The Motley Fool - The constant iterative calculation of risk and reward required in every chess move translates well to the investing world. I thought it might be instructive to look at three chess world champions and see how their style matches up to various investment styles. Do you see your own style in any of these Grandmasters?

AP - MORTGAGE APPLICATIONS SLIP: Applications for home loans dipped last week as mortgage rates ticked up slightly from the lowest level in decades, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

AP - Applications for home loans dipped last week as mortgage rates ticked up slightly from the lowest level in decades.

LONDON (MarketWatch) -- British house prices rose 0.2% in August and were up 4.6% compared to the same month last year, mortgage lender Halifax reported Wednesday. Economists had forecast a 0.5% monthly price drop. The rise followed a 0.7% monthly increase in July. Gains over the last two months have reversed much of the decline seen in the three preceding months, said Martin Ellis, Halifax housing economist. Prices are now near levels seen at the end of last year, while activity has been static since the start of the year, he said. "These developments suggest that the market is broadly stable with house price inflation having cooled since last year when supply shortages helped to push up prices," Ellis said.

People often buy a condo unit partly because they don’t need to worry about cutting the lawn or fixing the roof -- their condo association takes care of maintenance and repairs for them, with those services paid through homeowner assessments each month. At least, that’s the way it’s supposed to work.

The Motley Fool - The bears and bulls were battling as ferociously as ever over the past month. Let's dive right into the debate, through the words of some of the world's greatest investors.

Don't miss these top stories:

The jury's still out on whether the U.S. will head into a double-dip recession. Wealth Adviser columnist James Altucher gives stock picks for investors who are planning for the worst. Veronica Dagher reports.

Stressed at work? Your employer knows how you feel -- at least, some companies say they do.

Reuters - American International Group Inc plans to seek Hong Kong listing committee approval on September 21, to list its Asian life insurance unit, aiming to raise about $15 billion, two sources with direct knowledge of the deal said on Tuesday.

Employers’ hiring plans for the upcoming fourth quarter stay flat from the previous quarter, but rise significantly from a year ago, according to the latest Manpower Employer Outlook survey.

Detroit is the most stressful U.S. city in which to live, according to Portfolio.com’s list of places where residents are most frazzled.

Cover story: “The Earth Doesn’t Care If You Drive a Hybrid!” Or recycle. Or eat organic food. Or live in a green house powered by solar energy. Or squander commodities. The Earth just doesn’t care how much you waste.

Consumers will be protected from debt-settlement companies that charge hefty upfront fees and make questionable claims, thanks to new government rules that take full effect in late October.

In case you missed them, here are the top 10 Personal Finance stories from MarketWatch for the week of Aug. 30 to Sept. 3:

The Toyota Prius moves to the top of our gas-sipper list. You simply can’t do any better.

Driving somewhere this weekend? If so, there’s good news for you at the gas pump.

The tax code is going to change come Dec. 31, thanks to the expiration of the Bush-era cuts but also because some of the stimulus tax breaks are ending. Andrea Coombes looks at some of the likely adjustments in her Personal Finance Minute.