July, 2011 // Posts published in July, 2011

Home » Archive for July, 2011

29 Jul CONSUMER, consumer advice, ECONOMY, REAL ESTATE | Comments Off

What To Do If You’re Behind On Mortgage Payments

Behind on your mortgage payments? The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) advises you move quickly to see help with the situation. If you are having trouble making your payments, contact your loan servicer to discuss your options as early as you can. The longer you wait to call, the fewer options you will have. Many loan ...

27 Jul CONSUMER, consumer advice, ECONOMY, LIFESTYLE, REAL ESTATE | Comments Off

Thank God I Didn’t Buy Gold at $400 an Ounce

We hope that headline grabbed you. The reason we used it was to bring some perspective to the debate as to whether or not homeownership is a wise investment in today’s troubled market. A family should never look at the purchase of a home simply as a financial investment. It is so much more than ...

27 Jul BUSINESS ADVICE, REAL ESTATE, STATEN ISLAND | 11 comments

12 Ways To Present Yourself As An Expert In Your Field

By BARTON HOROWITZ PRESIDENT, RELEVANT PUBLIC RELATIONS LLC STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — For many entrepreneurs the growth of a businesses depends upon the answer to these two questions: Are you an expert in your field? If so, do potential clients know how good you really are? Here is some advice for qualified individuals who want to build a ...

26 Jul CONSUMER, ECONOMY, REAL ESTATE | Comments Off

Distressed Property Sales: Down … But Not Out

There has been much written about the falling inventories of distressed properties in many market places. Some have looked at the decreasing percentage of distressed property sales reported by the National Association of Realtors over the last four months as a sign that we are finally cleaning out the last remnants of the foreclosures. If ...

25 Jul BUSINESS ADVICE, CONSUMER, consumer advice, ECONOMY, LIFESTYLE, REAL ESTATE | Comments Off

14 Percent Home Mortgage Rate: Where And Why

We have written on the long term impact that the new mortgage guidelines known as ‘Qualified Residential Mortgage’ (QRM) will have on the cost of financing a home. However, it seems that these expenses are already beginning to creep into lending. The QRM guidelines are much more rigid than those used in the last year. Though ...

22 Jul LIFESTYLE, STATEN ISLAND, STATEN ISLAND LIVING | Comments Off

Cool Off Today At Snug Harbor’s ‘Sprinkler Fest’

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. (July 22, 2011) — Hot. Hot!. Hot!!!!! With the temperature in New York City expected to slam 100 degrees today, cool sounds particularly COOL!!!!! Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden is inviting New Yorkers to cool off today from 4 to 6 p.m. at its SPRINKLER FEST on the South Meadow. Kids ...

21 Jul BUSINESS ADVICE, CONSUMER, consumer advice, ECONOMY, REAL ESTATE | Comments Off

How Important Are Assets In Relation To A Mortgage Application?

When lenders evaluate mortgage borrowers, they look at four things: income (the ability to repay), credit (the willingness to repay), collateral (appraised value and property condition) and assets (cash in the deal and cash reserves after closing, mostly). Of the “four legs of the table”, assets are the least discussed, and yet may be the ...

20 Jul REAL ESTATE, STATEN ISLAND, STATEN ISLAND LIVING, THE TRUTH ABOUT STATEN ISLAND | Comments Off

The Truth About Staten Island: Gem of South Beach is a refuge from heat and city life

One of Staten Island’s best-kept secrets, South Beach, is worth the visit, according to an article in the New York Daily News: Locals flock from across the borough to hit the sand and cool off in the clear water.

19 Jul BUSINESS ADVICE, CONSUMER, LIFESTYLE, STATEN ISLAND, STATEN ISLAND LIVING | Comments Off

Staten Island Chamber of Commerce Embraces National Business Initiative On A Local Level

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The Staten Island Chamber of Commerce is participating in a natiowide program to promote locally owned businesses across the borough. The 3/50 Project is a grassroots campaign that has spread across the nation to support and save local businesses. The concept behind the program is for consumers to pick three independently owned ...

19 Jul consumer advice, ECONOMY, REAL ESTATE, STATEN ISLAND, STATEN ISLAND LIVING | Comments Off

Top 5 Reasons For Buying A Home

It seems that every time we talk about real estate today the conversation immediately goes to the financial aspects of buying a home. Where are prices headed? Where are interest rates headed? Should I wait to try and get a ‘better buy’? Should I wait until I can get a ‘steal’? The odd thing about ...