Lifestyle Columns
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Private mortgage insurance protects the lender, not borrowerDec 24, 2010 10:00 pm - Q. I am currently in default on my mortgage. I have been paying premiums to a private mortgage insurer for six years; is there any way these premium dollars can be a...
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On real estate: Broker bonus vs. price dropDec 24, 2010 10:00 pm - Q. Our home has been on the market for almost a year. We listed at $20,000 less than what our real estate agent suggested because we live in a small town with limite...
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Bathroom moisture can damage finish on door moldingsDec 24, 2010 10:00 pm - Q. Several years ago, we had new oak moldings and doors installed in our upstairs hall, bedrooms and baths. We are now near completion of a remodel upstairs, which i...
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Rent discount may fly out the door under new landlordDec 24, 2010 10:00 pm - Q. I've been a tenant at my apartment complex for 15 years. For 10 years I had a one-bedroom apartment and naturally I paid one-bedroom rent. My apartment unit was d...
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Could X's insensitivity make him an ex, too?Dec 24, 2010 10:00 pm - Q. So, X and Y meet and marry midlife. X has one child who lives with his ex-wife who is, if not independently wealthy, at least very comfortable (trust fund, etc.)....
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New tax deal's lumps of coalDec 24, 2010 6:00 am - WASHINGTON — The $858 billion federal tax bill signed into law by President Obama on Dec. 17 was a mixed bag for American homeowners, with elements of both the Grinch an...
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Emergency kit can give you peace of mind in winter weatherDec 23, 2010 5:00 am - Winter means snow, holidays and lots of indoor activities. Of course, it also means frozen pipes, power outages and ice storms. Here are some things you should have on h...
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Converting gas fireplace to wood is not always possibleDec 23, 2010 5:00 am - Q. We have a gas log fireplace in our home and would like to have real wood fires. Would it be safe to remove the gas logs and burn real logs instead? A. Before mak...
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Federal law protects tenants facing eviction from landlord's foreclosureDec 23, 2010 12:00 am - A federal measure gives most tenants at least 90 days to find a new home if their current rental is foreclosed upon. Q. I signed a one-year lease for my home in July...
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Coffee cake rises to festive occasionDec 20, 2010 10:00 pm - Few aromas entice our taste buds like fresh baked bread. Quick breads fill a niche for those bakers looking to invest less time in the kitchen, but let's be truthful: qu...