Rooms with a View: 10 Top Hotels & Inns

Check In, Kick Back

By Carrie Havranek

Maho Bay Camps Eco Resort

Photo: Chad Windham Photography

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Every traveler hopes to score a hotel room with a view, but there's no need to leave it to chance. Each of these hotels, inns, and vacation rentals comes with unbelievable views of oceans, lakes, mountains, forests, or skylines.

St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands

What: Maho Bay Camps Eco Resort

Where: St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands

The Details: Established in 1976, this resort has been green from the get-go. A tent cottage gives you priceless Caribbean views at a fraction of the cost.

Rooms and Rates: From $135 per night for two people in high season (Dec. 15-April 30); Concordia Eco-Tents start at $155 and $185 per night.

More Info: tel. 800/392-9004; www.maho.org

Penthouse suite patio at the Andaz Hotel

Photo: Courtesy Andaz Hotel

Los Angeles, California

What: Andaz West Hollywood

Where: West Hollywood, California

The Details: From the Andaz West Hollywood hotel on the Sunset Strip, you can see the Hollywood Hills, the Pacific Ocean, and downtown Los Angeles. The penthouse suite has floor-to-ceiling windows that let it all in.

Rooms and Rates: Andaz View rooms are from $425 per night; the penthouse suite starts at $1,660 per night.

More Info: tel. 877/875-5036; www.westhollywood.andaz.hyatt.com

Queen's Garden Resort, Saba

Photo: Courtesy Queen's Garden Resort

Saba

What: Queen's Gardens Resort

Where: Saba

The Details: Poised 1,200 feet above sea level, Queen's Gardens Resort is the only four-star resort on the isolated island of Saba in the Caribbean. There's only one way around the island, called "The Road." The intimate resort feels like you're staying in the owner's guesthouse. Rooms and Rates: Stay in one of the resort's 10 suites, from $364 per night for the Majesty Romance package. The deal -- valid Feb. 1-Oct. 1, 2011 -- includes the use of an in-room Jacuzzi, an in-room breakfast, a picnic lunch for a rain forest hike, and airport transfers.

More Info: tel. 599/416-3494; www.queensaba.com

View from the Shangri-La Hotel

Photo: Shangri-La Hotel

Paris, France

What: Shangri-La

Where: Paris, France

The Details: Built in 1896 as the home of Prince Roland Bonaparte, the Shangri-La offers views fit for royalty. From your room at this palatial hotel on Chaillot Hill, it's impossible to miss the Eiffel Tower and the Seine. Your room may also look out toward some of the neighborhood's 19 buildings designed by French architect Hector Guimard, recognizable for their quintessentially French cast-iron balconies.

Rooms and Rates: 40 percent of the rooms and 60 percent of the suites offer a direct view of the Tower and the Seine, from €750 (about $1,027) per night.

More Info: tel. 866/565-5050; www.shangri-la.com

View at InterContinental Bora Bora Resort

Photo: InterContinental Bora Bora Resort

Bora Bora, French Polynesia

What: InterContinental Bora Bora Resort and Thalasso Spa

Where: Bora Bora, French Polynesia

The Details: This luxury resort, on a beach along the eastern side of Bora Bora, is accessible only by boat. Its 80 overwater bungalows bring the ocean to your feet; you can step from your deck right into the lagoon.

Rooms and Rates: Off-season rates start at 99,800 French Polynesia Francs (about $1,137).

More Info: tel. 800/424-6835; www.ichotelsgroup.com

Hot tub at The Falls at Reed's Island

Photo: Courtesy of HomeAway.com

Hilo, Hawaii

What: The Falls at Reed's Island

Where: Hilo, Hawaii

The Details: While you soak in a hot tub in this secluded house on the Big Island, you can admire the rain forest and waterfalls outside your window. The house rental, which sleeps up to six people, is already booked through Valentine's Day, but it's not too early to reserve it for your next vacation.

Rooms and Rates: $295 per night for 2-3 nights; $275 per night for 4-5 nights; $245 per night if you book 6 nights or more.

