Archive By Section - HOME SCENE
Circumvent rigid down-payment gift rules
DEAR BENNY: I live in Connecticut and my husband stays several nights a week in Massachusetts. We saw a duplex we would like to buy in Massachusetts. He would live in one part and there is already a tenant in the other part.
Affordable holiday decor updates
Welcoming friends and family into your home is one of the best ways to celebrate the season. One of the keys to making visitors feel right at home is to be a happy host. So, do yourself - and your guests - a favor and put a little effort into getting your home holiday houseguest perfect.
Housing prices going up 11.5% next year?
Here's an eye-opener: Housing prices in California are expected to surge 11.5 percent in 2012.
When is a HUD-1 form required?
DEAR BENNY: Do we have to do a HUD-1 form on a cash sale? The home is paid off and I am selling for cash. There is no lender involved. --Keith
What’s the best floor choice for your high-traffic home?
From high-heeled shoes to dog paws and kitchen spills, your home's flooring faces tough challenges every day. When it comes to choosing a floor that will stand up to today's hyper-active households, experts recommend laminate for its low-maintenance, realistic beauty and durability. But savvy shoppers should keep in mind that not all laminates are created equal, especially when it comes to long-term performance. To find the best floor for your high-traffic home, look for the following:
Simple water-saving tips keep money in your wallet
The average household spends as much as $500 per year on its water and sewer bill, but by making just a few simple changes to use water more efficiently, you could save approximately $170 per year and help the environment, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Assume mortgage with transfer-on-death deed
DEAR BENNY: My mother died in February of this year. About a month before her death she executed a beneficiary deed leaving the home to me, her daughter. I was also the sole beneficiary of her will. She had no other assets (only debt) and so there was no probate.
How to turn your first home into a decorator’s showcase
Whether you've signed a lease agreement or purchased a house, moving into your first home is an exciting time. For many people, it's their first opportunity to express their personal style by decorating their own space.
Vanity sanity: Organize your bathroom wisely
It's the room where you start and end your day, so it should be one of the most enjoyable places in your home. But, most of the time, your bathroom is not the relaxing retreat you hoped it would be. Whether it is overrun with towels and toiletries - or is tough to keep clean with smudged mirrors and faucets - today's bathrooms are in need of some serious updates and organization. Luckily, a few simple tips and tricks can bring style and sanity to your bathroom vanity in no time.
Fisher speaker for Ripon Garden Club Wednesday
RIPON - Mike Fisher is the guest speaker for the 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2, meeting of the Ripon Garden Club at the American Legion Hall, 206 Stockton Ave., Ripon.
Pros and cons of a life estate
DEAR BENNY: My cousin and disabled elderly aunt are living in a house that my aunt sold about four years ago in which the agreement included lifetime living rights without the stipulation of rent payment or payment for taxes. Does the owner have the right to demand rental payments now? Is there a website that I might be able to check to find out more information for them? --Patti
Manteca’s Lori Adams named CVAR Realtor of the Year for region
MODESTO – PMZ Real Estate Realtor Lori Adams has been named Realtor of the Year by the Central Valley Association of Realtors for outstanding contributions to the real estate and local community. Winners are selected based on a number of criteria including industry leadership and community involvement.
Russitano joins sales team
Lori Adams and Lori Little, known as The Loris throughout the Central Valley, are proud to announce and welcome Susan Russitano as the newest member of their sales team. Russitano will be a fulltime real estate agent covering the Manteca area and focusing on sales team leadership and development.
Holiday hazards to avoid to help keep pets safe
The holiday season is filled with a frenzy of activities from decorating the house to baking sweets to gift buying and wrapping. Adding decorations to your mantel or front yard adds a festive look to your house, but pet owners should also take a moment during the busy decorating season to examine how they make the season bright - and safe - for their pets and families.
Making your first home purchase dream a reality
Buying a home is more than numbers, dollars and cents. The pride of owning your own home is an incredible feeling, providing a place for you and your family to come together and build memories.
Articles by Section - HOME SCENE
FHA loan limits need to go up
Most first-time buyers can come up with the income to comfortably cover a monthly house payment but often lack the money needed up front.
3% DOWN LOANS
WASHINGTON (AP) - Some Americans will soon be able to buy a home with a down payment as low as 3 percent, compared with the current minimum of 5 percent, the mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac say.
Create a happy homemade Christmas setting this year
One of the best ways to kick off the holiday season is to decorate. And while it's easy to load your cart with beautiful decor from your favorite store, Christmas is more personal when decorations are homemade.
Bathroom upgrades to impress guests & family
Game night, girls' night or family reunion – your home serves as the backdrop for many occasions. Preparing your space for friends and family can feel like a heavy undertaking, but with a few simple entertaining tips, hosts can wave goodbye to anxieties.
Reurposing garage doors into walls with a view
Have you ever admired a coffee table cleverly fabricated using a discarded door sitting on a frame? Or been surprised by the sight of an old refrigerator reborn as a bookshelf or TV cabinet? Even bathroom fixtures have been known to draw notice (and a snicker or two) when repurposed as garden containers.
Average 30-year loan rate increases to 3.93 percent
WASHINGTON (AP) - Average U.S. long-term mortgage rates edged higher this week after four weeks of declines, but they remained at historically low levels that could entice potential homebuyers.
Tips to keep garden & hand tools in top shape
From painting supplies to gardening and hand tools, buying well-made home improvement tools can help improve project results. The tools you use may be an investment, so you'll want to take care of them to ensure they last for more than just one project.
Master bathroom trends for homes in 2015 & beyond
When it comes to renovating spaces in your home, the master bath should be top of mind. Leading master bath trends for 2015 go beyond functionality to incorporate features that complement the design aesthetic and provide a touch of luxury for lasting results.
Let her handle the money
Despite the earning power of today's women, many still shy away from investing and long-term planning. One of the reasons may be a lack of confidence. A 2014 report by the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies found that half of women say they are not confident about the ability to retire comfortably.
5 ways to protect your home the holidays
When you think of the holidays, celebrations, presents and friends likely come to mind - not crime. Unfortunately, burglaries increase at this time of year, and your home could be a target. With a few simple safety precautions, you can protect your property, your family and your valuables now and well into the new year.
SPRUCE UP
The fun chaos of the holidays is right around the corner. Family gatherings to plan, delicious meals to prepare, gifts to find and purchase, and a house to decorate ... the list goes on!
Average US 30-year loan rate falls to 3.89 percent
WASHINGTON (AP) - Average U.S. long-term mortgage rates fell for the fourth straight week, a continuing boon for potential homebuyers.
Troubled US homeowners get more relief
WASHINGTON (AP) - Homeowners whose mortgages were modified to stave off foreclosure could next year receive an additional $5,000 reduction in their loans from the government, the Treasury and Housing and Urban Development departments said Thursday.
How to cut clutter & take back your home
You've reached your breaking point. You've tripped over the same thing in the living room too many times. Now you've picked it up to finally put it away and you realize - you have nowhere to put it. You have too much clutter in your home. So what do you do? How do you decide where to start so you can reduce the clutter in your home and make your walkways safe once more?
Taking a spin down Memory Lane
OK you Real Estate Boys; I am fairly new to Turlock and so far love it here and love the Valley. When I moved from the right coast mid-summer my Realtor kept telling me all the neat things about Turlock and I couldn't stop thinking about John and Paul's "She Loves You." Yeah, yeah, yeah. "You're just saying that stuff." Well, 6 months into my new life I am now saying the same about my newly adopted home. I'm sort of hoping you Boys can tell me some of the changes you've seen over the ...
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