Blog – Page 724 of 785

23 Jan 2014

Top 10 Indoor Houseplants For Your Air Quality

Around The Home

Houseplants are great for decorating. They can brighten up any room. Plus, houseplants can increase the air quality in a room. That makes you happier, healthier and reduces stress. Speaking of stress, these plants won't create any at all. All of the plants on this list are great at producing oxygen and require very little care. 10. Heartleaf Philodendron A tough plant that's a good filter for toxins like formaldehyde, Heartleaf Philodendron makes a great houseplant. The only downside is that it's toxic to eat, so it may not be the best choice for those with kids or pets. But…

22 Jan 2014

By Mark Feder

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Improve Your Curb Appeal This Winter

Home Selling Tips

After all of the excitement of the holidays, the sparkle of the lights and the over-stimulation of decorations, the rest of winter can seem lackluster. Don't let your home add to the dreariness of the season. Spruce up your curb appeal with the tips below and inspire your neighbors to create well-groomed street that will make drivers passing through smile. Tend The Plants If you're currently located in a winter wonderland, then dig up any dead plants that won't grow back. Replace them with cold-loving flowers, such as snowberry or lambs ear. In warmer climates, this is the time for…

21 Jan 2014

By Mark Feder

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Fannie Mae And Freddie Mac, How They Impact Real Estate

Mortgage Tips

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have been in the news quite a bit over the past few years, so it's a good time to do a refresher on who they are and what role they play in the real estate market. Who Are Fannie Mae And Freddie Mac? Fannie Mae is the Federal National Mortgage Association. Freddie Mac is the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. They were originally created to raise homeownership levels and increase the availability of affordable housing. Fannie and Freddie don't sell mortgages directly to homeowners. They buy mortgages from lenders, so the lenders can use the…

20 Jan 2014

By Mark Feder

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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – January 20, 2014

Mortgage Rates

Welcome news arrived last week as lower mortgage rates and a higher number of housing starts were reported. Other economic news was mixed: The Federal Reserve released its Beige Book Report released last Tuesday indicated modest economic growth throughout the 12 Federal Reserve districts. Analysts predicted that this would cause the Fed to further reduce the volume of monthly asset purchases made under its quantitative easing program. The Atlanta, Cleveland and Kansas City districts reported slower home sales, which supported recent expectations of slowing gains in home prices. Mortgage Rates Dip, Housing Starts Up According to Freddie Mac, average mortgage…