Blog updates

How-to Monday: Escrow [The Real Estate Wonk]

2008-10-13T00:00:18-05:00

Homeowners are accustomed to mortgage payments that include taxes and insurance. Every month you pay 1/12th of the annual tab (give or take), and the lender socks it away into an escrow account for when the bills come due.

But a lot of the subprime loans made during the pre-credit-crunch frenzy didn’t come with escrow accounts. There’s nothing like being hit with an unexpected tax bill to ruin your day — or wreck your budget.

Many of the people streaming into St. Ambrose Housing Aid Center in Baltimore for help avoiding foreclosure don’t have escrow accounts and didn’t realize it when they got the loan. The truth comes as an especial shock to homeowners who refinanced, thinking they were getting a better deal.

“That’s something we’re seeing more often: ‘What do you mean my taxes and insurance aren’t included? I always had taxes and insurance included with my payment,’” says Anne Balcer Norton, director of foreclosure prevention at St. Ambrose.

If you’re shopping for a mortgage now, you’re probably not in danger of ending up without an escrow account. Much has changed since subprime lending collapsed last year. (Keep in mind that reverse mortgages are a different animal: Seniors getting them to tap into their equity should be aware that these products typically do not cover taxes and insurance, Norton says.)

But what if you already have a mortgage? Unless you’re absolutely certain your lender is escrowing for you, it wouldn’t hurt to double-check.

Your monthly mortgage statement should say how much you’re paying in taxes and insurance if you are indeed paying for taxes and insurance, Norton says. You could also call your loan servicer or look through the stack of documents you got at the settlement table.

All isn’t lost if it turns out that you’re escrow-less. First, try calling your servicer to request an account be set up, Norton suggests. In most cases she’s aware of, the servicers followed through.

If you get a “sorry, but no” response, there’s the do-it-yourself method. Figure out the annual cost of your insurance and taxes. Then every month put 1/12th of that amount into a bank account or other special fund for the purpose. (As a bonus, you get interest on that money while it sits there.)

“Really be disciplined about putting that money aside,” Norton says. “Life happens. Particularly in this economy, there are no certainties.”

There is a flip side to the no-escrow problem: Some borrowers with mandatory escrow accounts wish they didn't have them because their servicers are taking too much, taking too little, not paying on time, etc. Jack M. Guttentag discusses the issue on his Mortgage Professor site.

Property taxes: Baltimore vs. D.C. [The Real Estate Wonk]

2008-10-12T00:01:18-05:00

A Wonk reader asked for a Baltimore vs. Washington comparison of residential property taxes. I aim to please.

The city's rate is $2.268 per $100 in assessed value. Washington's is 85 cents.

Baltimore homes are a lot less expensive than D.C.'s, though, so it's useful to know what you'd be paying if you recently bought the average house in each city (assuming your assessment matches up with the average sales price in August):

Baltimore, with its $195,000 sales price: $4,423.

Washington, with its $557,000 sales price: $4,191.

Wait, you math wonks are saying: Isn't $557,000 divided by 100 times 0.85 actually more than $4,700? Yes indeed -- but one of D.C.'s owner-occupancy benefits is that you don't have to pay taxes on the first $64,000.

One advantage Baltimore has over D.C. is that its cap on the amount your tax bill can increase if you're an owner-occupier is 4 percent a year, while Washington's is 10 percent.

Property taxes are a topic of continual debate and frustration in Baltimore. Both real estate agents and economists say the city's rate gets in the way of more people moving here -- whether from Washington or elsewhere.

I chatted with Joseph Himali, incoming president of the Greater Capital Area Association of Realtors, to double-check my grasp of D.C. tax rules. He shared a tale of a couple he's working with who decided to move to Baltimore from overseas because the home prices were much lower than in D.C. Then they got here and realized what their taxes would be, he said. They weren't thrilled about their commute to the D.C. 'burbs, either.

They're in the process of selling here and buying in Washington instead.

"I think people on the first blush will seriously consider Baltimore; then they'll look at taxes," said Himali, principal broker of Best Address Real Estate in Georgetown. You'll eventually pay off a mortgage, "but in Baltimore, you can't ever get rid of the tax."

Comments? Arguments? Chime in.

Or you can compare and contrast other Maryland jurisdictions by looking up sales prices at Metropolitan Regional Information Systems and tax rates at the state Department of Assessments and Taxation.

Home prices last month [The Real Estate Wonk]

2008-10-11T06:28:46-05:00

If your weekend just isn't complete without a housing story, feel free to check out mine about September home sales in the Baltimore metro area. A few stats:

Average sale prices fell in all parts of the metro area last month except Howard County, which recorded a 3.3 percent increase. The drop was largest in Carroll County, down 17 percent to about $300,000. That's below the average of four years earlier and is $75,000 less than Carroll sellers got in September 2005.
Average prices in the rest of the metro area were at or below 2005 levels, with the exception of Baltimore. The city's $170,000 price last month was $8,600 less than sellers got two years earlier but $7,200 more than the average in 2005.

There's also an interesting -- if depressing for homeowners -- discussion by economists about the "true" drop in prices and the number of people underwater on their mortgages.

Rescue Part II: Feds Announce More Help for Student Loans [Consuming Interests]

2008-10-10T14:47:28-05:00

If you've been angry about this whole $700 billion bailout and how it doesn't really help you much personally, maybe this little bit of news may make you feel better.

Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson, Jr. and Department of Education Secretary Margaret Spellings announced today that the Administration is going to take a number of steps to support the student loan market.

As we all know, the credit crunch isn't just affecting mortgages, auto loans and credit cards. It's also hurt student loans.

Here's part of the text of what Paulson and Spellings released, explaining that they recognize that education is the foundation of a strong American workforce:

Earlier this week, President George W. Bush signed H.R. 6889, the extension of the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act. We appreciate Congress providing the Department of Education, in coordination with the Treasury Department and the Office of Management and Budget, renewed temporary powers to use federal funds to ensure students and families continue to have access to student loans

The loan purchase and participation interest programs implemented over the last few months have helped ensure that Federal student loans were available to students enrolling in postsecondary institutions for the 2008-2009 school year, and Federal student lending is exceeding last year's pace.
Our financing program has supported just over 40 percent of the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) loans that have been disbursed this year. Over 800 lenders have enrolled in our loan purchase program. Almost $51 billion of federally guaranteed loans have been originated for the current school year, up from approximately $45 billion for the same period last year.
Over the next few months, schools and lenders will be making decisions for the 2009-2010 school year. Using our newly extended authorities, the Administration is moving aggressively to support the continued availability of funding for federal student loans in the next school year with the goal of restoring the government guaranteed student loan market to normal operations. We are working on an expedited basis and will make further announcements in the coming weeks.

