A New York couple got an early Christmas present when an angry judge wiped out their half-a-million dollar mortgage. The judge's ruling eliminated both the $291,000 owed in principal and the $235,000 owed in interest and penalties.

Calling the bank's behavior 'harsh, repugnant, shocking and repulsive,' Judge Jeffrey Spinner cancelled the $525,000 debt. Now Greg and Diane Yano-Horoski own their smart home on Long Island, New York free and clear.

Whoopi Goldberg is downsizing. Well, it's hard to call a $2.8 classic colonial mansion a downsize. Especially since it's a move up, in terms of square footage, for her former NYC loft.

But the new home of The View co-host is a hefty $1-Million lower in price tag than her former digs.

(reblogged from the NY Daily News)

First-time home-buyers across America have until November 30 to benefit from the Federal Government's tax credit that can add up to as much as $8,000 and, in some cases, can be used for the down payment on a home.

But for New Yorkers the news are even better, thanks to Mayor Bloomberg's "New Housing Marketplace Plan". As part of this plan the New York City HPD (Housing Preservation and Development agency) has created a special program that provides qualified home-buyers with up to 6% of a home's price toward the down payment or closing costs.

"UPPER GRANDVIEW, NEW YORK - In the midst of foreclosure, actor Stephen Baldwin's hamlet home seems to be costing him far more than the $515,000 he paid for it in 1997.

"The 1.4-acre Old Mountain Road home will be up for public auction June 24 at Rockland County Court after Baldwin and his wife, Kennya, defaulted on paying $824,488.36 to mortgage holder Bankers Trust Co.