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What has been good news at the pump for drivers has turned into a financial crisis for two Houston-based oil companies. Both BPZ Resources and Dune Energy were forced to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this week because of the dramatic drop in crude oil prices. Since last summer, oil prices have plummeted by nearly half causing many oil companies to take corrective measures including laying off employees and putting a halt to drilling activity. According to a recent article in The Wall … [Read more...]

Buying a short-sale home is a great way to shave thousands of dollars off the purchase price. But, the lengthy road to closing on a short-sale property is often paved with pitfalls and disappointments that make the process frustrating for many buyers. A recent article on the topic, by Trulia blogger John Vieira, breaks down the lessons learned from his experience buying a short sale. He also offers 7 tips that can help you navigate the process smoothly. One of his biggest pieces of advice is to … [Read more...]

In many cases, your home’s online listing is your first chance to make a good impression on potential homebuyers. The words you use to describe your home could determine whether buyers schedule a viewing to see your property up-close or move on to another listing. As America’s leading online real estate listing website, Zillow recently compiled a list of 9 keywords that send negative signals to buyers and tend to cause houses to sell for less than expected. At the top of the list is the word … [Read more...]

Formalwear retailer Caché announced plans this week to launch going-out-of-business sales at all of its more than 150 retail locations nationwide. The company, which has failed to generate a profit since 2011, joins a growing list of women’s retailers that have been forced to file for bankruptcy this year. With prom around the corner for many high school juniors and seniors, Caché expects to raise more than $18 million from its going-out-of-business sales to pay its largest creditor. Launched in … [Read more...]

Despite the fact that large corporations and major municipalities take advantage of the benefits and protection of filing for bankruptcy, there is still a stigma for the average individual who uses bankruptcy as a means to deal with overwhelming debt. According to a new Fox Business article, however, people who are struggling financially may actually do more harm than good when they fail to file for bankruptcy.  The article stresses that, “Those who filed bankruptcy saw an improvement in their … [Read more...]

If you are putting your home on the market for the first time, it is difficult to know exactly what to expect once you post the “For Sale” sign in your yard. That’s where your real estate agent can be an invaluable resource to walk your through the entire process. A new Zillow article highlights the top three questions home sellers should ask their agents before listing their homes. Knowing the answers to these questions will not only help set your expectations as offers start to come in, but … [Read more...]

Pending home sales have jumped to their highest level since August 2013 thanks to increased buyer demand. That is the finding of the latest report from the National Association of REALTORS. The promising data, which is based on January 2015 pending home sales, shows an increase for every region nationwide except the Midwest, which decreased 0.7 percent. The South experienced the most significant gain with a 3.2 percent increase. The West saw a 2.2 percent gain. According to Lawrence Yun, the … [Read more...]

The urban legend that Starbucks is good for the neighborhood now has data to support the claim. According to Zillow’s Home Value Index, homes that were located within a quarter mile of Starbucks experienced a 96 percent increase in home value between 1997 and 2014. That’s nearly 30 percent higher than the U.S. average increase for all other home values during the same period. Chicago ranks 4th on the list of U.S. real estate markets that have experienced the greatest property value increases … [Read more...]

Unless you’re expecting to receive a refund, it is difficult to get excited about filing your taxes. Nonetheless, it is the law and failing to file can lead to stiff penalties–even jail time. If you’re one of millions of Americans who have missed filing a tax return, you do not have to wait for the IRS to come knocking on your door to get back on track. There are six simple steps you can take now to help you gain control of the situation. One of the first steps is to file all missing returns as … [Read more...]

Getting your home to stand out in the sea of online listings is one of the biggest challenges for the modern day home seller. According to Trulia, the nation’s second largest online listing website, there are 7 overlooked selling points that first-time buyers love but sellers fail to highlight in their listings. Even though you’re ready to move on to a new property, remembering what originally drew you to your home will help you shine a light on features that you may have now outgrown. For … [Read more...]