If you’re fortunate enough to park your car in your own garage, then this blog post may not apply to you personally. However, if you live in an area where you park your car outdoors, subject to the elements, I ask you to give heed.

I came upon a blog post of a Cadillac owner who was lamenting the unfortunate demise of his car. This is not from a traffic accident.  In fact, his car was parked, as it were, “minding its own business.” Take a look at the owner’s photos and what happened.

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T is for the turkey all will savor

H is for the help that you will need

A is for the aunt you tend to favor

N is for the number you will feed.

K is for the Kodak moments you’re creating

S is for the scent of baking pies

G is for the gizzard no one’s taking

I is for the in-law in a new guise.

V is for the value you place on family

I is for your interest in each one

N is for the naps all will be taking

G is for the gratefulness that it’s all done.

No matter how you plan to celebrate Thanksgiving, may you and yours cherish and enjoy the time you spend together.

Posted by Sharon Walker

The New York Times this week carried two articles by David Leonhardt describing a couple of home weatherization programs the Obama administration is examining closely.

Considered to be a twist on the Cash for Clunkers program from earlier this year, the unofficially titled “Cash for Caulkers” proposes giving money to homeowners for weatherization projects.

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Of the $700 billion from the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) - which bailed out many Wall Street banks earlier this year - there is more than $317 billion yet to be allocated. A number of members of Congress have ideas as to how some of that money might be used.

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For the eighth consecutive month, national foreclosure activity in the U.S. was dominated by a small set of states.

As reported by RealtyTrac.com, more than half of October’s foreclosure-related activity came from just 4 states:

1. California
2. Illinois
3. Florida
4. Michigan

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Are you a home buyer, seller or renter looking for a way to make green home improvements, save money and be kind to the earth? The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has introduced a new website that could help you do just that.

The Green Homes site offers tips to homeowners on improving indoor air quality and reducing energy usage, plus a myriad of other suggestions on how to green up your home. The website provides green improvements on a room-by-room basis, including the outdoors.

Renters are provided with information on how to find green rentals and ideas for working with a landlord to make green improvements on their property.

The website also includes links to other EPA sites that have additional information on a vast number of topics related to greening up your home.

TALK BACK: What do you think of the EPA’s tips? Have you tried any of these ways to green up your home? Post your comments below.

Posted by Sharon Walker

The last portion of the hour-long show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is spent with host Ty

Courtesy of Patrishe

Pennington unveiling a rebuilt home for a family in great need. He leads a group of workers and onlookers in the chant, “Move that bus!” so the family can see its brand new digs and the audience can see the owners’ emotional reaction to the gift of a new home.

The Powell family of Buffalo, NY are to be the recipient of a new home. Standard practice is to demolish the inadequate home and start from scratch. But their project is not the only one for their neighborhood. The Powell home is being disassembled rather than demolished.

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During the past four years, the Shelton Group has conducted a national survey of homeowners regarding their top choices in making home improvements. This year’s survey revealed that Americans are more likely to make aesthetic home improvements over money-saving energy improvements.

Surveyed by phone, 504 consumers were asked, “Assuming you were suddenly given $10,000 to make home improvements, which two of the following would you choose?”

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The housing market continues to steam forward.

As reported by the National Association of Realtors, the Pending Home Sales Index posted its 8th consecutive monthly gain in September.

It’s the longest winning streak in the history of the index and Pending Home Sales are now at their highest levels since December 2006.

A Pending Home Sale is a home under contract to sell, but not yet closed. It’s the precursor to an Existing Home Sale.

When the Pending Home Sales Index rises, it signifies that market activity has picked up. September’s data confirms what we’ve been noticing since February - the Buyers Market is drawing to a close.

With more homes under contract in the marketplace, home buyers typically face one or more of the following:

1. Competitive, multiple-offer situations
2. Reduced purchase price leverage over sellers
3. Fewer seller concessions

Therefore, if you’re thinking about buying a home, now is the time to act. With the congressional extension of the tax credit and interest rates hovering at 5 percent, this is the ideal buyer’s market - but it won’t last forever!

Posted by Ryan Leahy

This is a guest post by Ryan Leahy. He is a lender with Leahy & Associates in Austin, TX, and updates his blog daily. To contact Ryan, call (512) 692-7242 or email rleahy@houseloan.com.

Of all the national holidays our country celebrates - including Independence Day, Labor Day and Thanksgiving Day - Veterans Day is probably the least recognized. November 11 has also been known as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day.

First earmarked in 1919 by our 28th President, Woodrow Wilson, the day was to be set aside as a reflection upon the ending of World War I, one year prior. The date was chosen because the conflict had “formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month with the German signing of the Armistice.”

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