Interest Rates Content Index - Page 7

Today on the Clark Howard Show, we discussed the following:

Recalls: Simplicity Cribs and Aqua Leisure baby floats were recalled this week. You can find out the latest recalls at Recalls.gov.

Jobs and Unemployment: We're at a 26-year high and the numbers aren't getting any better. National…

The terms loan modification, streamline refinance and streamline mortgage are terms that sometimes get mixed up in use. For some borrowers, the idea of a streamline refinance or loan modification is a simple process to go from point A -- the current loan and interest rate -- to point B -- the same loan with a lower interest rate and lower monthly mortgage payment. In this process the homeowner expects that the fees will be low and well below going to a new lender to refinance the loan.

Lowering your monthly mortgage payment by refinancing should be one of your goals if you decide to refinance. But that is only one of three issues that you should consider once you decide to refinance. Falling home values have caused many homeowners to be unable to refinance and lower their monthly mortgage payments. But the Obama administration's newly enacted change to the Making Home Affordable program that will allow homeowners greater ability to refinance their homes even if the value of their mortgage is up to 125 percent higher than the value of their home, more people may benefit from the program.

Falling home values have sure hurt homeowners. As interest rates have come down, these same homeowners are trying to refinance their loans but are having trouble due to the lower value of their homes. Recent Obama administration proposals are attempting to help homeowners. Before, if your loan was up to 105 percent of the value of your home you could take advantage of the Obama Making Home Affordable program, this past week that amount was raised to 125 percent. We'll see if the continued slide in home prices and the new plan can help homeowners.

Online financial planning tools like Mint.com, Quicken Online and Equifax's new Debt Wise can help keep your personal finances on track. How do these online financial planning tools work? What features do they offer. A review of Equifax Debt Wise, Mint.com and Quicken Online explains the financial tools they offer, the benefits and the difficulties of online financial planning tools.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be able to use the Home Affordable Refinance Program to help homeowners with a loan-to-value ratio up to 125 percent. The previous limit was 105 percent. The 125 loan-to-value ratio will allow borrowers with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans to refinance their loans under the Home Affordable Refinance Program.

Sometimes you've got to know where you've been to know where you're going.

When the new credit card laws take effect in February 2010, do you know how things will change for your credit card rates and fees?

Bankrate.com has released a study that compares current rates, fees, and other fine print…

A new credit card study compares the rates and fees and best credit card offers from 10 of the leading credit card companies. With the new credit card legislation changing how many of the credit card companies do business, this credit card comparison looks at the credit card rates and credit card deals today.

Since Michael Jackson's untimely death, his fans and followers have been speculating about his fortune - and his mountains of debt. What is Michael Jackson's net worth? New documents uncovered by the Associated Press shed some light on the subject. One thing is clear - Unlike the vast majority of Americans, Michael Jackson's net worth is not tied to his home equity.

Now more than ever, buyers need to be aware of buyer closing costs on the purchase of a home. Here's an updated detailed look at many of the closing costs you might have to pay as a buyer when you buy a home. If you are charged a closing cost that isn't on this list, please add it in the comments section.