The mantra of real estate — location, location, location — also can apply to the equity in your home. If you live in an expensive market (even in this economic downturn), such as parts of the Northeast or California, now might be the time to make that move you have always been thinking about - [...]

• Real Estate Opportunities

• Commercial Real Estate Opportunities

Continue reading → Home Equity Ka-Ching

The other day I was talking with a friend about the economy, and discussing the new world for consumer borrowers. My friend was considering obtaining an unsecured loan. Our discussion spurred a question: why, and when, is an unsecured loan a good thing for a good borrower? After all, isn’t a secured loan usually a lower APR? Here’s [...]

• Good Charlotte G Rock, Pop Music Memorabilia Entertainment Memorabilia

• Talking Heads T Rock, Pop Music Memorabilia Entertainment Memorabilia

Continue reading → When an unsecured loan is better…

As described on the September 24 site update, borrowers whose loans were 91 or more days past due on that date (and not in bankruptcy proceedings) received a notice of acceleration. The Notice of Acceleration is a warning that the loan will be accelerated in 30 days, meaning the loan will be due and payable [...]

• Halcyon Days Decorative Collectible Brands Decorative Collectibles Collectibles

• Credit, Charge Cards Trading Cards Collectibles

Continue reading → Charge-offs begin today

Prosper has started a process to register, with the appropriate securities authorities, promissory notes that may be offered and sold to lenders through our site in the future.
The registration filing is a necessary step toward making the secondary lending market available to the community. This is something many of you have been asking for, and [...]

• Step Riser Sets Fitness Equipment Gym, Workout Yoga Exercise Fitness

• Federal Reserve Notes Large Size Notes Paper Money US Coins Paper Money

Continue reading → Prosper Filing Registration Statement; Enters Quiet Period

Prosper, America’s largest people-to-people lending marketplace for personal loans, released results for September 2008.
Chris Larsen, discusses what role Prosper will play and what trends we are seeing in the wake of this full blown crash of the global financial system.
Market Commentary By Prosper Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Chris Larsen
In the midst of one of [...]

• Personal, Field Gear Surplus Militaria Collectibles

• Canteens Personal, Field Gear Surplus Militaria Collectibles

Continue reading → September 2008 Market Survey Results for Prosper Personal Loans

Hello and good morning to all our readers. Welcome to another edition of the Prosper Roundup. We have lots in store for you today, including a large section for our small business entrepreneurs and for those looking to create their own start-up during this economic situation. Drop us a line when you’re through to tell [...]

• Mixed Lots Small Size Notes Paper Money US Coins Paper Money

• Mixed Lots Indian Head 1859-1909 Small Cents Coins US Coins Paper Money

Continue reading → Prosper.com Roundup - Small Business and the Economic Crisis

Like any good neighbor, we need to be on the lookout for predators in the community.
Recently, a fellow community member was approached (via a Prosper Message) by a “potential lender” interested in supporting their listing. The lender requested additional information on the borrower’s business, including their website and/or yellow page link. Shortly after providing the [...]

• Nashville Predators Hockey-NHL Fan Apparel Souvenirs Sports Collectibles

• Cast Member Exclusives Contemporary 1968-Now Disneyana Collectibles

Continue reading → Neighborhood Watch

As you may have read, Citigroup recently agreed to purchase Wachovia’s banking operations for about $2.1 billion in a deal brokered by federal regulators. Wachovia’s troubles are similar to those of Washington Mutual, whose assets were seized by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation last week and sold to JPMorgan Chase. Wachovia sold thousands of adjustable [...]

• Banking, Insurance Advertising Collectibles

• Federal Reserve Notes Large Size Notes Paper Money US Coins Paper Money

Continue reading → Help Your Neighbors

Welcome to this latest edition of Prosper’s Weekly Roundup. The title for this week’s roundup comes from a Forbes headline. There’s a lot going on in the news! Be sure to check out the Stocks and Banking Industry section for more information.

Peer-to-Peer Lending:
• TNL.net presents fast pace look into the History of Currency. P2P Lending is [...]

• Banking, Insurance Advertising Collectibles

• Postal History Worldwide Stamps

Continue reading → Weekly Roundup - Bottom-Feeders and the Banking Industry

Welcome to a new edition of the Prosper roundup. There are many stories this week to relate. The first section of this roundup is on the stock exchange and the banking industry. If you have had your head in the sand use these links as a way to dive headfirst into what’s going on in [...]

