Keeping it Safe

If you're anything like me, you hate passwords. How do you keep them all straight? How do you remember them? And what's the big deal, anyway?

Well, if you really want to know more (and I can understand why you may not want to), read the following articles. They are full of good information. Written by Brian Krebs - a self-taught internet safety blogger.

It's a scary world out there. You want to stay safe.

Cheers,

Boyd

The Value of a Hacked Email Account

How Much is Your Gmail Worth?

Housing Finance Reform Proposals


You may be aware of a speech that President Obama gave in Phoenix earlier this month. He outlined his proposals on housing finance reform, including vastly different roles for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.  NAR (National Association of Realtors) has issued a statement in support of the President, noting that the proposals “closely mirror the outline presented by the National Association of Realtors® to the administration in early 2011.”  

HERE'S a link to the NAR statement

The White House has issued the following fact sheet. This excerpt comes from the White House web page. The full details with full explanations for each bullet point can be found HERE.

We really don't want to repeat past mistakes in our housing market. I believe a healthy housing market creates a healthy economy. Let's hope that our leaders are figuring that out, and working to make it happen.

Cheers!

Boyd

 A Better Bargain for the Middle Class: Housing

A Better Bargain for Responsible, Middle Class Homeowners:
  • Help responsible families save $3,000 a year by refinancing while mortgage rates are still low
  • Take executive action to cut red tape so responsible families can get a mortgage
  • Fix our broken immigration system to increase home values
  • Rebuild communities hit hardest by foreclosure
  • Create and preserve affordable rental housing by passing a bipartisan Senate proposal 

Core Principles for Durable, Fair Housing Finance (GSE) Reform:
  • Put private capital at the center of the housing finance system
  • End Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s failed business model so taxpayers are never again on the hook for bad loans and bailouts
  • Ensure widespread access to safe, responsible financing like the 30-year fixed rate mortgage
  • Support affordability and access for renters and homeownership for first-time buyers, in part by continuing the historic affordability role of Federal Housing Administration (FHA) 

Making Families’ Most Important Financial Decision Safe and Simple:
  • Ensure all prospective homeowners receive a single, simple three-page mortgage disclosure form
  • Increase incentives for lenders to deliver high quality loans and products
  • Level the playing field for financial institutions of all sizes so borrowers can work with the lender right for them 

Confirming Mel Watt Will Provide Certainty and Leadership During This Key Phase:
  • Congress should swiftly confirm the President’s FHFA Director nominee Mel Watt to further accelerate efforts toward common sense housing finance reform