And on that somewhat positive note, I wish you all a good weekend.

Consumer Sundays: Free money, the Fed bailout and you, Watchdog updates [Consuming Interests]

2008-10-10T14:12:10-05:00

Great googly moogly! Thank goodness it's finally Friday.

What a week we've had filled with technological innovation, devastating market losses, worried consumers and investors around the world, and lots of talk about state cutbacks here at home to education, healthcare and public safety (although, i gotta say, I'm not crazy about solving our money woes through slots).

It's enough to send you over the edge, isn't it? But that would be most tragic, not just because you'd be dead, but also because you'd miss all the great consumer stories we've got waiting for you on Sunday. (heheh. I kid, you silly monkeys.)

In Consuming Interests, the column on Sunday not the blog, I'll tell you how free money offers and my favorite type of mail is connected.

Eileen's personal finance column will focus on what tax breaks are in store for we consumers in the $700 billion bailout/rescue (whichever you prefer to call it) package just passed by Congress.

And Liz will maybe make you feel a little tear in her Watchdog story this week as she updates you on prior queries she's tackled.

Also, as an added bonus for readers since we do love you guys so, look for the wonderful Lorraine Mirabella in our Biz Department's Sunday Money & Life section where she tells you how to save more than $1,000 doing a few simple things. Who couldn't use a grand right now, huh?

So don't jump just yet, dears. Tune in Sunday.

Cheap weekend project: make a Halloween costume [Consuming Interests]

2008-10-10T12:16:51-05:00

Nothing is worse than spending too much money for an unoriginal Halloween costume.*

All Hallow's Eve is still weeks away, and you (or your offspring, or your pets) might not even have any plans yet.

But you can save yourself some cash by thinking of an idea now and putting it together, rather than waiting until the last minute and plunking down your hard-earned cash in exchange for whatever is leftover at the seasonal Halloween store. [ed note: ok, those costumes to the left aren't homemade, but they made me laugh. so there. -- DD]

Planning ahead of time also allows you to get the best deals on essential supplies. No need to pay top dollar for aluminum foil for your Sputnik headpiece, hours before you head to a party ... instead, shop around and save!

You also don't need to be super handy or even own a sewing machine --- there are plenty of no-sew options. You can do wonders with fuseable tape, spray adhesives and other quick fasteners, according to sewing.org.

If you do go the DIY route, Consumer Reports reminds everyone to think of safety when making your own Halloween costumes. Consider the weather, and make sure to make eyeholes large and add reflective tape to dark fabrics so they can be seen at night.

Here are some links with Halloween costume ideas, some no-sew:

--- Parenting blogger Kate shared some easy costume ideas from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

--- About.com's Family Crafts site has a compendium of Halloween costume patterns and ideas, including recipes for face paint and fake blood.

--- Martha Stewart's site has a lot of beautifully executed Halloween costumes that seem ... somewhat ambitious to make at home. The site's a great source of inspiration, at the very least.

*Okay, perhaps some things are worse than paying too much for a bad outfit ...

Making your child wear a toilet costume is terrible. And the site suggests you can pull it out year-round as a contemporary dunce cap.

Shocking.

Will the Fed Rate Cut Help Consumers? [Consuming Interests]

2008-10-10T11:59:26-05:00

The Federal Reserve cut its key lending rate by half a percentage point yesterday in the hope of stimulating lending and spending. Are you wondering how this will affect you, the consumer?

We've written a lot about lenders have tightened their lending practices and made it more difficult for consumers to get credit. Eileen's column last Sunday just covered how the credit crunch is affecting credit card offers, too.

But will you see interest rates drop on car loans, credit cards and business loans?

The answer? Maybe. Bill Hardekofp, CEO of LowCards.com and author of The Credit Card Guidebook, the rate cut will benefit some cardholders with variable rates because their interest rate may drop in the next 30 to 45 days. But each and every cardholder will not see a rate cut.

Card issuers are paying attention to a number of different factors to predict cardholder risk now. If you're deemed a high risk, it could push your rates up.

Hardekofp says the following are other factors that could affect your rates:

Your credit score is low or was lowered recently.

You balance is too close to your credit limit on your card or other cards -- even if it was the issuer who lowered your limit and caused your balance to be closer to your limit.

Many card issuers still give themselves the right to change rates at any time for any reason. Read your contract. "Any time for any reason." Sometimes it's random, but sometimes it could actually be for a legitimate reason like economic market conditions.

Hardekofp suggests asking your card issuer to lower your rate. If it doesn't work, continue building a good payment history and credit score and ask again. It never hurts to ask.

(Image by Ian Britton, FreeFoto.com)

September home sales [The Real Estate Wonk]

2008-10-10T09:44:40-05:00

Here's something completely different: The drop in home prices in the Baltimore metro area last month was larger than the drop in sales.

New numbers from Metropolitan Regional Information Systems show home sales falling about 2 percent from a year ago, a sharp change after months of losses in the neighborhood of 30 percent. Those big declines started in September 2007 as lenders clamped down on borrowing rules, which means we're no longer comparing sales to pre-crunch days.

Average prices dropped 5.9 percent in the metro area, sliding below September 2005 values. The average price last month was about $296,000 vs. nearly $304,000 three years earlier.

The biggest decline in average price came in Carroll County, which was down 17 percent. Howard County recorded the lone increase -- 3.3 percent -- but its median price dropped, so you might take that with a grain of salt.

Both Howard and Carroll saw sales jump -- particularly Howard, up 26 percent. And sales were almost even in Baltimore City and Baltimore County.

Don't Despair. Shop for Hope [Consuming Interests]

2008-10-10T09:08:41-05:00

It's been a tough week, yes? The stock market is waaaaay down. We might be headed for another depression. And C-Mart is closing (ok, maybe I'm the only one who is really bummed about that).

