by Alan Lipka
I do not consider myself the adventurous type. Quite honestly, going to the movies qualifies as a risky venture for me. So how in heaven’s name could I ever have found myself in three different countries in three consecutive days and poised to walk across mountain, meseta (plateau in Spain) and countryside to [...]

Visions of sun-drenched white-sand beaches permeate thoughts of Florida. Millions flock to Florida each year for vacation or retirement. So many, in fact, that it has changed the perception of Florida into a concrete jungle with congested freeways and beaches. However, you can still experience the Florida of yesteryear in Florida’s “Nature Coast.”
In 1867, World [...]

Chances are you haven’t considered Delaware as a retirement destination—but, maybe you should. U.S. News and World Report recently named Delaware as one of the ten most affordable places to retire on the water. And, it’s closer than you think. When compared to southern retirement hot spots, Delaware is a relatively short drive from the [...]

• How much can I afford?
Get pre-approved for a mortgage. This involves getting your credit report and FICO scores and investigating the type of mortgage that’s best for you. Shop around for the best rates and programs.
• What kind of home do I want (the ‘wish list’)? What kind of home do I need?
Make a [...]

In the days after the recent historic U.S. presidential election, two words were etched in the minds of many Americans: hope and change. Those same two words best describe the psyche of today’s real estate agents and developers, many of whom are hopeful the housing market will finally change for the better in 2009.
National Association [...]

When buyers have the upper hand due to a large inventory of homes on the market, it’s essential that sellers prepare properly. Taking the time to craft a smart sales plan that involves a little extra effort can yield healthy financial returns, even in a less-than-stellar market.
Here are some ways to maximize your home’s profit potential:
Price It [...]

In their everlasting and sometimes exhausting quest to consistently provide homebuyers with the most innovative, attractive and functional product, Linger Longer Homes has again set the bar high with Ideal Living magazine’s 2009 Ideal Home. Based on Linger Longer Homes’ most popular signature home plan, the Ideal Living Home took all aspects of this attractive [...]

1. Innovations in Custom Cabinetry
You can judge a book by its cover: ALNO cabinets are as beautiful on the inside as they are on the outside. One of their new storage solutions is refined wood inserts in smoked oak for drawers of any width.
www.ALNO.com
2. ThermaSol Steam Showers Convert Residential Baths into World-Class Spas
Rejuvenate yourself in [...]

1. Hand Carved Garden Benches by Stone Forest
An indispensable element for enjoying the garden on a particularly splendid day, the garden bench has been given an extra dose of style. Now in an array of different designs and intriguing natural materials like basalt, travertine and even sustainable hardwood—a good bench can transform any area from drab [...]

If you are searching for your ideal home in your ideal destination, look no further. Master-planned communities changed the housing market when they began to be developed more than 50 years ago. The most popular and desirable new homes today are being built within master-planned communities. Tour top amenity communities in the Southeast by exploring [...]

Dear EarthTalk: With plug-in hybrid and electric cars due to hit the roads sometime soon, will there be places to plug them in besides at home? And if so, how much will it cost to re-charge?
Nicole Koslowsky, Pompano Beach, FL
Gasoline-electric hybrids, like the Toyota Prius, are all the rage due to their fuel efficiency, and [...]

Within recent years, green building has become a hot topic among environmentalists and the general public alike. Low-energy appliances, solar roofing and even recycled fabrics have become part of the common parlance—but what about recycled pilings and bridge materials? That’s where Waff Contracting, Inc. comes in. They’ve created a unique niche in today’s green economy by [...]

“Boomeritis” is a term I learned several years ago while reading an article about baby boomers. Since our generation ushered in the exercise craze, it should have been no surprise to learn that boomers were getting arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis, and many other “itis” type conditions.
According to www.medterms.com the proper definition is as follows:
Boomeritis: Injuries to [...]

We’ve all heard it before… “Now is the time to buy.” At Ideal Living, we believe it. Our second annual Parade of Ideal Homes features the homes and values that exist within top communities from around the South. These pages are merely snapshots of what the communities have to offer. This year, Ideal Living has [...]

1. Sophisticated beauty
Made Goods celebrates sophisticated beauty, bringing together the unique and the unexpected. Taking cues from diverse influences, they have created a line of stunning mirrors that include a wide range of styles. The result of eclectic inspirations, unexpected materials, distinct aesthetics and diverse production techniques, Made Goods’ products are home décor that [...]