Home

Housing needs restoration of new credit

By Lou Barnes, Friday, November 9, 2007.

Despite a continuing decline in the 10-year T-note to the 4.2s, mortgage rates are stuck near 6.25 percent. That extraordinary spread is due in part to the poisonous status of mortgages; the rest is an aspect of leadership failure in this credit crisis.

In times of plague, wagons and carts each day clattered through cities and towns, the draymen calling, "Bring out your dead!" So it is on Wall Street today. You would think by now that surprise would have faded at the number and identity of new shrouds, contagion perfectly obvious.  more...

What's handmade and what's not

By Alison Rogers, Friday, November 9, 2007.

In her wonderful (and mouth-watering) memoir, food writer Laura Schenone decides to learn to make ravioli the way her ancestors did. As part of the quest, she goes to Italy, to a restaurant in the Genoa area, to learn from Roberto Circella, a master pasta maker. When she walks into his restaurant, La Brinca, she writes, "I am disappointed to see the pasta dough is already made. How much flour and egg did he use? How much moisture?"  more...

Baby boomer retirement housing options Premium Content

By Bernice Ross, Friday, November 9, 2007.

Are you thinking about buying land now to build on when you retire? Are you considering purchasing a "fractional" rather than a second home? As the baby boomers near retirement age in droves, an increasing number are considering these options as important components in their retirement lifestyle.

There's an old adage that says it's easier to get into a real estate deal than it is to get out of it. Before you or your clients enter into a contract for that retirement or second home, it's smart to look before you leap.  more...

Sick and tired of mandated energy conservation

By Arrol Gellner, Friday, November 9, 2007.

As the child of Depression-era parents who still save old bits of string, used gift wrap, and the flimsy plastic trays from candy boxes, I too am mentally incapable of seeing things go to waste.

This confounding compulsion to conserve goes well beyond the usual household flotsam. When I'm dining out, not only do I feel guilt at leaving a few bites of food on my plate -- I feel even worse when the guy at the next table leaves half his steak dinner to be thrown out.  more...

Do you know where your property lines are?

By Paul Bianchina, Friday, November 9, 2007.

Do you know -- really know -- where the boundaries of your property are? Most people don't, at least not with certainty, but there are instances where not knowing could put you at legal risk.

When you purchased your home, you should have been given a small map, typically just a photocopy of one portion of a larger map, that showed the size of your lot. Known as a plat map, it typically shows the length of each side of your lot, the name of the streets that border it, the tax lot number, and perhaps the legal description.  more...