(sigh)

But look, if you find yourself with the money or need to shop soon, think about putting that money to good use while you're indulging in a little pick-me-up. Hopewell Cancer Support, a community for cancer patients, is holding the 2nd Shop for Hope event from Oct. 16 to Oct. 25. More than 50 local merchants along the Falls Road corridor are offering customers a 10 percent discount and they'll make a 10 percent donation to benefit Hopewell. Proceeds benefit programs and services for individuals living with cancer, their families and caretakers.

Shop for Hope features 52 stores from Green Spring Station through Hampden’s 36^th Street. Participating merchants will honor Shop For Hope coupons offering shoppers a 10% discount for goods or services. Individuals who support HopeWell merchants through Shop For Hope get an added bonus as their names are entered into a drawing for valuable prizes including museum memberships, retail store and restaurant gift certificates. The drawing will take place at the conclusion of the campaign. At the end of the promotional period, merchants will donate 10% of their sales to HopeWell.

See that? You can do some retail therapy, maybe get a head start on your holiday shopping, help out a good cause and give a little much needed boost to our ailing economy.

Check out the list of Shop for Hope merchants here.

WiMAX Watch: Wherefore Art Thou, Apple? [Consuming Interests]

2008-10-10T06:15:36-05:00

I had two questions on my mind this week as Gus and I were covering XOHM Sprint Nextel's WiMAX launch at the Bond Street Wharf in Fells Point on Wednesday.

The first question was something that had our friend, Mario Armstrong, that digital dynamo who hosts tech shows on NPR and WYPR, scratching his head. And the second question is something my work spouse and resident tech guru, Gus, has been trying to find the answer for since we heard about WiMAX, which is like one big "hotspot" for wireless Internet connectivity.

Now, we realize the actual XOHM WiMAX launch happened on Sept. 29. But c'mon. The official launch on Wednesday was quite a big to-do. Filled with lots of top executives from Sprint, Nokia, Intel, Samsung and the like. They rented a $1.6 million house, water taxis, Kali's Court and more to show off their baby. It was a big event that attracted press from across the country. Lots of ubertechgeek eyeballs all trained on our great, big little city, Baltimore.

And yet --- Mario, please correct me if I am wrong since I didn't have time to hang around after the press conference -- I didn't spot a single high level politician anywhere in sight to support the event. Odd? Methinks so.

This was a big event that put Baltimore on the map. This is a hot new technology. Where was the love, B-more?

If you were there and spotted a politico, clue me in. Maybe I missed them standing behind a tree or something.

The second question was something that Gus was wondering about, and one that would affect both of us since we both use Apple products. With all these other companies jumping on board the WiMAX train, what's up with Apple? Will Apple grace us with some nifty WiMAX gadgets any time in the near future?

Barry West, chief tech officer and President of XOHM Sprint Nextel, had an answer for us after the presser:

"I hope [Steve] Jobs will wake up one day and say, 'God, I really made a big mistake. I want to put WiMAX in Apple products."

So there you have it. An answer to our Apple question, sorta. I guess we won't be seeing WiMAX-enabled Apple products anytime soon. But maybe Apple's Genius CEO will one day wake up and make the leap, and maybe one day he'll let iPhone owners pick their own service provider.

Ah. Dreamer, I am.

WiMAX Watch: A WiMAX equipped Segway [Consuming Interests]

2008-10-09T14:54:31-05:00

I don't really have a post to go with this. But I just thought this photo of a dude on a WiMAX equipped Segway (taken by my good friend and ultra-talented photographer Jed) was wicked cool.

Talk about being connected on the go. Imagine tooling around town on one of those with the Internet at your fingertips.

If I sound a little taken with the technology, it's because there were some really interesting things going on at XOHM Sprint Nextel's official WiMAX launch yesterday in Fells Point, as Gus told you yesterday.

Jed says the Segway guy is Keshab Lamichhane of Intel. The guy taking video of him is Matt Hamblen of the good folks over at Computerworld.

(Sun Photographer Jed Kirschbaum)

WiMAX Watch: New WiMAX Laptops Ready for Baltimore [Consuming Interests]

2008-10-09T11:01:41-05:00

[That there photo to the right is a Lenovo X300. It's WiMAX ready. We meant to tell you yesterday about the WiMAX gadgets galore available to consumers now, but there weren't enough hours in the day. Without further ado, I'm turning this post over to Gus to tell you more. -- DD]

For now in Baltimore, there have been only two ways to get a taste of Sprint's new XOHM network -- a broadband system that's basically turning the city into one big "hotspot" for wireless Internet connectivity. You could buy a little plug-in device for your laptop at $59.99 -- or a home modem for $79.99 -- and then pick a service plan that suits you over at www.xohm.com.

But, at Sprint's big launch party for XOHM yesterday in Fells Point, we learned of several new laptops that will hit the market that will come with the WiMAX chipset already embedded inside. This means, if you buy one of these laptops from Lenovo, Acer, Asus or Toshiba, you won't need to also purchase the $59.99 plug-in device to tap into the Sprint's XOHM in Baltimore.

Intel designed a new chipset that catches both WiMAX and Wi-FI signals, and will be pushing them into the hands of these computer-makers. Other heavyweights, including Sony, Panasonic, and Dell, have also committed to incorporating the WiMAX/Wi-Fi chipset in their computers in the near future, according to an Intel marketing director I spoke with yesterday at the XOHM launch.

Getting major computer manufacturers to embed the WiMAX chipset is important for the Sprint, but it's also good for consumers. In the future, when you go out to buy a new laptop, there's a good chance that it will already come WiMAX-ready. So, catching the WiMAX signal and registering for the service will be a far more integrated experience.

So far, these four computer makers are only selling their WiMAX-ready computers online. In most cases, you'll be able to place an order but you may have to wait a few weeks to receive your new toy. I've done my best to track some links to the products for you, in case you're interested at looking at their specifications. These companies are counting on WiMAX getting traction with consumers who want to "future-proof" their next laptop purchase, by making sure it's WiMAX-ready. So far, XOHM is only available in Baltimore, but Sprint's goal is to cover about 200 million Americans with the network in the next two years. In Baltimore, the company is about three-quarters of the way complete with building out the network.

