and many borrowers are seeing their home equity credit lines cut back or eliminated. But those who can still tap their HELOC can use it ...