A look at the latest in sprinkler timers Everyone loves a nice-looking yard, but dragging those hoses and sprinklers around to keep everything watered can be a real chore -- especially when you add in ...

Look for product that resists water, mildew Q: I have a deck that was built in October 2006. Does it need to be stained this soon? This will be my first deck-staining experience, and I was also wondering ...

Tips on decluttering, accommodating buyers, staying sane Selling a home while you're living in it can be trying during any market. Today's sellers are generally looking at a longer marketing time than ...

... entertainment value, and for the lessons they provide on how colors interact, or how a simple bookcase or the rearrangement of some furniture can make a huge difference in a room's flow. But don't take ...

Homeowner seeks advice on quality vinyl products Q: We have aluminum siding and single-pane aluminum windows. We would like to replace the old windows with new vinyl ones, but were wondering if that's ...

Brightening tips to make cooking, cleaning even more fun When it comes to lighting, few places in the home are more important than the kitchen. From general lighting to specific task lighting, a well-designed ...

Can fireproof material compensate for inadequate cabinet clearance? Q: I purchased a 27-inch, four-burner Wolf commercial range, with an oven, about 30 years ago. I was told when I purchased the range ...

Without proper prep, finished product could be disaster Paint preparation is one of the ugly sides of home-improvement projects. All that sanding and scraping and cleaning -- no one really likes to do ...

Great models priced from $40-$250 From removing old peeling paint to putting a glass-smooth finish on a new cabinet, sanding is a part of life for any do-it-yourselfer. It can be a tedious and dusty ...

Tips on setting up temporary water heater, sinks, toilets The one consistent thing about remodeling your home is that it's disruptive. There's dust, disorganization and even periods without electricity. ...

... and location 7. Download and review property tax roll information 8. Prepare “Comparable Market Analysis” (CMA) to establish fair market value 9. Obtain copy of subdivision plat / complex ...

... Home values increased 9.44% in the last year and more than 55% over five years. While some major markets are seeing a significant decline homes continue to appreciate in Western North Carolina. The Asheville ...

When you apply for a mortgage, you'll need to supply the lender with several documents to verify your debts, income and assets. These documents will be used to calculate how much you can afford to ...

... index that your ARM uses, plus the margin (both of these figures are shown on your note). You can find out the current value of the index online from a few different places, including http://www.mortgage-x.com/general/mortgage_indexes.asp. ...

... into account closing costs, which are normally three to five percent of the property's value. Calculating Your IncomeTo calculate your income, include any verifiable regular income. Verifiable ...

If you're selling your home soon, ensure that prospective buyers will want to come inside by sprucing up the exterior before they drive by. And surprisingly, it doesn't have to be a time-consuming ...

Home inspections are not required by law, so it can be tempting to skip them. Inspections cost money – and when you’re buying a house the expenses add up quickly and you might feel that adding inspection ...

Most home buyers claim they're picky. And why shouldn't they be? The real estate they buy will be home. It needs to provide more than just a roof over their head. It needs to satisfy emotional needs ...

...  downsizing from a large family house to a smaller residence. Although condos are no longer the “ugly ducklings” of housing since they now often appreciate in market value about the same as comparable ...

... a rip-roaring market could be brought to a halt. To decrease the risk factor, make sure you pay no more than fair market value, regardless of how fast you think market values will climb. In a slower ...

... find out whether the home has appreciated in value. Ask the builder what types of upgrades will be allowed on your home and at what cost. You'll also want to find out how long the builder has been ...

Whether you're getting ready to sell your home or creating a budget for repairs, it's important to know the lifespan and necessary maintenance of your home appliances and materials. The initial quality ...

If you can move any place in the United States to raise your family, first read "Best Places to Raise Your Family," by Bert Sperling and Peter Sander. This unique book reveals the top 100 best towns ...

... idea, because open-plan areas are popular with buyers. Avoid remodeling bedrooms and living rooms except in specific situations; these types of renovations add very little to the value of the property. ...

