Home and Garden
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The breakfast nook has been updatedApr 23, 2016 7:00 am - The term “breakfast nook” sounds hopelessly trapped in the 1970s, but modern homeowners are embracing the style and practicality of built-in seating in the kitchen. “The...
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Chicken restriction is not uncommon, in even rural associationApr 23, 2016 3:00 am - Q. My husband and I just moved into a single-family homeowners association in a rural area of McHenry County from a condominium association in Lake County. McHenry Count...
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Changing brokers will not help if house is overpricedApr 23, 2016 2:00 am - Q. My parents' house has not sold after being on the market for more than 260 days. This week was the end of the contract, and I took it off the market. Several real est...
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Payday loans: the worst abuse is not regulatedApr 23, 2016 2:00 am - Hardly a day goes by when my email inbox does not contain an offer to lend me $1,000 or so, no questions asked. The Internet is a cost-effective way of identifying and s...
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Garden art can bring drama and design to outdoor spacesApr 22, 2016 5:00 am - If you came across any of Barbara Sanderson's work in a garden, you might think you'd stepped into Alice's Wonderland. The Seattle-based glass blower crafts flowers, arb...
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Higher fees for low down payments and credit scoresApr 22, 2016 2:00 am - WASHINGTON - If you're planning to buy a home with a low down payment, you need to be aware of some important - but virtually unpublicized - price changes underway in th...
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Alimony income can be used to boost mortgage-approval chancesApr 22, 2016 2:00 am - Q. I got divorced about two years ago and now collect $600 each month in alimony from my ex-husband. Can I declare this money as extra income on a mortgage application i...
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Defects overlooked during final inspectionApr 22, 2016 2:00 am - Q. We are buying a new home and were not planning to have a home inspection because the house was just approved by the county building department. Then we read your rece...
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Lake Zurich planning to replace parkway trees in fallApr 22, 2016 1:00 am - With a quicker-than-anticipated removal of public trees infected by the emerald ash borer, Lake Zurich intends to start planting replacements in the fall. However, the f...
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Des Plaines to decide who has best curb appealApr 21, 2016 1:00 am - Des Plaines residents are invited to enter the 3rd annual Mayor's Curb Appeal Challenge, a home improvement competition for the best looking and most improved front yard...