Borrowers at the mercy of lawyers, default service firms

Borrowers at the mercy of lawyers, default service firms
 
(NEW YORK) Nobody wins when a home enters foreclosure - neither the borrower, who is evicted, nor the lender, who takes a loss when the home is resold. That’s the conventional wisdom, anyway.
 
The reality is very different. Behind the scenes in these dramas, a small army [...]

MAS likely to retain $ policy, or tighten it

MAS likely to retain $ policy, or tighten it
 
Currency strategists expect US$ to hit new all-time lows of S$1.32 to S$1.36 by end-2008
 
By LARRY WEE
 
(SINGAPORE) In response to strong price pressures at home and abroad, the Monetary Authority of Singapore is expected to maintain its current policy stance for the trade-weighted Singapore [...]

Mortgage relief to be expanded: Bush

Mortgage relief to be expanded: Bush
 
Monday • March 31, 2008
 
President George W Bush said the government will expand efforts to help homeowners avoid foreclosure as Democrats increase pressure on his administration to reduce unaffordable home-loan payments.
 
The White House is “committed to building on” its programme to help borrowers refinance mortgages, Mr Bush said in [...]

Address change: Aren’t these rules contradictory?

Address change: Aren’t these rules contradictory?
 
Monday • March 31, 2008
 
Letter from GOH KIAN HUAT
 
I REFER to the report “Changed your address? Prove it” (March 26).
 
With effect from tomorrow, Singapore identity card (IC) holders who want to report a change in address will have to produce proof such as a bill, statement or letter sent to [...]

Bush readying plan to rescue home owners

Bush readying plan to rescue home owners
 
Proposal encourages lenders to forgive part of debt and refinance mortgages
 
WASHINGTON - THE Bush administration is finalising a plan to rescue thousands of home owners facing foreclosure by helping them refinance into more affordable loans, the Washington Post said.
 
The proposal is aimed at assisting borrowers who owe their [...]

No sale, but agent wants commission

No sale, but agent wants commission
 
Firm files claim for $4,000 against flat owners… and loses
 
WHY should you pay for service which you never received?
 
By Tay Shi’an
 
 
30 March 2008
 
WHY should you pay for service which you never received?
 
That was what a family in Ang Mo Kio asked when they refused to pay their housing agent [...]

What to double-check when filing taxes

What to double-check when filing taxes
 
The deadline for individual income tax returns is just around the corner. Lorna Tan looks at common mistakes taxpayers make
 
THIS is the time of the year when taxpayers file their income tax returns - a mundane exercise for most. But for taxpayers who fail to report accurately, the penalty could [...]

HDB resale market healthy but prices rising at slower pace

HDB resale market healthy but prices rising at slower pace
 
Total sale prices likely to be steady or higher while upfront cash demands may continue to slide
 
By Joyce Teo
 
WHILE quiet may prevail in the private homes market, the resale market for HDB flats offers another picture - one filled with steady activities.
 
Still, a number [...]

Will retiree be better off with annuity or rental income?

Will retiree be better off with annuity or rental income?
 
Q I AM wondering if I should continue to rent out my property or dispose of it and use the proceeds to buy an annuity that will provide a retirement income.
 
Rentals will rise with inflation while an annuity is more or less fixed and will [...]

How to deny my father a share of my assets after I die?

How to deny my father a share of my assets after I die?
 
Q I AM a 29-year-old executive with no assets except for some small savings, several insurance plans that will pay out on my death and an HDB flat that I will eventually co-own with my older sister.
 
I am estranged from my father, who [...]