<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<rss xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title>Ventura County Star Stories: Housing &amp; Real Estate</title><link>http://venturacountystar.com/news/business/housing/?partner=RSS</link><atom:link href="http://venturacountystar.com/news/business/housing/?partner=RSS" type="application/rss+xml" rel="self"></atom:link><description>Ventura County Star Stories: Housing &amp; Real Estate</description><language>en-us</language><category>business/housing</category><item><title>Falling home prices open doors
</title><link>http://venturacountystar.com/news/2008/sep/07/falling-home-prices-open-doors/?partner=RSS</link><description><![CDATA[Steve Yewell didn't think it could happen. Years ago, the fourth-generation Ventura resident was priced out of the area's housing market. He and his wife, Karen, and two children moved to Minnesota, where they purchased a 3,200-square-foot home for the same price they were paying for a mobile home in Ventura.  ]]></description><pubDate>Sun, 07 Sep 2008 07:00:00 -0000</pubDate><guid>http://venturacountystar.com/news/2008/sep/07/falling-home-prices-open-doors/?partner=RSS</guid><category>business/business_all</category></item><item><title>Home prices in 'free fall' locally  
</title><link>http://venturacountystar.com/news/2008/sep/05/home-prices-in-free-fall-locally-economist-price/?partner=RSS</link><description><![CDATA[People waiting for the housing market to recover need to hold on a little while longer, speakers at the Ventura County Real Estate and Economic Outlook conference said Thursday. Mark Schniepp, director of the California Economic Forecast, predicted county home prices would stabilize in 2009 as sales strengthen, but it is expected to take until 2010 before prices start to rise.<br><br>The drastic decline in prices and surge in foreclosures could mean the recovery will be equally quick, not dragging on as it did in the 1990s, he said.

  ]]></description><author>abruce@venturacountystar.com (Allison Bruce)</author><pubDate>Fri, 05 Sep 2008 16:31:00 -0000</pubDate><guid>http://venturacountystar.com/news/2008/sep/05/home-prices-in-free-fall-locally-economist-price/?partner=RSS</guid><category>business/business_all</category></item><item><title>Check the new housing law for benefits
</title><link>http://venturacountystar.com/news/2008/aug/31/check-the-new-housing-law-for-benefits/?partner=RSS</link><description><![CDATA[The new housing law contains a wide range of benefits for homeowners. Here's a summary of four key provisions.  ]]></description><pubDate>Sun, 31 Aug 2008 07:00:00 -0000</pubDate><guid>http://venturacountystar.com/news/2008/aug/31/check-the-new-housing-law-for-benefits/?partner=RSS</guid><category>business/business_all</category></item><item><title>Renters insurance cost is far less than potential loss 
</title><link>http://venturacountystar.com/news/2008/aug/31/renters-insurance-cost-is-far-less-than-loss/?partner=RSS</link><description><![CDATA[The population of renters across the country is growing, edged up in part by a slumping housing market. Yet as graduates and others enter the work force and set up their first apartments, renters insurance probably isn't a burning issue. It's often only after a robbery that a policy suddenly seems like a no-brainer.  ]]></description><pubDate>Sun, 31 Aug 2008 07:00:00 -0000</pubDate><guid>http://venturacountystar.com/news/2008/aug/31/renters-insurance-cost-is-far-less-than-loss/?partner=RSS</guid><category>business/business_all</category></item><item><title>Discounts and interest rates fuel home sales
</title><link>http://venturacountystar.com/news/2008/aug/26/discounts-and-interest-rates-fuel-home-sales/?partner=RSS</link><description><![CDATA[Homes sales ticked up in July as many buyers, lured by deep discounts and rising interest rates, decided to pounce.  ]]></description><author>jmintz@venturacountystar.com (Jenni Mintz)</author><pubDate>Tue, 26 Aug 2008 07:00:00 -0000</pubDate><guid>http://venturacountystar.com/news/2008/aug/26/discounts-and-interest-rates-fuel-home-sales/?partner=RSS</guid><category>business/business_all</category></item><item><title>The high cost of poor disclosure regarding 401(k)s
</title><link>http://venturacountystar.com/news/2008/aug/24/the-high-cost-of-poor-disclosure-regarding-401ks/?partner=RSS</link><description><![CDATA[In late July, the Department of Labor announced a proposal that will require every 401(k) plan to show participants the performance and annual costs of the funds offered in their plan. As millions of 401(k) participants know, that very basic information is often hard to find or nonexistent in their plans.  ]]></description><pubDate>Sun, 24 Aug 2008 07:00:00 -0000</pubDate><guid>http://venturacountystar.com/news/2008/aug/24/the-high-cost-of-poor-disclosure-regarding-401ks/?partner=RSS</guid><category>business/business_all</category></item><item><title>BofA deal may not rescue lender
