Archive By Section - HOME SCENE
Rose pruning, tomato care program topics
Master Gardener Lee Miller will be the guest speaker at the Monday, Jan. 16, meeting of the Manteca Garden Club. Miller's presentation will be on the topic of heirloom tomatoes.
Four easy ways to warm up your home decor
As the chill of winter sets in, your home interior may be lacking the warmth and comfort you'd prefer. Fortunately, creating an inviting atmosphere does not require huge amounts of time or money. And you don't need to be a professional interior designer - or even have experience in decorating - to transform your home into a welcoming haven. To bring your decor into the season and give your home noticeable appeal, follow a few easy tips.
Hide your wall flaws with texturing techniques
When it comes to home decorating, texturing can do for your walls what a good coat of wax can do for your car's finish - hide a host of flaws. Poorly patched holes, uneven sheetrock, ugly wallpaper and even multiple layers of peeling paint can all be hidden beneath a beautiful layer of texture.
Tips to make a toddler's room sustainable
Whether you've been taking steps toward green living or you're a newbie and want to jump start your efforts and reduce your carbon footprint on earth, one area of opportunity is your toddler's room.
Retaining walls and pavers add curb appeal
Front-porch entertaining is making a comeback in America's neighborhoods, thanks to homeowners' renewed interest in beautifying the front entries of their homes. The days of uninspired concrete front stoops have passed, giving way to elegant combinations of freestanding walls, columns and matching pavers to create welcoming entrances that also serve as gathering places.
November construction spending up 1.2%
WASHINGTON (AP) - Construction spending jumped in November as builders spent more on single-family homes, apartments and remodeling projects.
2011's foreclosure rate lowest since pre-recession in 2007
NEW YORK (AP) - About 1.9 million homes entered the foreclosure process in 2011, the lowest level since 2007 when the recession began, according to a report Thursday by the foreclosure listing firm RealtyTrac Inc.
Don't spend that escrow windfall
DEAR BENNY: We moved to Jacksonville, Fla., in 2010, but still own a home in Pensacola that we are renting to some friends. We got a check in the mail for an alleged overpayment from escrow. I remember telling my wife that the home insurance (was listed wrong) on the HUD-1 form, so we figured it was discovered, and we were reimbursed. We used the money to pay bills.
Rents on rise after dropping just 10% while home prices are flat after 60% fall
Rents are on the move again.
Save money with an ‘enlightened’ roof
Enlightenment isn't just a state of mind - it can also be an important energy-saving state of being for your home's roof. By "enlightening" your roof, you can use less energy, save money, and dress up the interior of your home at the same time.
Get rid of an upside-down second home
DEAR BENNY: We live in California and own a second home within five miles of our primary residence. This second home has been used as a rental, initially to persons we were not connected with in any way. For the past 10 years, two different sets of relatives who were in need of a new start in life lived in the home.
30-year mortgage down to record 3.91%
WASHINGTON (AP) - 2012 looks to be another year of opportunity for the few who can afford to buy or refinance a home.
November construction spending rose 1.2%
WASHINGTON (AP) - Construction spending jumped in November as builders spent more on single-family homes, apartments and remodeling projects.
Tax credits, deductions for home improvement in 2012
With the new year under way, you may be thinking about needed home improvements and how you'll use your credit to fund them. While it's important to understand your credit before making major home improvement decisions, you should also consider another kind of credit - tax credits for energy efficient home improvements.
Healthier options drive rediscovery of ceramic tile
If you've ever had new carpeting installed in your house and found yourself suffering from a nagging cough for days afterward, you've experienced the effect some home improvement materials can have on your health.
Articles by Section - HOME SCENE
Cold weather puts chill on home prices
WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. home prices fell slightly in November as colder weather slowed buying, ending nine straight months of price gains.
Should resale value factor in when you’re remodeling?
To the Good Old Real Estate Boys: My wife and I are having a rather heated disagreement about adding a room onto our home. The man of the house, that's me, wants a man cave where I can go and watch the 49ers on Sunday afternoon with a few friends, male of course, or maybe on a special day like New Year's go and spend the entire day watching the college games. The Olympics are coming and I could go shut the door and just enjoy on my big screen. On the flip side my beautiful, kind wife ...
For sale: Historic small town drive-in theater up for grabs
GRANBURY, Texas (AP) - The sign in front of the historic Brazos Drive-In says "closed."
Top 10 home decor trends for 2014: Color to natural
Renew. Rejuvenate. Reinvigorate. The same objectives people have when making their personal New Year's resolutions can be just as easily be applied to their homes. There's no better time to give a home a fresh look, whether it's incorporating a new color palette, adding accessories, repurposing furniture or putting something interesting up on the walls.
Energy-efficiency growing part of remodeling trends
Remodeling trends come and go, which is a good thing if you're talking about shag carpet or avocado-colored Formica. But some trends have both staying power and universal appeal, such as the strengthening movement toward homes that are more energy efficient and eco-friendly.
Pay down mortgage or make upgrades
Q: We purchased a home in northern Indiana and are trying to sell our other home in Indianapolis.
Average rate on 30-year loan now at 4.39 percent
WASHINGTON (AP) - Average U.S. rates for fixed mortgages changed little this week.
Homebuilding dips, but year best since ‘07
WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. home construction slowed in December but ended 2013 with the best showing since the housing bubble burst.
What should we expect with new lending laws this year?
Hey Real Estate Boys; It's a pleasure to be able to ask for your guidance. I have heard there are a lot of changes coming in 2014 as to lending. Can you Boys help me understand what changes are here now that we're in January? Also, let's hope the 49ers beat the Seahawks and are heading to another Bowl appearance. GO '9ERS.
Homebuilder confidence dips
NEW YORK (AP) - U.S. homebuilders lost a little confidence in the housing market this month but remain generally upbeat ahead of the spring home-selling next season.
Boehner: House won’t repeal flood insurance hikes; big premiums ahead
WASHINGTON (AP) - House Speaker John Boehner said Thursday that the GOP-controlled House won't take up legislation aimed at neutering a 2012 overhaul of the federal flood insurance program that is hitting homeowners with big premium hikes.
3 last-ditch efforts to halt foreclosure
DEAR BENNY: I am having problems with my mortgage. I fell on some hard times lately and fell behind on my mortgage payments. My mortgage lender has been dragging this out for over a year. I have been set up on two separate trial payments and made them both with no problem. Now my loan has gone into foreclosure. The lender keeps telling me that I am under review. Can you tell me what options I have to try to keep my home? --Hodges
California home prices rise in as sales slow down
SAN DIEGO (AP) - California home prices rose in December while tight inventories kept a lid on sales, a research firm reported Wednesday.
Average rate on 30-year loan declines to 4.41%
WASHINGTON (AP) - Average U.S. rates for fixed mortgages declined this week, edging closer to historically low levels.
Home loan is now just $4 a month more than renting cost
It is costing me just $52 more a month to buy my own home in Manteca when all is said and done than if I was still renting a two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment at Laurel Glen.
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