Things have never been better for first-time home buyers. In a strong, pro-consumer move, the Bush administration has decided to allow automatic termination of mortgage insurance premiums for new customers using the nation's largest source of federal home loan money.
Dangers lurk in many corners of the typical house.
My husband Carl and I built our home in a subdivision in Valparaiso, Ind., in 1993. We followed all the rules that were presented to us, however quite a few people have not. One thing the covenants state is that homes are to be built of brick or brick and cedar, no artificial materials to be used, such as vinyl siding. There are also size restrictions. It pays to keep extra materials on hand for repairs We signed a contract a few weeks ago to have a new home built.