home: Mortgage Rates : Volatility is on the Horizon - 03/29/10 03:25 AM
The 30 year rate rose from 4.96 to 4.99 this week. In the last 4 weeks 30 year mortgage rates have remained remarkably stable staying between 4.95 to 5.05. But it looks like that might change over the next few months. The economic instability in Greece and the rest of Europe could lead to instability in the mortgage markets, in addition the US government is likely to stop purchasing mortgage backed securities which could cause rates to rise. At the very least we should start seeing more volatility in mortgage rates for the rest of the year.
The 15 … (0 comments)
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home: Go Green in Your Lawn this Summer - 04/05/09 01:44 AM
Summer is the perfect time to combine your green thumb with a green lifestyle. We've all heard about going green at work and at home, but did you know that you can go green in your yard too?
Home owners can save time, money and improve the appearance and the health of their lawn and garden.
Here are a few tips to help you get your yard and garden on the way to being green. Mow your yard regularly and leave the clippings on the ground. The cut grass will recycle into free fertilizer.
Water you … (10 comments)
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home: Five Ways To Slash Energy Bills - 03/28/09 05:35 AM
Lower the temperature of your water heater: The temperature setting can be adjusted on both gas and electric water heaters which can save approximately 3% to 5% for each 10F reduction. Factory settings are typically dialed to 140F; however, the typical household only requires a setting of 120F. A fringe benefit of this change is that lowering the water temperature also slows mineral buildup and corrosion in the water heater and pipes.
Change your light bulbs: Getting rid of standard incandescent bulbs and replacing them with Energy Start qualified CFL light bulbs is an excellent way to reduce energy … (8 comments)
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home: How To Sell Your Home in a Down Economy - 03/03/09 11:10 PM
Okay, so, the economy's down and you're feeling down because of it. You had planned on putting your home up for sale by now. You're discouraged, though, because on your street alone you see three other homes for sale. How can you compete, you wonder, with so many other homes on the market?
Don't lose heart, you're about to learn how.
Stand Out. The challenge you have ahead of you is how to make your home stand out from the rest. The way you do that may not be in the way you think, though.
Before you contact … (3 comments)
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home: Greening Your Yard: Make Your Yard Look Great Without The Carbon Footprint - 02/27/09 12:05 AM
The best place to start in making your yard more eco-friendly is to rethink the landscaping. The good news is that spring is just around the corner and rethinking your landscaping at this time means you don't have to sacrifice the attractiveness of your lawn. The first step of rethinking your lawn is to evaluate how much grass you really need. Most people can replace a significant amount of grassy area with border gardens, which can use mulch and compost. Increasing garden areas also reduces the amount of time and gas spent mowing the lawn, which in turn reduces greenhouse emissions. … (1 comments)
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home: Tips to Avoid Foreclosure - 02/23/09 01:00 AM
While foreclosure is the last thing a homeowner wants to face, it is an unfortunate reality of our current economic environment. However, by understanding what leads to foreclosure and the process that ensues, you may be in a better situation to act and avoid problems. The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) suggests the following ten tips to homeowners facing foreclosure.
1.) Don't ignore the problem- Avoiding the problem doesn't make it go away. The sooner you act, the easier it is to get help based upon the delinquent fees on your account.
2.) … (4 comments)
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home: Secure Your Home Without Breaking The Bank - 02/16/09 08:47 PM
According to burglary experts Matt Johnston and Jon Douglas Rainey, hosts of It Takes a Thief, most homes are cased from the outside. Seasoned thieves know what to look for and focus on being able to get in and out of a home quickly, quietly and without being seen. There are a variety of affordable options, all of which help deter thieves and add security and safety to your home.
According to Johnston and Rainey, the most common way for a burglar to enter a home is through an unlocked or unsecured door. Because of this, always lock all doors … (3 comments)
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home: Color Psychology For Your Home Remodel - 02/12/09 03:33 AM
Ever wonder why so many restaurants paint their walls red? Or why hospitals stereotypically have drab shades of tan or green? Whether we realize it or not, everyone reacts to color in a psychological and physiological way. And while not everyone reacts exactly the same, some generalized understandings of what each color conveys can help you out the next time you're wading through paint swatches at the hardware store.
While only a few basic colors are covered, keep in mind that humans see much more than six simple colors. The hue, saturation and intensity of a color also have an … (0 comments)
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home: The Economic Bailout Debate - 02/12/09 03:24 AM
Ever wonder why so many restaurants paint their walls red? Or why hospitals stereotypically have drab shades of tan or green? Whether we realize it or not, everyone reacts to color in a psychological and physiological way. And while not everyone reacts exactly the same, some generalized understandings of what each color conveys can help you out the next time you're wading through paint swatches at the hardware store.
