Steven Cook's (stcook) Blog

A couple weeks ago Gail Robinson, in Connecticutt, mentioned a problem she was personally having with BoA.  Following is her update on what has happened on that front due to the many friends she has here on AR.  Unfortunately, the news update for her husband is not as rosy. Dear AR Friends, Imagi...

  Emerald City ComicCon Coming To Seattle this Weekend  Emerald City ComicConis the largest comic book and pop culture convention in the Pacific Northwest. There will be nearly 300 exhibitors,  and over 300 artists in the Artists’ Alley.  In addition, there will be a couple hundred special guests...

David Saks - of Tennessee, has done everyone a great service, by putting together these audio clips from the Federal Trade Commission - so that people may be well informed on these important topics.  Check some out!     This a valuable and informative collection of important audio tips from the F...

Frank has posted some very pertinent information on protection that you might not know you need, or might have thought it would be good to have, but didn't know it was available.  He makes it clear what it can protect you from, and how it can assist your safety in this cyber age. Do you carry cli...

 Quick Old Joke  - Mortgage Related from a 1940s Jack Benny show:  Larry comes in and talks with Mr. Benny –   Mr. Benny – Where have you been Larry? Larry – I went over to see Jesse James’ House.  But he wasn’t there so I left right away. Mr. Benny – Larry, Mr. James has been dead for over 60 ye...

George Souto in Connecticutt has provided a wonderful illustration of how FHA is not really comparable to Conventional mortgages anymore,  With the forms he has printed into the blog, he shows clearly that at 5% down, the conventional mortgage will save thousands of dollars (even if the home is o...

Gail Robinson posted about the problems they are having getting a loan modification from B of A -- even though they have the hardship (husband dying of pancreatic cancer) and hove submitted the required documents (probably multiple times).  Anything you can do to share this information might help...

David Saks watches the news feeds very well, and found this great information about Metro areas with the best and worst credit scores.  The list shows the top 10 and bottom 10 out of 100 total market areas.   Glad to see our area in the top ten! Top 10 Core Based Statistical Areas with the Highes...

Charles Buell sets forth a very well written process of how inspectors should deal with those items which the standards of practice say can be left undetermined.  He illustrates when that makes sense and when it does not.   Just because you do not see the bear in the woods does not prevent one th...

  BIG Issue Coming with FHA Changes   One of the overlooked changes that will affect all FHA borrowers, and will make things even more challenging in the future, as loan officers have to explain to the borrower why their APR is so much higher than their stated rate. Although the automated systems...