</title><link>http://venturacountystar.com/news/2008/aug/20/bofa-deal-may-not-rescue-lender/?partner=RSS</link><description><![CDATA[Countrywide's acquisition by Bank of America Corp. was supposed to help keep the troubled mortgage lender from collapse. Things might not turn out exactly as planned. The people who did the deal hoped that a strong bank would rescue a weak one. But the deal's structure may have only delayed the inevitable — Countrywide still could face bankruptcy or a federal takeover potentially involving taxpayer dollars.  ]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 20 Aug 2008 07:00:00 -0000</pubDate><guid>http://venturacountystar.com/news/2008/aug/20/bofa-deal-may-not-rescue-lender/?partner=RSS</guid><category>business/business_all</category></item><item><title>Positive signs are seen in housing
</title><link>http://venturacountystar.com/news/2008/aug/19/positive-signs-are-seen-in-housing/?partner=RSS</link><description><![CDATA[As ugly as the housing market looks, there are encouraging signs that the sector is healing, an economist said Monday. Prices don't appear to be falling as rapidly as they were, sales are rising, and default notices appear to be leveling off, said Mark Schniepp, executive director of the California Economic Forecast Project in Goleta.  ]]></description><author>jmintz@venturacountystar.com (Jenni Mintz)</author><pubDate>Tue, 19 Aug 2008 07:00:00 -0000</pubDate><guid>http://venturacountystar.com/news/2008/aug/19/positive-signs-are-seen-in-housing/?partner=RSS</guid><category>business/business_all</category></item><item><title>Homebuilder index unchanged in August
</title><link>http://venturacountystar.com/news/2008/aug/19/homebuilder-index-unchanged-august/?partner=RSS</link><description><![CDATA[Homebuilders are a little more optimistic about the prospects for home sales over the next six months, but an index reflecting the sector's confidence overall remained at an all-time low, an industry trade association said Monday.  ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 19 Aug 2008 07:00:00 -0000</pubDate><guid>http://venturacountystar.com/news/2008/aug/19/homebuilder-index-unchanged-august/?partner=RSS</guid><category>business/business_all</category></item><item><title>First-time homebuyer tax credit (really a loan) not worth it
</title><link>http://venturacountystar.com/news/2008/aug/17/first-time-homebuyer-tax-credit-really-a-loan-it/?partner=RSS</link><description><![CDATA[Lots of folks have been asking me if the much-touted first-time homebuyer tax credit is worth taking. "I'd like to see you write a follow-up on who should take advantage of this credit," wrote Liz Kiser, who lives in Oklahoma. "Being that it's a loan, it obviously isn't going to be economical for everyone."  ]]></description><pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2008 07:00:00 -0000</pubDate><guid>http://venturacountystar.com/news/2008/aug/17/first-time-homebuyer-tax-credit-really-a-loan-it/?partner=RSS</guid><category>business/business_all</category></item><item><title>Experts say walking away from a home loan is wrong thing to do 
</title><link>http://venturacountystar.com/news/2008/aug/10/problems-will-follow/?partner=RSS</link><description><![CDATA[Sometimes, it just seems easier to walk away. Tired of living in dread, a number of homeowners are mailing their keys instead of mortgage payments to their lenders. Experts say it's the worst thing homeowners can do.  ]]></description><author>jmintz@venturacountystar.com (Jenni Mintz)</author><pubDate>Sun, 10 Aug 2008 07:00:00 -0000</pubDate><guid>http://venturacountystar.com/news/2008/aug/10/problems-will-follow/?partner=RSS</guid><category>business/business_all</category></item><item><title>Mortgage giants post big losses for quarter, will cut dividends
</title><link>http://venturacountystar.com/news/2008/aug/10/Be1fcrail10/?partner=RSS</link><description><![CDATA[Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac reported second-quarter losses that mean a significant hit to the mortgage companies and could have a lasting effect on the mortgage market.  ]]></description><pubDate>Sun, 10 Aug 2008 07:00:00 -0000</pubDate><guid>http://venturacountystar.com/news/2008/aug/10/Be1fcrail10/?partner=RSS</guid><category>business/business_all</category></item><item><title>Is the patent pending? Maybe not
</title><link>http://venturacountystar.com/news/2008/aug/10/is-the-patent-pending-maybe-not/?partner=RSS</link><description><![CDATA[Dear Bruce: I have an idea that I think is not on the market but may become a hit at the stores. I have no clue how to go about getting a patent and what the cost would be. What do I need to do?  ]]></description><pubDate>Sun, 10 Aug 2008 07:00:00 -0000</pubDate><guid>http://venturacountystar.com/news/2008/aug/10/is-the-patent-pending-maybe-not/?partner=RSS</guid><category>business/business_all</category></item><item><title>Rising prices offset impact of U.S. stimulus payments 
