Applying weather stripping around doors and windows is a low-cost way to stop drafts and cut down on heating and cooling costs. Here's what you do:

1. Learn the different kinds of stripping -- adhesive-backed V strips that can be cut with scissors or a utility knife; compression strips; tubular gaskets; magnetic stripping for metal- or steel-clad doors.
2. Measure the length of all seams to be weather-stripped, add a couple of inches for each seam and add the numbers together to determine how much you need.
3. Cut the weather stripping to fit each seam. Apply the stripping all the way around a window by using adhesive, nails or screws. Attach the stripping to the jamb or the stop.
4. Apply the stripping to the sides and the tops of doors. Use a weather-tight threshold or door sweep to seal the bottom. (A door sweep is a metal or wood bracket with a plastic or vinyl flap that hangs to the floor to stop airflow.)

Other Tips

* Choose the weather stripping best suited to your needs. Ask store personnel for recommendations.
* Clean the surface to which you're going to apply adhesive-backed weather stripping (if it's dirty or damp, the adhesive won't stick for long).
* Foam and felt varieties of weather stripping don't apply easily and don't seem to last nearly as long as alternatives.

Are you considering putting your house up for sale, but not sure where to start? Afraid it will take too long to sell, or that you won't get the price you want? If this is the case, you should definitely think about "staging" your home -- or in other words -- setting the scene for immediate buyer interest. Following are five tips to get you started:

1. De-clutter -- This is one of the most important things you can do. It might be easier to think of de-cluttering like this: You're moving anyway, so why not start packing now?
2. Storage -- Pack up everything you don't need and store the boxes out of sight in the garage, or better yet, an offsite storage facility.
3. Organize Your Closets -- Put similar colors together, pants together, skirts together, shirts together, etc. Why? Because an organized closet looks bigger, and you want your closets to look as spacious as possible.
4. Make It Look Like a Model -- You want to de-personalize as much as possible so potential buyers can imagine themselves and their own belongings occupying the space in your house. That means minimizing - putting away everything you don't need or use. Clear off the kitchen counter and stash all appliances you don't use on a daily basis.
5. Your the Buyer -- Imagine yourself as a potential buyer looking at the property for the very first time. What impressions are you getting? Would you buy the house? What would you like to see changed before you put an offer on it?

Don't worry about spending a few hundred, even thousands, of dollars to get your house ready to sell - you'll likely get it all back, even more, when your home sells. Proper staging helps you sell your house in a shorter time and at the price you want.

 If you've ever stepped out of a hot shower on a cold morning and were pleasantly surprised to discover a warm floor, you were probably experiencing radiant floor heating. Though this form of heating has been widely used throughout Europe and the Far East the past few decades, it has only recently become popular in the United States.

Radiant heating is a type of heating setup where the heat is supplied by electric wiring or hot water  tubes installed into or under the flooring, and sometimes walls and ceilings. While heating a room is the most common application, it is also used to heat water, swimming pools, sidewalks and garages.

Several reasons why people like radiant heating is because it doesn't dry out the air, it's essentially invisible, there are no noisy radiators, and most notably -- it provides a gentle and soothing supply of warmth with no drafts or cold spots. Unlike conventional forced-air heating which only heats the air, then quickly cools and needs to be reheated again, radiant floor heating warms everything it comes in contact with, such as your tile or wood floor, making it an extremely comfortable and efficient heating system.

Electric radiant heating is generally used to retrofit a single room, like a bathroom, den or kitchen. It uses coils of wire, or sometimes an electric mat, that is installed under the tile or other flooring often during a remodel. The electric radiant heat system is usually hooked up to a dedicated GFIC-protected circuit and a thermostat with an automatic timer to control the temperature and times.

Hydronic radiant heating is usually installed when a home is built and is intended to warm the entire dwelling. It does this by circulating warm water produced by a hot water heater or boiler through half-inch tubing that was set in poured concrete, installed above the subfloor in snap-in grids or grooved panels, or attached to aluminum strips underneath the flooring. There may be one or more thermostats to deliver the best comfort.

