Timely News from the Washington Post Real Estate Section:

• With Silver Spring home, family wins Washington Post's Mad Men Look contest July 23, 2010
  "It's the first time in our lives we've been hip. And it came to us -- we didn't go to it," said Melissa Talley, 51, winner of The Post's Mad Men Look contest. Washington Post - United States - Maryland - Silver Spring - Washington
  Elizabeth Razzi
• U.S. housing slump continues, but D.C. area is doing better July 23, 2010
  The housing bust isn't over, but the worst is past, according to economists participating in a U.S. Chamber of Commerce panel this week. Housing - Real estate - Business and Economy - Affordable and Low Income Housing - Property
  Sonja Ryst
• Where We Live: Town Creek, in Maryland's St. Mary's County July 23, 2010
  When Kathy Weigel moved into her brick rambler in the community of North Town Creek in St. Mary's County in 1993, she got an unusual housewarming gift: a military-base ID card for the wife of Apollo 12 astronaut Pete Conrad. The Conrads lived in the house in the 1950s, and the card was discovered... Maryland - St. Mary's County Maryland - United States - Counties - Saint Mary's
  Barbara Ruben
• Where We Live: Colmar Manor in Maryland's Prince George's County July 16, 2010
  Take a seat on a front porch in Colmar Manor, and it's easy to watch the world go by. You'll see residents tending to gardens, working on home projects or walking their dogs. And because many of the cottage-style homes are stacked like rowhouses, residents say, you can't help but get to know your... Maryland - Prince George - Prince George's County Maryland - United States - Counties
  Jim Brocker
• Extra credit checks required by Fannie make some lenders anxious July 15, 2010
  People who applied for a mortgage as of June 1 might see their finances -- specifically their debt -- under renewed scrutiny days before they are scheduled to complete a home purchase. Business - FannieMae - Financial Services - Loan - Personal Finance
  Dina ElBoghdady
• Merry-Go-Round Farm tries to bring superior architecture to Potomac July 16, 2010
  Drive on River Road in Potomac, and you'll see them on both sides: the McMansions, the faux chateaux and other oversize revisions of one architectural style or another. United States - Architecture - Arts - River - Potomac
  Jennifer Sergent
• The dangers of life estates; understanding agents' commissions on foreclosures July 23, 2010
  Q: In 1997, we created a living will for estate protection in case my mom went into a nursing home. It was set up so my sister and her husband received half the house while my sister's three kids got the other half. Real estate - Foreclosure - Business and Economy - Business - Africa
  Ilyce R. Glink and Samuel J. Tamkin
• In tough times, how to score a better mortgage deal July 23, 2010
  Call it the great real estate disconnect of 2010: Mortgage rates have been at half-century lows and home prices have stabilized, but applications for mortgages have declined most weeks during the past three months, as measured by the Mortgage Bankers Association. Mortgage - Business - Financial Services - United States - Loan
  Kenneth R. Harney
• Green Scene: Landscaping can make potential buyers feel right at home July 23, 2010
  If you are trying to sell your home, you can rise above the competition by designing curb appeal into your property. Landscaping - Green - Business - Business and Economy - United States
  Joel M. Lerner
• Before going to settlement, learn the basics of all that legal mumbo jumbo July 23, 2010
  Real estate settlements are often shrouded in mystery. There are many moving parts, multiple parties sitting impatiently at the table and piles of documents filled with legal mumbo jumbo. Law - Language - Health - Social Sciences - Natural
  Harvey S. Jacobs
• Profile of Town Creek in Maryland's St. Mary's County July 23, 2010
  BOUNDARIES: Shady Mile Drive to the north, Route 235 to the west, Maple Road to the south and Dent Drive to the east. Maryland - St. Mary's County Maryland - United States - Counties - Saint Mary's
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• Get the most out of your wood porch decking by using century-old tricks July 23, 2010
  DEAR TIM: I'm restoring an older home that has a patio porch deck. It's covered, so perhaps it's just a deck porch. The wood was painted but is in bad shape due to neglect. What material would you install if you wanted to maintain the character of the house? I've seen composite porch decking, but... Deck - Construction and Maintenance - Business and Economy - Shopping - Business
  Tim Carter
• Housewatch: Building green without losing greenbacks July 23, 2010
  Although home builders have the opportunity to make a huge impact on reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that are causing global warming, very few mention it in their sales pitches. Business - Construction and Maintenance - Building Types - Sustainable Architecture - Consultants
  Katherine Salant
• Featured Advertiser July 23, 2010
• 30-year mortgage rates hit 4th record low in 5 weeks July 23, 2010
  Mortgage rates fell this week to a record low for the fourth time in five weeks. Mortgage - Business - Financial Services - United States - Loan
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• Color of Money Book Club July 22, 2010
  Post personal finance columnist Michelle Singletary will be online to offer her advice and answer your questions Literature - Reading Groups - Arts - Books - Shopping
  Michelle Singletary,Paula Span,Elinor Ginzler
• Goldman earnings fall on trading slump, charges July 20, 2010
  EARNINGS Goldman Sachs Group said quarterly earnings tumbled 82 percent, coming in well short of expectations, as trading and underwriting revenue slumped, raising questions about how well Wall Street's preeminent bank can navigate a shifting industry landscape. Business - Goldman Sachs - Investing - Day Trading - Commodities and Futures
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• Obama's next focus of reform: Housing finance July 20, 2010
  After President Obama signs into law an overhaul of financial regulation at a ceremony set for Wednesday, his administration will turn to reforming an area at the root of the financial crisis: the U.S. housing market. Barack Obama - United States - President - Government - History
  Zachary A. Goldfarb
• Kwame Brown's personal debt is ammo in primary for D.C. Council chairmanship July 17, 2010
  When D.C. Council member Kwame R. Brown wants an escape, he can climb into a Cadillac Escalade, head down to a private yacht club on the Anacostia River and fire up Bullet Proof, his 38-foot powerboat, before returning to his four-bedroom Hillcrest home. Kwame Brown - United States - Government - Organizations - Recreation
  Mike DeBonis
• Green Scene: Some gardening Web sites for families, children July 16, 2010
  Some Web sites for you and your children to explore: Garden - Home - FAQs Help and Tutorials - Magazines and E-Zines - Plant
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