Next Year Looks Bad For Construction
According to the Kermit Baker, the chief economist for the American Institute of Architects, non-residential construction projects will probably not p...
Is Anybody Building Anything These Days?
Architecture design jobs are looked at as a good predictor of where the construction industry will be in the next year. While other segments of the economy might be showing signs of life, architecture billings are down, predicting a very slow next year in construction. However, some people are still getting jobs and working on construction projects. Economist Kermit Baker discusses what the architecture numbers mean, and what's happening in the construction and architecture industries.
Hire a Home Inspector to Identify a Former Meth house Before You Buy
Is the home you plan to buy a former meth house? It's hard to spot homes that have been used as a methamphetamine lab (meth lab or meth house as they are they are called). But there are some tangible signs of a former meth house that you can watch out for as you tour a prospective home. This story lists some of the items you should look for before you end up buying a former meth house, especially a home inspection.
Pay Off Debt To Raise Your Credit Score and Improve Credit Report
Once you pay off your debt and you want to raise your credit score and improve your credit Report and history, try to negotiate with the credit card company to report your debt as "paid as agreed" and remove any negative information from your credit report.
Tax Treatment of Inherited IRA: Subject To Taxes
If you inherit an IRA account, you have some choices with what to do with the money and the tax treatment you receive from teh IRS. In some cases, if you do nothing, your money will be subject to federal income taxes. If you roll the money over into a new IRA account you can avoid paying taxes right away. If you take all the money out right away, you will have to pay taxes on the full amount as income.
Refinancing Mortgages Under the Obama’s Making Home Affordable Plan and Primary Residences
The Obama Making Home Affordable Plan can only be used right now for refinancing of mortgages on primary residences. If you are struggling with the mortgage on a vacation home or investment property and want to refinance, the home mortgage will not qualify for the Obama Making Home Affordable plan. You may be able to refinance your first home to take out equity on your first mortgage or primary residence to help with the mortgage on your vacation home.
$8000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Has Income Restrictions
If you are a first time home buyer and want to claim the $8000 first time home buyer tax credit, make sure you meet all the guidelines and restrictions. To qualify for the $8,000 first time home buyer tax credit, it must be your primary residence and you must fall under a certain income limit. You can claim the $8000 first time home buyer tax credit if you make up to $75,000 for individuals, $150,000 filing jointly. The tax credit begins to phase out after that, and is eliminated at $95,000 ($170,000 for joint filing) of income.
Raise Your Credit Score By Improving Your Payment History
Your credit report will show your overall payment history, not individual credit card purchases. Your credit report will show any credit accounts you have, your payment history, if you have been late on payments, if the account were closed or if the credit company charged them off. You need to work to raise your credit score by improving your payment history.
Six Reasons Why Your House Won’t Sell
The housing market is still slow, but some homeowners are selling their houses. You may ask "why my house won't sell?" If you're a buyer who is having trouble selling your house, there may be a reason why you can't sell, but your neighbor down the street just sold their house. Make sure your house looks good in pictures, is well staged, and is priced competitively for the neighborhood. If your house is in top condition, make sure that your broker is receiving a good commission as incentive, and that they will split that commission with a buyer's agent.
Buying a New Car or a Used Car
Should you buy a new car or a used car? There are plenty of factors that will weigh in on the decision, including what kind of financing you can buy, and which car is ultimately the better deal. Also, with the Cash for Clunkers deal, you might get a better deal if you're trading in a used car with a lot worse gas mileage for a new car with great gas mileage.