Moving can definitely be a stressful undertaking - and not just for the humans in your family. When you're in the midst of relocating, take special care to minimize the stresses on your pets. Which ...

If you're selling a house you've already moved out of, chances are it's looking a bit neglected and cold. While sparsely-furnished rooms look bigger and help potential buyers imagine how their own ...

... not the answer. If remodeling will increase your property's value too dramatically compared to other houses in the neighborhood. Your property should not be valued at more than 15% over the average ...

Buying a house is the most significant purchase that most people will make in their lifetime. It's important to use a reputable mortgage broker that you can trust - don't ignore the warning signs of ...

A foreclosure occurs when a borrower defaults on a mortgage loan. As the process begins, the lender often gives the borrower ample time to repay the back due portion of the loan. However, when the ...

Home buying and selling activity is typically hottest during the summer. But why should you join in the chaos? Here are 6 key reasons to take advantage of the season and make the move this summer. ...

...  value (or sale price, in some cases), your lender will require that you obtain private mortgage insurance. This insurance is protection for the lender against a default on the loan. How Much and ...

... neighborhood amenities and features, you'll find it's much easier to focus your home search. Remember, the neighborhood is usually as important to the value of a home as what's under its roof.  ...

... the "buy," meaning when the house is purchased. Then she emphasizes techniques for upgrading houses with cosmetic improvements that add more market value than they cost. Lastly, Kemp shows how to ...

... are normally 3-5% of the property's value. In addition, owning a home has associated costs - insurance, property taxes, and maintenance all add up. Plan to spend 1% of your property's value on annual ...

Before purchasing a home, it's important to have an inspection done to detect some of the most common home defects. Many of the more common issues can be fixed without "breaking the bank," but it's ...

Holding an open house can be extremely beneficial for both you and your agent. For you, it's a chance to vastly increase the profile of your home on the market. Particularly if you're in a high-traffic ...

Moving to a new home can be a stressful time. You can often feel rushed and under pressure - and it can be an expensive business, too. When you're moving an entire houseful of possessions, it definitely ...

... your house needs to be priced according to its market value. Research the sales prices of recently sold homes in your area and you'll have an idea of the current market value of your home. Of ...

... at closing. Normal Closing CostsClosing costs can be highly variable since they're dependant on the size of the mortgage and the value of the property. Typically, closing costs are between three ...

Consumer groups believe that lenders should be held liable if they allow borrowers to take home mortgages that aren't suitable for them. In prior articles in this series, I concluded that a suitability ...

When you're taking out a mortgage on a home, you have many factors to consider. The term of the loan is definitely one of your most important considerations. Mortgages are available with 15-, 30-, ...

An escrow account is a means of safeguarding the interests of both the buyer and the seller of a property. The contents of the account are held by a neutral third party (an escrow agent), and are released ...

Getting a mortgage isn't always a case of simply heading down to your bank and applying. There are several different types of institutions that arrange mortgages, and you may want to consider your ...

... fee is usually $0 - $500. and is typically applied towards your closing costs. Appraisal - An appraisal is a written analysis of the estimated value of your property. A qualified appraiser who ...

Federal Rates Mortgage interest rates are dependant on federal interest rates, which are influenced by the Federal Reserve. The aim of the Federal Reserve is to stimulate the economy while avoiding ...

... or if mortgage interest rates rise sharply (most interest-only loans have an adjustable interest rate). And if the worst happens and the value of your property decreases, you stand a good chance ...

... it is adjusted every six months to equal the value of the rate index at the time of the adjustment, plus a margin, which is fixed for the life of the loan. Any rate increase may be limited by a rate-adjustment ...

... property's value far beyond the cost of the loan. A kitchen or bathroom remodel or the addition of an extra bathroom generally offers the best return on your investment. If you decide to finance home ...

... of loans, they may have higher loan-to-value ratios. An FHA loan is best for someone who doesn't have perfect credit and individuals who need low down payments and low closing costs. VA-Guaranteed ...

... must be done with care so the tree does not die as a result. If your tree dies due to the neighbor's severe trimming of the overhanging branches, you could then sue him for the lost value of the ...