More Info: tel. 877/228-3145; www.homeaway.com

View from Cavallo Point Lodge

Photo: Kodiak Greenwood / Cavallo Point Lodge

San Francisco, California

What: Cavallo Point -- The Lodge at the Golden Gate

Where: San Francisco, California

The Details: Set at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge, this luxury lodge offers panoramic vistas of the Marin Headlands and San Francisco Bay.

Rooms and Rates: Ask for a contemporary king or junior suite with a view, from $495 per night.

More Info: tel. 415/339-4700; www.cavallopoint.com

Lobby of the Edgewater Hotel in Seattle

Photo: Courtesy Edgewater Hotel

Seattle, Washington

What: Edgewater Hotel

Where: Seattle, Washington

The Details: Celebrities have stayed at the Edgewater Hotel, which provides panoramic views of the Olympic Mountains and the Seattle skyline. Rooms are outfitted with hand-carved pine furniture and custom bedding.

Rooms and Rates: Waterfront rooms from $339 per night; waterfront premium rooms with panoramic views from $399 per night.

More Info: tel. 800/624-0670; www.edgewaterhotel.com

Hotel Sofitel Vienna Stephansdom

Photo: Vincent Thibert

Vienna, Austria

What: Sofitel Vienna Stephansdom

Where: Vienna, Austria

The Details: This glass-and-steel hotel towers over St. Stephen's Gothic Cathedral and the rest of the city. The 182-room hotel, which just opened in Dec. 2010, is expected to unveil its spa and fitness center this spring.

Rooms and Rates: A Superior Room from $307 per night; a Prestige Suite from $720 per night.

More Info: tel. +43/1/906160; www.sofitel.com

Skyline from Sheraton Lincoln Harbor

Photo: Michael Kleinberg/Sheraton Lincoln Harbor

Weehawken, New Jersey

What: Sheraton Lincoln Harbor

Where: Weehawken, New Jersey

The Details: The Sheraton Lincoln Harbor offers city views without the New York City prices. Relax at this recently renovated hotel, where many of the 346 suite-size rooms have unobstructed skyline views. Located on the New Jersey waterfront, the hotel is a short ferry ride from Manhattan.

Rooms and Rates: Ask for a room with a Manhattan view, from $165; non-city views start at $149. Guests who stay four nights or more receive 20 percent off their stay.

More Info: tel. 800/325-3535; www.starwoodhotels.com

See more of the Rooms with a View at Frommers.com

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10 Bargain Retirement Spots

by Emily Brandon, US News
Saturday, February 26, 2011

Declining home values can be devastating for homeowners. But falling home prices can create bargains for newcomers to the area. Retirees may now be able to afford homes in places they were priced out of only a year ago.

U.S. News used our best places to retire search tool, powered by data from Onboard Informatics, to find the places where home prices are falling fast. Average home sale prices have declined by at least 45 percent between 2009 and 2010 in every city on our list. To add geographic diversity, we restricted the list to one city per state.

Housing prices are declining fastest in Portland, Ore. (-92 percent), Tallahassee, Fla. (-91 percent), and Tucson, Ariz. (-88 percent). These big cities also offer plenty of affordable entertainment options for seniors. Free things to do in Portland include hiking in the nearly 5,000-acre Forest Park and strolling among the 7,000 rose bushes at the International Rose Test Garden.

Seniors in Tallahassee can stargaze at the Challenger Learning Center Planetarium, explore the 68,000-acre St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, or visit the reconstructed Spanish colonial Mission San Luis, all for $5 or less. "There's a nice focus on cultural things and the standard of living is very high," says Charlton Prather, 82, a retired physician and former director of the Florida state health department about Tallahassee. He now volunteers at the Mission San Luis, sometimes posing as a blacksmith in a reenactment of the year 1692, and enjoys fishing. "There are lots of lakes within an easy distance of here and we find them a great source of entertainment and food," Prather says.

