 | Homeownership Still The American Dream, Fuels Economy
 It's billed as the American Dream and yet for some it's been an all-time American nightmare.
Still "the home is central to American life" writes the National Association of Homebuilders in its report titled: Homeownership Works, released earlier this year.
Of course the report aims to show how housing is vital not just to homeowners but to the nation's growth. The publication looks at the contributions that homeownership make to the economy specifically through residential construction, remodeling, rental housing, and various other related aspects of the
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U.S. averages as of December 29, 2011:
30 yr. fixed: 3.95%
15 yr. fixed: 3.24%
1 yr. adj: 2.78%
View current rates
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industry.
The publication shows how homeownership is a vital thread that weaves together a nation. It points to research released earlier this year by Pew Research Center Study, showing that 81% of of adults agree "that buying a
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Buyers: Making The
Right Choice
 There are so many different homes to choose from during the buying process. How can you be sure to make the right choice?
From condos, downtown neighborhoods, suburbs, and country homes, there's a perfect fit for every buyer.
To make the best decision you need to be sure to really give time to your decision making process. Yes, your gut can take you in the right direction, but don't be one of the many buyers that falls prey to listening only to their hearts, ending up biting off more than they can chew.
Some homes take more work than others. This goes double for older homes. The same can be said for many foreclosed houses. The price tag might be appealing or you might love the styling of the home, but keep in mind that much of a home's value is actually in its condition.
This is why it is imperative to have an inspection done on any home you are considering buying. Additionally, you should have a clause in your contract that states if the inspection comes back
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Housing Answer:
Principal Reduction?
 Despite many programs to help underwater homeowners, the financial crisis continues and foreclosures loom throughout the
country.
Some experts say the housing answer is not just lowering interest rates but also actually reducing principal. In other words, these experts are encouraging banks to write down the principal and interest rates to current market value, which according to some experts would save homeowners $71 billion each year. CoreLogic reported that at the end of the second quarter 2011, underwater homeowners owed $709 billion on mortgages (much more than their homes were worth).
Real estate expert, Tanya Marchiol, who has appeared on TV, in print, and on Sirius Satellite Radio, writes in a recently released report, "In 2010 the nation's top banks paid out twice that amount in bonuses and compensation ($146 billion)."
Marchiol claims the savings to homeowners whose mortgages are upside down would create an economic boost to the econom -- creating jobs, reducing mortgage payments, helping investors–rather than the negative financial effects which ripple through the economy when a foreclosure occurs.
Marchiol writes that, "investors would typically be better off if servicers would agree to loan modifications with principal
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Kitchen Makeover Without Spending a Fortune
 If you're selling your home then you should know that one of the popular rooms that tops buyers' favorites list is the kitchen. So it makes sense to spend time, energy, and even a little money to make it shine.
That thought can make some sellers cringe. The thought of spending money to fix up a kitchen in a home that they're about ready to sell is unpalatable. However, it could make the difference between a buyer making a higher offer or even any offer at all.
Kitchen makeovers don't need to make your blood boil and break you out in a sweat, fearing the loss of money that will soon be drained from your bank account. You can tidy up your kitchen and even give it a fresh, stylish, updated look, on a frugal budget.
Let me show you how. It starts with simple things. The kind of tasks you can
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