Your rates of bank

1. See if your lender will allow a mortgage assumption.
In this sort of agreement, the buyer takes over payments on an existing mortgage. If that loan came with a low rate, assuming the loan could be advantageous. Not to mention, the buyer can save on higher closing costs associated with new mortgage debt.

While banks have traditionally not allowed assumable mortgages and some mortgage experts don’t see that changing — especially on 30-year fixed rate loans — others are seeing some cases of it.

“Most mortgages are nonassumable,” says Patton, but “given the challenged market conditions many areas are experiencing, this may be negotiable with the lender.”

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Heidi Klum is the very epitome of a supermodel — a tall, beautiful blonde with a stellar modeling career, a hit TV show and a successful jewelry line. But she’s also a loving wife to pop singer Seal and mom to three young children.

Thrown into the modeling spotlight at age 18, the now 34-year-old top fashion model is surprisingly down to earth. Growing up in Bergisch Gladbach, a small city near Cologne, Germany, her dad, Gunther, worked for a cosmetics company and her mother, Erna, was a hairdresser.

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Consistent oil changes
Regular oil changes help keep your engine clean and lubricated, says Deanna Sclar, author of “Auto Repair for Dummies.”

“Oil cuts down on the friction that can literally wear away the parts of the engine,” she says. “One of the most important maintenance-related things you can do is change your oil frequently.”

There is some debate about how often drivers should change their oil. Many car experts recommend getting the work done every 3,000 miles or three months, especially if you often drive in stop-and-go traffic or your car idles for long periods of time.

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Which hurts you more: the skyrocketing costs of food or fuel?

More than four out of 10 (44 percent) Americans consider paying for gas a “serious problem,” while just under two out of 10 (18 percent) say food prices are a major problem, according to a survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

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Not surprisingly, the lower the household income, the bigger the perceived problem in fuel costs. Nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of American households with incomes of less than $30,000 consider gas prices a big problem, compared to less than one-third (27 percent) of households with incomes of $75,000-plus.

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What is the first thing borrowers should do if they are at risk of missing a payment?
If borrowers are delinquent or know that they will be, they need to contact Countrywide immediately by calling (800) 669-6607.- advertisement -

When should borrowers call you — before they’re late with their first payment, or sometime later on (e.g., 60 to 90 days after missing the first payment)?
The sooner Countrywide is contacted, the better the chance of developing a successful home retention plan.

Should a borrower ask to speak with someone specific?

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Portfolios must change over time to reflect an investor’s needs and goals, but selecting, rebalancing and keeping up the proper mix of investments can be time-consuming and confusing for many individuals. Asset allocation funds aim to accomplish the dual goals of creating diversification and meeting growth or income needs in one fund.- advertisement -

But, as with any investment, these aren’t meant to be put on autopilot. Investors still have to watch the performance of the fund, even if the portfolio was constructed to meet risk tolerance or a target retirement date.

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