money

The Math of Foreclosure Bailouts

by Alison Moore Smith on May 2, 2010 · 9 comments

Foreclosure rates have been skyrocketing and are expected to continue to rise through the end of the year. This is a tragedy. While I have never lost a home myself, some close relatives have. Just a few weeks ago the folks who lived across the street from our lot were forced to move due to [...]

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Construction Loan Landmines

by Alison Moore Smith on September 24, 2009 · 11 comments

Before we can dig the hole, we’ve got to secure a construction loan. No matter how good our credit is, no matter how big our down payment, no matter how secure our income, this step has always just been nerve-wracking to me. It keeps me up and night and gives me ulcers. Mostly, I suppose, [...]

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Sensible Green Building: Ignore Al Gore, Engage Brain

by Alison Moore Smith on May 15, 2008 · 5 comments

We’ve long been wanting to build an eco-friendly home. It’s all the rage. It’s cool. It’s hip. But that has nothing to do with it. If I really wanted to be hip, I’d get rid of the peg-legged acid-washed high-waisted jeans in my closet. And stop using the word “hip.” I’m not building a green [...]

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