A judge has ordered the daughter of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. to bring intimate correspondence between the civil rights icon and his late wife, Coretta Scott King, to a Fulton County courtroom for a hearing to determine the letters’ fate.
When the Federal Reserve meets and changes rates, we all have questions: What does it mean to me? Will my mortgage rate go up or down? Is this a good time to refinance? Bankrate is here to help. We've looked at five categories -- mortgages, home equity loans, auto loans, credit cards and certificates of deposit -- to determine if the Fed's moves made you a winner or a loser. Here's a look at mortgages:
by Chris Kissell
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Winner: Bargain hunters and ARM holders The Federal Reserve's decision to substantially trim the federal funds rate for the second time in little more than a week doesn't necessarily mean mortgage rates are going down. In fact, mortgage rates often rise following a Fed rate cut, so it's impossible to guess where they are headed from here. However, mortgage rates recently sank to their lowest level in nearly four years, making this a great time to secure a loan at a very attractive price.
Lower rates are a major boon to people with adjustable rate mortgages whose rate is scheduled to move much higher soon.
A combination of sinking mortgage rates and plunging home prices also makes this a great time to consider buying a home, especially if you are looking for a bargain and intend to keep the home for the long haul.
Loser: Anyone with credit wounds There's an old saying: "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." Unfortunately, folks whose credit has been shaky in the past will find such luck difficult to come by, despite the opportunities presented by plunging mortgage rates.
As lenders tighten their standards, people with poor credit who hope to get a loan increasingly find themselves on the outside looking in.
Take action Looking to buy or refinance? If so, lock in your loan now. Rates are near four-year lows, but have climbed in the past week. Although rates could go lower, they may continue to climb instead. If your credit is poor, you probably won't be able to take advantage of great rates. If possible, take steps now to rebuild your credit. That way, you may be better prepared the next time opportunities arise.
Federal authorities are looking into reports that a man arrested with rifles, ammunition and drugs in his truck may have made threats against Barack Obama, officials said Monday.
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A childhood friend of the alleged victim in the R. Kelly child pornography case testified Wednesday that she recognizes her longtime friend as the one in the explicit video at the center of the trial.
With Sen. Barack Obama poised to make history as the first African-American presidential nominee of a major political party, BET and TV One will significantly step up their coverage of the Democratic National Convention in August.
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The brothers' lives were charmed. Their plummet from grace was a free fall. In 2004, the United States government began equating the brothers with street-corner drug dealers...
Though you may now deny it, back around 1983, more than a few of us wore our sequined gloves with unabashed pride. December 1, 2007 will mark 25 years to the day that Michael Jackson released...
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