How to Budget for Home Maintenance
September 8, 2010 by Melodye · Leave a Comment
RISMEDIA, July 31, 2010—New homeowners oftentimes stretch themselves financially when having to pay the initial costs that come with purchasing a home. While it is important to focus on these preliminary expenses, homeowners must be aware of the financial requirements that come with maintaining the home. Here, Dan Steward, President, Pillar To Post discusses how [...]
Homeowners: Big Ideas for Small Spaces
September 8, 2010 by Melodye · Leave a Comment
RISMEDIA, August 2, 2010—(MCT)—As we exit the era of the McMansion and begin to embrace the concept of the “big-enough” home, we need to rethink some of our interior-design ideas.
Whether your home is a house, condo or apartment, if you’re making do with reduced square-footage, you’re likely wondering how to make boxy rooms look bigger [...]
Geothermal Heating Systems Help Homeowners Ease Their Carbon Footprint
September 8, 2010 by Melodye · Leave a Comment
RISMEDIA, July 15, 2010—(MCT)—Some homeowners chase down high-tech solar panels and efficient appliances to make their homes environmentally friendly. Others eschew the latest technology in favor of something far more basic: caves.
Geothermal heating and cooling systems work just as caves do: The temperature underground is more moderate than the air above. If it’s 85 degrees [...]
The Pros and Cons of Corner Properties
September 7, 2010 by Melodye · Leave a Comment
Some people see a corner lot as an asset, but an equal number believe it is a liability.
Pluses of these properties include more flexible design options, shorter driveways, sunnier interiors, and more on-street parking. The negatives are a small and not-very-private backyard, more noise, more streetlights and headlights, and a greater need to look out [...]
Refinancings Soar as Mortgage Rates Remain Low
September 3, 2010 by Melodye · Leave a Comment
RISMEDIA, September 3, 2010—(MCT)—For anyone under the age of 57, mortgage rates are now the lowest they’ve been during your life. This fact isn’t lost on a growing number of homeowners who have started a new wave of refinancings.
The Mortgage Bankers Association reported this month that refinancing applications are up 26% during the past four [...]
Exceeding Expectations, Pending Home Sales Rise 5.2%
September 3, 2010 by Melodye · Leave a Comment
RISMEDIA, September 3, 2010—Following a sharp drop in the months immediately after the expiration of the home buyer tax credit, pending home sales have modestly risen, according to the National Association of Realtors.
The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator, rose 5.2% to 79.4 based on contracts signed in July from a downwardly revised 75.5 [...]
Around the Home: Back-to-School in Green Fashion
August 29, 2010 by Melodye · Leave a Comment
RISMEDIA, August 28, 2010—(MCT)—Back-to-school time brings the rush for new lunchboxes, school supplies and clothing. Most of the time, we’re so busy crossing items off our lists we don’t have time to worry about whether the item is eco-friendly or not.
If you are looking to reduce your eco footprint without spending extra money this back-to-school [...]
Repurposing Rooms Makes Home Feel New Again
August 29, 2010 by Melodye · Leave a Comment
RISMEDIA, August 28, 2010—(MCT)—While today’s real estate market is keeping many home buyers on the sidelines, there’s no need to feel stuck in your house. You can still move out and up within your own home. The latest lifestyle trend is shuffling the old floor plan—without adding on—to make our living spaces new again. Converting [...]
10 Staging Tips to Help Your Home Sell
August 29, 2010 by Melodye · Leave a Comment
RISMEDIA, March 19, 2010—(MCT)—Want to sell your home? Get out the bucket, mop and Mr. Clean. The key to making a positive first impression is simple, said Sandra Rinomato, host of HGTV’s popular “Property Virgins” show.
“Get it clean, clean, clean,” said Rinomato. “If your house isn’t clean, it instantly sends up negative thoughts that the [...]
Housing Remains Highly Affordable for Sixth Consecutive Quarter
August 24, 2010 by Melodye · Leave a Comment
RISMEDIA, August 24, 2010—Bolstered by favorable interest rates and low house prices, housing affordability remained near its highest level nationwide for the sixth consecutive month since the series was first compiled nearly two decades ago, according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI).
The HOI indicated that 72.3% of all new [...]