Without further ado, let's take a look at some of these new laptops that should work seamlessly with Sprint's XOHM in Baltimore:

Lenovo has four WiMAX-enabled laptops for sale today. Here are the product series ID's: X301, T-400, SL300 and SL500. They range in price from around $720 to $3,000, depending on the model and add-ons you choose, I was told yesterday. A fifth type, the Y530, will be available for sale later this month, and the company has plans to introduce 6 more laptops that are WiMAX-enabled in the near future, according to David Critchley, a product marketing manager for Lenovo I spoke with yesterday. Kudos to Lenovo for actually having an easy to navigate Website that points you exactly to the WiMAX computers. Check the Lenovo WiMAX laptops out here. The lowest-priced Thinkpad was actually at $570.
Acer apparently has two laptops for sale that are WiMAX-enabled. But you'd never know it from their Website. I can't find the two WiMAX models there. I found a 16-inch Acer Aspire 6930-6771 laptop for sale on Amazon.com and it was priced at $941.99. The other model apparently is the Acer Aspire 4930-6862.
Asus has a 15.4 inch laptop that's up for sale, and priced for $1,399 on Amazon.com. It also looks like they'll have a second WiMAX laptop hitting the market soon. Check out the Asus WiMAX promo site here.
Toshiba has a WiMAX laptop that will start shipping soon from its ToshibaDirect.com Website. It's an "ultra portable" that weighs about 4.8 pounds, has a 13.3 inch screen, and is designed for consumers and small businesses. Philip Osako, a product marketing director for Toshiba, told me yesterday it will be priced at around $1,199. I was told that the computer would be "up for sale" as of yesterday, but it looks like the Toshiba folks haven't enabled the ordering on their Website.

If you find better and more specific information about any of the computers I mentioned above, just leave a note for us below. Thanks!

Former Apple subsidiary PowerSchool never lost its Mac stripes [Apple a Day]

2008-10-09T09:09:19-05:00

I logged on to PowerSchool for the first time the other day (my daughter’s school delays its use until third grade) and had to chuckle at its startlingly Mac-like appearance. But I can’t say I was surprised.

Back in 2001 Apple acquired PowerSchool, a small Folsom, Calif.-based company that had developed a Web-based student information system parents could use to track their child’s grades and assignments.

Though Apple sold PowerSchool to Pearson Education in 2006, the company’s five-year association with Apple clearly never wore off.

The look and feel of the PowerSchool site closely mimics that of Mac OS X, but is stuck in the Jaguar era (OS X 10.2) -- right down to the background pinstripes.

(click to view larger image)

Even better than the nostalgia for bygone versions of OS X is PowerSchool’s calendar option. In addition to logging in to the site to check on your child’s attendance, assignments and test scores, you can enable a subscription feature that downloads the data over the Internet and loads it into your calendar application.

Well, you can if your computer happens to be a Mac. The subscription calendars work exclusively with Apple’s iCal.

Oh, the delicious irony! How many times have Mac owners experienced the frustration of encountering “Windows-only” features? For once, the tables are turned.

True, PC owners can get all the same information I can via the Web site. But I can get it in a different, more flexible format. You’ll have to pardon me for gloating.

All that aside, PowerSchool is a superb tool for helping parents stay on top of their child’s academic activities. Every school should use it, or something like it

Cheap Trick Thursday: birthday specials, deals and discounts [Consuming Interests]

2008-10-09T08:40:11-05:00

Given the direction of the economy, your friends and loved ones might not be able to pick up the bill for a pricey birthday dinner. But plan appropriately for your natal anniversary, and you might be able to enjoy up to two weeks of freebies and discounts!

The preparation should begin with arming yourself with a very important tool: the secondary e-mail address.

Everyone should maintain a different e-mail address to use to register for newsletters, sign up for discounts and other activities that might create a spam snowball in your inbox. [ed note: really great point, Liz. -- DD]

Create a gmail or yahoo mail account for just this purpose.You don't have to check it every day, or even every month --- just when you're in the market for a discount that might be available. That keeps the temptation to shop at bay.

After all, a reminder that your favorite big-box bookstore is offering a 20 percent off coupon might entice you to stop in on a whim and make an impulse purchase, whereas just checking for a coupon whenever you're truly in the market for a bestseller or a gift keeps the temptation at bay.

Secondly, be sure to double-check the offer for any caveats or exceptions. You never know --- you might have to print out a coupon, declare that it's your birthday at the beginning of a transaction or find out that the offer is only valid for the young'uns --- ages 13 or 16 and younger.

Don't forget to bring your ID, like Jenna Bush (second item) or Michael Phelps

And as the Dollar Duo at the Minneapolis Star Tribune advise, don't be shy about asking a favorite retailer if they have a birthday promotion. You won't lose anything by asking! And businesses make up for the investment through sales to the rest of the people in your party and any other splurging you do in the course of your transaction --- spending on drinks, appetizers, desserts or other extras you might not otherwise indulge in.

Here's a list of a few of our readers' favorite deals, as well as other sources:

--- Justine remembered correctly: Dining@Large readers confirm that the Prime Rib gives birthday freebies: a round of drinks, by signing up for their club.

--- As Danielle noted, Cafe Hon offers free dinner on your birthday for signing up for its Repeat Rewards or "birfday club".

--- Coldstone's not the only place to get a chilly treat. Sign up for Baskin Robbins' birthday club and get a coupon for 2.5 oz. of free ice cream, or Friendly's birthday club, as well.

--- Rent a free movie from Hollywood Video on your birthday, or on the birthdays of anyone on your membership account.

--- free movie rentals from hollywood video and safeway? http://www.bargainshare.com/index.php?showtopic=684

--- Get a free birthday entree at Austin Grill by signing up for their eClub, and a "big surprise" on your birthday from Qdoba Mexican Grill for signing up for theirs. Quizno's gives customers a free cookie on their birthday for signing up, and Famous Dave's BBQ and Damon's Grill also offer free birthday gifts as well.

--- Get a free something-something from Fuddruckers by signing up for the Fuddsclub.

--- The Cheesecake Factory offers diners a free scoop of ice cream with a candle for meals.

--- And don't forget the birthday deals, discounts and specials I listed earlier this week!

