Home and Garden
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Break away from bland hallwaysAug 13, 2016 6:00 am - Hallways are the most underappreciated, overlooked design opportunity in your house. Think about how many times you pass through them each day. What if they were somethi...
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Outstanding home-buying benefits offered to veteransAug 13, 2016 5:01 am - No one has better home-buying advantages than veterans of U.S. military services. When combined with historically low-rate benefits of current mortgages, today's veteran...
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Rant about living in a staged houseAug 13, 2016 5:00 am - Q. As a faithful reader of your column and previous real estate agent, I thought I understood how the process would go when we put our house on the market this June. Lit...
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Board vote, not approval of minutes, authorize actionAug 13, 2016 5:00 am - Q. The board of our association approved a very significant roof project at a board meeting, and the project is to begin in just a few weeks. However, the board meets qu...
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How to pay off a 30-year mortgage in 15 years - without being scammedAug 13, 2016 5:00 am - The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage is far and away the best option for homeowners because of the low interest rate. All other things the same, including originations fees, ...
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Why two-bedroom homes are better than those with just oneAug 12, 2016 6:00 am - Whether buying a house or condominium, it's usually best to purchase a two- or three-bedroom property rather than one that has only a single bedroom. Q. I am shopping fo...
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What is causing cracked floor tiles in new homeAug 12, 2016 5:00 am - Q. We closed escrow on a newly constructed home nearly two years ago. Since then, we've had problems with the ceramic floor tiles. Some have cracks and some have gaps at...
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Pregnant women could face hurdle in getting home loansAug 12, 2016 5:00 am - WASHINGTON — When you're on maternity leave — with full pay from your employer — you probably don't expect a mortgage lender to reject your loan application because your...
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How a stolen bicycle and social media spurred neighbors to action in West DundeeAug 11, 2016 11:00 pm - For many years, Michelene “Myke” Kustief, 66, had enjoyed decorating a vintage bicycle outside her West Dundee home with inspirational signs like, “The smile you send re...
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Master Gardeners to host final Idea Garden tour of season Aug. 16Aug 09, 2016 11:00 pm - Skip the apps and websites, and come see inspirational garden ideas in person at the popular Kane County Master Gardener Idea Garden in St. Charles. The Master Gardeners...