Bankruptcy lawyer lists in Buffalo Grove

January 20th, 2010

Scott J. Kofkin and Sandra R. Kofkin have listed for sale a four-bedroom, 3.1-bath home at 465 Parkchester Road in Buffalo Grove for $445,500.

David Schwabe of RE/MAX Unlimited Northwest is the agent for the listing. The 3,216-square-foot home was built in 1991 in the Parkchester subdivision.

Mr. Kofkin is a partner at Kofkin, Springer, Scheinbaum & Davis, a Roselle-based firm that concentrates primarily in bankruptcy and related matters, including consumer and business cases, trustee and creditor representation, adversary litigation, appeals and creditor workouts.

Ms.

Read more…

Posted in Financial News | No Comments »

Cheques will be phased out if alternatives found

January 20th, 2010

It has been reported that by 2018 cheques could be phased out altogether in the UK, but that this will only happen if suitable alternative for cheques are found. The data has been released by the UK Payments Council, which has set the date of 2018 to try and encourage alternative forms of payment to be developed and used so that the end of the cheque will not have such a huge impact on consumers.

Whilst many people have stopped using cheques in favour of credit and debit cards, many consumers, such as older consumers, still tend to feel more comfortable using cheques as a form of payment. In addition to this many people still use cheques to make payments on bills and to pay for online or mail order purchases.

Read more…

Posted in Financial News | No Comments »

REITs Are Waiting for the Other Shoe to Drop

January 20th, 2010

The Dow Jones REIT Index more than doubled in 6 months last year when it rocketed ahead from 85 to 181. After reaching an interim high in September, it has been struggling while most popular averages have been roaring ahead. The REIT index fell 5-10% off its high for 3 months. In the middle of December, REITs were hot, taking the index to 192 after which it pulled back pretty much hugging its former high level of 181. The inability to record new highs while other stocks were (especially high yielders) suggests that REIT investors are holding their breaths, waiting for the other shoe to drop.REITs have 2 big advantages at this difficult time for financial companies.

Read more…

Posted in Financial News | No Comments »

Dirty Tricks Of Debt Collection: What You Need To Know And How You Can Deal With Them.

January 19th, 2010

Dirty Tricks Of Debt Collection: What You Need To Know And How You Can Deal With Them.

Posted on | January 19, 2010 |

WalletPop had a post yesterday about the dirty tricks of debt collectors.

The article highlights an experience of Ken Golde, who harassed by debt collectors after his business partner died unexpectedly, leaving him to deal with more than $200,000 in debt.

This may be an unusual case, be it show how some debt collectors have no decency and will stop at nothing to get their pound of flesh, or in this case their payment.

The article details some of the tactics that deb collectors aren’t supposed to use, after the passage of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). B

Read more…

Posted in Financial News | No Comments »

Reader Mailbag #98

January 18th, 2010

Each Monday, The Simple Dollar opens up the reader mailbags and answers ten to twenty simple questions offered up by the readers on personal finance topics and many other things. Got a question? Ask it in the comments. You might also enjoy the archive of earlier reader mailbags.

If I have to get an auto loan to finance purchasing my next car, I can get one through my credit union (running about 5%, with an active checking account) or through the dealership (special 3%APR on 2010 models). I prefer your route if saving up and paying cash for a late-model used car. However, if one has to choose between loans, which is better – the credit union or the dealership? M

Read more…

Posted in Financial News | No Comments »

U.S. Mortgage Refinancing Applications Rose in the First Week of 2010.

January 18th, 2010

U.S. Mortgage Refinancing Applications Rose in the First Week of 2010.

Posted on | January 17, 2010 |

It seems like only yesterday that we were hearing about Option ARM Mortgage rates resetting, and that holders of those loans were unable to refinance because their house was worth less than the mortgage…. Oh, wait… it was yesterday.

Well, even so, things appear to be confusing in the housing market and mortgage industry still.

According to a recent Reuters article, the rise in mortgage applications the 1st week of this year is a reflection on the demand for refinancing loans. Dem

Read more…

Posted in Financial News | No Comments »