WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. long-term mortgage rates remained near historically low levels this week against a backdrop of volatile financial markets around the globe.

Nearly 150 million consumers may now be entitled to benefits under a proposed settlement reached by the government and credit-reporting giant Equifax Inc.

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. long-term mortgage rates fell sharply this week, with the benchmark 30-year loan touching its lowest level since November 2016.

ALLEGHENY TOWNSHIP

City and county governments can and do place steep fines on homeowners who dodge property maintenance.

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. long-term mortgage rates were flat to slightly higher this week, hovering around three-year lows after the Federal Reserve’s cut in its benchmark interest rate for the first time in a decade.

DEAR DAVE: What is a home “energy vampire”?

DEAR DAVE: We received a notice from our county’s public works department saying that it will need access to our driveway to make some sewer improvements for our community. We don’t want them parking their trucks in our driveway or, worse, breaking the concrete up to get to our sewer pipe. Doesn’t public works need our permission to take over the use of our property?