Archive By Section - HOME SCENE
Create a beautiful – & functional – outdoor room
As the weather warms and the days grow longer, who doesn't happily anticipate opening windows and doors to let the fresh air in? And once we think about bringing the outdoors in, our imagination naturally goes the other way, as well - bringing the indoors out. It seems that our love affair with backyard entertaining heats up around this time every year. Whether it's a quiet family meal under the stars or a backyard barbecue ...
Go for the gold: Master suite remodeling tips
If kitchen and bathroom remodels are the gold and silver medalists in the Olympics of home renovation, then a master suite remodel is a very respectable bronze. But while the superstars of the renovation world may reap more in terms of resale value, a master suite remodel can be more rewarding for your soul.
VA loans good deal for vets
Last week's Memorial Day holiday served as a reminder of all who have served our country - and continue to do so even as we celebrate the start of summer. Our country has always recognized that we owe a special debt of gratitude toward our veterans.
‘Under priced’ homes in Manteca aren’t what they seem to be
A smattering of homes in the past month have sold for $10,000 or more above the asking price.
The right flooring for your home
Selecting the perfect flooring for any room in your home isn't easy. Chances are a visit to your local flooring retailer might leave you wandering through a sea of samples, evaluating them for different materials, designs and overall durability and function. How do you choose from all of the options to find the right flooring that not only will provide comfort and durability but also complement your home's style - all within your budget?
Faucets provide finishing touches that fit tastes & lifestyle
Starting any home project can be stressful, especially when undertaking those projects in the most-used rooms of the house, like the kitchen and bathroom. From overall room style to structural changes and fixtures, many pieces of the puzzle need to fit together to create the finished product.
Ready to renovate? How to check out a contractor before you hire
Warm weather is here and it's time to start thinking about those home renovation and home improvement projects you put on hold until the weather - or the economy - got better. While many indicators point toward a better economy, many contractors are still feeling the pinch, and are competing fiercely to win business.
It is turning into a gentle rolling market
The Manteca housing market appears to be stabilizing in terms of bottom prices. After closed escrow prices in the first three months of the year were pushing the median price of homes that were close to $171,000, the market has regained some ground. Median sale prices of the 415 homes that have closed escrow so far this year is $175,000. That is 5.7 percent off the median of $185,000 in 2010 that represented a $7,000 ...
Manteca Builder offers help for credit-challenged home buyers
With many hopeful homebuyers trying to purchase new homes while the buying conditions are ideal, K. Hovnanian Homes is offering a free credit enhancement program for customers with challenging credit histories. The program, available through the builder's lender, K. Hovnanian American Mortgage, assists customers who have a history of bankruptcy, delinquencies, foreclosure, short sale or other credit issues and want to become responsible homeowners.
Easy gardening in any space
Gardening is rapidly becoming a popular hobby for many Americans, even with an increase in the number of people living in apartments and condos. Getting your hands dirty may seem challenging when faced with a small space, but all the space necessary to have a successful garden is a window, ledge, patio or balcony.
Tips on how to renew a room on a budget
No matter the size or style of your home, the decor you choose determines its atmosphere and reflects your own personality. Updating or changing your decor can give you a sense of pride and satisfaction when completed. But redesigning your living space can also be slightly overwhelming. You may think you don't have the time or funds to redecorate, but there are several ways to rejuvenate your interior without spending a great deal of time or money.
GET READY FOR SUMMER
Summer often means enjoying the outdoors with friends and family for a weekend barbecue or catching some sun by the pool. Now that pleasant weather is upon us, homeowners may be thinking about what can be done to spruce up outdoor space to use for entertaining or for a little relaxation.
Create a relaxing outdoor living space
Cool drinks. Barbecues. Relaxing. They're all the makings of the perfect summer evening when enjoying time with family and friends. It's the season when everyone is looking for ways to spend time outside - and with a little ingenuity, a bit of a green thumb and a knack for do-it-yourself projects, the backyard can easily become an outdoor oasis. Here are some summer project tips:
Avoiding injury and discomfort
Warm weather is here and it's time to get the garden going. Gardening is good for you on many levels - from the mental health boost you get from doing something relaxing to the physical benefits of exercise, time outdoors and adding fresh vegetables to your diet. Bending over to weed, gripping gardening tools and the general physical effort of gardening, however, can make existing aches and pains worse, or even cause new ones.
When it’s time for your new deck, details count
Backyard decks beckon this time of year. They are the perfect place for spending lazy summer days or for entertaining on blissful summer nights.
Articles by Section - HOME SCENE
Ellen Paradiso’s 4-season garden is a quiet and peaceful hide-away
Ellen Paradiso's blueberries were bought during a clearance sale at Park Greenhouse nursery in Ripon.
Buying tips to keep in mind as housing market warms
Ready to buy your first home, or move up to a larger home for your expanding family?
Reserve home mortgage can be good option for many seniors
Do you know that if you are 62 years or older you may be able to buy a house or a condominium using a reverse mortgage? A reverse mortgage allows you to get money from a lender, but you do not have to pay it back (or make any monthly payments) until you sell or die.
Homebuilder confidence rises in May from April
NEW YORK (AP) - Confidence among U.S. homebuilders rebounded this month, reflecting improved sales trends during the spring home-selling season and the strongest outlook for sales over the next six months in more than six years.
Rate on 30-year mortgage fixed loans rises to 3.51 pct.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Average U.S. rates on fixed mortgages rose this week but stayed near their historic lows. Cheaper mortgages have helped the economy by spurring more home-buying and refinancing.
Housing starts fell during April
WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. builders broke ground on fewer homes in April, one month after topping the 1 million mark for the first time since 2008. But most of the decline was in apartment construction, which tends to vary sharply from month to month.
What are pros & cons of buying rental property?
Hello Real Estate Boys: My wife Bambie, and yes she is a dear, recently lost her parents to an accident and we are in the middle of closing out the estate with one of Turlock's wonderful attorneys. I suppose at this point I should say Bambie was an only child and will inherit her parents' entire estate. While the estate is not huge it will give us a very nice sum of cash soon. The ...
Four new-home trends that can work for your remodel
Builders are back in business, and new-home construction is up in areas across the country. So is remodeling, as plenty of Americans choose to stay put and upgrade their current homes rather than tackle the challenge of buying and moving into something new.
Give your home a fresh look with color
A fresh coat of paint can give any room an instant lift, making it a great solution for converting a space from drab to fab.
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