The Economy
Layoffs continue but unemployment seems to have plateau'd around 6.5% in our area. Home-prices also seem to be steadying out. The media is reporting dropping home prices with the Case-Shiller® index being used to prove this fact. However, this measurement looks at the price of the middle of homes sold and not the comparison of values of any one home re-sold.
It's true that the homes sold are the majority below $200,000 and some 40+% are bank-foreclosures which skews the data. The good-condition standard-sale homes are still selling very close to the price they sold at one year ago in most areas of the Twin Cities.

Near-Term Predictions
Unemployment and not-so-great stock market performance will likely continue to haunt the economy thru the remainder of 2009 and possibly into 2010. However, for those willing to purchase a home at a good price and interest rate in this buyer's market, I think will see a good return-on-investment if they're willing to hang onto the home for a minumum of seven years.

Assumable Mortgages and Low Interest Rates
If they purchase a home using an assumable VA or FHA mortgage, even better because in seven years when interest rates are 8.5% (or some amount much higher than current rates), their investment will be in even higher demand as people can assume their current mortgage for a very attractive interest rate and low closing costs.

Spring Cleaning

It's time for spring cleaning, why not join the green movement and use some natural cleaners around your home?

Lemon Juice
An acidic cleaner that works well on many surfaces but be careful on granite, marble and tile that may be damaged by contact with acids. A great cleaning and deodorizing solution, especially in the bathroom. Use lemon juice on hard-water stains, soap scum, even rust stains in the shower, tub, and toilet. Mix lemon juice with salt to remove stubborn stains from coffee pots. Or you can mix lemon juice with baking soda for a softer, paste-like cleaning solution. Add a little to olive oil for an effective wood polish. Blend it with water to make a potent air freshener.

Baking soda
Makes a great, simple but effective cleaner.
- deoderize your refrigerator by placing an open box in the fridge and hte freezer
- mix with warm water for an inexpensive mildly abrasive cleaner for tubs, sinks, etc.
- mix with warm water for a simple drain cleaner and disposal deoderizer. Add some vinegar for those more difficult drain clogs
- mix 1c with 2T corn starch and sprinkle on carpet to freshen up a room

Vinegar
Don't be fooled by the smell. White vinegar is actually a deodorizer and a disinfectant. Plus, when diluted in equal parts of water, it also makes is a great all-purpose cleaner. Avoid using vinegar solutions on marble or grout, but it's perfect for all of the other surfaces in the kitchen and bathroom.

Cornstarch
Another great natural deodorizer, cornstarch also makes an effective glass and surface cleaner. Plus, you can combine 2 tbsp of cornstarch with 3/4 cup of baking soda for an inexpensive carpet freshener.

Borax
Also known as sodium borate, borax is best known as a hard-water laundry soap, but it also cleans wallpaper, painted walls, and other painted surfaces. This versatile, naturally-occurring mineral also preserves cut flowers and can be used to repel roaches and other bugs without toxic fumes or chemicals that can harm the environment. Borax can be an irritant, so protect your eyes and hands, and, of course, do not ingest it.