Friday Scoop on Housing Market and Credit Karma News

It’s a week until Black Friday, and headlines are dishing Black Friday deals and their secrets while, in other news, unemployment rates are rising in 29 states. Any predictions for how the shopping season will fare if retailers keep slashing prices to spur consumption, while around 10% of Americans nationwide are still unemployed?

While that thought sets in, here’s the buzz on Credit Karma and what’s happening in the housing market:

Credit Karma News

• Dallas Morning News reports on how to get an idea of your credit score without paying a fee.
• Tips for beefing up your credit score at Investor’s Business Daily.
• MarketWatch features CK in discussing how credit-card balances move higher.
• Hawaii’s credit score beats U.S. average reports Pacific Business News.
• My BankTracker uses CK data to report on credit card problems rise and fall: defaults down but delinquencies increase.

Home & Mortgage News

• CNN Money claims that you don’t have to be a millionaire to buy a house, as more than 70% of homes sold last quarter were deemed affordable for those who are still working.
• Contrary to the common belief that its better to buy a house rather than rent, Own the Dollar shows that the advantages of renting might be gaining on home ownership.
• Fiscal Frizzle shares his roadbumps on the path to home ownership to give readers advice on what to do when you decide to take that road.
• Ever wondered about the cost of running your home? Chicago Tribune discusses the cost of energy in your home with the article, How much is your home costing you?
• Save money in your home in this alternative way: Your Money Relationship shares 31 medical home remedies you should know so you can try to do-it-yourself before shelling out money at the doctor’s.

According to Bankrate.com’s weekly national survey, mortgage rates are at a record low ideal for interested home buyers and also represent a golden opportunity for homeowners looking to refinance. These rates are significantly lower than rates one year ago, and since mortgage rates don’t stay at records levels for very long, borrowers should act with urgency to take advantage of these record low rates while they are still affordable. Here are Bankrate’s recent survey results:

• 30-year fixed: 5.06% — down from 5.19% last week (avg. points: 0.40)
• 15-year fixed: 4.48% — down from 4.61% last week (avg. points: 0.34)
• 5/1 ARM: 4.58% — down from 4.58% last week (avg. points: 0.30)