Attached is a map of the U.S and specifically the progress we have made since 2009 as it relates to average home values regionally throughout the U.S. 

The colored bar graph in the upper right corner reflects in 2009 that homes were approximately -17% down in value, and by 2013 we have scratched our way back to +10.5%.

With rising rates (currently we are at 4.375%, up from 3.75% since Tuesday May 14th)  and the current state of the MBS’s which are down .43bps at time of this emial, NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY, IF YOU ARE IN THE MARKET!

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The overall vibe at the Mineheart booth was very Miss Havisham -- opulent decay. The Palace Wallpaper Mural behind the sofa runs about $85 a square meter; the throw pillows are about $115 each.

 

1. Dark humor hasn't faded in the design world. Philip Watts showed a number of edgy designs for door handles and other architectural hardware, including the skull handle at right. Click ahead to see more from him. (Watts' entire website is also worth a visit.)
2. This dramatic 3-foot-long skull door handle retails for about $800. It's also available encrusted in Swarovski crystals at extra cost

 

This doozy of a davenport from Sentient. It's made of reclaimed American oak sheathed in Icelandic

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By Arrol Gellner | Inman News – Thu, Jan 10, 2013 7:00 PM EST

Have you ever been to a house where you had to skirt the gas meter or sidle around garbage cans to get to the front door? Or one where there was such a bewildering array of doors, you weren't sure which one to knock at?

The front entrance is seldom high on people's remodeling priorities. Yet, just like that old saw about first impressions, it's your home's entrance that people notice first. It's practically impossible to rectify a bad impression made at the front door.

Tract-home builders have known this for years; even in the cheapest house, they'll never cut corners on the front door. They know that a strong impression of quality here subtly colors a

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Source: IMDb

If the shoe fits, wear it. And for David Hasselhoff, if the house fits, buy it.

The actor and singer just dropped $1.95 million on a Mediterranean mansion in Calabasas, CA. With a pool, waterfall, spa and outdoor kitchen, the home has “Baywatch” heartthrob written all over it.

By contrast, Hasselhoff’s Encino home, which he sold in April for $3.549 million, was a stately colonial — not exactly what you’d expect for the red-shorts wearing, chest-hair showing lifeguard.

Now Hasselhoff can enjoy a slightly smaller home decked out with several celeb-worthy amenities including 6 updated bathrooms, a family room wet bar, and large master suite with a fireplace, balcony and walk-in closet.

The backyard is

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(Photo: Tecca) Follow & Review Us On:  Our phones are getting more powerful. Our computers are getting lighter and more portable. TVs can connect to YouTube and the Internet all on their own. Our lives are filled with connected gadgets, but there's more out there.
Everyday household appliances can be connected to the Internet now, too. Come with us as we look at fridges, thermostats, and scales that all go online to allow you more convenient control and save you energy and money.
Heating and cooling how you want it
One home appliance you may not think of connecting to the Internet is a thermostat. Adding WiFi to a thermostat opens up a bunch of possibilities. Programming most thermostats can be a pain, but a touchscreen model from…

 

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We are used to hearing about secret passageways and hidden doors, but these concepts are usually not so frequent in real life. Which is why we were pleasantly surprised to find a true architecture portal in a movie posted on youtube a few days back. As you can see, the idea is not far-fetched and can be well implemented in the overall design of a house. And no, this won’t work by simply pushing the door aside and then pulling it after you exist the house. An interesting system was elaborated, which implies a Morning Industry Keypad and Remote Deadbolt. And there is one other small element that could give the secret away: a tap. Either way, the project is highly original, some might say even fun. Have a look at the video

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U.S. News/Photo - The School for the Talented and Gifted in Dallas has again been named the best public high school in the nation by U.S. News.

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The importance of a strong high school education cannot be overstated.

Good schools challenge students academically, while giving them ample opportunity to explore their interests. This combination can set teens up to succeed long after graduation. By contrast, subpar schools can leave students struggling to make the transition from high school to college or the workforce.

The 2013 Best High Schools rankings, released April 23, 2013, can help parents wade through the ever expanding options of public high schools. U.S. News collected data on more than 21,000 public high schools

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By Daniel DiClerico | ConsumerReports.org

A recent report on smoke alarms on NBC's "Dateline" has triggered further debate about which type of alarm works best: photoelectric or ionization. If you're familiar with Consumer Reports' smoke alarm tests, you know that the answer is ... neither. We recommend both technologies to ensure maximum protection from fire. (Click here to go to Consumer Reports' smoke alarm tests.)

Here's why.

Our tests of a dozen smoke alarms from BRK Electronics, First Alert and Kidde found clear strengths among the two technologies. Smoke alarms that use ionization technology were great at detecting a fast, flaming fire such as burning paper, but poor at detecting a smoldering fire, as in a couch or mattress. The opposite

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Front exterior

Source: Baseball News Source

In 2010, Alex Rodriguez bought a parcel of prime oceanfront for $7.4 million.

He poured in $24 million to create his ultimate custom home — 18,000 square feet of modern, luxurious living space — that he ended up listing less than three years later.

Now Gossip Extra reports that the New York Yankee has sold his home for $30 million to a Palm Beach couple.

Originally it was rumored that Rodriguez was planning on building the home for he and actress Cameron Diaz, his girlfriend at the time. The two visited the building site, and gossip mags speculated the two were moving in together. But it wasn’t meant to be. The two split, and shortly after the home was

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Spring is a great time to clean up the damage caused by the winter season, and prepare your home for the effects of the impending summer heat.

By Diana Bocco | Yahoo! Homes – 

Sure, spring is the perfect opportunity to take strolls in the park and enjoy outdoor activities. But it's also a great opportunity to clean up the damage caused by the winter season, and prepare your home for the effects of the impending summer heat.

Whether it's making sure your cooling system is ready to go up against the summer heat, or ensuring that your roof can withstand torrential winter weather, keep reading to learn what should be on your spring to-do list…

Make Sure Your HVAC System is Functioning Properly

If there's a perfect time

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