Bragging rights for Charles Village, Annapolis [The Real Estate Wonk]

2008-10-09T08:25:12-05:00

And now for something completely different from the ever-more-frequent comparisons of nowadays to the Great Depression: The American Planning Association is calling Charles Village in Baltimore one of the top 10 "great neighborhoods" in America and Main Street in Annapolis one of the top 10 "great streets."

Its piece on Charles Village includes this commentary on the neighborhood's taxing structure:

Recognizing the limits of their authority to address safety concerns, residents, citizen groups, and alliances from Baltimore's Charles Village neighborhood turned to the Maryland State Assembly for help. They proposed establishing a benefits district so they could collect a small levy from property owners for additional security and sanitation services. At the time such districts had been established for U.S. downtowns and commercial zones only and not for residential areas.
The neighborhood's proposal was approved, enabling the Charles Village Community Benefits District to be formed in 1994. Funded by a minimal levy on property values, the district has successfully managed to cut crime in half since its inception while serving as a model for three additional service districts in Baltimore.

Other neighborhoods on the list include Society Hill in Philadelphia, Old Town in Wichita, Kansas and Greater Park Hill in Denver.

The APA, meanwhile, praised Annapolis' Main Street for its "three centuries of history and well-preserved 18th- and 19th-century buildings."

We now return you to your regularly scheduled depressing economic news. Did you see the big ad in the paper today by a bank that just wanted to note for the record that it's a safe place to put your money?

Consumer Gripe: Comcast won't tell me what my bandwidth use is [Consuming Interests]

2008-10-09T07:15:30-05:00

We get a lot of questions and complaints about businesses here at Consuming Interests. Sometimes we get complaints wrapped inside of questions. This particular one comes from Reader Ken of Columbia, Md. about Comcast:

I thought you might appreciate some insight as to how Comcast is servicing their long-time internet customers. Here's an online chat I had with one of their rep's as I tried to learn how I could monitor my bandwidth usage and avoid being penalized for exceeding their new limit. To summarize - they do not provide customers with access to their current measurements of our bandwidth usage, yet they will penalize us if we exceed it.

The online conversation between them follows:

Live Chat

Status: Analyst Cariza is here and your issue status is: working

Problem: How can I monitor my monthly bandwidth usage?

End Session
user Ken_ has entered room
Ken(Wed Oct 08 2008 20:38:37 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
How can I monitor my monthly bandwidth usage?

analyst Cariza has entered room
Cariza(Wed Oct 08 2008 20:38:45 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
Hello Ken_, Thank you for contacting Comcast Live Chat Support. My name is Cariza.
Please give me one moment to review your information.

Cariza(Wed Oct 08 2008 20:38:53 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
Hello. How are you today?
Ken_(Wed Oct 08 2008 20:39:08 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
Hi Cariza. How are you?
Cariza(Wed Oct 08 2008 20:39:38 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
I'm doing fine. Thank you for asking. How about you?
Ken_(Wed Oct 08 2008 20:39:51 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
I'm great! Life is good.
Cariza(Wed Oct 08 2008 20:40:09 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
It's nice to hear that you are great!
Cariza(Wed Oct 08 2008 20:40:14 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
I can help you with that and I am going to run a health check on your account todday
to make sure everything is performing as it should.
Cariza(Wed Oct 08 2008 20:40:15 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
For Security purposes, I may need to verify your security.
Can I have your Account holder's full name and your account number.
Ken_(Wed Oct 08 2008 20:40:52 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
So - I understand comcast has a new monthly bandwidth limit.
I just want to know how I can keep track of what I've used each month.
Ken_(Wed Oct 08 2008 20:41:17 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
<DELETED FOR PRIVACY>.
Cariza(Wed Oct 08 2008 20:42:09 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
Thank you for that.
Cariza(Wed Oct 08 2008 20:42:35 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))> Here is the link that will help you in monitoring your usage:http://manageengine.adventnet.com/products/netflow/monitor-bandwidth.html?adwords33bm&CampaignID=104228422&CampaignID=NFA_Search_US&CampaignID=20072000&gclid=CJyxmqv0mJYCFQmdnAodjC9i7g
Cariza(Wed Oct 08 2008 20:43:10 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
Was I able to provide you the information that you needed?
Ken_(Wed Oct 08 2008 20:43:31 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
ok. Is this a comcast product and does comcast guarentee that it is accurate?
Cariza(Wed Oct 08 2008 20:44:26 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
For now, comcast has no bandwidth meter available for you but I assure you that,
that is accurate for most of our customer are using that meter.
Ken_(Wed Oct 08 2008 20:44:34 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
oh... this is a tool that I must install. I thought that I could have access to comcast numbers.
Cariza(Wed Oct 08 2008 20:44:46 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
You need to download it in your end.
Ken_(Wed Oct 08 2008 20:45:01 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
I presume Comcast must be tracking my bandwidth,
can't I just get access to what you are recording for my usage each month?
Cariza(Wed Oct 08 2008 20:46:05 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
I do apologize but your issue is already beyond my scope of work.
We currently do not have any information regarding your issue
but I suggest that you use the tool that I have provided you to track or monitor your bandwidth usage.
Ken_(Wed Oct 08 2008 20:46:45 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
ok, i understand. Is there anyone that you can escalate this too?
Cariza(Wed Oct 08 2008 20:46:47 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
Cocmast has no bandwidth meter for available for you at this moment.
Cariza(Wed Oct 08 2008 20:47:57 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
I'm very sorry but as I check it to our supervisor
the only way for you to track your bandwidth usage you must install a meter for it
and for now comcast does not offer that meter.
Ken_(Wed Oct 08 2008 20:48:34 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
ok, thanks so much for trying. I appreciate your help.
Cariza(Wed Oct 08 2008 20:48:33 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
I suggest that you install the meter that I have provided you so that
you will be able to monitor your usage.
Cariza(Wed Oct 08 2008 20:48:47 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
You are most welcome.
Ken_(Wed Oct 08 2008 20:49:06 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
For your notes, you can record that I really want to know what Comcast think's I'm using,
not what I think.
Ken_(Wed Oct 08 2008 20:49:30 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
bye now. have a great evening.
Cariza(Wed Oct 08 2008 20:50:31 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
I just want to set an expectation that I have already solved this issue
by providing you the bandwidth meter that you can install to measure your usage
for comcast does not offer the meter at this moment.
Cariza(Wed Oct 08 2008 20:50:32 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))>
I am happy that I was able to help you in resolving this issue.
If you do not have any other concerns, you may properly close this interaction by clicking on the 
End Session button. You may receive a 3-question survey after this chat. 
Kindly take some time to fill it up as we value your feedback about our services. 
Thank you for contacting Comcast. Have a great day!

