Ask the Expert: What is a non-conforming loan?
What is a non-conforming loan? A non-conforming loan is different than the conventional loan standards. So, first, let’s talk about conforming loans. A…
Author: Rick Good
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader's money, real estate, and business coverage.
Escalation clause: This is my offer, but it’s really higher
If you want to buy a house in a very competitive market, an escalation clause might be something to consider. An escalation clause automatically raises…
Good work habits to set you up for success
If you want to succeed in your job, good habits are essential. No one is perfect and not everything is under our control, but a few healthy workplace…
The fork: A brief history
For a short time in the year 1004, it was the talk of Venice. An aristocrat’s foreign bride, offending all the guests at the wedding feast without saying…
Play a video game for science
A video game developed in Barcelona, Spain, will help scientists advance research into breast cancer. In other words, play a game and solve a problem….
Kindle books
If you plan to read a book on your Kindle while traveling, be sure to download the book before you leave. Even with the right password, Amazon may not let…
Choosing a seat
If you haven’t flown for a while, before you book your trip, remember that there is a big difference in airplane seat comfort in the economy section. For…
Wipe out
Those lovely wet wipes are so refreshing for traveling, and some are great for disinfecting, but beware. Don’t store pills with the wipes, even when the…
Day stay
Hourly hotels have a cheeky reputation, but if you’ve ever been marooned at an airport for seven or eight hours, a day hotel sounds like heaven. Well,…
How to practice your second language
With about a year or a little more of focused study, most students may be able to carry on a simple conversation in a second language. Still, some…