Archive By Section - HOME SCENE
Maintaining your home helps protect investment
Home ownership is an important investment that can create both a sense of pride and a place in the world that is all your own. While the investment in purchasing or building your own home is sizeable, letting your home fall into disrepair can be even more costly. However, home maintenance doesn't have to be a daunting task. By following a few simple steps and making maintenance a regular activity, you'll not only preserve ...
Bank not obligated to sell foreclosure at list price
DEAR BENNY: I offered full price -- $168,000 -- for a home in foreclosure. The bank came back with a refusal and a new sales price of $240,000. That is $72,000 over the asking price. Is this legal? --Marie
Deliberately being late on mortgages: Is it a growing trend?
Here's a sobering thought: There are as many as 1.58 million mortgages nationwide that are 90 or more days delinquent but not in foreclosure.
Find inspiration for your home in 2013
We're all looking forward to a fresh start at the beginning of the new year: Whether it's an updated fitness regime, pursuing new hobbies or getting organized, there are a slew of resolutions to try. In 2013, why not make a few changes to not only yourself, but also your home? By incorporating cutting-edge design trends, you'll add style and color that's perfect to kick-start the year.
City says 12 Detroit homes accidentally demolished
DETROIT (AP) - A dozen homes in Detroit have been mistakenly demolished, a city official says.
New federal rules aim to curb risky mortgages
WASHINGTON (AP) - Federal regulators for the first time are laying out rules aimed at ensuring that mortgage borrowers can afford to repay the loans they take out.
Rates on 30-year mortgage rises to 3.40 %
WASHINGTON (AP) - Average U.S. rates on fixed mortgages rose this week but remained close to record lows. Cheap mortgages have made home buying more affordable and helped drive a housing recovery.
Start planning now for your spring home makeover projects
If April showers bring May flowers, what do winter's snowflakes bring? Perhaps it's an excuse to curl up with your favorite magazines and imagine the kitchen makeover of your dreams. When the cold winter months keep you indoors, use the time to take care of things that will make your remodeling plans much easier to tackle in the spring.-
Affordable upgrades can give your home a stylish new look
Sure, kitchen and bath renovations get all the glamour and credit for offering high returns on your investment when it's time to sell your home. But a host of other, often-overlooked improvements can also offer great ROI - while completely changing the look of your home at a fraction of the cost of bigger projects.
Are safety upgrades repairs or improvements?
DEAR BENNY: Is the definition of "capital improvement" something that increases the actual value of the house, even if it may not trigger a change in taxes, or must it be taxable?
Manteca rebound in home prices is stronger than in SF
Here's a shocker. Manteca's housing price rebound based on existing home sales is stronger than the San Francisco market. In fact, based on data provided by the Case-Shiller indexes, Manteca is performing better than most of the "hot" urban markets. Manteca's prices based on closed escrows have gone up 23.0 percent from November 2011 to November 2012. That compares ...
Rate on 30-year mortgage slips down to 3.34 percent
WASHINGTON (AP) - Average U.S. rates on fixed mortgages moved closer to their record lows this week, a trend that has made home buying more affordable and helped sustain a housing recovery.
Pending home sales rise to highest level in 2½ years
WASHINGTON (AP) - A measure of Americans who signed contracts to buy homes increased last month to its highest level in two and a half years, the latest sign of improvement in the once-battered housing market.
Cypress siding provides a natural choice to enhance today's homes
Across the country, cypress siding is becoming increasingly popular among homeowners who are looking to add value, durability, and a lifetime of good looks to their homes.
Name on the sales contract, but not the deed
DEAR BENNY: Some time ago I entered into a sales contract with my then-fiancee to buy a house. Both our names (hers was in her maiden name) were on the sales contract, which we both signed. I turned over my half of the down payment, we went to closing and we owned the house (or so I thought). Some time after that I learned that the deed was in her name ...
Articles by Section - HOME SCENE
Condo boards eyeing ‘mortgage termination’
DEAR BENNY: I am the president of a large condominium in the Midwest and have just heard about a program called "mortgage termination." It sounds fascinating and very useful for our condo, since we have a number of delinquencies with properties that are underwater. Are you familiar with this and if so, how does it work? --Phyllis
Fast, fabulous fixes to banish a boring bath
The best bathrooms are more than just functional areas - they're sanctuaries where you can escape, reset and recharge. And as one of the smallest and most-used rooms in the home, that's likely why they've become the most popular remodeling project (78 percent), according to the National Association of Home Builders.
Rate on 15-year loan at record-low 2.61 pct.
WASHINGTON (AP) - The average U.S. rate on the 15-year fixed mortgage fell last week to its lowest level on record, making refinancing and home-buying more attractive to those who can qualify.
Easy solutions to backyard problems
For time-stretched gardeners who prefer to enjoy their backyards rather than work in them, several new products make outdoor living easier. Each offers a thoughtful solution to a common outdoor living problem, providing time-saving help to gardeners, gadget geeks and all who love to focus on fun outdoors.-
Sure-grow guidance for 1st-time gardeners
Each year, thousands of first-timers will join the millions of seasoned gardeners who already know the satisfaction of picking a perfect tomato at its peak, serving up salads from greens just grown right outside the back door, or harvesting home-grown peppers and specialty herbs never even seen at the grocery store.
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