The number of foreclosure filings across the nation exceeded 100,000 for the fifth consecutive month in December, with foreclosure activity up year-ago levels in all but 13 states, according to RealtyTrac’s "December 2006 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report." In California, monthly foreclosures were down 34.4 percent from November.
Rising interest rates on adjustable-rate mortgages and slower home [...]

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CAKE:  1 box chocolate fudge cake mix (follow directions on box).
FILLING:  1 box (4-serving size) white chocolate instand pudding/pie filling.
                  2 cups milk.
                  1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract.
FROSTING:  1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract.
                       1 container whipped milk chocolate frosting.
                       3/4 cup coarsely chopped chocolate-covered peppermint patties (8 candies).
Heat oven to 350*F (or 325* if you use a dark [...]

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Goodbye Fruit Flies
To get rid of pesky fruit flies, take a small glass fill it 1/2″ with Apple
Cider Vinegar and 2 drops of dishwashing liquid, mix well. You will
find those flies drawn to the cup and gone forever!
Get Rid of Ants
Put small piles of cornmeal where you see ants. They eat it, take it
“home,” & [...]

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Housing production in the Golden State is expected to remain at "normal" levels this year, with home builders producing 155,000 to 170,000 units by the end of 2007, according to the "2007 Housing Forecast" released by the California Building Industry Association (CBIA). Approximately 70 percent of the housing permits issued are expected to be for [...]

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Buoyed by improved buyer demand, the confidence level of the nation’s home builders continued its slow but steady climb in January, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI). The seasonally adjusted HMI stands at 35 this month, up two points from December and at its highest level since [...]

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No More Mosquitoes
Place a dryer sheet in your pocket. It will keep the mosquitoes away.
Squirrel Away!
To keep squirrels from eating your plants sprinkle your plants with
cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper doesn’t hurt the plant and the
squirrels won’t come near it.

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The National Association of Realtors predicts an improved real estate market for existing homes in 2007.  NAR forecasts that the number of existing home sales will top the existing quarter’s total by 4.6% by the end of the fourth quarter of 2007.  However the picture for new home sales is not as good, with the [...]

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In Part 1 & 2 we talked about various TLC (Tender Loving Care) situations, home inspections including the structural as well as the mechanics and the roof.  If a seller were to credit a buyer - how to do it properly.  This, again, is where a good real estate agent comes in to play.  Many people think [...]

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In Part 1 we spoke of the importance of having a home inspected by the type of contractor who has the knowledge and specializes in certain areas of homes.  But what if there are major problems - not minor problems?  What if the carpet is definitely worn and could use an upgrade - but it’s [...]

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