So Ken poses a great question.

Is the tool he's supposed to download the numbers that Comcast uses for its own evaluation system? If it's not and if Comcast is going to penalize customers for exceeding bandwidth limits, shouldn't users know exactly what those limits are? We know Comcast monitors the Web so we'd love to hear from the company, especially since this is a hot button issue for lots of Internet users, as various media stories have reported.

No blogging [Jay Hancock's blog]

2008-10-08T19:59:56-05:00

In solidarity with the credit markets, I am on a blogging strike until the Treasury Eurodollar spread falls below below 2 percentage points. Or until Monday, whichever comes first.

WiMAX Watch: WiMAX on the Inner Harbor [Consuming Interests]

2008-10-08T15:01:40-05:00

As promised, Gus' report by land and sea (sorry, not by air, though, since planes were not made available) on the WiMAX presser this morning. -- DD:

Let's say you're lucky enough to have a boat. One day, you want to guide that boat up the bay and hang out in the Inner Harbor. While you're on your boat -- enjoying a better life than most of us while taking in the view of the Domino Sugar plant and other sites -- you want to surf the Web, watch online movies and play Web games.

Sprint says now you can do all that on their new wireless broadband network, which they're calling XOHM. They're providing the new Internet connection -- but you still gotta buy the boat. Earlier today, Sprint held their official launch of their XOHM network in Fells Point. Baltimore is the first city in the country to have access to XOHM -- but many more cities are expected to follow, including Washington and Chicago in the coming months.

Sprint officials demonstrated how well you can catch the network on the water by ferryin those of us in the technology press corps around the harbor on Water Taxis. They provided wireless connected laptops on board. It woulda been more fun if I wasn't working. And, if it was a sunnier day, I might've gotten a tan -- er, rather, a sunburn. (I don't tan.) But least I didn't get seasick. (Yes, I am a land-lubber.)

A small group of geeky-looking guys -- including me -- jumped on a Water Taxi off Thames Street, in the heart of Fells Point. As we pushed away from the dock, Jian Khodad, a business development director for XOHM, started talking about XOHM.

"XOHM wants to be simple to the end user. The experience needs to be simple," he said. "There are no long-term contracts."

Some of the folks on the taxi started pawing at the five laptops that were waiting for them on a bench. The boat veered toward the Inner Harbor; soon, we were passing Harbor East to the north. A XOHM engineer did speed tests to demonstrate how fast the connection was on the water.

One laptop computer was downloading data from the Internet at 4.8 megabits per second -- which is comparable, if not better, than the typical wired broadband connection you might find at your home. Uploading information occurred at a brisk 1.1 megabits per second. Again, better than decent -- considering we were out in the middle of the harbor and bobbing on mildly choppy waters.

Some of the media representatives were taking tons of pictures of the laptops on the boat (okay, I was, too.) I took a bunch of Andy Carvin, NPR's social media strategist, while he played with a laptop and tried to take pictures of it with the Domino Sugar plant as a backdrop.

After we debarked (Yay! No nausea! No vomiting!), I was immediately whisked into an interview with some representatives from Intel (which I'll tell you about in a later blog post).

When that was done, I toured a tastefully appointed house on the Fells Point waterfront that Sprint had rented to demonstrate how the network can be used at home. (They rented a Thames Street house that was on the market for $1.6 million, just for the day, a XOHM guy told me.)

There, I saw for the first time Sprint's "home" modem, which is what a customer would use to connect to the network from a fixed location. (I think it looks like a fancy European-made coffee grinder -- all black and sleek.) This modem was connected to a laptop computer -- and the computer was connected to a HUGE 50+ inch flat panel television.

On the computer, I visited Hulu.com-- a popular site for watching good-quality video on the Web -- and started watching the opening segment from last week's Saturday Night Live. I was impressed that the video appeared on the television in very good quality, with no breaks or hiccups. I was watching really good video on a very big television -- via the wireless Internet. Wow.

So with this set-up, Sprint was basically showing how you can hook up your super-expensive TV to the Internet, without too many wires, and surf the Web while sitting on your super-expensive leather couch, with your big boat docked outside -- should you need to cruise the harbor with your XOHM-connected laptop.

Talk about mind-blowing. My cell phone is still circa 2002. [ed note: So if I get WiMAX, will the super-expensive leather couch, house and boat eventually come with it? If so, sign me up. -- DD]

(photos by Gus Sentementes)

WiMAX Watch: Cutting the Cord [Consuming Interests]

2008-10-08T12:49:16-05:00

Big happenings down at the Bond Street Wharf in Fells Point this Wednesday morning. Sprint formally launched its new wireless broadband network, known as XOHM, in 'lil old Baltimore, which we've been telling you about for awhile now.

In front of a video screen that said, "A Hotspot As Big As A City," Chief Technology Officer and President of XOHM Sprint Nextel Barry West told a crowd of press, tech analysts and techgeeks that with the launch of WiMAX, "Now America is starting to lead." (That's West there cutting the proverbial cord with an assist from representatives of Sprint's partner companies like Intel, Samsung, Nokia Siemens, just to name a few.)

The earllier Sept. 29 launch was all about the network, West said, but today's event focused mostly on the new WiMAX-enabled devices and gadgets available to consumers (intrepid tech guru Gus will report on that later today).

Here are some highlights from the presser I attended:

For people still wondering Why WiMAX? West said, "We were looking for technology that was not only faster, but also cheaper, based on Internet technology protocol and affordable to consumers."

If you want to jump on the WiMAX bandwagon, you can buy the devices online at XOHM.com, Amazon, Nokia, and NewEgg. You can also by it by phone or visit one of the kiosks in local shopping malls or find them at local independent retailers. Once you buy the device (sorta like buying a cup of coffee), you can take it home, plug it in, go to the Web site and sign up for the level of service you want (by the day, month or lifetime).

