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On Real Estate: Missed mortgage payments common in Illinois
By Jim Hagerty
Staff Writer
Of the 1.7 million Illinois home loans on the books, one in 10 were at least 30
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Fast, frugal fall home fix-ups
Courtesy of ARA Content
The ebbing sun and dropping mercury in the garden thermometer signal the end of summer. The shorter,
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Four ways to improve your home’s beauty and resale value
Courtesy of ARA Content
In a tough housing market, homeowners want to improve their home’s beauty and functionality, while adding resale
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How to light up your nights
Courtesy of ARA Content
Starry evenings and backyard entertainment go hand-in-hand. When the sun goes down, the right landscape lighting can
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Hot tips for cool crops: Get growing on your fall garden
Courtesy of ARA Content
You might think the end of summer means bidding farewell to fresh, homegrown veggies. Not so—many cool-season
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On Real Estate: Avoiding carpet-cleaning bait-and-switch scams
By Jim Hagerty
Staff Writer
For many homeowners, the chore of cleaning carpet can be stressful, especially in areas subjected to considerable
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On Real Estate: The benefits of home staging
By Jim Hagerty
Staff Writer
Selling homes often takes more work than it did a few years ago. Since the Internet has
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The positives of LED lights in growing flowers and herbs
By Jim Hagerty
Staff Writer
The use of light-emitting diode (LED) lighting can be an efficient and cost-effective way to provide light
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Aug. 7 Veggie Tour offers view of 16 community gardens
From press release
From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 7, the public is invited to take a free (self-guided)
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Win a home or $100,000 in Great Home Giveaway
From press release
The Arc of Winnebago, Boone & Ogle Counties’ 18th Annual Great Home Giveaway will open to the public
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The affordable housing market is not dead
By Elizabeth Cook
Free-lance Writer
For more than 15 years, Comprehensive Community Solutions, Inc., (CCS) and its program for disadvantaged young people,
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On Real Estate: Need still great for mortgage workout programs
By Jim Hagerty
Staff Writer
Although the real estate market is improving, hundreds of thousands of homeowners are unable to pull themselves
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Increasing property value: Often worth the trouble and investment
By Jim Hagerty
Staff Writer
Monetizing a home, especially during the aftermath of a crashed real estate market, can be a monumental
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Requesting a loan modification
By Jim Hagerty
Staff Writer
A loan modification is a transaction where the terms of a loan are changed because the borrower
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Beautify your back yard: Five tips to create a homegrown sanctuary
Contributed by GE Lighting
As the days get longer and the weather gets warmer, homeowners will be spending more time in
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Spring-Green Lawn Care offers tips to keep landscapes lush as temperatures climb
From press release
LOVES PARK, Ill.—Ever wonder how your neighbors achieve thick, vibrant lawns year after year or how they keep
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On Real Estate: How to refinance an 80/20 combo loan
By Jim Hagerty
Staff Writer
An 80/20 is a 100-percent financing program composed of a first mortgage (80 percent) and a second,
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SERVPRO of Rockford shares importance of home air quality
From press release
When thinking about the safety of one’s home, initial thoughts turn to smoke detectors or child-proof measures such
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Divide and conquer in the garden: Dividing perennials
From University of Illinois Extension Garden packet
URBANA, Ill.—Now is the time to start thinking about what will need to be
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The drama of blue false indigo
From University of Illinois Extension Garden packet
URBANA, Ill.—Picture a plant that has grey-green foliage; indigo blue, pea-like flowers; and large,
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Grants to help rural residents repair their homes
From press release
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced April 29 that USDA is accepting applications for grants to help low-
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May sales up 32.7 percent over last year
From press release
Even as federal tax credits expired at the end of April, the number of houses and condominiums sold
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Create an outdoor patio that’s fit for the cover of a magazine
Courtesy of ARA Content
As the weather gets nicer, there’s nothing better than expanding your living space to the great outdoors.
