State programs can help you buy a home

From low-cost mortgages to cash for down payments, every state offers some kind of help, especially for first-time buyers.

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[Source: Inside Mortgages Weekly Column]

Got your rate lowered?

Last week in all of the Bankrate newsletters, we asked readers to tell us if they had tried to negotiate APRs or fees with a credit card issuer.

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[Source: Bankrate.com: Plastic Rap Blog Headlines]

Avoid These Estate-Planning Pitfalls (Morningstar.com)

A top estate-planning attorney shares advice.

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[Source: Yahoo! Finance: Banking News ]

Forget responsible people?

Monday, I wrote a post suggesting that it would be better public policy if lenders would forgive mortgage debt more readily (and systematically) when modifying loans.

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[Source: Bankrate.com: Mortgage Matters Blog Headlines]

A brief look at the history of General Motors (AP)

Some key events in General Motors' history: Sept. 16, 1908 -- General Motors Co. founded by William C. Durant, incorporating Buick Motor Co. Oldsmobile joins GM in November.

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[Source: Yahoo! Finance: Banking News ]

Some reverse-mortgage ads stretch the truth (at MarketWatch)

Are you in the market for a reverse mortgage to tap into your home�"s equity for some much-needed cash? Don�"t believe everything you read or hear about these loans.

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[Source: Yahoo! Finance: Mortgage News]

Banks' plan to refuse California notes takes heat (AP)

After taking multibillion-dollar bailouts from the federal government, some of America's biggest banks are declining to lend a hand with a different financial mess: the California budget stalemate.

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[Source: Yahoo! Finance: Banking News ]

India business leaders praise budget, market gains (AP)

Despite initial investor disappointment, Indian business leaders on Tuesday praised the government's new budget as spurring growth by spending money on developing roads and other infrastructure, especially in poor rural areas.

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[Source: Yahoo! Finance: Banking News ]

Check out HOA finances before buying condo

Before picking up a unit at fire-sale prices, look for these signs that the HOA is in trouble.

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[Source: Bankrate.com: Mortgages Headlines]

Mixed IMF report, falling oil weighs on stocks (AP)

A mixed economic outlook from the International Monetary Fund and falling commodity prices sent stocks back into the red.

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[Source: Yahoo! Finance: Banking News ]