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Real Estate Wisdom and Information From CENTURY 21 Advantage Gold -The Only CENTURY 21 Firm With Offices in Pennsylvania AND New Jersey!

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Entries from January 2010

Healthy Home

January 29th, 2010 · Comments Off on Healthy Home

Most New Year’s resolutions have some kind of health angle – work out more, eat right and so on- so why not give your home the same kind of revamp? Resolve to keep your home healthier this year with this seasonal checklist. Winter – Drain and insulate outdoor pipes to prevent freezing. – Check for […]

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Tags: Consumer Interest · Real Estate

A Simple Explanation Of The Federal Reserve Statement (January 27, 2010 Edition)

January 27th, 2010 · Comments Off on A Simple Explanation Of The Federal Reserve Statement (January 27, 2010 Edition)

The Federal Open Market Committee voted to leave the Fed Funds Rate within its target range of 0.000-0.250 percent. In its press release, the FOMC noted that the U.S. economy “has continued to strengthen”, that the jobs markets is getting better, and that financial markets are supportive of growth.

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Tags: FOMC

Throw Out Your “Chip Clips”. Get The Banana Seal.

January 27th, 2010 · Comments Off on Throw Out Your “Chip Clips”. Get The Banana Seal.

If you’ve ever used a plastic Chip Clip and been miffed that your chips went stale anyway, you have to see the Banana Seal.

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Tags: Consumer Interest · Just For Fun · Kitchen Gadgets

Spring 2010 FHA Guidelines Make Borrowing Tougher And More Expensive

January 26th, 2010 · Comments Off on Spring 2010 FHA Guidelines Make Borrowing Tougher And More Expensive

In a statement issued Wednesday, the Federal Housing Authority outlined policy changes to its mortgage assistance program. The shift is meant to both reduce the government group’s portfolio risk while strengthening its overall financials. For consumers, the changes mean higher costs.

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Tags: Economy · FHA Mortgages · Homebuyer Tax Credit · Mortgage Lending · Real Estate

Make a Small Room Look Spacious

January 25th, 2010 · Comments Off on Make a Small Room Look Spacious

If your home has several small rooms sch as bedrooms and bathrooms, it can be a challenge to create the illusion of spaciousness. Mary Carol Garrity, writing for Scripps Howard News Service, has developed this sure-fire list of tricks that you can use to help your little rooms live large: 1. Use fewer pieces of […]

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Tags: Consumer Interest · Just For Fun · Real Estate

10 Cities For Home Bargains

January 23rd, 2010 · Comments Off on 10 Cities For Home Bargains

As the housing market improves across the country, certain cities are emerging as relative bargains.

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Tags: Home Values

Retail Sales Dropped In December And Now So Are Mortgage Rates

January 22nd, 2010 · Comments Off on Retail Sales Dropped In December And Now So Are Mortgage Rates

Mortgage rates are dropping this morning on weaker-than-expected Retail Sales data from December. Lower rates means more bang for your home-buying buck.

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Tags: Mortgage Lending · Retail Sales

RealtyTrac’s 2009 Foreclosure Report Gives Reason For Optimism

January 21st, 2010 · Comments Off on RealtyTrac’s 2009 Foreclosure Report Gives Reason For Optimism

Versus 2008, foreclosures are up 21 percent nationwide and that’s a big number, but a deeper look at RealtyTrac’s annual reports reveals a more positive undertone on the housing market.

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Tags: foreclosures

Looking At The 2010 Predictions For Housing Markets And Mortgage Rates

January 20th, 2010 · Comments Off on Looking At The 2010 Predictions For Housing Markets And Mortgage Rates

There’s a lot of talk on CNBC and elsewhere about what’s coming in 2010. Before you take those predictions to the bank, just remember that analysts do a much better job interpreting data from the past than projecting it into the future.

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Tags: Economy · Local · Mortgage Lending · New Jersey · Opinion · Pennsylvania · Real Estate · Wall Street

Interesting Homes : The Skinniest Home In The City Sells For $2.1 Million

January 19th, 2010 · Comments Off on Interesting Homes : The Skinniest Home In The City Sells For $2.1 Million

The next time you think you’ve outgrown your home, imagine what life would be like in New York City’s “skinniest home”. It’s barely wider than your wingspan.

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Tags: Interesting Homes