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Home Improvement Advice: Home Equity Credit Lines Versus Fixed Rate Second Mortgages

 Are you thinking about mining the equity for a home improvement loan, but are wondering if you have missed the boat not doing a refinance and cashing out? There are still many home equity loans available that may suit your needs without breaking the bank with payments. "Home-equity loans have been growing at a large clip for years," notes Wells Fargo spokeswoman Mary Berg. "It's definitely slowed, but people are still borrowing. They're finding other products that are more flexible in this rate environment." It’s true that there are many options for consumers these days and home equity loans are available as a credit line with variable interest, as a fixed rate mortgage, and you can even find a second mortgage with interest only payments for a set period. A home equity line of credit generally has a variable interest rate tied to the prime index, which is published daily in the Wall Street Journal. The rate is dictated by the Federal Reserve. This loan work

Home Improvement 101: Selecting Furniture

 You've just moved into your new house or have just completed a renovation. The paint is fresh, the carpets are clean, and your appliances sparkle. Now it's time for a different kind of home improvement: transforming your house or apartment into your home. Selecting furnishings and home decor that reflect your taste and personality will make your abode a haven that you can call your own. Here are five areas to consider when selecting your furniture. 1. Selecting Wood Are you drawn to the dark richness of mahogany, the simplicity of cedar, the light hominess of maple, the sturdiness of oak, or the ruddiness of cherry? From pine, elm, and willow to walnut, teak, and birch, you have a wide range of choices when it comes to wood. When planning your interior home decor, keep in mind that designers recommend consistency within a room. In other words, you don't want a dark mahogany coffee table and a light birch end table. If you do mix woods, keep the color tones in alignment. Fo