It's a truism that heritage preservation increases the value of a property and those around it, says a new report, but "this is an odd assertion, in the sense that heritage designation imposes restrictions on use, which would....appear to lower the value of property."The report, by Calgary-based
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11/19/2015
People will clip coupons and drive across town to save a few cents at the gas pump, but few will shop around for the best interest rate on their mortgages. Most buyers tend to go with the first lender they talk with, perhaps out of fear of losing the house if they don't act quickly enough. Paying
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11/17/2015
D.C. Councilmembers are studying a controversial measure that would provide new protections for condominium owners."While protections already exist for owners governed by a condominium association, conflicts often occur, including misunderstanding of rights or inequitable implementation of an ass
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11/17/2015
Your home is your place to rest, play, and spend time with your family. It should be a place of comfort, and this comfort need not come at a high cost. Many homes, however, waste a lot of energy in ways that can be prevented. Here are five ways to make your home more energy-efficient.Replace or W
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11/10/2015
Whether due to rugged individualism or perceived lack of viable alternatives, many homeowner associations are self-managed. One might suspect that most self-directed HOAs are small or lacking in common area amenities. Actually, many are quite large, complex and the kind that would typically have
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11/10/2015
Can you tell me when you are in a room, restroom or hotel which is a real mirror and which is a 2-way glass?Here’s a trick: it is quite interesting! And I know in about 30 seconds you are going to do my trick and find the nearest mirror you can see.Do you have any ideas how to determine if a mirr
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11/10/2015
In California, a Homeowner Association (HOA) cannot prohibit individual owners from replacing their existing landscaping with low-water-using plants. That limitation on an association's rules or actions is a result of legislation (AB 2104, Gonzalez) passed last year and that was initiated in resp
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11/10/2015
When you buy a home, it's all about the numbers. Your mortgage rate is based on your credit scores, debt-to-income, and how much of a down payment you can afford.Know your credit scores: Your credit scores can fall between 300 and 850. Lenders use these numbers, which are compiled by three credit
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11/09/2015
You've fallen in love with an old Victorian house and want to bring her back to her glory days. With dreams of starting the next row of "painted ladies," you close the deal.You may already have some ideas of things you want to do to your new home, but before you make any changes to the structure
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11/06/2015
Make a research first...If you are preparing to purchase a second home for use as a vacation rental, plan multiple trips to the desired destination, researching and walking few neighbourhoods to feel and mood of each. Remember that you are not buying the house but also purchasing the community su
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11/06/2015
