Buying a home? Tips to protect your biggest investment
(ARA) - If you're in a position to buy real estate, chances are pretty good you'll end up with a great bargain - perhaps a home you typically wouldn't consider in a different market. While it could remain a buyer's market for several months to several years, be aware that lending institutions are scrutinizing prospective homeowners more than ever.

Fast fixes for foreclosed homes
(ARA) - The high volume of foreclosed homes on the market is allowing some astute buyers to turn eyesores into eye-catching properties with only minimal investment. While not every property can be fixed up affordably, there are some common projects that dramatically improve a foreclosed home's appeal and value.

Understanding your credit opens the door to home-buying success
(ARA) - With many signs pointing to the beginnings of a recovery in the housing market, potential home buyers can still find plenty of selection, low prices and low interest rates. If you're thinking of buying a home, now might be the right time, but before you contact a real estate agent or apply for a mortgage, your top priority should be checking your credit report to see if your credit is in good shape.

Five tips for buying a vacation home
(ARA) - Buying a vacation home is the dream of many people as they head toward middle age. As your kids go to college and leave home for lives of their own, you may find that you are able to make the dream of buying a vacation home a reality - especially in a depressed real estate market.

Protect your home from damage with basement waterproofing
(ARA) - A damp, leaky basement can be a homeowner's worst nightmare. Active water leaks and excessive moisture in basement or foundation walls can rob a home of extra storage or living space. And, if left unchecked, more serious problems can result, including costly structural damage and high humidity levels throughout the home. That's why it is important to take care of water problems before they start.

Authentic cedar beauty enhances home value, lasts a lifetime
(ARA) - For all the time-saving benefits that a durable home exterior can bring, homeowners never want to sacrifice curb appeal. Beyond that first requirement of a great-looking home, a growing number are focusing on features that give them back more time with maintenance-free living.

Time to sell? Your outdoor spaces can be the bonus buyers want
(ARA) - Many would-be home sellers are concerned about reduced housing prices, and those who are highly motivated are pulling out all the stops to make their homes more appealing than the competition.

Make your lawn the envy of the neighborhood
(ARA) - Curb appeal is something homeowners always have tucked into the back of their minds, even if they aren't planning on selling or moving any time soon.

Easy ways to stage your home for sale
(ARA) - You've made the decision to sell your home. But before you put the "for sale" sign in the yard, make sure it's ready to make a good impression on prospective buyers and clearly stands out among the many other homes on the market.

A retirement home that helps pay for itself
(ARA) - With today's record low real estate prices and attractive mortgage rates, now may be a good time to think about investing in a second home that ultimately can be used as your permanent residence upon retirement. By taking a "buy-and-rent" approach before you're ready to retire, your new home will actually have partly paid for itself by the time you're ready to move into it.

Top 5 improvements for spring home sellers
(ARA) - To get your home sold at a good price in a buyer's market, you need to know what to invest in - and what not to invest in.

Selling your home? Easy improvements to attract buyers
(ARA) - Real estate pros often coach their clients on the value of making "curb appeal" improvements to help sell their homes. Outside painting and minor repairs signal that the house has been well cared for.

Home inspections help you sell
(ARA) - When you're ready to sell your home in the current market, you need to take every step you can to ensure a timely sale at the price you want. A surplus of homes for sale means that yours needs to stand out in style, amenities and quality to make an impression on potential buyers. The more steps you take to make your house sale-ready, the better results you'll get.

Buying a home: know the difference between mortgage life insurance and individual life insurance
(ARA) - For many new homeowners, it can be very confusing to decide whether you should buy an individual insurance policy from a reputable life insurance company to protect your new home from the unexpected, or if you should purchase a mortgage insurance policy through your lender.

10 senior housing development trends for the next 10 years
(ARA) - America finds itself amid the historic "age wave" - the largest ever demographic shift from a younger to older population. The next 10 years are pivotal in senior housing and services development. According to the Administration on Aging, from 2010 to 2030, the U.S. population aged 65 and over is expected to grow by 75 percent to over 69 million. Many in this large cohort will live longer, have more education, be more affluent and have greater expectations than any previous senior generation.

Add value, living space and enjoyment with a finished basement
(ARA) - Economists predict the worst of the recession is over, but the housing market still has a way to go to complete recovery. It pays to think positively and improve your home, both to boost its value as the market recovers, and to enhance its livability for your family now.