Home

Fed plans more rate hikes in face of 'red-hot' economy

By Lou Barnes, Friday, February 17, 2006.

Mortgage rates stayed near 6.25 percent this week, but gradually improved in the face of upward pressure from all news.

January economic data have been red hot, but so was the weather, and we really can't tell the extent of distortion by the warmth. The employment gain, the best month for retail sales in five years, the surge in new-home starts and construction permits, today's wholesale "core" prices up by double the Fed's target -- that combination should have pushed long-term rates to new highs.

Did not.  more...

Picking the real estate apples from oranges

By Alison Rogers, Friday, February 17, 2006.

My first professional job out of college – let's not count the time I sold gourmet coffee beans at the Boston equivalent of Dean & Deluca – was on Wall Street. I was trying to figure out the working world (something I'm still attempting some 20 years later) so I would always classify the people I worked with. In this case, I was working with stock analysts, so they'd each become specialists on a specific industry, like computer software or clothing stores.  more...

Profile of an ace real estate rookie Premium Content

By Bernice Ross, Friday, February 17, 2006.

(This is Part 3 of a three-part series. See Part 1 and Part 2.)

Last week we looked at the demographic results of a new study examining the relationship between various factors and real estate success during agents' first two years in the business.  more...

Take your garage storage to new heights

By Paul Bianchina, Friday, February 17, 2006.

Looking for some extra storage room to get that garage organized once and for all? You might want to consider getting some help from above--the garage ceiling, that is.

At its simplest, overhead storage can take the form of some basic hooks and hangers for dealing with ladders, bikes, hoses, cords, and similar items. Check out any home center or hardware store, add in a little imagination, and you'll be surprised how quickly you can get any number of items off the floor and onto the ceiling.  more...

Supermarkets stand the test of time

By Arrol Gellner, Friday, February 17, 2006.

If you're of Baby Boom vintage or younger, you probably take your local supermarket for granted. You walk in, round up the Mr. Clean and Mrs. Butterworth, mince your way through the check stand, and you're done.

But grocery shopping wasn't always like that. The modern supermarket--technically known as a "self-service food store"--is a fairly recent invention.

Prior to World War II, grocery stores were usually very small, narrow affairs, and going shopping amounted to telling a clerk behind a counter exactly what was needed.  more...

Real estate exchange best way to maximize savings

By Robert Bruss, Friday, February 17, 2006.

(This is Part 6 of an eight-part series.  more...