Parents Urged to Check Their Window Coverings

NEW YORK  -- The Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) is reminding parents and caregivers of the potential dangers posed by window cords, and is urging them to only use cordless window covering products in homes with young children. Owners and renters alike should replace all corded window coverings in their homes with today's safer products.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), corded window coverings are one of the top five hidden hazards in American homes, with infants and children dying each year from accidentally strangling in window cords. Some of these incidents involve older products that are still in use and do not have the safety devices or designs instituted in the past decade.  

"Parents who replace their window coverings with the cordless products available can feel more confident about their child's safety," explains WCSC Executive Director Peter Rush. 

To maximize window cord safety when young children are present, consumers are urged to follow these safety guidelines:

• Install only cordless window coverings in homes with young children. Replace corded blinds, shades and draperies with today's safer products.
• If you cannot install newer products, order a free window cord retrofit kit from www.windowcoverings.org. The installation of the retrofit kit is not intended to be a substitute for installing cordless products in homes with young children.
• Move all cribs, beds, furniture and toys away from windows and window cords, preferably to another wall.
• Ensure that all window cords are out of sight and reach, and that they are inaccessible to young children.

For more information on window cord safety in the home, visit www.windowcoverings.org. Connect with WCSC on Facebook and Twitterfor more home safety ideas, and to help pass safety on.

CORELOGIC REPORTS 4 MILLION RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES RETURNED TO POSITIVE EQUITY IN 2013

About 6.5 Million Residential Properties with a Mortgage Still in Negative Equity

IRVINE, Calif.,  — CoreLogic® (NYSE: CLGX), a leading residential property information, analytics and services provider, today released new analysis showing 4 million homes returned to positive equity in 2013, bringing the total number of mortgaged residential properties with equity to 42.7 million. The CoreLogic analysis indicates that nearly 6.5 million homes, or 13.3 percent of all residential properties with a mortgage, were still in negative equity at the end of 2013. Due to a small slowdown in the quarterly growth rate of the Home Price Index, the negative equity share was virtually unchanged from the third quarter of 2013.*

Negative equity, often referred to as “underwater” or “upside down,” means that borrowers owe more on their mortgages than their homes are worth. Negative equity can occur because of a decline in value, an increase in mortgage debt or a combination of both.

For the homes in negative equity status, the national aggregate value of negative equity was $398.4 billion for fourth quarter 2013, compared to $401.3 billion for third quarter 2013, a decrease of $2.9 billion.

Of the 42.7 million residential properties with positive equity, 10 million have less than 20-percent equity. Borrowers with less than 20-percent equity, referred to as “under-equitied,” may have a more difficult time obtaining new financing for their homes due to underwriting constraints. Under-equitied mortgages accounted for 21.1 percent of all residential properties with a mortgage nationwide in 2013, with more than 1.6 million residential properties at less than 5-percent equity, referred to as near-negative equity. Properties that are near-negative equity are considered at risk if home prices fall.

“The plight of the underwater borrower has improved dramatically since negative equity peaked in December 2009 when more than 12 million mortgaged homeowners were underwater,” said Mark Fleming, chief economist for CoreLogic. “Over the past four years, more than 5.5 million homeowners have regained equity, reducing their risk of foreclosure and unlocking pent-up supply in the housing market.”

“Stability and growth in the housing market are essential for a durable recovery of the U.S. economy,” said Anand Nallathambi, president and CEO of CoreLogic. “The rebound in home prices in 2013 helped 4 million property owners regain at least some positive equity in their largest asset—their home. We still have a long way to go to eliminate the negative equity overhang but significant progress is being made every day across most of the country.”

