Representatives from the Indiana Department of Transportation and RW Armstrong, the engineering firm the state hired for the project, delivered that news Thursday in a meeting with leaders from Hamilton County, Carmel and Westfield.

Here are some pros and cons of using bamboo flooring in your home:

Pros:

• Proponents of bamboo claim it is harder than most hardwoods, but studies show this is yet to be a proven fact.
• Naturally colored bamboo flooring is about as hard as maple, and darker bamboo is a little softer than red oak, creating a beautiful look.
• Naturally colored bamboo has a honey blonde color creating a light, airy feel to a home. When bamboo is heated, or carbonized, the bamboo becomes darker and softer as a final product.

Price: $ 179,900   MLS # 2812372            Immaculate 4 BR, Pond front home in quiet community! The extra large covered porch invites you into the lovely tiled entry way and huge great room with a featured fireplace. Work from home in the main level den/office, or in the 2 car garage w/ a 4' ext. Spacious, adjoining breakfast room large enough for a china hutch. Bright kitchen displays an island, stainless steel appliances, smooth-top range oven and built-in micro. Travel up the lovely two-story turned stairway to the massive master bedroom with vaulted ceilings, walk-in closet & plant ledge plus master bath w/ garden tub and separate shower. All additional bedrooms have walk-in closets & neutral decor! Clean & barely lived in, this home has it all! A must see! 

XL Great Room!

Fabulous kitchen w/ island, stainless steel appliances, smooth top range, built-in micro plus adjoining breakfast room.

There were signs the Fed may believe it has done enough to prevent a deep recession.
The Fed action, after a two-day meeting, pushed the federal funds rate down to 2 percent, the lowest level since late 2004.

Should the federal government mandate a six-month moratorium on all foreclosures around the country in order to give affected homeowners a chance to “work it out?” Or are tighter lending standards self-imposed by lenders a more appropriate response to the subprime mortgage crisis? What about licensing the mortgage brokerage industry at the national level? And what about regulation of mortgage-backed securities sold on Wall Street that helped fuel the excessive lending spree of the past few years?

Imagine a world without trees. What if the rain forests, and all of the exotic plants and colorful animals that call it home, suddenly did not exist? In 1962, Gaylord Nelson decided something needed to be done to protect the environment. The work that he began led to what we now know as Earth Day.

Nelson realized very few people were concerned about environmental problems like deforestation, the destruction of trees. "For several years, it has been troubling me," Nelson wrote in a 1962 article, "that the state of the environment is simply a non-issue in the politics of our country."

First, in order to have buyers perceive your home as having "curb appeal", you need to look at your property objectively and creatively (as a buyer would) before you begin this project. Your ultimate goal is to improve the appearance and appeal of your property, have those buyers saying "WOW".

Walk to the front of your house with a pen and paper, positiion yourself where buyers would first see your home. Ask yourself, what looks good? What looks bad? Make sure your checklist includes the following: Yard-Debris, Litter, Hoses, Garbage cans, Fences tidy. Lawn-Mow, rake, edge, weed & feed. Planting area- Mulch, Water, Weed/Trim, Flowers/Pots. Trees/Shrubs- Prune, Water. Entry Area/Walks- Unclutter, Sweep/Wash, Touch-up paint, Lights work, Doorbell works. Driveway- Clear of excess vehicles/objects, Room to park, Gravel/Concrete, fill holes, Garage doors, tidy appearance. After you've made this checklist, go down and mark the items that need attention. Beside each item write down words that indicate what you might do to make this area more appealing. Use this check list as an organizational tool and a way to check your progress.

Remember, you don't have to spend a lot of money to have a nice yard! A yard that is neat, cheery and well-maintained is something that will appeal to a buyer.  And believe me, buyers will notice! Also, the strategic use of color (small annual plantings, hanging bastets, etc) and form (careful pruning, accent items liek decorative borders, trellises and shutters, etc.) can transform even a modest yard into a substantial asset.

Keep in mind the following

By Inman News, April 17, 2008