Radiant heating is more expensive to install than traditional forced-air heating systems, but once installed and running, it can be 20 to 30 percent more energy efficient. Other than price, the only other down side is that there are some limitations to the type of flooring you can install. But, when you take the high level of comfort into consideration, radiant heating is quickly becoming a popular heating choice.

As your real estate closing or settlement date approaches, there are various things you must do to ensure the transaction closes smoothly and on time. As escrow requirements differ from location to location, understanding what needs to be done and preparing accordingly is the key to a stress-free closing.

* Keep a close eye on the loan process. Check in with your loan officer frequently until you are satisfied everything they need has been submitted and the loan will fund on time.
* Review your settlement statement or HUD-1 form a few days before closing. Check the line items to make sure you are getting credit for your deposits and other items agreed upon.
* Thoroughly review the preliminary title report to confirm the exact legal description, and note any encumbrances, liens or other items that may have been discovered.
* Inspect the property a few days prior to closing to make sure all agreed-upon repairs have been finished and any personal property that was not negotiated in the sales contract has been removed.
* Make sure someone has contacted the utility companies to transfer them into your name on closing day.
* Contact your insurance company to make any required changes. This is usually required and handled by the lender, but it's up to you to make sure the policy is adequate.
* Bring a certified check to cover closing costs and two forms of identification.
* Get copies of the settlement statement, mortgage or deed of trust, truth-in-lending statement, sales contract, appraisals, inspections and disclosures. In addition, get the keys, gate codes and garage remotes.
* Get answers to all your questions. Don't proceed if you don't understand something, get answers.

The reason you want to review these items before closing day is to give the seller, escrow, realtor, whoever, time to remedy any mistakes or complete any agreed-upon conditions. By being proactive, you can make certain you'll have a smooth closing.

Most home sellers realize how important it is to properly prepare their home before putting it on the market, but with all the TV shows emphasizing cleaning up, remodeling and home staging, it might leave you wondering how much you're going to need to spend.

The quick answer: Invest as little as possible to prepare your property for sale. Of course you should de-clutter, clean up and repair everything that needs fixing, but what about remodeling the bathroom? Or, putting new flooring in the dining room? Or landscaping? Yes, those upgrades will make your home stand out and help get it sold, but will they put more money in your pocket at close of escrow? Probably not.

The idea is to make your home as presentable as possible without spending any money that you won't get back. If you invest $50 to thoroughly clean a bathroom, put new fixtures on the cabinets, and paint it, you'll likely get that back plus some.

But, if you spend $15,000 on a bathroom remodel, only to get $12,000 back, that's a losing proposition. You not only lost money, but you wasted time and effort with the remodel. And, even worse, a potential buyer may not like the choices you made.

When the time comes to sell your home, keep in mind you don't have to spend a ton of money to make your home presentable. Just make each dollar count!

Hardwood flooring remains a popular choice for home owners because it's durable, easy to clean, and offers a classic beauty that's hard to match. Originally introduced in medieval times, hardwood flooring today has evolved into a superior choice due to improved installation techniques and innovative sealants and finishes. Even though there are literally thousands of choices, some basic guidelines to selecting hardwood flooring remains fairly simple.

1. Know the Room's Purpose -- In most cases you wouldn't want to install wood floors in a bathroom because of potential moisture problems, but other rooms may have mixed uses. A den may be a place to study one day, and a toddler's playroom the next. This is important to know before you select a hardwood.
2. Traffic -- A busy room is going to require a different hardwood and finish than a room that is seldom used. For example, hallways and kitchens get lots of traffic so you'll want a more durable wood with a tougher finish than a guest bedroom with little use. Note that wood flooring with very dark or light finishes don't wear well in a kitchen environment.
3. Installation Options -- Certainly you can install hardwood flooring yourself, but like most projects -- do your homework and strictly follow the manufacturer's installation instructions. If you contract a professional, get references. Common hardwood flooring installation problems include moisture, unprepared sub-floors, improper planning, bad racking and under-nailing.
4. Color and Style -- For most people, choosing the flooring is the best part. Just keep in mind that hardwood flooring is expensive, so unless you plan to live in the house the rest of your life, make sure you choose a flooring that won't go out of style too quickly.

