Archive By Section - HOME SCENE
The heat is on outside, keep cool inside
As summer heats up, air conditioning bills can rapidly rise. As homeowners feel the heat, many are looking for ways to save and stay cool.
Tabletop gardens are edible centerpieces
With spring arriving earlier this season, gardeners across the country are inspired to plant now. Daydreams of fresh produce used in delicious sauces, salads and stir fries have many drawing garden plot plans and even starting seeds for future transplanting. Tabletop gardens are a fun and decorative way to expand into new planting opportunities.
Buying a foreclosure or short sale with confidence
Buyers are still clamoring for real estate deals in this turbulent market. Foreclosures and short sales offer some of the best bargains, but also have a higher risk level. Still, more than four in five adults think foreclosures and short sales can be good deals, according to a recent American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) survey.
Big design ideas for small kitchen spaces
Bigger isn't always better in the real estate world, and what's more, it's not always possible. With more baby boomers downsizing from McMansions to smaller, more manageable houses, and a growing number of people opting to rent rather than buy, many families are looking for new ways to decorate, design and work with smaller spaces.
Fannie Mae names Mayopoulos as new CEO
WASHINGTON (AP) - Timothy Mayopoulos, the general counsel of Fannie Mae, will be the next CEO of the government-controlled mortgage giant.
30-year mortgage drops to record-low 3.67%
WASHINGTON (AP) - Average U.S. rates on 30-year and 15-year fixed mortgages this week fell to fresh record lows for the sixth straight week. Cheap mortgages continue to help boost prospects for home sales this year.
Dangers of downsizing to cut debt
DEAR BENNY: I am 58 years old and married. My total household income is less than $50,000. I have no mortgage; however, I do have a line of credit with $130,000 owed.
Top kitchen upgrades
Nowhere else in the home must design and function marry as harmoniously as in the kitchen. The most-used room in the house is also the one where we spend the most work and leisure time, the one that gets the most scrutiny from potential buyers and the spot where most renovation dollars get spent.
Foreclosure mess is slowly improving older Manteca housing stock
Here's a silver lining to the foreclosure crisis: There's anecdotal evidence it is leading to the improvement of older housing stock in Manteca.
Remodeling your home? Start from outside in
The kitchen and bathroom are at the top of most home remodeling project lists. But homeowners intent on remodeling should also consider investing in the exterior of their homes - maybe even start there.
Sales contracts for homes dropped in April
WASHINGTON (AP) - A gauge of Americans who signed contracts to buy homes fell in April from nearly a two-year high in the previous month.
Curb appeal via outdoor painting projects
Summer is finally here, and with warmer temperatures and longer days, it's the perfect time to brighten up your home with a few outdoor painting projects. You can add the right amount of color and increase your curb appeal in just one weekend, leaving you the rest of the season to enjoy the finished product.
Sales of foreclosure homes rose in 1Q
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Homes in some stage of the foreclosure process saw their share of overall U.S. home sales grow in the first quarter even as sales of bank-owned homes fell.
Federal flood insurance gets 60-day extension
WASHINGTON (AP) - Congress has given itself two more months to come up with long-term solutions for the debt-burdened federal program that provides insurance for homes and businesses in areas subject to flooding.
Understanding ‘stepped-down’ tax basis
DEAR BENNY: You frequently write about the stepped-up basis when a property is inherited. In today's market, however, you may find the reverse situation.
Articles by Section - HOME SCENE
New homebuyers checklist
When you're about to buy a house, it's easy to get excited about its great location, spacious floor plan or beautifully decorated interior. Yet the old saying, "beauty's only skin deep" can apply to any home, especially if you're considering an older, previously owned property. Before signing on the dotted line, use this checklist to help avoid some potentially costly surprises and anticipate repairs or upgrades that may be needed.
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