West said much thought was put into making the sign up process as easy as possible for consumes.

Asked why there are still gaps or "bubbles" in the Baltimore networks for users, West responded that the system is three-quarters of the way into build out and that "We're not trying to go head-to-head with cellular services today." As the build out continues, those bubbles will improve, he said.

I also asked West after the press conference about the current price points for the devices, which can cost $60 to $80, and whether the daily-monthly-lifetime rates were affordable for people in this ailing economy? Why not charge less to get more people to try out this new technology, in other words, especially since it's still only currently avaiable in Baltimore? What about people who want to try it out, but are currently locked into contracts with other providers?

"Eventually, you'll get out of those contracts," West said. "You will want to since we are going to grow this out. This might not be the right time to adopt this for people who are still in contracts or who are highly mobile. But for small businesses in Baltimore and for people who only need to connect in the city, this is a great deal, an amazing deal."

If WiMAX performs as promised, this could really change the way we connect to others in our personal and business lives. West talked at length after the presser about how WiMAX-enabled appliances could help cut short those exasperating service calls where you have to make a service appointment, a technician visits your house, diagnoses the problem, orders the part, makes an appointment to come back and then fixes your washer. With WiMAX, West said he sees the day coming when the tech can just diagnose your problem without a home visit.

That will be the day. And to think, as West said, "Just remember... It started here today."

Very exciting news. Anyone out there who is using WiMAX already? We want to hear from you.

(photo by me)

CWSotW: how much does your old refrigerator cost to run? [Consuming Interests]

2008-10-08T12:40:11-05:00

Wondering whether it's worth it to replace your old refrigerator with a more energy-efficient model?

The Energy Star program does the heavy lifting for you with the Refrigerator Retirement Savings Calculator.

The calculator is part of the Recycle My Old Fridge campaign, a program designed to help you switch from the old appliance to something that won't drain your wallet to run.

The site also has links to recycling programs and watch inspiring stories of why you should switch to an energy-efficient fridge.

Check out this entry from a Marylander ... but I thought Ben Franklin was from Philadelphia?

(photo: Andre Chung/Baltimore Sun)

Recession or not, Apple will forge ahead [Apple a Day]

2008-10-08T12:27:05-05:00

After yesterday’s Wall Street carnage, AAPL stood at $89.16, down over 9 percent for the day and 55 percent for the year. It’s been an ugly month.

Of course, to a large degree Apple is caught up in the whirlwind of panic selling gripping financial markets the world over. But other information, particularly the downgrade of the stock by two analysts last week, hasn’t helped either.

Both Kathryn Huberty of Morgan Stanley and Mike Abramsky of RBC Capital downgraded Apple last Monday (Sept. 29), which contributed to that day’s 17 percent drop in the stock’s value. Both analysts pointed to slowing consumer demand as a primary source of concern.

Two weeks ago I wrote on this blog that AAPL was getting hammered unfairly. With its strong growth trends over the past two years and a good earnings report expected Oct. 21, I argued the company was well positioned to prosper in 2009 despite a bumpy economy.

A lot has happened in the past two weeks.

Consumer trepidation stemming from the cascade of crises on Wall Street has intensified, and retailers fear the worst holiday shopping season in years. While no one knows yet how hard “Main Street” will get hit, you can bet almost everyone will be cutting back on their spending in the months ahead.

Rockville, Md.-based ChangeWave Research added to the gloom with a report that its latest survey of consumer PC purchasing habits showed a significant drop for the Mac. Those who said they planned to buy a Mac laptop in the next 90 days dropped 5 points from August to September (34 to 29 percent), with those planning to buy a Mac desktop falling 4 points (from 30 to 26 percent).

Apple inevitably will feel some pain. Economic troubles overseas also will negatively affect Apple, as the company has worldwide operations. The iPhone faces competition from Research in Motion’s forthcoming touchscreen Storm as well as smart phones running Google’s Android operating system.

But I still think Apple will weather this recession (I know one hasn’t been declared officially yet, but it won’t be much longer now) reasonably well. Here’s why:

The stash Apple has $21 billion in cash stowed away. While other businesses may struggle due to the frozen credit markets, Apple has little need to borrow money.

Mind share Apple has an extraordinarily powerful brand, particularly in the music space and among young consumers. Piper Jaffray’s survey of teen consumers released yesterday showed 84 percent of those with an MP3 player owned an iPod. Of those who purchased music online, 93 percent use the iTunes Store. Of those planning to buy an MP3 player (about a third of the respondents), 79 percent planned on getting an iPod.

Apple also stands to benefit from having products – such as the iPhone 3G and new line of iPods – some people crave so badly even lean times won’t prevent them from buying.

Finally, the Mac has established itself as a viable alternative to Windows PCs in the minds of consumers. Though fewer PCs will be sold, more of them will be Macs than if the economy had wilted two years ago.

Commitment to innovation When the U.S. economy was in a funk in 2001, Apple CEO Steve Jobs rejected conventional wisdom: “We're not laying off boatloads of people,” he said in July of that year. “We're taking those talented people and saying that if we're going to get out of this, we're going to get out of it by innovating our way out of it."

Three months later Apple introduced the first iPod.

According to the 9to5Mac Web site, Apple on Oct. 14 will debut new MacBooks based on an innovative manufacturing technique that carves the laptops out of blocks of aluminum. It sounds crazy enough to be true. It could be that mystery product Apple CFO Peter Oppenheimer referred to in July's earnings conference call.

Regardless, Jobs and his lieutenants know innovation is Apple’s strength in both good times and bad. Bold new products keep the media -- and hence the public -- focused on Apple.

Unveiling compelling new products while its competitors retrench will give those consumers who are still spending one more reason to choose Apple.

Oct. 9 UPDATE: I just received an e-mail invitation to an Oct. 14 Apple Media Event in Cupertino. The teaser simply says, "The spotlight turns to notebooks."

Maryland PSC seeks help on Constellation merger [Jay Hancock's blog]

2008-10-08T11:24:43-05:00

The Public Service Commission is hiring consultants to help it evaluate MidAmerican Energy's proposed buyout of Baltimore-based Constellation Energy.