Highlights as of Q4 2013:

• Nevada had the highest percentage of mortgaged properties in negative equity at 30.4 percent, followed by Florida (28.1 percent), Arizona (21.5 percent), Ohio (19.0 percent) and Illinois (18.7 percent). These top five states combined account for 36.9 percent of negative equity in the United States.
• Of the 25 largest Core Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs) based on population, Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, Fla., had the highest percentage of mortgaged properties in negative equity at 31.5 percent, followed by Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Fla. (30.4 percent), Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, Ariz. (22.1 percent), Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights, Ill. (21.4 percent) and Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, Ga. (19.9 percent).
• Of the total $398 billion in negative equity, first liens without home equity loans accounted for $205 billion aggregate negative equity, while first liens with home equity loans accounted for $193 billion.
• Approximately 3.9 million upside-down borrowers hold first liens without home equity loans. The average mortgage balance for this group of borrowers is $219,000. The average underwater amount is $52,000.
• Approximately 2.6 million upside-down borrowers hold both first and second liens. The average mortgage balance for this group of borrowers is $293,000.The average underwater amount is $75,000.
• The bulk of home equity for mortgaged properties is concentrated at the high end of the housing market. For example, 92 percent of homes valued at greater than $200,000 have equity compared with 81 percent of homes valued at less than $200,000.

Record Snowstorms a Blessing in Disguise for Home Gardeners

WARMINSTER, Pa. -- While multiple winter storms continue to cause widespread disruption across the nation, garden experts at Burpee, one of America's oldest seed and plant companies, predict a silver lining. George Ball, Burpee's chairman, suggests that by providing much needed moisture for springtime plantings, and insulating perennial plants that are dormant in winter, the record snowfall will be a blessing in disguise for home gardeners.

Winter storm Titan, the 20th of the 2013-14 North American winter storm season, affected millions of people across the country earlier this week, with the heaviest snowfall in central Penn. The cold weather has not been confined to the northeast however: winter storms have reached deep into the south and Midwest to deliver significant snowfall in areas that do not normally experience it.

"A few feet of snow provide an 'igloo effect' that insulates plants and shields vulnerable root systems from potentially destructive temperature fluctuations," noted Ball.

According to Ball, a past president of the American Horticultural Society, in Washington, D.C., the deep snow cover actually helps warm hibernating plants, providing a "security blanket" that protects root crowns, and in some species, the upper root system. 

"Under a heavy snow covering, the soil can be 25 degrees warmer than the air temperature," Ball pointed out. "The thick snow covering creates a finely calibrated "drip system" that keeps plant roots underground optimally watered even in frigid conditions."

Ball advised that when the warmer weather arrives, the resulting snow melt will help keep water tables well-supplied for upcoming plantings for the 2014 home gardening season.

Make Lawn Mower Engine Tune-ups a Rite of Spring

MILWAUKEE,- The engine experts at Briggs & Stratton (NYSE: BGG) are making it easier than ever to get your lawn mower ready for spring. From a tune-up kit to an oil evacuation kit to free oil recycling, an engine tune-up for your push lawn mower engine takes only 30 minutes or less. Riding mower engines may require an oil filter or fuel filter, which could add five to 10 minutes to the job.

While many homeowners perform annual tune-ups on their lawn mower engines, there are still many across the country that don't perform this important basic small engine maintenance, putting their equipment at risk.

"Homeowners simply want their lawn mower to start when they need it for that first cut of spring and a simple tune-up can make the difference between a hassle-free start and frustrating trips for service," said Synoilva Shaw, with the Briggs & Stratton marketing department. "While the source of most starting problems is old gasoline, which goes stale in about 30 days, a tune-up can help extend the life of the mower engine and keep it running at peak performance."

Lawn Mower Tune-Up in 4 Easy Steps

Briggs & Stratton research shows that tuning up a push mower engine can reduce engine emissions by as much as 30 percent and involves just four easy steps:

1. Changing the mower oil
2. Replacing the air filter
3. Replacing the spark plug
4. Adding fuel preservative to the gasoline

Step-by-step video instructions are available online at http://www.briggsandstratton.com/us/en/support/videos.

Small Engine Tune-up Kit

A basic push mower engine tune-up kit costs under $12.99 and includes an air filter, spark plug, bottle of oil and a pouch of fuel treatment and stabilizer. A lawn tractor tune-up kit includes the same as a push mower kit with the addition of a fuel and/or oil filter and costs under $39.99. Briggs & Stratton tune-up kits are available for purchase online or at authorized Briggs & Stratton dealers and home improvement stores. 

