Real Estate
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With rates poised to rise, paying extra for 'rate-lock' is wise decisionMar 18, 2010 11:00 pm - Interest rates are expected to rise in the weeks ahead, so homebuyers who don't have a solid "commitment letter" from their bank should consider paying a modest fee for ...
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Buyers value friendships as much as their new active adult homesMar 18, 2010 11:00 pm - Fifty years ago, Del Webb changed retirement living forever. He created a lifestyle community that catered to the retirement dreams of thousands of Americans - a self-co...
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Install a new thermostat to save money and hassleMar 18, 2010 11:00 pm - A thermostat is an important part of your heating and cooling system. It tells you what the temperature is in your home, but more importantly, it tells your heater or ai...
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HUD attempts to inform public of illegal `admin.' feesMar 18, 2010 11:00 pm - WASHINGTON - Does it matter whether a real estate agent charges you a flat commission rate - say 6 percent - or quotes you a flat rate but adds hundreds of dollars on to...
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Inspection can help sellers market their homesMar 18, 2010 11:00 pm - Q. Our Realtor has advised us to hire a home inspector before listing our home for sale. We know there are problems with the house, and we were planning to repair th...
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Fiberglass Spackling tape keeps cracks from returningMar 13, 2010 10:00 pm - Q. I have a friend who recently renovated her condo. All of the ceilings have radiant heat, and the only cracks are in the kitchen and bathroom. The cracks are sever...
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Contract provision may allow offer to expireMar 13, 2010 10:00 pm - Q. We put an offer in on a home about two months ago. It is a short sale. We were told it would take about 30 days for the seller's mortgage company to approve the s...
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Geneva couple hopes to change historic preservation rulesMar 13, 2010 10:00 pm - How do you reconcile the conflicting interests of historic preservationists and the green movement? Can you drastically decrease a historic home's carbon footprint witho...
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IRS exemption helps those who receive mortgage debt reductionMar 11, 2010 10:00 pm - WASHINGTON - With the Obama administration and private lenders now actively considering mortgage principal-reduction programs to help financially distressed homeowners, ...
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Future retiree sets sights on combo loanMar 06, 2010 10:00 pm - Q. I am 58 years old and looking to buy a new home. I won't be able to pay off this home before I retire, but I would like my payment to drop at retirement because m...