Positive Trends: is the Housing Market Headed for Recovery?
By Deanna Sletten
After four months of rising home sales, the housing market is looking brighter. The National Association of Realtors reported that between April and July existing home sales experienced increases each month with July leading with a 7.2% increase. It has been five years since the real estate market has seen such an upward trend and it has led many in the industry to believe that the market has finally bottomed out and is heading for recovery... Read More |
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Brighten Your Kitchen with a Beautiful New Backsplash
By E. E. Kane
The backsplash in a kitchen is more than a catch-all for flying food and water droplets. It is a highlight, and if it is done right, it will enhance the style without attracting undue attention. Use the following ideas to install a new, enlivening backsplash in your kitchen.
1. Paint
By far the cheapest material, paint is always an affordable choice for a new look... Read More |
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New Rules in Mortgage Lending
By Angela Baca New rules from the Fed have changed mortgage-lending practices. Although the new rules were put in place to help protect consumers, they may also cause an increase in loan processing time.
Amendment to Regulation Z
On July 14, 2008, the Fed amended Regulation Z (Truth in Lending) to prohibit unfair, abusive, or deceptive practices by mortgage lenders and to restrict other practices. Lenders face new... Read More
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Stimulus Helps Homeowners Save Money
Courtesy of ARAcontent
"What's in it for me?" Homeowners will love the answer to that question as they learn more about the new federal economic stimulus bill. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, generally known as the stimulus package, offers special tax credit incentives to homeowners to encourage energy efficiency—the best part is it's easy.
Homeowners can get up to $1,500 maximum tax credit... Read More |
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Autumn Décor Accents
By J. A. Young
Fall is the season of cool, crisp weather, brilliant scenery and bountiful harvests. Bringing the autumn indoors is a way to transform your décor with both subtlety and a richness of color and warmth. Here are a few ways you can add fall accents to your home.
Get Ornamental Gourds
Not just the requisite pumpkin for the porch, but several small to large ornamental gourds to be used as a dining room table centerpiece, as a coffee table prop and even to place here and there on the book shelves. Ornamental gourds come in many sizes and shapes and their appeal is great during the harvest season.
Decorate with Flowers in Seasonal Colors
Add a wreath to the door abundant with fall blooms dried and interspersed on a grapevine. Consider hydrangea, yarrow and goldenrod for a warm welcome into your home. Also, place bouquets of dried flower arrangements throughout your home—each with fall.... Read More |
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