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Bits & Pieces

Are You Ready for Google Reader’s Demise?

httpv://youtu.be/_GNuP06Kfp0

Video: Google Reader Shutting Down! How To Export and 7 Alternatives

The announcement earlier this spring that Google would be shuttering its news aggregation and RSS service (known as Google Reader) prompted tech bloggers and readers at Lifehacker to chime in with worthy, free alternatives.

  • The Old Reader might be the best alternative for Google devotees who don’t like change. Users can sign in via Google, but the similarities don’t end there. The app even “looks a lot like Google Reader… You get many of the same keyboard shortcuts, and even get the same ability to follow other Old Reader users and share interesting stories with them—the way you used to be able to with Google Reader,” writes LifeHacker’s Alan Henry.
  • NewsBlur is described as the alternative reader that is “more fun” and “easy on the eyes” than its counterparts. Be aware that free accounts are capped at 64 blogs, 10 stories at a time, and by specific public sharing options. The pro version is relatively inexpensive though, at just $24 a year.
  • Feedly is a reader favorite at LifeHacker for its layout options, rich social experience, and clever news suggestion algorithm. But if you’re looking for a web app, you may want to look elsewhere; Feedly is really more of a browser add-on, unless you’re reading on a mobile device.
  • Netvibes is for the Google Reader user who catches up on their computer. While they have mobile sites, the full, editable dashboard does not come in a truly mobile version. But if you’re looking for a new homepage to greet you each morning, this might be the one. The dashboard includes neat widgets for weather, finance, and news.
  • Pulse will satisfy your inner designer. Praised by the late Steve Jobs and winner of the coveted Apple Design prize, this reader and news aggregator will help you track your current feeds within an appealing user experience. Pulse’s algorithm is also praised by Lifehacker for being “great at lifting the interesting stories to the top” and finding other news you might be interested in.

Each of these products includes the option to import your existing Google Reader feeds. But Lifehacker also put together a handy guide to exporting your Google Reader data, if you should run into any problems doing so.

Source: “5 Best Google Reader Alternatives” (March 17, 2013)
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Real Estate

The Top 10 Real Estate Tax Deductions for Homeowners

popular tax time apps verizon wireless midwest area image by vzwmidwestarea.com
popular tax time apps verizon wireless midwest area image by vzwmidwestarea.com

As the time to file income taxes approaches, we need to take a new look at the changing tax landscape for homeowners. The dynamic atmosphere in Washington, D.C. has a different effect each year on which tax breaks are proposed, rescinded, changed, and extended for taxpayers who own a home.

Thanks to the efforts of many real estate industry groups including the National Association of Realtors, many of the  tax benefits that homeowners enjoy–which were on the chopping block over the past few months–have been protected and extended through the 2013 tax season.

Disclaimer – This is only an informational summary of current tax issues in the news. If you need tax advice, please contact a tax attorney or CPA

 

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Real Estate

Mortgage Settlement Could Lead to More Scams

The recent announcement of the $25 million mortgage settlement between five major banks and state and federal government officials was probably welcome news to many people in the real estate business. But it has at least one downside: It will probably cause a rise in scams targeting borrowers seeking assistance.

Currently, between $4 billion and $6 billion is lost each year due to borrower-assistance swindles, says Joanne Kerstetter, vice president of education and community relations for Money Management International, a credit counseling service based in Sugar Land, Texas. Those numbers could go up over the next few years as scammers take advantage of the mortgage deal in their schemes.

“They’ll use government terms,” Kerstetter says. “They’re going to sound very official, as if they’re part of the settlement.”

Also, some of these scammers will guarantee access to borrower assistance funds. That’s a major red flag, she says. “Generally speaking, the advertisements that say, ‘Call us to get money,’ are not representing organizations officially involved with the settlement,” Kerstetter says.

In general, consumers should be wary of any company that reaches out to them with unsolicited offers of assistance. If they need help, they should contact their lenders or a financial counseling agency certified by HUD, Kerstetter says.

“The important thing is not to release any contact information to anyone who approaches you,” she explains. “Don’t sign anything unless you’re clear about what you’re signing and that your mortgage lender is involved in the process. If you’re making payments, make sure they’re going to the loan servicer or mortgage provider.”

By Brian Summerfield, REALTOR® Magazine

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What You Need to Know About the Mortgage Settlement

4 Ways to ID Borrower-Assistance Scammer

 

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jodell@nevadacounty.com

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