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First-time homebuyer tax credit extended
From press release
WASHINGTON, D.C.—A new law that went into effect Nov. 6 extends the first-time homebuyer credit five months and
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On Real Estate: Downsizing not just for your parents anymore
By Jim Hagerty
Staff Writer
Gone for now are the days when retirees and empty-nesters were the largest groups of homeowners with
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Designs for a new decade: Top home décor trends for 2010
Courtesy of ARA Content
During unsettling economic times, people tend to get “back to basics” by cocooning more with their families,
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Winter’s hottest new ‘in’ activity: birdfeeding
Courtesy of ARA Content
Bird feeding is in. More than 65 million Americans are doing it, according to the U.S. Fish
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Habitat for Humanity ReStore expands, volunteers needed
From press release
Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity (RAHFH) ReStore is now open an additional day. Effective immediately, the ReStore has
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Show your holiday hospitality with a sleep-friendly guest room
Courtesy of ARA Content
The holidays bring a lot of happiness—and a lot of company.
With so much going on this season,
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Don’t let your house take a beating this winter
Courtesy of ARA Content
No matter what part of the country you live in, the fall and winter months can be
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On Real Estate: Foreclosures still driving housing market
By Jim Hagerty
Staff Writer
While the initial wave of subprime foreclosures is largely behind us, another is proving to be a
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ELPC Webinar on Solar Power: A Potential Boom in the Midwest
ELPC Webinar on Solar Power: A Potential Boom in the Midwest
Please join us on November 18th at 10:00 a.m. for
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Keep your house fresh on game day
Courtesy of ARA Content
Having friends over for a football party can create some interesting chaos in your house. Keeping everything
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Leaf mulching and fertilizer: A back-saving, soil-enriching way to deal with fallen leaves
Courtesy of ARA Content
As Mother Nature adorns the trees in your yard with riotous reds, vibrant yellows and exotic oranges,
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On Real Estate: Tax credit extended, expanded
By Jim Hagerty
Staff Writer
It looks as though first-time home buyers won’t be the only sector to take advantage of a
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Homework essential to buying your first home
Courtesy of ARA Content
Are you considering taking the plunge and buying your first home? If so, you’re not alone. Across
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Builders fear expiration of home buyer tax credit will erode sales
From press release
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Home builders in Illinois and Minnesota participating in a teleconference conducted by the National Association of Home
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On Real Estate: First-time buyers spark rebound
By Jim Hagerty
Staff Writer
For the first time in three years, the Illinois real estate market has shown a year-over-year increase.
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Developer purchases downtown Rockford commercial building
From press release
A Rockford-based real estate development firm has purchased a historic downtown Rockford building that it plans to renovate
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Can’t sell? Wary of being a landlord? Try corporate housing instead
Courtesy of ARA Content
The housing market is making it hard for many homeowners to sell. Yet, the alternative—becoming a landlord
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Answers to frequently-asked questions about foreclosure
From press release
URBANA, Ill.—If your house is in foreclosure, you probably have a lot of questions. The Illinois Housing Development
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On Real Estate: Tax credit deadline approaches, talks of extending credit swirl
By Jim Hagerty
Staff Writer
As expected, millions of first-time home buyers jumped at the chance to purchase when the federal government
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Stay warm and healthy, keep heating bills down
Courtesy of ARA Content
With the return of colder weather, you may be hesitant to turn on the furnace again—especially if
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Lower your energy costs with an insulated garage door
Courtesy of ARA Content
A leaky, un-insulated garage door may not be an obvious culprit in rising monthly utility bills, but
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On Real Estate: Credit guidelines tighten, sales fall
By Jim Hagerty
Staff Writer
Seeing a glimmer of light in a long and dark tunnel was evident in August as Realtors
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Decor can help you wow your mate
Courtesy of ARA Content
When it comes to impressing your mate, forget about diamonds and designer gifts. You’re more likely to
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Tips for avoiding foreclosure scams
From press release
URBANA, Ill.—Get involved with one of the many foreclosure con artists operating right now, and you’ll lose your
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On Real Estate: Assessed value vs. fair market value: what’s the difference?
By Jim Hagerty
Staff Writer
It’s not a secret that the average homeowner may be a bit confused about the difference between
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Parade of Homes runs through Sept. 20
From press release
The annual Parade of Homes, the premier event coordinated each year by the Home Builders Association of the
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Tips for planting and protecting your fall landscape
Courtesy of ARA Content
As the crisp fall air ushers in a new season, many gardeners may be left wondering: what
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BBB: Avoid getting scammed when looking to rent
From press release
With fewer people buying homes in the current market and more people renting these days, it is no
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Smart strategies to increase home sale profits
Courtesy of ARA Content
The proposition of selling a home is getting better with each passing day, according to a recently-released
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Been foreclosed on? Don’t forget your taxes
From press release
URBANA, Ill.—As if losing your house weren’t bad enough, you may owe capital gains taxes after a foreclosure,
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Bland walls? Fast fix-ups that are perfect for fall
Courtesy of ARA Content
When the weather cools and the bright sun of summer fades into autumn’s grayer skies, bare, bland
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Programs available for first-time buyers and homeowners
By Malcolm Payne
Payne Realty
A mortgage is a lien on a house that is secured by a loan paid over a
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More than $100 million in recovery funding to boost state energy efforts
From press release
CHICAGO—Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn (D) announced Aug. 14 that Illinois has received approval of its proposed State Energy
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Important information for homeowners in foreclosure
From press release
URBANA, Ill.—Lenders must attach a homeowner notice containing the following pertinent information to the summons in all foreclosure
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Nature’s bounty inspires fall interiors
Courtesy of ARA Content
The warm tones of the autumn harvest provide an inspiring palette for home decor by bringing seasonal
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On Real EstateHOPWA and the federal hoodwinking
In the midst of the most perilous financial times since the Great Depression, it pays to have HIV or full-blown
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Save money and water with smart lawn and garden tips
Even if your region is one of the few areas of the country not experiencing repeated drought seasons, it still
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The lighter side of nature-inspired home decor
If the words “nature-inspired decor” make you think of muted wall hues or overwrought floral fabrics, it’s time to rethink
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Expert tips for creating a backyard habitat for colorful summer birds
Whether city or country, bird watching is fun, and you can create an environment for it in your own back
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On Real Estate: Using bankruptcy to stop foreclosure
Most people facing foreclosure aren’t in the position to satisfy delinquent mortgage accounts and save their homes. Walking away and
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