• Banking, Insurance Advertising Collectibles

• Sand Dollar Shells Rocks, Fossils, Minerals Collectibles

Continue reading → Prosper Weekly Roundup

Ever since we changed the marketplace performance page from listing old loans as “Defaulted” to calling them “Charge-offs”, and then promising more changes inside lender accounts, we’ve had a lot of questions. Let me try to explain why we’re making this change, how it will look if you’re a lender, and what you can expect [...]

• Credit, Charge Cards Trading Cards Collectibles

Continue reading → Charge-offs Explained

Prosper roundup gets switched around! Easy to read categories are going to be our new way of organizing the roundup.
Categories may change from week to week, but overall the feel of the roundup will be the same. 
Business Loans:
• SFGate posts an article this last Sunday on how right now it’s a hard time to get new [...]

• Deals Sunday River Maine Skiing Vacation

• Lamp Posts Outdoor Lighting Yard, Garden Outdoor Living

Continue reading → Prosper Weekly Roundup

Last September, I took out a $10,000 home improvement loan on Prosper, to fix a leaky patio that I inherited when I bought my apartment. It was a known repair, and the leak wasn’t particularly bad, but I knew that it should be patched soon. With my annual property tax bill taking up all my [...]

• Annual Reports Paper Railroadiana, Trains Transportation Collectibles

• Home Security Home Improvement

Continue reading → I paid off my loan

A highly unusual Prosper borrower bankruptcy case, which is of course a matter of public record, has raised questions among some members of the Prosper lender community. Therefore, we believe it is appropriate and necessary to provide factual clarity to set the record straight.
Specifically, the discussion centers on three main questions:
1) Is this a case [...]

• Case Agriculture Advertising Collectibles

• Straight Razors Shaving Vanity, Perfume Shaving Collectibles

Continue reading → The Facts of the Matter

I have always loved magic. As a kid I was amazed at how the magician could make a beautiful lady disappear and reappear in a different outfit or cut her in half and put her back together. My favorite trick is the one where the magician is able to pull deck after deck of cards [...]

• Magician Memorabilia, Ephemera Magic Fantasy, Mythical Magic Collectibles

• Pontoon Deck Boats Powerboats Motorboats Boats

Continue reading → Getting funded magically

If you are a first time loan seeker, whether for home, auto or any other personal need, what do you need to do or know? What do loan institutions look for when assessing potential borrowers? There are many sectors of your personal finances that you need to delve into before you start your loan search [...]

• Personal, Field Gear Surplus Militaria Collectibles

• Canteens Personal, Field Gear Surplus Militaria Collectibles

Continue reading → Are You a Loan Ranger?

Starting a business is a daunting task – but for many it is a desire to follow a dream. To embrace risk…and the possibility of failure. It’s impressive how many people start businesses, follow their dreams and take those risks. And we see it everyday on Prosper – interesting stories about members’ business ideas.
As I glanced [...]

• Hydroponics Seed Starting Gardening Plants Yard, Garden Outdoor Living

• Hydroponics Hydroponics Seed Starting Gardening Plants Yard, Garden Outdoor Living

Continue reading → Starting your own Business

Snowflaking is a way to save on interest. The general principle is to pay in a small extra amount towards a loan every month, a $5 snowflake here, a $10 snowflake there starts to build into a snowball which, if rolled downhill, compounds. These small amounts might not seem like much, but they definitely add [...]

• Small 1x2-4 Rugs, Carpets Antiques

• Small Appliances Kitchenware Housewares Kitchenware Collectibles

Continue reading → Snowflaking your Prosper Loan to Save Interest

The personal finance blogosphere was packed with great articles this week… Here are a few of our favorites…
GenX Finance details the Top 12 Money Mistakes Most People Make and special congratulations to GenX Finance for being named by PC Magazine to the Top 15 Websites for Managing (and Saving) Money
 
RateLadder updates 1 Month Late or [...]

• Investments Opportunities to Make Money

• Internet Businesses Websites Businesses for Sale Opportunities

Continue reading → Prosper Roundup

There used to be several ways to be able to get a loan. Now, with the credit crunch it has become considerably harder. For example, if you are in the market for a new or used car or just want to reduce your monthly payments on your car, there are a couple of different ways [...]

• Credit, Charge Cards Trading Cards Collectibles

• Heart Rate Monitors Monitors Pedometers Gym, Workout Yoga Exercise Fitness

Continue reading → Low Rate Unsecured Personal Loans for Many Uses

Brandi W. needed a modest loan to help cover expenses during her senior year in administration of justice and forensic chemistry at Southern Illinois University. Brandi took school loans for her education in the past, but she wanted something she could start paying on right away to keep her post-school debt to a minimum. 
Unusually prudent [...]

