THOUSANDS EXHAUSTING HEATING AIDS AS TEMPERATURES PLUNGE

Posted OnJan 23, 2014
JESSICA RINALDI FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE With temperatures falling into the single digits, some 50,000 low-income heating oil customers in Massachusetts have exhausted fuel assistance for the winter, leaving many in danger of losing heat even as millions in additional funding for the benefits remain tied up in Washington. The release of an estimated $13.5
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HOW MUCH SNOW IS TOO MUCH SNOW ON YOUR ROOF?

Posted OnJan 21, 2014
Wet snow is much heavier than dry, fluffy snow. Six inches of dry snow weighs about as much as 38 inches of wet snow. If you’ve had a big snowfall in your area and you’re wondering if your roof can stand the extra weight, don’t reach for a ladder and a shovel — reach for the
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THE IMPACT OF INCREASING MORTGAGE RATES ON PRICES

Posted OnJan 18, 2014
Many pundits are warning that there will be a drop in real estate values because mortgage rates are beginning to increase. The logic makes sense. However, history shows that increasing rates have not negatively impacted home values in the past. Four times over the last 30 years mortgage interest rates have dramatically increased. Here is
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Fixed Mortgage Rates Move Lower On Economic Data

Posted OnJan 17, 2014
Fixed Mortgage Rates Move Lower on Economic Data MCLEAN, VA–(Marketwired – Jan 16, 2014) – Freddie Mac (OTCQB: FMCC) today released the results of itsPrimary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®), showing average fixed mortgage rates fall amid signs of a weakening economic recovery. News Facts 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.41 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending
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FHA MORTGAGES TO SHRINK IN 2014

Posted OnJan 12, 2014
FHA Loan Size Cut By Half In Some Markets The size of the biggest mortgage the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) can guarantee is going to drop by as much as 50 percent in some areas of the U.S. in 2014. Homeowners living in the highest-cost areas of the country will find their FHA loans capped
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BACKYARD TRENDS TO TRANSFORM YOUR OUTDOOR SPACE

Posted OnJan 11, 2014
Gone are the days when people only ventured into the backyard to water the plants or clean up after the dog. Today, homeowners see their yard as an extension of the inside of their home, and they are increasingly willing to spend money on converting their backyards into comfortable living spaces if it means they
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Planning on Buying a Home in 2014? Get Ready NOW!

Posted OnJan 08, 2014
With big changes coming to the mortgage industry at the beginning of next year, many consumers will want to evaluate their home buying plans. Regulations drafted by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will change the definition of a qualified mortgage for any loan applications received on and after Jan. 10, and many consumers may find
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JANUARY IS NATIONAL RADON ACTION MONTH

Posted OnJan 01, 2014
Protect Your family, Test Your Home Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas released in rock, soil and water from the natural decay of uranium. Radon is all around us and although levels outdoors pose a relatively low threat to our health, radon can accumulate to dangerous levels inside buildings such as homes, hospitals and
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