Oil Evacuation Kits for Lawn Mowers

Two options are available for oil evacuation kits – one that removes oil only and another that removes both oil and fuel. These kits help eliminate the need for consumers to tip the mower to drain the oil during a tune-up, making it easier to change the oil and reducing the possibility of an oil spill in the garage or driveway. Oil evacuation kits costs between $23 and $31 and are available for purchase online at www.briggsandstratton.com or at authorized Briggs & Stratton dealers and home improvement stores. 

Disposing of Used Engine Oil

Participating Briggs & Stratton dealers nationwide make recycling oil easy and have recycled more than 200,000 gallons of used engine oil to date. Simply drop off your used oil in a closed container and let your dealer take care of the rest.

Look Before You Pump

Certain gasoline blends should never be used in lawn mower engines and other small gas engines. Fuel blends containing more than 10 percent ethanol, like E15 or E85 gasoline, or gasoline containing other alcohol blends can damage small gas engines. Repairs required because of the use of these unapproved gasoline blends are not covered under the Briggs & Stratton engine warranty. Look for the "Look Before You Pump" warning logo on new models or find more information from the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute atwww.opei.org.

Mortgage Rates Take a Step Back

NEW YORK, March 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Mortgage rates showed only slight movement this week, with the benchmark 30-year fixed mortgage rate inching lower for a second consecutive week to 4.45 percent, according to Bankrate.com's weekly national survey. The average 30-year fixed mortgage has an average of 0.36 discount and origination points.

To see mortgage rates in your area, go to http://www.bankrate.com/funnel/mortgages/.

The average 15-year fixed mortgage was down for a third consecutive week, to 3.46 percent, the lowest level since right beforeThanksgiving. On larger jumbo mortgages, the average 30-year rate settled at 4.49 percent. Adjustable rate mortgages were also lower, with the popular 5-year adjustable retreating to a 4-month low of 3.26 percent.

The mortgage waters have been particularly calm over the last 30 days. The disappointing economic data hasn't been so bad as to raise concerns of a sharp economic slowdown – yet – but have been just tepid enough to cast doubt on the idea of the economy suddenly accelerating. So we end up with this Goldilocks scenario of economic growth that isn't too hot, but isn't too cold, which has kept bond yields and mortgage rates in check. Mortgage rates are closely related to yields on long-term government bonds.

On May 1, 2013, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 3.52 percent. At that time, a $200,000 loan would have carried a monthly payment of $900.32. With the average rate currently at 4.45 percent, the monthly payment for the same size loan would be$1,007.44, a difference of $107 per month for anyone that waited too long.

SURVEY RESULTS

30-year fixed: 4.45% -- down from 4.48% last week (avg. points: 0.36)

15-year fixed: 3.46% -- down from 3.50% last week (avg. points: 0.24)

5/1 ARM: 3.26% -- down from 3.30% last week (avg. points: 0.23)

More Tips for First Time Home Buyers

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Irish Butter and Cheeses

What’s true Irish fare? Americans may think of potatoes or corned beef, but the answer may surprise you: it’s Irish butter and cheeses.

Evanston, Ill., — While potatoes were introduced to Ireland in the late 16th century, cattle have been in the Emerald Isle since 3,500 BC. And corned beef and cabbage, so beloved in the U.S. for St. Patrick’s Day, is believed to be an American invention.

Dairying enjoys a proud history in Ireland, where there is no industrial farming. Cows still roam free on small family farms and graze in lush Irish pastures. From this extraordinary grass-fed diet comes milk so rich in beta-carotene, it turns butter and cheeses a natural gold.

Small family farms are sustained through cooperatives made up of a vast number of small local farmers. Creameries collect the milk to turn into butter and cheeses renowned the world over, sold under the Kerrygold brand.

