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FEED TOP MONEY STORIES

Making the Most of an Open House

Posted: 01/19/10 11:03AM
Filed Under: MainReal Estate

Open houses don't generally end up selling houses. But agents do them anyway, as a way of testing out the market, and seeing whether the price they've set is a good one. But that doesn't mean home buyers shouldn't go to them. Read on to find out what you should be doing every time you head out to an open house.

Finally: Feds Help Transform Beloved Gardens

Filed Under: MainReal Estate

It's taken almost a decade, but a viable plan for the future of Toronto's ice rink, the Maple Leaf Gardens, seems to be at hand. Two federal ministers join with Galen Weston and the president of Ryerson University to outline their plans later today.

Real Estate Recovery Will Be Weak in Canada Due to Limp Demand, Report Shows

Posted: 11/11/09 4:57PM
Filed Under: MainConsumer NewsEconomyReal Estate

home for sale
AP

The real estate market didn't fall as hard or as fast in Canada as it did in the U.S., but some spots did suffer steep losses and a recovery will be slow as investors worry about another potential economic dip, a new report suggests.

Charlie Sheen's Home Up for Sale

Posted: 07/27/09 3:04PM
Filed Under: MainCelebs & MoneyReal Estate

"Two and a Half Men" star Charlie Sheen just put his 1927 Mediterranean-style home in Los Feliz, California on the market for $3,697,000.

Charlie Sheens Home for Sale

    "Two and a Half Men" star Charlie Sheen just put his 1927 Mediterranean-style home in Los Feliz, California on the market for $3,697,000. Not bad for a second home! See inside right here.

    Carlo Allegri, Getty Images

    Sheen bought the 4,200-square-foot home in 2007 for $2,575,000. But he's since gotten married and had twin sons. His primary residence is a $7.2 million, 8,000-square-foot mansion in Mulholland Estates.

    twoandahalfcatalina.com

    The eat-in kitchen has stone floors and overlooks the pool in the backyard.

    twoandahalfcatalina.com

    One of the home's four-and-a-half baths.

    twoandahalfcatalina.com

    Sheen and his wife Brooke restored and redecorated the villa over the past year.

    twoandahalfcatalina.com

    One of the home's four bedrooms.

    twoandahalfcatalina.com

    The house gets lots of natural light.

    twoandahalfcatalina.com

    A wide-open floor plan allows residents to move easily through the house, seen here from the entryway.

    twoandahalfcatalina.com

    The front hall, with high ceilings.

    twoandahalfcatalina.com

    A step-down living room features wood ceiling beams.

    twoandahalfcatalina.com

7 Green Money Savers for the Home

Posted: 07/27/09 2:12PM
Filed Under: Save Your MoneyMainPersonal Finance Consumer NewsPersonal FinanceReal Estate

Making a few small adjustments to your day-to-day life around the house can pay big bucks back in your wallet come bill time.

7 Green Money Savers for the Home

    Get Smart About Heating and Cooling

    With high prices for heating fuels and electricity stalking the nation, it's good to know that there are some easy ways to save money in the area of climate control. That's significant, given that most households shell out 50 to 70% of their energy budgets on heating and cooling, according to the Department of Energy.

    What to do? Simply installing a programmable thermostat will save you approximately $150 a year, according to the EPA -- that means it will pay for itself in just a few months. In warm temperatures, resist the temptation to set the air conditioning too low, and be vigilant with heating when it's chilly.

    Aiming for 78 degrees or higher when you're at home while reduce your cooling loads 10-20%. When you're away, make it 85 degrees and save an additional 5-12%. In colder weather, for every degree you lower the thermostat, you'll save between 1 and 3% of your heating bill.



    Reprinted with Permission of Hearst Communications, Inc. Originally Published: 7 Earth Day Money Savers for the Home

    Istock

    Unplug Unused Chargers

    Even when they aren't charging anything, plugged-in cell phone, laptop and other chargers continue to draw electricity. Americans throw away about 8% of our annual electric bills this way, wasting billions of dollars.

    The solution is simple: just unplug them, or plug them into a surge protector and flip that switch when your device has pulled enough juice.



    Reprinted with Permission of Hearst Communications, Inc. Originally Published: 7 Earth Day Money Savers for the Home

    Steve Beckle

    Install CFLs

    The little spiral-shaped bulbs known as compact fluorescents use less than a third of the energy of regular bulbs and last ten times longer, paying for themselves in lower energy bills within months. If every U.S. household replaced just one regular bulb with a CFL, the amount of energy saved could light 2.5 million homes for a year.

    The good news is CFLs now come in a variety of colors and styles, including flood lights, candelabra sizes and much more.



    Reprinted with Permission of Hearst Communications, Inc. Originally Published: 7 Earth Day Money Savers for the Home

    Sylvania

    Install Low-Flow Water Fixtures

    Decades ago, toilets used 5 gallons per flush, but these days more efficient models are readily available. So-called low-flow models use less than a gallon, and work great. American Standard, Toto and Kohler are leaders in the field.

    Also save water and money, and still have ample water pressure, with a low-flow showerhead, which can slash bathing-water consumption 50 to 70 percent. The devices are simple to install and start at around $8. Low-flow faucets are also a great option.



    Reprinted with Permission of Hearst Communications, Inc. Originally Published: 7 Earth Day Money Savers for the Home

    Istock

    Upgrade to Energy Star Appliances

    Energy Star was designed by the EPA to take the guesswork out of appliance buying. Look for the blue-and-white label, which means the item is at least 10-50% more efficient than standard models (depending on the class of product). That means lower energy bills and less pollution.

    More than 18,000 products in 35 different categories are covered in the Energy Star program, and most major manufacturers participate. Energy Star is a fixture in the showrooms of most retailers coast to coast.



    Reprinted with Permission of Hearst Communications, Inc. Originally Published: 7 Earth Day Money Savers for the Home

    Bosch

    Put in Low-Water Plantings

    'Green carpet' grass lawns take a huge amount of water in dry climates, which leads to both high water bills and a lot of hassle and worry. Plus, the possibility of mandatory water restrictions means the yard may end up looking like a barren wasteland.

    Instead, plant drought-tolerant native shrubs, trees and grasses. They won't require nearly as much water and will serve as habitat for local wildlife. Using low-water plantings even has a catchy name: xeriscaping.

    In desert climates, cacti and similar plants, especially native ones, can add great beauty. You can also use stones, rocks and other features to add interest.



    Reprinted with Permission of Hearst Communications, Inc. Originally Published: 7 Earth Day Money Savers for the Home

    Istock

    Turn Down Your Water Heater

    Who doesn't enjoy a long, hot shower after a long, hard day? Unfortunately, it's also true that hot water heaters are big energy and dollar guzzlers.

    But take heart: Lowering the temperature on your water heater from 140 to 120 degrees will reduce your water heating costs by 6 to 10%. Give it a try. Many people find that tweaking the dial to save energy and money can become addictive.



    Reprinted with Permission of Hearst Communications, Inc. Originally Published: 7 Earth Day Money Savers for the Home

    Viorika Prikhodko

Stop Telling Me to Buy a House! One Renter's Story

Posted: 07/13/09 11:11AM
Filed Under: MainReal Estate

It's time to buy a home! That's what I hear several times a week from friends, co-workers and commercials. I've heard the same prediction since I graduated four years ago and signed a lease on an apartment to share with my new wife. We've been living in the apartment ever since, and despite its small size, it has served us well.

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