Archive By Section - HOME SCENE
Selling your home out of season?
In a perfect world, no one would ever have to face the challenge of trying to sell a house when there's dormant grass and the trees are bare. In reality, people have to sell and buy homes throughout the year.
A warning about unpaid real estate taxes
DEAR BENNY: Subsequent to the purchase/settlement of my condo, I began receiving claims of delinquent real estate taxes that the seller had neglected to pay from a previous year, prior to my purchase of the property. I notified my settlement agent, who asked that the seller look into the matter, and I have emailed the seller to see what he had done about it.
Creating a dream bedroom for your child
Just about every child wishes for a dream bedroom, but it takes inspiration to transform four white walls into a fairytale princess room or tree house hideaway. Fortunately, you don't have to be an interior designer or skilled craftsman to become a hero. A little family compromising, combined with some simple painting techniques, can go a long way in creating a fun, personalized design that kids love - and parents can live with over time.
Fall/winter home decorating tips
Are you over orange as an autumn decorating accent? Bored with relying on balsam and fir touches to evoke a holiday spirit in your home? If cooler weather and the coming holidays have you looking for new decorating ideas, here are some trends that will be heating up interior design this year:
No-interest loan comes with tax bite
DEAR BENNY: My wife and I want to give our two grown children an interest-free loan for $360,000. They currently have a 15-year fixed 5 percent loan for this amount for a second home they both enjoy. With our given money they can immediately pay off the bank loan and pay us back $4,587 per month for approximately 6.5 years. The $4,587 is their current monthly payment. Staying with the bank loan, they would fully ...
Winterize your home for long-term payback
You may not want to think about it, but winter will be here again before you know it. Of course, winter means it's time to turn the heat back on, which can be a strain on your home energy budget.
Protecting young children in the home
When your child skins her knee or bumps her head, how do you comfort her? With a kiss and a hug? No matter how loving and careful you are, it's impossible to shield your children from all of life's little injuries.
Time for mortgage lending to go back to the future
Back to the future - that is exactly what the government needs to do. Chats with three long-time Manteca Realtors who never bought into "free money" loans generated the following points: •There are people right now who want to - and have the income - to buy a home. •Lending rules have tightened up to the point they are making it next to impossible for people who would have been qualified to buy 14 years ...
Designing with an exceptional shower
For some of us, the shower is a personal sanctuary - the only place and time of the day to unwind and not be bothered by anything from the outside world. So why not make an exceptional shower the centerpiece of your next bathroom remodel? Utilize the latest in style - and even technology - to create the ultimate retreat.
Does foreclosure wipe out all liens?
DEAR BENNY: In a recent column you said that "a foreclosure by a first-trust (lender) will wipe out any subordinate liens." But that is not necessarily the case, is it?
‘Know your rights’ housing day Oct. 8
STOCKTON - The California Rural Legal Assistance is holding a free clinic that will provide legal information to those who are at risk of eviction, foreclosure or housing discrimination.
Creating a year-round oasis in your backyard
When winter approaches, do you stow the grill and cover the patio furniture, wishing there was some way you could continue to enjoy your outdoor living space all year? If so, you're not alone.
Artful design pairings create a culinary paradise
Just as matching food with the right wine can elevate a simple meal to the level of a culinary experience, artfully pairing design elements in your kitchen can turn a utilitarian room into a chef's paradise.
Stockton, Modesto homes $58,000 lower than Manteca
Mountain House - ballyhooed as San Joaquin's first affordable housing community in the late 1990s when massive zoning changes were needed to make it happen - is anything but even four years into the foreclosure debacle.
Buy new, buy now: ‘Turn-key’ sales event
With the success of more than 200 homes sold since the Woodside Homes "Turn-Key" sales event began in mid-July, the builder is extending the celebration through September 30. As part of the promotion, homebuyers enjoy a selection of any two of the available bonuses, including: a designer-coordinated package of a new stainless steel side-by-side refrigerator, washer, dryer and window coverings; backyard landscaping; or 30-year fixed rate financing at a below-market rate of just 3.75 percent. ...
Articles by Section - HOME SCENE
Create an outdoor space that ‘wows’, functions as living space
Whether you own a cozy cottage or mega mansion, as a homeowner, you likely embrace the outdoor living trend. But when you look at your deck or patio, does it leave something to be desired? By taking a do-it-yourself (DIY) approach, you can affordably create outdoor spaces that enhance the style and functionality of your home, plus add to the overall value of the property.
Single-family homes are in a number of cases no longer that
Think American Dream and images of owning a single-family home pop up.
California home prices jump 26 percent in May
SAN DIEGO (AP) - California home prices surged to their highest level in more than five years last month as demand outpaced a thin supply of properties, a research firm reported Thursday.
Rate on fixed 30-year mortgage rises to 3.98%
WASHINGTON (AP) - Fixed U.S. mortgage rates rose for the sixth straight week, putting the average rate on the 30-year loan just shy of 4 percent.
Making your home stand out in hot real estate market
The residential housing market is heating up, but before you post that for-sale sign, consider making upgrades that add style and value to your home. With many buyers seeking wood floors, kitchen upgrades and other add-ons, it's important for homeowners to highlight these features so their property stands out from the competition in today's market.
Fence & survey differ: So what do you do?
Q: We enjoy reading your column and would appreciate your comments on the following situation. You helped us with excellent advice in the past so we decided to seek your opinion on the following issue.
Top remodel trends for the modern home
Thanks to foreclosures and short sales, home buyers are snatching up great houses at reduced prices and remodeling to create stylish modern homes. Lucky for those buyers, many of today's top trends are relatively easy to recreate, and will add re-sale value to their homes.
Birdfeeder basics: Bring on back yard birds with the right feeders
When you dine, do you prefer clean and attractive tableware? Does ambiance enhance your enjoyment of your food? Birds feel the same way about their dining habits - the type and cleanliness of your bird feeders directly affects the number and species of birds that will visit your backyard this season.
Race affects homebuying, renting
WASHINGTON (AP) -Minority renters and homebuyers deployed to test for housing discrimination did not run into the blatant discrimination of four decades ago, but were told about and shown fewer homes than their white counterparts with similar backgrounds, according to the results of a major federal housing study released Tuesday.
Buyers & sellers beware: It’s a jungle out there
The Real Estate Boys: Boy, I don't know how you guys do it but you seem to be ahead of the game. Many weeks ago you wrote about funds for buying foreclosed homes in bulk from the large banks and a few weeks later I read about it in Time. You both seem to have the pulse of the market - or at least you talk a good game! So, what's coming up for us amateurs to watch out for when buying or selling? I enjoy your fun articles. Keep it up.
RealtyTrac: Home repossessions rose during May
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Lenders stepped up action last month against homeowners who had fallen behind on their mortgage payments, taking possession of more homes and initiating the foreclosure countdown clock on many others.
Today’s flippers aren’t the same as those who drove prices up
Flippers - the whipping boys for many who believed they played a big role in pumping up the housing bubble - are being criticized again.
Signed contracts to purchase homes at highest level in 3 years
WASHINGTON (AP) - The number of Americans who signed contracts to buy homes ticked up in April to the highest level in three years. The increase points to growth in home sales in the coming months.
30-year fixed mortgage rate increases to 3.81%
WASHINGTON (AP) - Average U.S. rates on fixed mortgages jumped this week to their highest levels in a year, signaling slightly higher costs for homebuyers. But rates still remain low by historical standards.
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