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First Bell - On Education:
Pets:
Pet telethon re-airs

The Heldenfiles:
Chipmunks "Squeakquel" on DVD/BD March 30

Akron Zips:
Late surge gives Zips ugly road win

Tribe Matters:
Blogmail response on Hafner

Cleveland Browns:
Stallworth's contract terminated

Balanced Ledger:
QB in Browns future: another mock draft

Kent State Sports:
KSU Notes – February 9

Cleveland Cavaliers:
NBA Power Rankings from Around the Internet

Buckeye Blogging:
Buckeyes grab 18 players on signing day

Varsity Letters:
Garfield at Buchtel basketball

All Da King's Men:
Palin At The Tea Party Convention

Blog of Mass Destruction:
Republican Pre-Conditions

Akron Law Café:
Citizens United v. F.E.C. (Part 4): Kennedy's and O'Connor's Basic Approaches to Constitutional Decisionmaking – Top Down and Bottom Up

Car Chase:
Collector Car Hobby Loses One of the Best—Jim Roll

Let's Talk Real Estate:
Decisions Decisions: Credit Cards or Your Mortgage?

Ohio Travels with Betty:
Loucile is looking for a Lake Erie getaway in June for three kids, ages 1, 3, and 5.

Sound Check:
Talk of the Town – Top entertainment picks for the weekend

HRLite House:
OFCCP Report

Akron Gamer:
Makers of 'Castle Crashers' unveil 'BattleBlock Theater'

See Jane Style:
Do IT this week: Layering

Welcome Home

Now might be a great time to buy your first home.

The market is bloated with houses for sale. Many sellers, eager to move up and tired of waiting, are willing to negotiate. And while interest rates have risen lately, they're still at enticing levels.

It could be the opportune time to become a homeowner if you're ready. That's a big if, because the fallout from the foreclosure crisis has brought stricter loan qualifications that make it harder to borrow money.

Beacon Journal reporters Betty Lin-Fisher and Mary Beth Breckenridge have developed a series of stories to help first-time home buyers determine whether they're ready for homeownership and guide them through the steps involved in searching for, financing and purchasing a home. The intention is to help buyers avoid the mistakes that led to the recent wave of foreclosures and find homes that fit both their needs and their budgets.

May 18, 2008
Know what you can spend without breaking the family budget
Also see:
FICO score matters
Get a free credit report

Interview to find one who's a good fit; be clear on the commission
Also see:
What to ask agents
For sale by owner
Do you need an attorney

Bank or credit union where you already do business is a good place to start.
Also see:
Glossary for home buyers
No shopping sprees
Loan tips
Red flags


May 24, 2008
Today we'll walk you through each step of buying your first home.
Also see:
For sale by owner
Legal help
Buying a foreclosure can be a gamble

An inspection costs a few hundred dollars, but what it uncovers could be priceless
Also see:
Other inspections

Thoroughly reviewing mountain of mortgage papers in advance can prevent huge headaches