Houston Consumer Blog

H1N1 Product warning

The FDA is warning people to steer clear of products that promise to prevent H1N1 or help you get over the virus if you get sick.

There are more than 140 websites selling products that the FDA has identified.

Take a look at the list and remember, only the H1N1 vaccine is proven to prevent H1N1 infections.

http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm187728.htm

Shark Tank!

Fans of the ABC show Shark Tank will get a treat tonight.  Local designer Gayla Bentley will be in the tank asking for investors.  Bentley has been in the fashion industry for 35 years and designing her own line of clothing for 10 years.   Tonight she tries to convince the sharks her next project is worth their time and more importantly their money.

For those interested in starting a business, or keeping one going, there are resources out there for you including free counseling, contacts with women owned business and a list of Texas Venture Capitalists.

http://www.scorehouston.org/

http://www.nawbo.org/

http://www.texasstartupblog.com/startup-resources/texas-vc-directory/

Renters Insurance

Renters, be ready for an extra expense.

If you live in anapartment or are about to move in to one, you may be asked to buy renters insurance as a condition of signing a lease or resigning.

The insurance can be purchased for less than 20 dollars a month, however it can be closer to 50 dollars a month depending on your credit score.

You can find plenty of companies selling policies, but make sure they have a state license.

You can do that by checking out the following link:

www.tdi.state.tx.us

More Foreclosures Coming?

Mortgage experts say another wave of foreclosed homes is on the way, this time it is home owners who got "Alt A" loans.

If you don't know, an Atl A loan is one that often times did not require income verification.  For that reason they were called "Liar Loans".

Those who have Atl A loans could see there interest rates going up several times the current lending rate.  That in turn will make their payments go up to levels that may be impossible to pay.

Refinancing could help those in with Alt A loans, but getting that has proven to be difficult fort many.

There are ways to get help with a refinanced mortgage and the service is free.

To find a Loan Servicer, check out the following link:

http://www.Dhaka.state.tx.us/homeownership/foreclosure/

Solar Home Tour

Thinking of going solar?  This weekend you can check out other homes that have installed solar panels as well as made upgrades to help energy efficiency.

If you want to see the homes for yourself, check out the tour this weekend.

http://www.houstonsolartour.com/