Ken Harney
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Fannie Mae eases burden of student loansMay 05, 2017 6:00 am - WASHINGTON - Here's some good news for homebuyers and owners burdened with costly student loan debts: Mortgage investor Fannie Mae has just made sweeping rule changes th...
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Make sure home inspectors play by the rulesApr 28, 2017 6:00 am - WASHINGTON - Most homebuyers and sellers don't think much about what might derail their purchase or sale. But here's a sobering fact: One of every 20 sales contracts blo...
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Chicago bucking the trend in condo, home valuesApr 21, 2017 6:00 am - WASHINGTON - It's a real estate question that historically has had an easy answer: Do single-family detached homes appreciate in value faster than condominiums? The stan...
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Cash-out refinancings on the rise, just like in 2008Apr 14, 2017 6:00 am - WASHINGTON - They're either a valuable financial tool for homeowners or a harbinger of trouble on the horizon: Cash-out refinancings, which were wildly popular during th...
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Tax reform could reduce incentive to buy a homeApr 07, 2017 6:00 am - WASHINGTON - With the health care bill back-burnered on Capitol Hill, the focus has shifted to tax reform. Among the key financial matters in play: Homeowners' prized mo...
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Credit bureau settlement shines light on scoresMar 31, 2017 6:00 am - WASHINGTON - When is your "credit score" irrelevant in buying a house or refinancing a mortgage? A new federal legal settlement with a major credit bureau has the answer...
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Are you paying unseen add-on fees for your appraisal?Mar 24, 2017 7:00 am - WASHINGTON - Are you getting fleeced on appraisal charges when you buy a house or refinance? Could you be paying as much as double what the appraiser is receiving for ac...
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Lenders could miss full credit picture under new policyMar 10, 2017 5:00 am - WASHINGTON - It could be a boon for some homebuyers - their credit scores will get a surprise boost - but worrisome for mortgage lenders, landlords and others who depend...
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Mountain of mortgage paperwork wears down borrowersMar 03, 2017 5:00 am - WASHINGTON - Could getting a home mortgage under today's post-housing bust regulations and procedures be even remotely comparable to going to the dentist to get drilled?...
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Don't let closing costs surprise youFeb 24, 2017 5:00 am - WASHINGTON - Everyone knows that financing and closing on a home purchase can be complicated. Which is why more than a year ago the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ...