Pest control refers to the regulation or management of another species defined as a pest, usually because it is believed to be detrimental to a person's health, the ecology or the economy.

Pest control is at least as old as agriculture. In order to maximize food production, it can be economically advantageous to protect crops from competing species of plants, as well as from herbivores competing with humans.

The conventional approach was probably the first to be employed, since it is comparatively easy to destroy weeds by burning them or plowing them under, and to kill larger competing herbivores, such as crows and other birds eating seeds. Techniques such as crop rotation, companion planting, also known as intercropping or mixed cropping, and the selective breeding of pest-resistant cultivars also have a long history.

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RealEstateJournal.com Residential Real Estate News

Mortgage Relief Programs Aren't Helping Much
Tue, 08 Apr 2008 04:00:00 -0000
Up until now, state efforts to help distressed homeowners refinance have had negligible results. A new federal bill may give them additional tools.
Condo-Hotel Buyers See Investments Sour
Tue, 08 Apr 2008 04:00:00 -0000
Many investors who purchased condo hotel rooms during the real-estate boom are wishing they hadn't. Some frustrated owners are bringing these projects to the attention of regulators.
Five Questions to Ask Before Remodeling
Tue, 08 Apr 2008 04:00:00 -0000
Before you redo your home make sure you know how big a renovation you can afford and how long you will remain in your residence.
States Move Fast On Mortgage Aid
Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:00:00 -0000
Local governments are acting more aggressively to help homeowners avoid foreclosure, frustrated by what they view as the federal government's inadequate response to the mortgage crisis.
FHA Loans Grow Costly As Banks Add Fees
Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:00:00 -0000
Lenders that make loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration are adding costs and restrictions that make those mortgages more expensive for consumers and less widely available.
Selling History By the Square Foot
Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:00:00 -0000
In a backlash against vinyl-clad McMansions developers are creating communities with houses that look like they were built centuries ago, but with modern trappings.

Unstructured: Editor's Blog of AOL Real Estate

Power of Staging
Fri, 04 Apr 2008 19:20:24 -0000
Washington Post Profiles Professional StagerWhile professional stager Lyric Turner admits that she's making less money as a professional stager, she's having a lot more fun doing it.Anyone who has a flair for color and spacing can be a potential stager, but there's no Coldwell Banker of staging or Bachelor's Degree of staging that you can get that will give you credibility. Either you can do it or you can't. Certainly a few months as a regular real estate agent might help you establish some street cred in the marketplace, but no certification is required.Ms. Turner generally charges $5,000 to $6,000 for two months to stage a vacant three bedroom house. Considering that most people are probably looking at a $10K reduction in price if they can't find a buyer, that money is most likely well worth it. She also does consultations for as little as $250.At the same time, I've noticed on HGTV's "Get It Sold", they generally reduce the price first and then stage the home, so it seems like a bit of a bait and switch -- but sellers who have given it a shot on their own are probably likely to try almost anything to get their homes sold. However, on that show, they are usually spending $1,000 or so, so it's not really costing the buyers anything, and on at least a few shows, I've seen a bidding war break out, so they end up getting higher than the list price.  Staging also seems to be more effective in condos and town homes that are basically the same. If you are looking to sell your home for top dollar, you may want to ask your agent about working with a stager, or see if one of your friends is an aspiring stager. Maybe they can reorganize your space for free and start building their own portfolio.For More on Staging Your Home. Tags: staging, dc, real estate
Two Years of Housing Doom
Sun, 01 Jun 2008 16:06:45 -0000
Housing Doom Blog Celebrates Two Year AnniversaryFor you johnny-come-latelies of the housing "correction," these guys have been covering it day and day out for the past two years. Not sure what the exit strategy is for a blog called Housing Doom, but maybe they are buying all these foreclosure properties cheap and just keeping their fingers crossed.A dedicated blog team that deserves more recognition.Tags: housingdoom, anniversaries, real estate
Power of the Suburbs
Sun, 01 Jun 2008 16:01:29 -0000
Economist Looks at Levittown, Strength of the U.S. SuburbsThought this was an interest "briefing" by our friends across the Atlantic at the Economist and their increasingly U.S. based readership. Particularly this chart, which shows that the almost absurd level of growth in the suburbs from 2000 to 2006. Defying stereotypes about "houses made of ticky tacky" you can see the large influx of diversity. What is not shown, but is mentioned in the article, is the influx of same-sex couples into the suburbs. "Between 1990 and 2006 the city of Chicago added 50,000 residents, reversing a long decline. Not bad -- but in the same period the sprawling metropolis outside the city proper grew by well over a million."While you may hear a lot about how great downtown living is, or how cities are offering more of the modern conveniences, at least until now, that has really not been the case in most American cities. However, was surprised the Economist did not take the story one step further, and examine how the rising gas prices and foreclosures may hurt the suburbs more than the cities, by making proximity to public transportation more compelling. While foreclosures may be an inconvenience in a city like Boston or New York, they are devastating to suburban markets such as Stockton, Ca., and other Western exurbs. So, while this article did a great job of showing the power of suburbs in the last half decade, one can only wonder if things are already changing, or will it just be more of the same.Tags: suburbs, real estate, economist aoljurlAdd, aoljurlAdd_1

HUD Press Releases

HUD SECRETARY AND MAYOR MCCRORY ANNOUNCE $10 MILLION LOAN GUARANTEE TO CHARLOTTE
Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:00:00 -0000
WASHINGTON - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Steve Preston today announced that he is approving a $10 million loan guarantee to the City of Charlotteto purchase 70 acres in the Double Oaks neighborhood. This purchase will complete the site assembly of 98 acres in preparation for the eventual development of 108,000 square feet of retail space and 940 new apartments, condominiums and single-family homes.
HUD AWARDS $19.3 MILLION IN HIV/AIDS HOUSING GRANTS TO 18 LOCAL PROGRAMS NATIONWIDE
Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:00:00 -0000
WASHINGTON - They are extremely low-income, living with HIV/AIDS and at high risk of homelessness. Today, more than 1,100 persons and their families will find a stable home, and receive the services they need to manage their illnesses, because of $19.3 million in grants awarded by Housing and Urban Development Secretary Steve Preston.
SECRETARY PRESTON AND GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER ANNOUNCE $105 MILLION FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN CALIFORNIA
Fri, 15 Aug 2008 12:00:00 -0000
WASHINGTON - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Steve Preston and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced that the California State Program will receive more than $105 million to support community development and produce more affordable housing in the GoldenState. HUD's annual funding will also provide downpayment assistance to first-time homebuyers; assist individuals and families who might otherwise be living on the streets; and offer real housing solutions for individuals with HIV/AIDS.
HUD AWARDS $1.4 MILLION GRANT TO L.A. TO 'CONNECT' PERSONS LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS WITH PERMANENT HOUSINGT
Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:00:00 -0000
LOS ANGELES - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Steve Preston today announced that the City of Los Angeles will receive $1.4 million to provide a permanent home to dozens of persons living with HIV/AIDS and their families. HUD's grant will help clients find a stable home and receive the services they need to manage their illnesses. Preston made the announcement following a tour of Laguna Senior Apartments that also provides supportive housing to low-income senior citizens living with HIV/AIDS.
HUD CHARGES NEW YORK LANDLORDS WITH DISCRIMINATING AGAINST A DISABLED RESIDENT
Tue, 12 Aug 2008 12:00:00 -0000
WASHINGTON - The U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced today that is has charged the owners and board of directors of an apartment building in Rockville Center, New York, with housing discrimination for refusing to allow a woman with disabilities to keep a pet for emotional support.

PopularMechanics.com - Home Journal: How Your House Works

Roof Repair Basics: How Your House Works
Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400
The common denominator in all roofing is that several layers work together as a system. Understanding how this system works can help you talk knowledgeably with a contractor, or help you make buying decisions to do your own work.
How Your House Works: Insulation
Thu, 14 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0400
Holy R-value, batt-man! The war between heat, cold and moisture inside your walls. Presented By:   Ads by Pheedo
The Distinctive Modular Home
Thu, 27 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0400
The new house at 310 W. Lake Avenue in Auburndale, Fla. has "custom-built" written all over it, but it was created in 90 days...far shorter than the eight months it should have taken. We chronicle the construction of Country Living's 2006 House of the Year, a jewel that showcases the fact that modular homes have finally arrived.

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