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Planting a memorial tree
From University of Illinois Extension Garden packet
URBANA, Ill.—Beginning with Memorial Day and continuing into June and July, we are in
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The ‘keys’ to homeownership
Courtesy of ARA Content
“It’s a buyer’s market” is a popular headline right now. It’s one that’s hard to ignore, especially
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Tips and tricks for container gardening
From University of Illinois Extension Garden packet
URBANA, Ill.—Choosing plants for a container can be intimidating, said a University of Illinois
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Demystifying the pruning of roses
From University of Illinois Extension Garden packet
URBANA, Ill.—It’s time for another rite of spring, the task of pruning roses, said
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Luring the elusive hummingbird
From University of Illinois Extension Garden packet
URBANA, Ill.—A sure sign that spring has truly arrived and summer is not far
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New hot pepper and sweet melon for a tasty garden
From University of Illinois Extension Vegetable Garden packet
URBANA, Ill.—There is something sweet and something hot for your garden—a new melon
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Five fast home improvement tips from Floor Coverings International
From press release
SMYRNA, Ga.—In need of some improvement? For many Americans, that answer is a resounding “yes” as homeowners are
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Make your deck the safe place for neighborhood fun
Courtesy of ARA Content
In every neighborhood, there’s always that one house where people love to congregate. Sometimes all it takes
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Protect your produce–and the environment–with natural pest control
Courtesy of ARA Content
Gardening is good on so many levels, from the benefits of exercise in the outdoors and the
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First Community Credit Union joins moveyourloans.org initiative
From press release
BELOIT, Wis.—Jack Gill, president of First Community Credit Union (FCCU) announced FCCU will participate in the moveryourloans.org initiative.
Moveyourloans.org
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10 tips for choosing a reliable contractor
From press release
CINCINNATI—After you have done your homework and you’re ready to get started on that next big project, it’s
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Opening the window to federal remodeling tax credits
Courtesy of ARA Content
As warm weather approaches and the tax credit for energy-efficient replacement windows is in full swing, now
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Help your lawn spring into spring
From press release
LOVES PARK, Ill.—Winter has seemed longer than ever this year, and homeowners across the country are itching to
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Inexpensive ways to bring spring inside
Courtesy of ARA Content
Spring is a time of new beginnings. Flowers and plants are blooming, the sun is shining, and
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Understanding your credit opens the door to home-buying success
Courtesy of ARA Content
With many signs pointing to the beginnings of a recovery in the housing market, potential home buyers
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Growing roses is easy with these simple tips
Courtesy of ARA Content
No other flower can evoke romance in the garden like a rose. As America’s favorite flower, roses
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New garden superstars blend charm and practicality
Courtesy of ARA Content
From hardy hybrids to stylish, smart gardens, spring 2010 promises exciting new plants and products for garden
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2010 color decor and design trends
Courtesy of ARA Content
Indicators are implying that the U.S. economy is finally showing some signs of improvement. The markets are
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Landscaping with retaining walls adds curb appeal, usability to your home
Courtesy of ARA Content
The best investment you can make in your home—both for your pocketbook and your personal enjoyment—is in
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Selling your home? Easy improvements to attract buyers
Courtesy of ARA Content
Real estate pros often coach their clients on the value of making “curb appeal” improvements to help
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Designing the perfect playroom on a shoestring budget
Courtesy of ARA Content
Playrooms are ideal spaces for encouraging children’s creativity, providing them with the stimulation they crave and helping
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Expert tips for creating a beautiful landscape
Courtesy of ARA Content
It may be cold outside, but homeowners are already dreaming of creating beautiful garden settings around their
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Machesney Park company offers glass mosaic tiles made from recycled glass
From press release
MACHESNEY PARK, Ill.—Beauty and environmental responsibility are the hallmark of Granite Transformations’ newest glass mosaic tiles—Cosmic, White Shadow
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Home exterior colors reflect style, personality and environment
Courtesy of ARA Content
Building or renovating a home is a decision-filled process. Some decisions, such as location, size and layout,
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Break out of your color comfort zone this winter
Courtesy of ARA Content
At first thought, winter might not conjure up words like spicy, bold or sunny. It should, though,
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On Real Estate: 2010: The real estate odyssey
By Jim Hagerty
Staff Writer
It’s all but impossible to exactly predict the future. Even psychics are a bit cloudy as
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