Archive By Section - HOME SCENE
The wrong way to sell a time share
DEAR BENNY: I recently read your suggestions on how to get rid of a time share. You suggested attempting to give your time share back to the company with a "deed in lieu," but said that it probably won't work. You are right. It did not work. However, I found a broker who was willing to take the time share off my hands for $3,000. Is this the only other way to rid oneself of this burden? By paying money to give something away?
Get ready for a 1% gain in resale housing prices
Manteca median prices should be up by 1 percent in value by summer's end. Is that a risky prediction? Not at all if you look at what is happening. As of Monday there were 172 pending sales in Manteca with a median pending price of $179,994 based on the Multiple Listing Service. That is equal to roughly a third of the 532 existing homes that have sold so far this year with a combined median ...
Outdoor summer fun
The warmer months provide numerous opportunities for hosting outdoor events: birthday parties, barbecues, backyard campouts, weddings or a gathering for watching fireworks on the Fourth of July - the list is endless. Even when just hosting a fun neighborhood picnic or ice cream social, it's important to get the outdoor living space looking its best for the big day.
File civil lawsuit for property damage?
DEAR BENNY: While we were out of town, my neighbor and a well installer destroyed 400 square feet of my lawn, leaving us with ruts, dirt piles and dead sod. In addition, they buried 40 linear feet of water pipe and electrical cable on our land without our permission. I have a recent land survey to validate our claims.
Tips to save on home energy costs
Summer's sizzling temperatures can make it difficult to keep your home comfortable, and even more difficult to keep up with the higher utility bills that often come with it. Yet even a few well-chosen improvements can make a big difference in home comfort and energy efficiency. Here are some ways to save on energy costs this season.
Easy improvements equal dramatic facelift
Home improvement projects don't need to be difficult, and with the right tools and attitude, they can be exciting as you watch your house transform. Summer is the perfect time to look at your home to-do list and get going. Here are some easy ideas you can get started on today.
Downsize in space, upgrade in quality of life
Smaller homes equal better quality of living these days. Many homeowners are downsizing the space they occupy, but are upgrading and customizing that space to make it better fit their lifestyle.
Fight for your right to home warranty
DEAR BENNY: I recently purchased a 5-year-old house and when I signed the residential purchase agreement there was a provision for the seller (a bank) to provide a one-year home warranty plan, for a price not to exceed $350. Since the close of escrow (also called settlement or closing in many states) and officially turning over the keys, I have not received the warranty.
Make a splash in your yard
When summer really heats up, there is nothing more refreshing than drinking a tall glass of ice water, taking a quick dip in the pool, or running through the backyard sprinkler with the kids. But what many people do not realize is clean, fresh water is as important to birds and other wildlife as it is for humans. Not only that, but birds actually enjoy splashing around and frolicking in the water just like we do.
Ideas for easy and quick room updates
The relaxed pace of summer allows the perfect opportunity for home improvement updates. You can make your favorite room stand out with some simple ideas that take less than a day to complete from start to finish.
Pros & cons of gifting real estate
DEAR BENNY: I am retired and helping my son buy his first home. My credit is good, but his is not, so the mortgage is in my name. We found a fixer-upper for $80,000. I put $40,000 down and financed $40,000 for 10 years at 3.75 percent, and paid one and half points. My son will live in the house and make the payments of $500 per month.
Del Webb founder had SJ Valley roots
The largest residential development in Manteca history - and one that is slowly changing the city's demographics – is the progression of an idea launched 55 years ago by a Fresno native.
Homeowners at Del Webb pay proportionately more in city taxes
It isn't a myth that Del Webb residents contribute more to Manteca's municipal bottom line than a typical household.
It’s a lifestyle not an investment for 1st time buyers
Housing prices in Manteca are back to 1998 levels but the attitude of most first-time buyers is rooted in the 1950s.
Credit myths about buying a home
Whether your annual earnings range well into six figures or are on the more modest end of national salary averages, you know you'll probably need credit to buy a home. While you likely know how important credit is to your home-buying plans, you may not be aware of the truth behind some common credit myths.
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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