In the U.S., Kerrygold butter and cheeses are widely available in supermarkets and specialty stores. To get you ready for St. Patrick’s Day, try any of the following:

• Serve a cheese board of Irish cheeses, such as Dubliner, with elements of a fine Cheddar, nuttiness of a Swiss and the piquant bite of aged Parmesan; Skellig, a rich and tangy cheese with a hint of butterscotch sweetness; or Cashel Blue, a semi-soft, creamy Irish farmhouse cheese. Accompany Irish style, with chutney, toasted nuts and fruit.
• Make quick and easy Irish soda bread and slather it with silky Kerrygold Irish Butter. To learn how, check out a short video from Ireland’s most famous chef and cooking teacher, Darina Allen.
• Enda’s Ploughman’s Sandwich is inspired by the classic Irish ploughman’s lunch, a meat-and-cheese salad. In this version, the ingredients are piled onto rustic bread.
• Deirdre’s Colcannon, the classic mashed potatoes and cabbage dish, is dressed up with shredded Dubliner cheese and a pool of melted Kerrygold Irish Butter.
• Mrs. O’Sullivan’s Market Plate features an assortment of cold meats, smoked fish and Irish cheeses served with mustard, chutney and hearty brown bread.
• Peter Foyne’s Buttery Irish Potato and Apple Bake is made by sautéing potatoes and apples in Kerrygold Butter and baking with bacon.
• Clodagh’s Potato Cakes, a recipe from the popular Irish TV cooking star Clodagh McKenna, is made by frying mashed potato cakes in Kerrygold Irish Butter until golden brown. Learn how from this short video.

rvine, Calif., — CoreLogic® (NYSE: CLGX), a leading residential property information, analytics and services provider, today released its January CoreLogic Home Price Index (HPI®) report. Home prices nationwide, including distressed sales, increased 12 percent in January 2014 compared to January 2013. This change represents 23 months of consecutive year-over-year increases in home prices nationally. On a month-over-month basis, home prices nationwide, including distressed sales, increased by 0.9 percent in January 2014 compared to December 2013.*

At the state level, including distressed sales, Louisiana, Nebraska and Texas surpassed their previous home price peaks in January 2014. In all, 22 states and the District of Columbia are at or within 10 percent of their peak home price appreciation. Additionally, over the past year, seven states equaled or grew faster than the nation as a whole, including Nevada, California, Oregon, Michigan, Georgia, Arizona and Florida.

Excluding distressed sales, home prices nationally increased 9.8 percent in January 2014 compared to January 2013 and 0.7 percent month over month compared to December 2013.  Distressed sales include short sales and real estate owned (REO) transactions.

The CoreLogic Pending HPI indicates that February 2014 home prices, including distressed sales, are projected to increase 12.5 percent year over year from February 2013. On a month-over-month basis, home prices are expected to increase 0.7 percent from January 2014 to February 2014. Excluding distressed sales, February 2014 home prices are poised to rise 10.4 percent year over year from February 2013 and 1.1 percent month over month from January 2014. The CoreLogic Pending HPI is a proprietary and exclusive metric that provides the most current indication of trends in home prices. It is based on Multiple Listing Service (MLS) data that measures price changes for the most recent month.

“Polar vortices and a string of snow storms did not manage to weaken house price appreciation in January,” said Dr. Mark Fleming, chief economist for CoreLogic. “The last time January month-over-month and year-over-year price appreciation was this strong was at the height of the housing bubble in 2006.”

“Home prices continued to march higher in January and we expect to see more increases as the market comes out of hibernation for the spring buying season,” said Anand Nallathambi, president and CEO of CoreLogic. “Excluding distressed sales, all 50 states and the District of Columbia showed year-over-year home price appreciation for January.”

Highlights as of January 2014:

• Including distressed sales, the five states with the highest home price appreciation were Nevada (+22.2 percent), California (+20.3 percent), Oregon (+14.3 percent), Michigan (+13.7 percent) and Georgia (+13.4 percent).
• Including distressed sales, only Mississippi (-0.3 percent) posted home price depreciation in January 2014.
• Excluding distressed sales, the five states with the highest home price appreciation were Nevada (+17.2 percent), California (+16.0 percent), Florida (+12.7 percent), Arizona (+11.5 percent) and Oregon (+11.4 percent).
• Excluding distressed sales, no states posted home price depreciation in January.
• Including distressed transactions, the peak-to-current change in the national HPI (from April 2006 to January 2014) was -17.3 percent. Excluding distressed transactions, the peak-to-current change in the HPI for the same period was -13.3 percent.
• The five states with the largest peak-to-current declines, including distressed transactions, were Nevada (-40.1 percent), Florida (-36.4 percent), Arizona (-30.8 percent), Rhode Island (-30.5 percent) and West Virginia (-28.9 percent).
• Ninety-seven of the top 100 Core Based Statistical Areas** (CBSAs) measured by population showed year-over-year increases in January 2014. The three CBSAs that did not show an increase were New Haven-Milford, CT, Philadelphia, PA. and Rochester, NY.

