October 29th, 2007 categories: Design
The Monolithic™ Dome is the most disaster resistant building that can be built at a reasonable price without going underground or into a mountain. And this Dome of a Home, in Pensacola Beach, Florida, has survived its third serious hurricane in a year.
If you are interested in building your own Dome Home, you can visit other Monolithic Dome homes at the Monolithic Dome Institute Web site. These homes are located throughout the U.S. and other parts of the world, and some are for rent and for sale.
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October 29th, 2007 categories: Finances
Rates on 2 million mortgages are scheduled to rise by the end of 2008. If yours is one of them, consider refinancing now — if you can. Even if your loan isn’t going to reset soon, there are reasons not to wait. MSN Money’s Liz Pulliam Weston says sinking home values eat into your equity, making it harder to get a new loan. Full story
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October 25th, 2007 categories: Finances
It’s been a long, hot summer, but winter is on its way. It brings with it the promise of ever-higher heating bills.
Forbes took a look at which U.S. cities are the priciest for anyone trying to keep the home fires burning.
To determine this, the magazine examined expected temperature patterns, historical energy demand and projected heating commodity prices (oil, propane, natural gas and electricity). Then it calculated how much an average family of four with a 2,100-square-foot house would spend to heat their home.
Here are the winners - or the losers - in the home-heating marathon.
1. Boston, average heating cost: $1,635.94
2. Buffalo, N.Y., $1,618.27
3. Minneapolis, $1,475.11
4. Washington, D.C., $1,461.11
5. Philadelphia, $1,370.12
6. New York, $1,269.14
7. Cleveland, $1,154.77
8. Detroit, $1,149.12
9. St. Louis, $1,058.72
10. Denver, $1,053.91
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October 25th, 2007 categories: Real Estate
According to USA Today, a study of stress in the U.S. finds that housing costs worry 51 percent of adults.
The survey by Harris Interactive for the American Psychological Association found housing is a “very significant or somewhat significant” source of stress of 61 percent of residents in the West and 55 percent of those in the East, compared with 47 percent in the Midwest and 43 percent in the South.
Money and work are two other serious sources of stress with 73 percent of Americans stressed out by concerns over money and 74 percent worrying about work. That’s up from 59 percent for both last year.
The survey found that nearly half (48 percent) of Americans believe their stress has increased over the past five years.
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