Cell phones, ipods, Pono, whatever your taste, your music can travel with you. The digital library of your entire collection can fit in your hand and go to every room of your house. But not so much the amp, EQ, speakers and subwoofer… not many people want to lug around a top-line audio system to play music in the room of their choice. Wireless home audio systems are becoming a viable solution. Music lovers who want the freedom to listen anywhere with the quality of a fine audio system can lose the huge earmuff-headphones. The audio industry is seeing a convergence of high-quality digital music and a growing demand for matching home audio. Read more here about your next home audio system.

‘Measure twice, cut once’ is used so often, it’s cliché. But that doesn’t mean it’s not practical advice. In the mortgage industry, measuring twice means checking and rechecking the information and background in mortgage applications. Knowing before owing is key to a healthy deal that will benefit both parties. One tool that is an excellent resource is PACER. PACER is Public Access to Court Electronic Records, and many mortgage professionals. And people from many other industries, find it invaluable in conducting their due diligence, and you can use it too! PACER is found online, and you can learn more here. 

Looking for a new home, especially your first home, is an exciting time. But don’t let the excitement take your eyes off the task at hand: buying a solid house that is a wise investment. After all, this ‘house’ you are looking at might very well end up being your ‘home’! When you are shopping, making some of these observations yourself can give you guidance as to whether or not you need to bring in a pro to do a full inspection. Check out what you should look for up-front in this article.

The Supreme Court recently heard arguments in a case challenging the wording and intent of rescission. Rescission is the voiding of a contract between two parties.  In this case, the focus is on borrowers voiding contracts with lenders, and the verdict is good news for borrowers. The Court gave a clear and undeniable decision that the statute means just what it says. In the case of Jesinoski v. Countrywide Home Loans the Court clearly denied the lender’s position that the lendee must initiate legal action for a rescission to be recognized. The Court slammed that premise and rendered all remaining objections invalid and meaningless. Read more on the Court’s decision and how it affects borrowers here. 

Solar power is now more affordable in over 80% of the biggest U.S. cities. Solar is not only a money saver, but it’s a great investment in your home as well. Solar is no longer the exclusive domain of the wealthy, and there is a clear gap in the reality and the perception of solar. In certain states, extra solar electricity can be sold back into the grid. It’s even a better dollar for dollar investment than the S&P 500. Find out more here.

The Seattle area offers up some interesting insight and trends in real estate that may get traction in the national picture before you know it. In 2014, the hottest properties on the market were apartments. Investors were grabbing rental properties faster than office buildings, and that trend may be matching the market outlook in some areas. Young people are renting for longer before buying, and the job market is strong. Could the Seattle model unfold across the country, creating a seller’s market? Read some more predictions and insights here.

Up to one million Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) mortgages may be eligible for help through 4 new programs recently announced. Mortgage holders with a good record of payment for 5 years may be eligible to receive assistance to help pay down principle. Other borrowers will have an opportunity to re-amortize to further reduce monthly payments. These changes come before some features of the program are slated for upward adjustments. Check out more info on the issue here, with additional links to check out. 

Why rent when you can buy? Answer that question and you might be onto something perplexing a lot industry people. Millennials, when asked in a recent survey, said they would rather rent than buy, to the tune of nearly 6 in 10. Only 1 in 4 Millennials today owns a home. That is significantly down from the same age group in previous generations, and begs the question: Why? The answers, like the generation, are very unique. The bottom line is that with the right purchase, many could save upwards of 700k over the course of a 30 year mortgage vs. renting, and that is something to discuss. Read more here.

A group of mortgage-bond investors have sent a letter to Ocwen in which they accuse the company of “imprudent and improper” actions that may be the precursor to a lawsuit, according to Kathy Patrick of Gibbs & Bruns LLP. The company has been under the microscope in recent months for improper conduct, highlighted by a tangle with the State of California. Ocwen agreed last Friday after close of business to pay a 2.5 million dollar fine in order to avoid suspension of their operating license in the state. The latest woes only make the outlook more challenging for the beleaguered loan servicer. Read more here

Reducing the amount of space in which you live might be a big idea whose time is here. Its subscribers refer to it as micro living, or the tiny house movement among other names, but the idea is the same: lowering the amount of space, the amount of stuff, and the amount of debt. It’s an idea that is finding growing support. However, as with all tradeoffs, the benefits also come with some challenges. How do you part with ‘stuff’ that you want to keep or that has intrinsic value to your life, and where do you have your private space? A recent story here touches on some of these and other related points.