CoreLogic Reports Home Prices Rise by 12 Percent Year Over Year in January

Louisiana, Nebraska and Texas Reach New State Highs for Home Prices

Irvine, Calif.-- CoreLogic® (NYSE: CLGX), a leading residential property information, analytics and services provider, today released its January CoreLogic Home Price Index (HPI®) report. Home prices nationwide, including distressed sales, increased 12 percent in January 2014 compared to January 2013. This change represents 23 months of consecutive year-over-year increases in home prices nationally. On a month-over-month basis, home prices nationwide, including distressed sales, increased by 0.9 percent in January 2014 compared to December 2013.*

At the state level, including distressed sales, Louisiana, Nebraska and Texas surpassed their previous home price peaks in January 2014. In all, 22 states and the District of Columbia are at or within 10 percent of their peak home price appreciation. Additionally, over the past year, seven states equaled or grew faster than the nation as a whole, including Nevada, California, Oregon, Michigan, Georgia, Arizona and Florida.

Excluding distressed sales, home prices nationally increased 9.8 percent in January 2014 compared to January 2013 and 0.7 percent month over month compared to December 2013.  Distressed sales include short sales and real estate owned (REO) transactions.

The CoreLogic Pending HPI indicates that February 2014 home prices, including distressed sales, are projected to increase 12.5 percent year over year from February 2013. On a month-over-month basis, home prices are expected to increase 0.7 percent from January 2014 to February 2014. Excluding distressed sales, February 2014 home prices are poised to rise 10.4 percent year over year from February 2013 and 1.1 percent month over month from January 2014. The CoreLogic Pending HPI is a proprietary and exclusive metric that provides the most current indication of trends in home prices. It is based on Multiple Listing Service (MLS) data that measures price changes for the most recent month.

“Polar vortices and a string of snow storms did not manage to weaken house price appreciation in January,” said Dr. Mark Fleming, chief economist for CoreLogic. “The last time January month-over-month and year-over-year price appreciation was this strong was at the height of the housing bubble in 2006.”

“Home prices continued to march higher in January and we expect to see more increases as the market comes out of hibernation for the spring buying season,” said Anand Nallathambi, president and CEO of CoreLogic. “Excluding distressed sales, all 50 states and the District of Columbia showed year-over-year home price appreciation for January.”

Highlights as of January 2014:

• Including distressed sales, the five states with the highest home price appreciation were Nevada (+22.2 percent), California (+20.3 percent), Oregon (+14.3 percent), Michigan (+13.7 percent) and Georgia (+13.4 percent).
• Including distressed sales, only Mississippi (-0.3 percent) posted home price depreciation in January 2014.
• Excluding distressed sales, the five states with the highest home price appreciation were Nevada (+17.2 percent), California (+16.0 percent), Florida (+12.7 percent), Arizona (+11.5 percent) and Oregon (+11.4 percent).
• Excluding distressed sales, no states posted home price depreciation in January.
• Including distressed transactions, the peak-to-current change in the national HPI (from April 2006 to January 2014) was -17.3 percent. Excluding distressed transactions, the peak-to-current change in the HPI for the same period was -13.3 percent.
• The five states with the largest peak-to-current declines, including distressed transactions, were Nevada (-40.1 percent), Florida (-36.4 percent), Arizona (-30.8 percent), Rhode Island (-30.5 percent) and West Virginia (-28.9 percent).
• Ninety-seven of the top 100 Core Based Statistical Areas** (CBSAs) measured by population showed year-over-year increases in January 2014. The three CBSAs that did not show an increase were New Haven-Milford, CT, Philadelphia, PA. and Rochester, NY.

Tips for Making a Strong Offer