Latest Houselogic News

Youth, Boomers Strong Advocates of Green Living, Moms in The Middle are Practical
When it comes to their approaches to green living, the youngest and oldest consumers are advocacy-oriented, while Gen X and Gen Y moms are more likely to take action and adopt green habits for their households.

Use Rocks to Give Your Yard Some Character
Rock yards may not be for everyone, but they're popular for homeowners who wish to cut down on water costs or maintenance. Rocks also are popular for accenting flower beds, walkways, and other landscaping.

Number of Homes Equipped With Surveillance Cameras Slowly Rising
A slow but steady increase of home surveillance camera installations represents a shift toward new technology that provides evidence if the homeowner is a victim of a crime.

When Paying the Mortgage is Not Enough
Increasing numbers of the neighborhood-based groups are turning to foreclosure proceedings to collect on overdue fees, which the associations use to maintain community clubhouses, pools, and the like.

ACLU Backs Man Wanting to Fly Flag
The American Civil Liberties Union says it's backing an Arizona man against a homeowners association rule against flying the Gadsden Flag in front of his house.

FHA Set to Trim Upfront Costs for Reverse Mortgages
The Federal Housing Administration isn't talking publicly about it, but the agency may be getting ready to lessen the upfront costs of reverse mortgages for some borrowers.

Hurricane Earl Weakens as it Scoots By U.S. East
A weakened Hurricane Earl churned past North Carolina's Outer Banks and began to lash southeast Virginia early Friday, while two more states along the U.S. East Coast declared states of emergency.

Compromise Reached On 'God Bless America' Sign
A Coral Springs, Fla., homeowners association has reached a compromise with a homeowner who refused to remove magnetic letters that spelled out the words ?God Bless America? on his garage door.

Pending Home Sales Rise
Pending home sales rose modestly in July, according to the National Association of REALTORS®.

Some Bunker Down, Some Flee As Earl Approaches U.S.
Hurricane Earl continued to barrel toward the Eastern Seaboard as North Carolina?s Outer Banks residents prepared and forecasters tried to pinpoint how close the storm will come to Long Island, Boston, and Cape Cod.

Packing for College? Remember Your Computer and Your Parents' Insurance
Students heading off to campus are protected by their parents' homeowners insurance, but only if they're living on campus.

Hurricane Earl Weakens to Category 3 Storm in Atlantic
MIAMI--Hurricane Earl has weakened to a Category 3 storm as it threatens to sideswipe the U.S. East Coast.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Changes Chinese Drywall Test Advice
A U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Task Force says homeowners who want to know if their home has defective Chinese drywall should check for elemental sulfur rather than strontium.

Stinkbugs Descend on Eastern U.S.
Eastern U.S. stinkbugs would like to come indoors for the winter, so get ready to defend your home.

Foreclosure Aid: Homeowners Jam Mortgage Modification Marathon Event
More than 1,000 troubled homeowners filed through the Palm Beach, Fla., Convention Center on Friday--many lining up well before dawn--for a shot at having their loans modified at a massive five-day mortgage modification marathon organized by the nonprofit Neighborhood Assistance Corp. of America.

Look Three Ways to Prepare for Severe-Weather Events
With nearly three-fourths of Americans living in areas known for severe-weather events-- hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, or wildfires--planning ahead to help prevent possible damage should be on the "weekend to-do" list at least once a year.

Hurricane Earl Threatens East Coast
Hurricane Earl, now a Category 4 storm with 135 mph winds, is forecast to threaten the East Coast from the Carolinas north by Thursday evening, dampening Labor Day weekend, the National Hurricane Center said.

Two New FHA Programs will Help Struggling Homeowners
U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan said Sunday the federal government would start two new programs to help struggling homeowners.

Cash Grant That Propped Up Alternative Power Due to Expire
Energy developers and lawmakers are pushing Congress to extend a renewable energy grant program until 2012, though they fear election-year politics and possible cost concerns will be a roadblock.

Coral Springs Homeowners Association Orders Cop to Remove His 'God Bless America' Sign
Joe Milenkovic enforces the law for a living, but not when it comes to his "God Bless America" sign. His Springs Hamlet, Florida, homeowners association says Milenkovic's collection of magnetic letters constitutes a sign, and that it's in violation of their rules that state "no signs shall be displayed without written approval by the Association."