Posts from August 2014
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10
Set the Mood for Summer at Home
(Family Features) Creating a happy, energized home during the warmer months starts with getting organized. Set the mood for summer with these fun, simple and creative tips:
Get "chore-ganized."
Before heading off to bed, take a few minutes to do basic prep work for the next day: slicing fruit for breakfast, portioning out sandwich meat for lunch, laying out clothes for the next day. Finish up by swiping counters for a clean slate in the morning. Taking care of a few chores the night before provides a few extra minutes to spend with the kids or relax over coffee before the start of a new day, which will give your mood a much-needed boost.
Cut down cho...
10
Five Housing Trends for Summer
(MCT)-It may still be hard to find the home of your dreams with the limited inventory for sale. But at least when it comes to getting a mortgage, you might have more options as lenders loosen some of their standards.
Here are some of the housing trends you should expect to see this summer.
Mortgage Rates Remain Surprisingly Low
Mortgage rates have surprised many industry observers who expected rates to rise this year. Rates remain near the bottom and it is unlikely they will spike this summer.
"Rates are falling as a direct relationship to the fact that the economy is not healing as fast as everybody thought it would," says Anthony Hsieh, CEO of loanDepot.
The Mort...
10
Give Your Home an Annual Checkup
(BPT) - There's no better time than now to give your home the attention it deserves. Give your windows and doors an annual checkup before cold weather arrives to help add comfort, save energy and cut home maintenance in the long-run.
Inspect interior and exterior finishes. Over time, paint and stain can weather away. Flaking or peeling may mean that it's time to refinish or replace the unit. When replacing windows or doors, consider factory prefinished wood, fiberglass or vinyl options that don't need painting or staining.
Look for damaged exterior surfaces or signs of leaks. Check your sprinkler system to make sure it's watering your lawn and landscape, not soaking your windows or doors. Cracked or deteriorated wood may be a sign of water penetration. Leaks... 8
Buying a Home: 5 Questions to Ask Your Real Estate Agent
There are lots of questions you can ask your real estate agent but here are five starters.
1. Should I even buy at all?
Perhaps you're not ready to buy yet, and renting is a smart plan at the moment. Discuss the varying costs, how long you plan to stay in the area, and whether a rent-to-own plan (where you begin a lease with the option to buy down the road) i...6
How to Hang a Hammock
Whether you're spending your summer curled up with a favorite book, listening to music or just enjoying the view, hammocks are the perfect spot for outdoor lounging. They require almost no maintenance once they're hung up, but hanging one is no easy task. String your hammock up quickly by following these steps:
1. Weigh your options before purchasing. There are two common types of hammocks: traditional, which are designed to hang loosely, and ones with spreader bars, which keep the hammock taut. Spreader bar hammocks keep the hammock open, so no one gets wrapped up in the material.
2. Select your support. Choose two, sturdy trees that show no signs of rot. Maple, oak or beech varieties work best. Traditional hammocks must be hung 6 to 8 feet above the ground, to accommodate the...