Archive By Section - HOME SCENE

Few homes on market; California sales lower

SAN DIEGO (AP) - California homes sales dropped sharply in January due to a seasonal slump and a lack of affordable homes on the market, a research firm reported Thursday.

February 14, 2014 | | HOME SCENE

Average 30-year loan rate up to 4.28 percent a

WASHINGTON (AP) - The average U.S. rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage edged up this week to 4.28 percent from 4.23 percent but remains near historically low levels after declining during the five previous weeks.

February 14, 2014 | | HOME SCENE

Late-payment rate on mortgages falls

LOS ANGELES (AP) - U.S. homeowners are doing a better job of keeping up with mortgage payments, a trend that has reduced the rate of late payment on home loans to the lowest level in more than five years.

February 14, 2014 | | HOME SCENE

6 hot design trends

Does the change of seasons have you itching to refresh a tired, lackluster room? Or maybe you're looking for some small ways to make a big impact on your home's style? Whatever the case, here are some of this season's most buzzed-about trends and how you can incorporate them into your next project.

February 07, 2014 | | HOME SCENE

First builders selected for River Islands

LATHROP - When River Islands, the largest new master planned community in Northern California, opens in the late spring, home buyers will be able to walk through models from three of the state's leading homebuilders: Brookfield Residential, De Nova Homes, and Van Daele Development.

February 07, 2014 | | HOME SCENE

Average 30-year loan rate at 4.23 percent

WASHINGTON (AP) - Average U.S. rates for fixed mortgages fell this week as the latest data continued to indicate a pause in the housing market's recovery.

February 07, 2014 | | HOME SCENE

Slower sales led to dip in home prices in December

WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. home prices slipped from November to December, and the year-over-year increase slowed, likely a result of weaker sales at the end of last year.

February 07, 2014 | | HOME SCENE

Ways of making your outdoor living spaces more useful all year

No matter if you live on a coast or in the Upper Midwest, you can use your outdoor spaces to the fullest in any season by adding a few enhancements. Whether you do it yourself or hire a professional, it's easy to add features like a seat wall and a fire ring for an outdoor gathering spot, or an outdoor kitchen to create the taste of summer all year. A few simple improvements can help you create a space that keeps you outside longer into the night, earlier in the spring and later into the cooler seasons.

February 07, 2014 | | HOME SCENE

Upgrading your home’s bathroom

How much time do you spend in the bathroom each day? Whether it's where you prep the kids for bed or step away for some alone time, the bathroom is one of the most frequently used rooms in the home. It's also one of the best areas in which to invest; renovating or simply updating this space can lead to a 62 percent return on investment.