The Maryland Public Service Commission issued two Request for Proposals today for expert consulting services to assist the Commission and the Commission Staff in evaluating, pursuant to Public Utility Companies Article 6-105, an expected application seeking the Commission's approval of an announced transaction between Constellation Energy Group Inc. and MidAmerican Energy Holdings Co.
"Through these RFPs, the Commission is seeking the best available experts to help us evaluate what we expect to be an important and complex transaction," said Commissin Chairman Douglas Nazarian. "Although no application has yet been filed, releasing these RFPs now will allow us to conduct a throrough, public analysis and meet the six-month deadline established in our statute."

WiMAX Watch: Lenovo Adds WiMAX Capability to its Laptops [Consuming Interests]

2008-10-08T10:16:28-05:00

Live report from our roaming tech guru Gus -- DD:

Sprint's throwing a party right now in Fells Point, where they're formally kicking off the launch of their new wireless broadband network in Baltimore, known as XOHM. They're using it as an opportunity to announce some new products from computer makers, which consumers will be able to buy. For now, consumers with laptops can only tap the XOHM network in Baltimore by buying a plug-in device that catches the wireless signal.

But today, Lenovo, a major computer maker, is announcing that they'll "immediately" be selling a new lineup of their Thinkpad and Notebook PCs that are WiMAX-enabled. (Need a refresher in WiMAX? Here's the gist: Sprint's XOHM network is based on WiMAX technology, which -- in the simplest way of thinking about it -- is expected to cover the Baltimore area with wireless Internet connectivity. Sorta like the "hotspot" at your local coffee shop, but bigger.)

So Lenovo and other computer makers -- we'll let you know who else a little later -- have gotten aboard the WiMAX bandwagon and are starting to make computers and o

If you're in the market for a computer -- a PC computer, that is -- you may end up buying one in the near future that comes WiMAX-enabled, so you won't have to spend the $59.99 on the plug-in device that Sprint's now offering for laptop users.

The network in Baltimore is still in its early stage, and is only little more than half-complete -- but it'll improve over the next several months, Sprint says. Still, you gadget-lusting consumers should check the XOHM website's map of Baltimore to see if the service offers a strong signal where you live, work and play.

By the end of the day, we hope to give you a complete list of the new products announced today at the Fells Point event which will hit the market ASAP and be WiMAX-ready.

So be sure to tune in a little later this afternoon.

Time is Running Out for Tax Rebates This Year: Free Help [Consuming Interests]

2008-10-08T08:37:42-05:00

Time is running out.

You have until Oct. 15 to file a 2007 tax return if you want to get a tax rebate this year. Miss the deadline, and you will still be able to claim the tax rebate - on NEXT year's return

More than 74,000 Maryland retirees and disabled veterans — including about 16,200 in Baltimore — have yet to file, according to the latest figures from the IRS. Many of these taxpayers usually don’t have to file a return because of low-income and may not be aware that they need to file a return to collect a check.

The rebate is worth at least $300 per person for those with qualifying income.

The IRS and other groups are offering free tax preparation for retirees and disabled veterans. Check out the IRS locations online or call 800-829-1040. Those with incomes under $54,000 can file for free online using Free File on the IRS Web site.

Or, call First Call for Help at 800-492-0618 to find free tax help or seek assistance through AARP’s Tax-Aide program at 888-687-2277 or at the AARP Web site.

Interest rates and their impact [The Real Estate Wonk]

2008-10-08T07:31:22-05:00

The spotlight's on interest rates today -- the Federal Reserve, trying to stem more economic pain, announced early this morning that it is cutting its benchmark rate by half a percentage point -- so what better time to check in on the rates that matter most to homebuyers?

Zillow.com, which has a "mortgage marketplace" where borrowers can get quotes from lenders, says the average rate quoted for Marylanders last week was 6.02 percent for a 30-year fixed mortgage. That's down slightly from the week before but is tied for third-highest among the 20 states with the highest volume of quotes, Zillow says. (Lowest was Georgia, at 5.88 percent.)

Americans planning to buy in the next two years told Zillow in a survey that their top concern was interest rates (two-thirds called that a worry), followed by local property taxes, the purchase price and closing costs.

Rates are actually lower on average than they were last year or in 2006, according to Freddie Mac's data. But they've been bouncing around so much in recent months that buyers probably don't know what to expect.

Poll: Home sales [The Real Estate Wonk]

2008-10-07T19:34:24-05:00

A lot has happened in the last few weeks. Seems high time for another poll about the housing market:

Better yet -- chime in below about why you think things will turn around soon, not so soon or really not soon.

UPDATE at 8:30 p.m. 10/7: About 40 percent of you say 2010. Just over a quarter predict things will turn around next year, 12 percent think it'll be years from now, 8 percent say 2012 and 6 percent each opted for "soon" and 2011.

Sellers lowering their prices for a 10-day event [The Real Estate Wonk]

2008-10-07T00:12:38-05:00

Homebuilders have been holding "10 percent off" events for a while. Now -- with sales continuing to slump and financial turmoil on Wall Street worsening -- a real estate brokerage is giving it a try.

Coldwell Banker said yesterday that home sellers across the country will lower their asking prices by as much as 10 percent during a sales event running Oct. 10 through 19. In Baltimore and its five surrounding suburbs, more than 300 sellers have agreed to lower prices “significantly,” Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Greater Baltimore told me.

"This is a really neat, interesting, good opportunity if you've been waiting, watching prices," said Melissa Brever, marketing manager with the Greater Baltimore company.

The local breakdown, in case you're interested: 102 participating sellers in Anne Arundel, 79 in Baltimore City, 71 in Baltimore County, 14 in Carroll, 34 in Harford and 16 in Howard.

Once the event kicks off, buyers can see which properties are participating and how the prices have changed at cbmove.com. There's also supposed to be event information at coldwellbank.com/event.

Tip of the hat to Wonk reader John for giving me a heads-up about the announcement.

Coldwell Banker said three-quarters of its U.S. agents surveyed recently believe most sellers have “unrealistic expectations” about price, but an equal amount think a reduction of 10 percent or less would be enough to interest buyers. (Almost 80 percent "agreed that homes in their market that are priced appropriately are attracting more buyers and moving more quickly," the company says.)

So, potential buyers, here's an unscientific survey: What sort of reduction would it take for you to do a deal? Is it price or something else keeping you from signing on the dotted line?