As the population continues to grow, and technology changes the way we interact, it seems that our neighbors are less "neighborly" than a few decades ago. Sure, times have changed. But, that doesn't mean we should isolate ourselves. Following are several things you can do to improve the relationship with your neighbors:

* Make an effort to welcome new neighbors when they move in. Whether it's a friendly note, a plate of cookies or a quick introduction, this gesture gets the relationship started.
* Keep your home and yard well maintained. Most people take pride in their home and you'll be a better neighbor if you keep yours looking good.
* Be courteous. If you're throwing a big party, inform your neighbors; better yet, invite them. If you're doing anything that makes a lot of noise, do it at a time least likely to disturb them.
* Be helpful. If you have a neighbor that needs help raking, taking out the trash, or carrying groceries into the house, offer to give them a hand.
* Repair anything your family breaks (pets included), or pay to have it fixed as soon as possible.
* Return anything you borrow the same day if possible.
* If you have neighbors that own or operate a business, frequent their establishment and become a customer.
* Take an active role in any issues affecting your community and chip in when it's time to help.
* Offer to watch your neighbors's pet, water their plants, or collect their mail when they go out of town.
* Control your pet. If your does anything to annoy a neighbor, put a stop to it.
* Address any problems as soon as possible. Don't let a little issue fester and become a roadblock to a good neighbor.
* Get to know your neighbors. Whether it's having an occasional cup of coffee or throwing a block party together, you'll find many of your neighbors are good friends too.

One Sunday afternoon a couple sees an ad in the paper. They can't believe their eyes. There is a house in the paper for $1000 that is in the nicest part of town. We are talking about a Highland Park mansion for $1000. They think this has to be a misprint, but decide to call anyway.
They say to lady who answers we saw your ad, and realize it is a misprint correct. She tells them no it's not & you are actually the first ones to call.
They decide to go look at the house. They race over as fast as they can. They pull up to the most beautiful house on the block. In front of the house is a fountain that cost at least $30,000. They ring the door bell & the lady answers. She starts showing them the house. They realize this house is over 5000 sq ft and it is obvious that expense was not a problem in building this house. The house had marble imported from Italy & a chandelier imported from France. The landscaping was breath taking & the house had a great pool & a nice tennis court.
The couple said to the lady this is the most beautiful house we have ever seen, what's the catch? The lady assured the couple there was no catch. The couple wanted the house for $1,000 but was leery of doing the deal. Finally the lady said you seem like a nice couple, so I'll let you know the truth.
She told them this house is completely paid for, and not a penny is owed against it. Well, last week I got a call from my Husband. He informed me he is leaving me for his secretary. He then told me I could have everything we own as long as he could have the proceeds off the sale of the house. I agreed and he asked me if I could sell the house while he & his new girlfriend hung out in the Caribbean?
HOUSE SOLD.

According to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR), existing-home sales have increased the past four months in a row, a trend not seen for the past five years. Existing-home sales - including single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops - rose 7.2 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.24 million units in July from a level of 4.89 million in June, and are 5.0 percent above the 4.99 million-unit pace in July 2008.  The last time sales rose for four consecutive months was in June 2004, and the last time sales were higher than a year earlier was November 2005.

"The housing market has decisively turned for the better," said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. "A combination of first-time buyers taking advantage of the housing stimulus tax credit and greatly improved affordability conditions are contributing to higher sales."

The monthly sales gain was the largest on record for the total existing-home sales series dating back to 1999. "Because price-to-income ratios have fallen below historical trends, there are more all-cash offers.  In some recovering markets like San Diego, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Orlando, the demand for foreclosed and lower priced homes has spiked, and a lack of inventory is becoming a common complaint," Yun said. According to Freddie Mac, the national average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage fell to 5.22 percent in July from 5.42 percent in June; the rate was 6.43 percent in July 2008.

This is good news for the nation. In the Lewisville-Flower Mound area in North Dallas, sales are picking up and the outlook is good!