Mortgage Help: Talk is Cheap

With foreclosures and bankruptcies soaring nationwide, both government and private industry have been promising help to homeowners. But is that help materializing?

Learn more about "Hope Now" from Money Talks correspondent Stacy Johnson in this short (1:38) video…

What is your opinion about the "Hope Now" project?  We'd love to hear your feedback.  Click the comment link below and tell us what you think.  Your email will never be published on our site, so no worries about spam issues when you leave a comment with us.

Termites: Not Just a Spring Pest

When we think of termites, most of us think they are only active in the spring and summer months.  This is not the case, but since they do tend to swarm and become more active in most parts of this country at this time of the year, it's when most of us start thinking about them.

Termites can silently and secretly destroy a home before you even see the first sign of evidence that these hungry home wreckers are even present.  And if you think they just eat wood, think again!

If you have termites you very probably have subterranean termites. There are other kinds but, they're not nearly as common in the US.  We found a great web site that deals with termites and would encourage you to check it out.  http://www.icfhomes.com/DYKpages/dykARTICLEtermite.htm

Another good site to learn more about termites is at http://www.factsfacts.com/MyHomeRepair/termites.htm

If you'd have a bad experience with termites (who has good experiences with them? - unless you're in the extermination business) then click the comment link below and tell us about it.  We'd love to hear from you.

Consumer Sentiment: Plunges to a 26-Year Low

Consumer sentiment plunged to its lowest level in 26 years in early April, according to a report released recently by the University of Michigan/Reuters, as worries about the economy, unemployment and inflation deflated hopes for the future.

The U.S. consumer sentiment index fell to 63.2 in early April from 69.5 in March.  Sentiment is at its lowest level since March 1982.  Economists surveyed by MarketWatch were looking for an April result of 68.8.

Where is your "consumer sentiment" right now?  We'd love to hear from you on this topic.  Just click the comment link below and give us your feedback.

Home Equity vs a Line of Credit

While the credit crunch has made borrowing for… or against… your home more difficult, home equity loans and lines of credit remain popular for those with equity.

Stacy Johnson explains what these loans do and if you should consider them. (video runs 1:27)

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Credit Counseling or Debt Settlement?

You've seen the ads: Credit counseling companies say they can help by getting your payments and interest rates lowered.  Others claim they can get your debts wiped out entirely by settling them for pennies on the dollar.

In this short (1:31) video, Money reporter Stacy Johnson takes an inside look at these companies, and what you should consider before turning to a credit counselor or debt settlement company.

Please leave us any comment or opinion you have about credit counselors or debt settlement companies.  We welcome your views.  Don't worry, your email address (although needed for your to post a comment) never gets published here… so your identity is completely protected.  We'd love to get your feedback on this topic, or the video.