Any home can feel old and outdated after years of ignoring home improvements. No new paint in a decade or windows installed when Kennedy was president can make us want to run from even the greatest house. But in this market, do you want to sell your home? It's not impossible, and it may be the right thing for you to do. But if all you want is a bit of new life breathed into your home, then maybe a home improvement loan like the FHA 203k is your answer.

HARP is the short form for the home affordable refinance program. It is a US federal Government initiative that was started in March 2009 with the goal of helping underwater home owners to refinance their mortgages.

One major job of a home is to help us relax. What better way to chill out than a rope hammock in a peaceful backyard? Check out this awesome space for a nap in a hammock.

The current housing market in the U.S. is showing signs of recovery. Prices are stabilizing and sales figures have been looking good over the last few months. The economy as a whole is picking up and the revival, though slow, is informing the decision of many prospective home owners that perhaps it's time to make a move.

A few home repairs can take a weekend or maybe an evening to complete. Add a little caulk to your bathtub, put a weatherstrip on your front door or paint a bedroom. These projects are easy for any amateur do-it-yourself homeowner. But sometimes that to-do list grows like a dandelion in early summer. And it's just as hard to knock down. This is why a home improvement loan like the FHA 203k exists: to help homeowners finance long lists of repairs and remodeling ideas.

It's always great to get an insider's view on things. It's why "Behind the Music" is such a popular show. But it's also a great to better understand an important process like buying a house. The first step in the home buying process should be mortgage pre-approval. Let's get an insider's look at the mortgage pre-approval process.

Adding a bit of color to a room can go a long way towards making it feel new. If you're normally a subdued color person, adding bright colors into the mix can make a room feel completely different, like the bedroom in this photo.

It's the perfect climate for ditching a renters nightmare. The current housing market is ripe for picking a perfect house (or a house to turn into the perfect home) and wrapping it up in a bow. With low interest rates and low home prices, buyers can find great deals and get low house payments. Another great opportunity in today's market is the fixer-upper.

If you're looking to make your house shine like it did when you first bought it, you're probably looking at using cash (if you hav it) or a home equity line of credit (if you have equity) or maybe some kind of home improvement store credit. But there's another option you may not know about: a refinance mortgage for upgrades.

As many real estate agents and Realtors know, the housing bubble bursting has made the passion for selling houses a little less enjoyable. With more homes for sale than number of people interested in buying property, many Realtors and agents must become savvier to make the sale. There may be help on the way though.