While only a few basic colors are covered, keep in mind that humans see much more than six simple colors. The hue, saturation and intensity of a color also have an … (1 comments)
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home: How to Redecorate on a Budget - 11/30/08 04:23 AM
When operating on a tight budget, it's hard to justify technically unnecessary purchases and pursuits, like redecorating a perfectly good living room, or buying a new pair of stilettos. But you don't have to overhaul your entire living space in order to spruce it up and create the desired effect of change. There are plenty of simple, cost-effective ways to spruce up any space, without over-spending. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
1. Move things around
You don't have to go out and buy an entirely new living room set in order to update the feel of … (7 comments)
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home: How to Hire a Contractor - 06/12/08 12:57 AM
There are some home renovations that really should be left to a professional. Finding a good contractor that is trustworthy and dependable can sometimes be a challenge, but with some preparation it can be done.
Before accepting to work with a contractor, ask for a list of references. Ideally, the list will be fairly long, and not rigged towards a few happy customers. Call these references, skipping around from recent customers to older ones to see how the work has held up. If possible, visit one of the remodel sites in person. Ask about the quality of the work, and … (0 comments)
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home: Removing Countertops - 05/30/08 11:05 PM
One of the most cost effective ways to renovate your home is to “do-it-yourself.” From sanding and painting to digging and planting, there are many projects that a determined homeowner can accomplish. There are some jobs, however, that are better left to the professionals. These jobs are too heavy, too labor intensive or require specialized tools and skills.
Case in point: installing new granite countertops. The weight of the granite alone is enough to send anyone running to a phone to call for professional help. If you have new countertops on the way complete with the manpower do get it … (1 comments)
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home: Putting In A Flowerbed - 05/06/08 03:56 AM
Putting in a flowerbed is a great way to add a splash of color and charm to your lawn, and turn an ordinary yard into a place to stop and smell the roses. All it takes is a little dirt work and a weekend afternoon, and you’ll be ready to plant azaleas and daisies to your heart’s content.
The first step is to decide the “where and how big?” question. There are a few things to keep in mind when making these choices, such as proximity to a water faucet (Or whether you need to buy a new, longer hose), … (3 comments)
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home: Home Improvement Tips : Bathroom Renovations - 04/29/08 05:17 AM
One of the most popular areas of a house to renovate is the bathroom. There are many different ways to renovate a bathroom, from small surface changes to completely gutting the room. With some forethought and elbow grease, there are renovating techniques the do-it-yourselfer can accomplish, while saving money at the same time.
The first rule in any renovation is to start with a budget, and stick to it. After a budget is set, one must decide on how serious of a project the renovation will be. Surface alterations can be done fairly quickly and cheaply, while rearranging the layout … (3 comments)
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home: Austin Neighborhood: North Loop - 04/17/08 06:24 AM
Just north of Hyde Park, with approximately 1400 homes, lies the neighborhood of North Loop. Also referred to as “Northfield”, the North Loop neighborhood boundaries are 51st street, Lamar Boulevard, Airport Boulevard, and Koenig Lane.
Like many of Austin’s central neighborhoods, North Loop got its start once soldiers began returning home from World War II. Other soldiers cashed in their GI Bill, and attended the university to get a college education. With the mass influx of people moving to Austin in the late 1940s and early 1950s, more homes had to go up quickly. The majority of the homes in … (0 comments)
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home: How to Refinish Hardwood Floors - 04/17/08 05:14 AM
Several homes, especially centrally located homes, have hardwood flooring. A pristine hardwood floor is beautiful, but to restore one back to its original 60 year old elegance, the floor will need to be refinished.
Refinishing hardwood floors can be a challenging job for the do-it-yourselfer, but with some preparation and research, it can be done without the help of a professional.
Many older homes have gone through fads, and one that became a norm was wall to wall carpeting. If wood floors hide under a carpet, it will have to be removed. After all furniture has been removed, pull … (1 comments)
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home: Remodeling A Kitchen : A How To Guide - 04/06/08 01:28 AM
One of the most timely and costly home improvement projects any homeowner can take on is a kitchen makeover. Whether a homeowner desperately needs a kitchen revamp, or is tired of the dated look of the kitchen, there are several options to freshen up the area.
The easiest fix for a sparkling new(ish) kitchen is a good thorough cleaning. Over years of use, kitchen cabinets take on food, heat, and grease that tends to build up. Though it might seem simpler to leave cabinet doors attached to clean them, taking time to remove the doors allows for easier access in … (1 comments)
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home: Austin Real Estate Profiles : Crestview Austin Homes - 03/14/08 12:34 AM
Just north of Austin's urban center lies the Crestview neighborhood, bordered by Anderson Lane to the north, Justin Lane to the south, North Lamar Boulevard to the east and Burnet Road to the west. In 1948, developer A.B. Beddow began building the Crestview homes on what was originally an old cotton field. The majority of the homes in Crestview were built in the 1950s with a very utilitarian style, mostly 2 and 3 bedroom cottages ranging around 1100 to 1200 square feet, suitable for the postwar boom of the time. Many residents of Crestview have lived in the area since its … (0 comments)
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