Mr and Mrs Smith go online, as internet technology moves from fantasy to normality

Written by Rachel Lane


Whilst not all Smiths leadrepparttar glamorous technological lifestyles of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie,repparttar 142958 number of British consumers using online financial services continues to grow rapidly.

According to NOP World, 48% of all Internet users researched or purchased financial products such as insurance and loans onrepparttar 142959 internet, or used online banking facilities. In April, NOP World had already recorded estimates of 28 million people online in Great Britain, with 13.5 million exploitingrepparttar 142960 Web for their financial requirements.

NOP World’s report showed that ofrepparttar 142961 financial activity, most was research related; as 84% of Internet users seeking financial services usedrepparttar 142962 Internet to gather information, utilising sites such moneynet.co.uk and moneysavingexpert.com. Over half ofrepparttar 142963 users surfingrepparttar 142964 Web for financial information were happy to contact suppliers via their websites and e-mail.

Although only 3.3 million consumers bought loans and insurance online last year, NOP state that confidence in buying such products overrepparttar 142965 internet is growing, with recent figures showing an increase of 43% in people researching, then purchasing online.

Home Buyer Beware – Know the Signs of Real Estate Market Trouble

Written by Charles Essmeier


Lots of articles have appeared recently aboutrepparttar booming real estate market inrepparttar 142910 United States. Home prices, especially onrepparttar 142911 East and West coasts, are not only at record levels, but are increasing at record rates. In some areas around Washington, D.C. and San Francisco, home prices have tripled inrepparttar 142912 last five years. While many homeowners have been enjoying huge increases in their equity, realized when they either sell their home or borrow against it,repparttar 142913 market has become increasingly difficult for those trying to buy homes. It may get worse, as there are now some strong signs thatrepparttar 142914 market may be near its peak:

  • The prices of homes in many markets are so high that few buyers can purchase them using traditional mortgages. In Washington, D.C., for instance, 48% of new mortgages are ofrepparttar 142915 interest-only variety, whererepparttar 142916 buyer pays onlyrepparttar 142917 interest onrepparttar 142918 loan forrepparttar 142919 first few years. This keepsrepparttar 142920 payments low enough thatrepparttar 142921 buyer can qualify forrepparttar 142922 loan. The problem is thatrepparttar 142923 buyer is only paying interest and not actually contributing torepparttar 142924 purchase price ofrepparttar 142925 home. The fact that so many buyers are obtaining interest-only loans suggests that prices in those markets may be too high to be sustained.


  • Many home appraisers have complained that lenders are constantly pressuring them to “makerepparttar 142926 numbers” when appraising homes. Appraisers in some modestly-appreciating markets, such as Buffalo, NY, say that they are often given a value when assigned an appraisal, withrepparttar 142927 unspoken understanding that their appraisal is expected to come in at or above that figure. The lending industry is competitive, and lenders want to issue as many loans as possible. It would appear that quite a few of them are even willing to lend money whenrepparttar 142928 home doesn’t appraise forrepparttar 142929 asking price. Appraisers point out that if they don’t providerepparttar 142930 “requested” figures, thenrepparttar 142931 lenders will simply hire other appraisers.


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