How Much Risk Involved With Mortgages

Found a good article over at the Kipinger site on mortgage rates and the advantage for property owners, buyers and sellers. Below is a bit of the article. To read the full story click here.

(ARMs), which home buyers took out in droves over the past few years to stretch their purchasing power. Problem is, about $1 trillion in ARMs will lose their low, introductory fixed interest rates between now and the end of 2007, bringing sticker shock to many borrowers when they see their rates jump as much as 5 percentage points from one month to the next.

ZB

Top Ten Cities For Opportunity In America

A good study on American cities on the Kiplinger web site. I've listed the top 10 below. The idea of moving from city to city is fantastic if you are in a position to do so. Staying in a town, city, state, or province when times have gone south makes no sense at all.

It's a very good idea to keep somewhat mobile as life changes come around. Personally, I'm keen on living in the retirement areas long before I retire. Better golf course, better health care, and a quieter back-drop for life all around.

#1 Nashville, Tenn.
The top pick offers affordable homes, a mild climate and a phenomenal entertainment scene that goes far beyond country.

#2 Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.
The Twin Cities offer a hip and progressive atmosphere with a midwestern sensibility, multiple cultural outlets, pro teams in all four major sports, a dozen universities and colleges, and a diverse economy.

#3 Albuquerque, N.M.
This laid-back city offers resort-town ambience, a boomtown economy and cow-town prices.

#4 Atlanta, Ga.
The capital of Georgia is a vibrant city with a rich history, good health care, a great cultural scene and genteel neighborhoods shaded by magnificent dogwood and magnolia trees.

#5 Austin, Tex.
Home to the University of Texas, the state capitol, the Zachary Scott Theatre and the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum, Austin is a sophisticated salsa of culture, history and politics.

#6 Kansas City
This city split along state lines offers something for everyone: from stately houses to downtown lofts and world-class museums to barbecue.

#7 Asheville, N.C.
A virtually franchise-free downtown, world-class cuisine, amazing crafts, live music venues and fine arts make this city tucked into the Blue Ridge mountain range one of a kind.

#8 Ithaca, N.Y.
True, it's in the Finger Lakes boonies of central New York, but Ithaca is an Ivy League outpost with great food, beautiful scenery and Naderite politics.

#9 Pittsburgh, Pa.
Currently undergoing a renaissance, this hidden gem has distinctive neighborhoods, tree-lined streets, glittering skyscrapers, upscale shops and a diversified economy.

#10 Iowa City, Iowa.
An oasis on the prairie, this wholesome middle-American city is bursting with creative and intellectual energy.