1 point

Concrete Gains in Popularity as Building Option – realestate.yahoo.com

Concrete homes on average require about 44 percent less energy to heat and 32 percent less energy to cool than a comparable wood-frame house. Plus, it added, the walls contain no organic material and won't support the growth of mold, mildew and other potentially harmful microorganisms that can cause allergies and other health problems.

1 point

FHA, VA help homeowners refinance – bankrate.com

If you're looking for a way to refinance your mortgage, you might want to consider a loan that's backed by the Federal Housing Administration or, if you're a U.S. military veteran, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Loans backed by these two federal government agencies are especially attractive today because the loan amount limits have been raised, and some loan programs are open to homeowne...

1 point

Renters get foreclosure relief – bankrate.com

It's every renter's worst nightmare: To move into a home or condominium with affordable rent only to find out that the owner has lost the property in foreclosure. The rent money and security deposit are gone, and chances are good that the bank that now owns the property will evict the tenant even if the rent has been paid.

1 point

Balloon loan payments – bankrate.com

With a traditional mortgage, each monthly payment comprises principal plus interest. In the early years of the loan, most of the payment goes for interest. Gradually, more and more of the monthly payments go toward principal. At the end of the term, the loan is completely repaid. This process of paying principal and interest until the loan is paid off is called amortization.

1 point

Rights of rescission – bankrate.com

Maybe you found better credit terms or you got cold feet. A provision of the Truth in Lending Act gives you the right to cancel certain real estate loans within three business days without penalty. It is called the right of rescission.

1 point

PMI or Piggyback Loan? – realestate.yahoo.com

Homeowners who make a down payment of less than 20 percent are usually required to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI), because they are considered to be at higher risk of default. PMI premiums are typically around half a percent of the interest rate, which is about $83 a month on a $200,000 mortgage.

1 point

Mortgage rates drop to lowest since the '50s – bankrate.com

A benchmark mortgage rate hit its lowest point in more than 50 years, and homeowners stampeded into loan offices to apply for refinances.

1 point

What Can I Do Today To Make Me Rich In The Future? – thesimpledollar.com

In an ever-changing fast-paced world, most of us are accustomed to doing things now, and long-term financial planning is often difficult for us to wrap our arms around. We don’t want to think about being a millionaire in twenty years; we want to start down that road now with quick actions that we can use to quickly see rewards.

1 point

Watering Lawns the Right Way – urbanext.illinois.edu

How much water does a lawn need? In general, cool-season grasses need about one to 1.5 inches of water per week is needed to maintain green color and active growth, and naturally slow down in growth and may go dormant in hot weather. Factors such as the soil, weather, and management practices all have a role in water needs of lawns.

1 point

How to Clean Your House in Under 10 Minutes Video – video.about.com

Got a surprise guest coming in no time? Use these tips to spruce up your house in 10 minutes.

1 point

Sanitize Your Kitchen With Green Cleaners Video – video.about.com

Use lemon, white vinegar, and baking soda to kill germs and clean your kitchen. These ingredients are harmless and environmentally safe.

1 point

A Novice's Guide to Drywall – etsu.edu

This is a good starter for DIY drywall installation.

1 point

Workers to get bonus from economic recovery plan - Mar. 31, 2009 – money.cnn.com

President Obama has asked that all employers adjust their payroll systems by Wednesday so eligible workers can start receiving the new Making Work Pay tax credit through their paychecks. The credit, available for 2009 and 2010, was a part of the economic recovery package lawmakers passed in February.

1 point

Basement framing layout video – youtube.com

This video teaches you how to do the framing of your basement.

1 point

U.S. Treasury: Mortgage Rates 'as Low as 2 percent' – realtytimes.com

Some of the 3 to 4 million homeowners eligible for loan modifications could see interest rates as low as 2 percent under the Obama administration's new "Making Home Affordable" (MHA) initiative.