• Southern Comfort Distillery Advertising Collectibles

• Current Year, Next Year Calendars Paper Collectibles

Continue reading → A Student Loan for a Prudent Student

We’re all taught: when in polite company, don’t talk about money, sex, politics, or religion. I don’t know about the last three, but when it comes to money, people are decidedly tight-lipped. A cousin once confided in me (after a few drinks) that he’d racked up $50,000 in credit card debt. You could have knocked [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: “Putting the social in social capital”, url: “http://blog.prosper.com/2008/04/23/putting-the-social-in-social-capital/” });

• Putting Greens Aids Training Aids Golf

• Credit, Charge Cards Trading Cards Collectibles

Continue reading → Putting the social in social capital

Guest post by Brett of Personal Loan Portfolio. 
Although the tax rebate is not yet finalized, many people are already mentally spending the money. Most people only consider the options: save or spend. I have noticed many finance bloggers already announcing their plans to save the rebate. Other people feel it is a patriotic duty to spend [...]

• People Postcards Collectibles

• People Figurines Decorative Collectibles Collectibles

Continue reading → Invest Your Tax Rebate AND Help the Economy

Thinking about using a debt consolidation loan to get rid of high interest debt? Don’t just jump into it, do it the right way. Here are some tips for selecting the right amount and price.
Examine Your Budget
If you haven’t already created a budget, now is the time. List every monthly expense you have. Here is [...]

• Guides, Tips Ferrules Rod Building Repair Fishing

• Acrylic Nails Tips Nail Care Polish Store

Continue reading → Prosper Debt Consolidation Loan - Tips for Potential Borrowers

2 Weekend Guest Posts from Prosper Members…
Prosper vs. My Credit Card (hint: Prosper Wins) by MommyOf2
Back in early 2007, I went on a little spending spree for by new baby son since I have a mild obsession with baby clothes (OK, maybe it’s a little more than mild). Needless to say, I ran up [...]

• Credit, Charge Cards Trading Cards Collectibles

• Card Guards Casino Collectibles

Continue reading → Prosper vs. My Credit Card (hint: Prosper Wins) and Excited to Help!!

I’m a responsible, hard-working college graduate trying to get out of debt. I’ve diligently paid the credit card companies minimum payments (or more) every month for the last 5 years. In return they slapped me with higher rates as soon as my balances grew. When I inquired about the 230% increase in my APR, I [...]

• Credit, Charge Cards Trading Cards Collectibles

• Card Guards Casino Collectibles

Continue reading → My Success as a Prosper Borrower

2 Evening Guest Posts by Prosper Members…
Faith in Fellow Humans?
By Kesselschlacht
I came to Prosper after reading an article about this strange concept of borrowing from and lending to people … not banks. After a little more research I decided to jump into it feet first with a whopping $50.00 to be lent to anyone who [...]

• Evening Bags Handbags

• Evening Womens Shoes

Continue reading → Faith in Fellow Humans — My Thoughts On Prosper

Many of you may have already done your research on tips to get your listings funded by reading the help pages or visiting the Prosper forums. There are many tips that have been reiterated time and time again - such as getting endorsements or joining a group. I hope to give you some tips from [...]

• Guides, Tips Ferrules Rod Building Repair Fishing

• Acrylic Nails Tips Nail Care Polish Store

Continue reading → Maximize the Chance of Funding Your Listing with Not-So-Obvious Tips

Many of you may have already done your research on tips to get your listings funded by reading the help pages or visiting the Prosper forums. There are many tips that have been reiterated time and time again - such as getting endorsements or joining a group. I hope to give you some tips from [...]

• Guides, Tips Ferrules Rod Building Repair Fishing

• Acrylic Nails Tips Nail Care Polish Store

Continue reading → Maximize the Chance of Funding Your Listing with Not-So-Obvious Tips

Kirk Inglis, Chief Financial Officer of Prosper.  Quote: “The $100 million milestone is a reminder that Prosper’s rich and unique set of historical performance data has the potential to benefit both lenders and borrowers.  The free flow of information is the cornerstone of any successful marketplace and Prosper is committed to making its marketplace data [...]

• Unique Handbags

• Kirk Flatware Sterling Silver Antiques

Continue reading → Prosper’s Abundance of Performance Data: An Asset to Borrowers and Lenders