Archive By Section - HOME SCENE
Clematis needs pruning; the question is when
There's a lot to like about clematis, one of the earliest vines to green up in the spring. It's easy to grow, blooms in profusion and is hardy, with some varieties lasting over 50 years.
Apartment rents up as vacancies drop across nation
Renters that have the desire and wherewithal to buy but are waiting for either lower prices or lower loan rates should consider this a warning.
Porches that are stylish & durable
It's been a long, hard winter in much of the country. Towering snowdrifts, icy roads, freak hailstorms. For many of us, spring can't come fast enough, and with it the chance to enjoy our porches, patios and sunrooms.
Manteca plans garden tour for May 14
An expansive garden with a Japanese theme and a garden that illustrates how green thumbs with physical limitations can still enjoy their hobby are two of the six that are being featured in the 2011 Manteca Garden Tour.
Modesto garden tour on May 7
MODESTO - The Modesto Garden Club's Saturday, May 7, Annual Spring Tour of Town & Country Gardens provides a look at eight private gardens in town and country settings and the Modesto Garden Club office garden.
White helps adds a touch of spring to homes
Like freshly washed laundry dancing on the line on a sunny day, this season's white decor is a welcome sight. Just when we're ready to fling open the windows, shake out rugs and scrub the memory of winter away, stores are responding by stocking tabletop accessories, throw pillows, furniture and more in crisp whites and soothing creams.
Hybrids: Pros & cons in backyard garden
These days, hybrids are either panned or praised in the world of gardening. Not that hybrids are such oddities. A hybrid is merely the offspring of two parents that are not genetically the same.
America’s new favorite pastime
More than 41 million Americans planted vegetable gardens in 2009 - a number expected to increase as food costs climb, according to a recent Gardening Trends Research Report. When you factor in flowers, herbs and fruits, it's difficult to find a home where people are not working the soil on a warm sunny day.
Heat up your kitchen with color
The kitchen is the heart of the home: a place to cook and share a meal, to entertain friends, gather as a family and even pay bills or do homework.
Gardening mistakes & how to avoid them
Gardening is a forgiving hobby. You can always right any wrongs next growing season. The best way to prevent problems, though, is with good planning. "Designing from the top of your head may work, but things most likely will work better if you write it down and do a simple drawing," said Jack McKinnon, a garden coach from San Francisco. "Think before you plant." Most gardening failures result from simple things, he said, "like people ...
Three steps to ensure you get best deal when buying a house
Ample inventory, low mortgage rates and motivated sellers - all these key elements are present in real estate markets across the country, indicating it's still a great time to buy a house. If you're thinking of buying a house - whether it's new or existing, your first home or your fifth - you can help ensure you get the best possible deal by doing a few things before you get down to serious shopping.
Colorful exteriors without drop of paint
Nothing brightens a home's personality more dramatically than brilliant color. It's easy to freshen your home's exterior with color trim around windows, doors or along corners. With color trim, there are endless ways you can evoke any emotion or personality you desire. Whether you wish for tranquility, elegance or modernism, it's time to add some color to your "to-do" list.
How do you know when you are ready to buy a house?
Since the foreclosure crisis began, many Americans have been thinking a little bit more critically about whether they are truly ready for home ownership.
Update interiors with quick flooring transformation
Is your home in need of a makeover to go from boring to brilliant? What better time than now to update your home's tired, worn interior. You need look no further than right under your feet - to the floor below - for a simple, budget-minded way to freshen your decor and add to your home's value. Give any room of the house an updated look with flooring that mimics natural stone or ceramic tile, but without the upkeep or high cost.
Five tips for small landlords on how to protect your investment
More and more homeowners who are moving are delaying selling their homes, choosing instead to rent them out as the housing market continues to struggle. The lagging housing market has given others the opportunity to buy properties for investment purposes. Since many of these homeowners don't have much experience as a landlord, they're often required to learn on the fly.
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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