</title><link>http://venturacountystar.com/news/2008/aug/05/rising-prices-offset-impact-of-us-stimulus/?partner=RSS</link><description><![CDATA[Rising prices, falling home values, stagnant wages and tight credit. It's a potent combination that has struck the American consumer hard. In June, the second biggest rise in prices in nearly three decades muted the impact of billions of dollars in government stimulus payments, government figures showed Monday.  ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 05 Aug 2008 07:00:00 -0000</pubDate><guid>http://venturacountystar.com/news/2008/aug/05/rising-prices-offset-impact-of-us-stimulus/?partner=RSS</guid><category>business/business_all</category></item><item><title>Title firm in Simi shuts its doors
</title><link>http://venturacountystar.com/news/2008/aug/05/title-firm-in-simi-shuts-its-doors/?partner=RSS</link><description><![CDATA[Lenders First Choice, a title insurance company in Simi Valley, closed its doors last week when its parent company shut down all operations outside of Colorado. That left hundreds of employees at the Simi Valley location without jobs, and some say those employees also lost out on paychecks and vacation pay.  ]]></description><author>abruce@venturacountystar.com (Allison Bruce)</author><pubDate>Tue, 05 Aug 2008 07:00:00 -0000</pubDate><guid>http://venturacountystar.com/news/2008/aug/05/title-firm-in-simi-shuts-its-doors/?partner=RSS</guid><category>business/business_all</category></item><item><title>There's a catch or two with new homebuying tax credit
</title><link>http://venturacountystar.com/news/2008/aug/03/theres-a-catch-or-two-with-new-homebuying-tax/?partner=RSS</link><description><![CDATA[There's been a lot of discussion about how much the housing bill passed by Congress will help individuals facing foreclosure. Some people will be able to keep their homes, to be sure. But there's a different provision of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act that I want to focus on — the much-trumpeted tax credit for first-time homebuyers.  ]]></description><pubDate>Sun, 03 Aug 2008 07:00:00 -0000</pubDate><guid>http://venturacountystar.com/news/2008/aug/03/theres-a-catch-or-two-with-new-homebuying-tax/?partner=RSS</guid><category>business/business_all</category></item><item><title>Collection agency's claim on forgotten debt requires proof
</title><link>http://venturacountystar.com/news/2008/aug/03/collection-agencys-claim-on-forgotten-debt-proof/?partner=RSS</link><description><![CDATA[Dear Bruce: My brother started getting threatening calls from a collection agency. He repeatedly asked for proof of this debt, as he cannot remember the company or owing anyone any money. As of yet, they have not come forth with any documentation for this debt of several thousand dollars. They are claiming this goes back 10 years. I would think there is a statute of limitations if there is no effort to collect in that long a period of time.  ]]></description><pubDate>Sun, 03 Aug 2008 07:00:00 -0000</pubDate><guid>http://venturacountystar.com/news/2008/aug/03/collection-agencys-claim-on-forgotten-debt-proof/?partner=RSS</guid><category>business/business_all</category></item><item><title>Bush quietly signs housing bill
</title><link>http://venturacountystar.com/news/2008/aug/03/bush-quietly-signs-housing-bill/?partner=RSS</link><description><![CDATA[President Bush signed a housing bill Wednesday intended to rescue about 15 percent of the troubled homeowners in fear of foreclosure in the next year or so.  ]]></description><pubDate>Sun, 03 Aug 2008 07:00:00 -0000</pubDate><guid>http://venturacountystar.com/news/2008/aug/03/bush-quietly-signs-housing-bill/?partner=RSS</guid><category>business/business_all</category></item><item><title>In a tough economy, timing is everything
</title><link>http://venturacountystar.com/news/2008/aug/03/in-a-tough-economy-timing-is-everything/?partner=RSS</link><description><![CDATA[Sharply falling stock market and home values have created an extremely treacherous period. How you handle your money in these tough times is going to play a huge role in whether you reach your long-term financial goals. I'm seeing far too many people focused on making moves that might bring some short-term relief without recognizing the long-term damage they're doing to their bottom line. It's too early to hibernate  ]]></description><pubDate>Sun, 03 Aug 2008 07:00:00 -0000</pubDate><guid>http://venturacountystar.com/news/2008/aug/03/in-a-tough-economy-timing-is-everything/?partner=RSS</guid><category>business/business_all</category></item><item><title>Umbrella liability insurance: Buying peace of mind
</title><link>http://venturacountystar.com/news/2008/aug/03/umbrella-liability-insurance-buying-peace-of/?partner=RSS</link><description><![CDATA[Most Americans have auto insurance, health insurance, dental insurance, homeowners or renters insurance, life insurance, maybe disability insurance. Enough insurance already, right? Why shell out for umbrella liability insurance, especially in an economic crunch when every little payment stings more than usual?  ]]></description><pubDate>Sun, 03 Aug 2008 07:00:00 -0000</pubDate><guid>http://venturacountystar.com/news/2008/aug/03/umbrella-liability-insurance-buying-peace-of/?partner=RSS</guid><category>business/business_all</category></item></channel></rss>