There are even bigger bargains to be found in some smaller cities. The average home price in Weatherford, Texas, a suburb of Fort Worth, was just $131,586 in 2010. And in Delaware's state capital city, Dover, home prices have fallen 66 percent since 2009 to an average price of $168,805 in 2010. "I wanted to be near Dover because there is less congestion and everything is more easygoing," says Peggy Urso-Savarese, 64, who moved from Rutherford, N.J., to the suburbs of Dover, Del., when she retired for her marketing manager position in 2009. "There's also a lot of things to do. Everything is in very close proximity." Urso-Savarese now volunteers at the Biggs Museum of American Art twice a week.

A few of these affordable retirement spots are located just outside of more expensive cities. Cathedral City, Calif., where average home prices have fallen 85 percent since 2009, to $182,076, is located just 15 minutes from Palm Springs. This city named for its majestic canyons is surrounded by golf courses and boasts year-round warm weather.

Likewise, the planned community of St. Charles, Md., is an affordable suburb of Washington, D.C. While Washington home sale prices climbed 110 percent to an average of $940,992 in 2010, housing prices in St. Charles declined 46 percent to an average of $245,191 during the same time period. "Being a military retiree, I like the closeness to the military bases and the military hospitals here," says Fred Scott, 62, who retired from the air force in 1989 and then spent 20 years working for the postal service. "I really don't like the traffic and parking garages in D.C., but in St. Charles it's much easier to get around because there is plenty of free parking everywhere right outside the door."

Not every place on this list will feel affordable to all newcomers. In the most expensive place on this list, Wahiawa, Hawaii, the average home sale price was an expensive $331,498 in 2010. But that's 82 percent less than homes sold for in this Oahu island city in 2009. Each of these places also offers recreation facilities and amenities for seniors that provide a good value for your housing dollars.

Check out these 10 places where average home sale prices are falling fast:

Portland, Ore.
Average home sale price in 2010: $270,418
Average home sale appreciation between 2009 and 2010: -91.5 percen

Tallahassee, Fla.
Average home sale price in 2010: $220,135
Average home sale appreciation between 2009 and 2010: -91.48 percent

Tucson, Ariz.
Average home sale price in 2010: $147,731
Average home sale appreciation between 2009 and 2010: -88.06

Wake Forest, N.C.
Average home sale price in 2010: $240,801
Average home sale appreciation between 2009 and 2010: -87.53 percent

Cathedral City, Calif.
Average home sale price in 2010: $182,076
Average home sale appreciation between 2009 and 2010: -85.16 percent

Wahiawa, Hawaii
Average home sale price in 2010: $331,498
Average home sale appreciation between 2009 and 2010: -82.13 percent

Weatherford, Texas
Average home sale price in 2010: $131,586
Average home sale appreciation between 2009 and 2010: -77.83 percent

Dover, Del.
Average home sale price in 2010: $168,805
Average home sale appreciation between 2009 and 2010: -66.26 percent

Sycamore, Ill.
Average home sale price in 2010: $168,053
Average home sale appreciation between 2009 and 2010: -48.49 percent

St. Charles, Md.
Average home sale price in 2010: $245,191
Average home sale appreciation between 2009 and 2010: -45.66 percent

Posted via email from Duane's Proposterous Posterous

Should You Pay Off the House?

by Lisa Gibbs, Money Magazine
Saturday, February 26, 2011

When there was easy money to be made in real estate and stocks, mortgage debt seemed like nothing to fear. Now an increasing number of homeowners are wondering if it makes sense to hasten the day they can say goodbye to a big monthly expense while earning the equivalent of a decent, guaranteed return.

"I'm hearing this question more now that clients aren't feeling as comfortable about the market," says Los Angeles area financial planner Eileen Freiburger.

Maybe you're part of a young family, and whittling down your loan balance seems like a sound strategy. Or maybe you're counting down to retirement (perhaps even already kicking back), have only a few years of payments left, and are wondering if you should just knock off the balance.

But if you're thinking of such a move, you're also well aware that mortgage interest is tax-deductible -- and if history is any guide, putting money into stocks will earn you a higher return over the long haul than putting it into real estate.

The answers to the questions below can help you determine your best course of action.

Do you have more pressing financial needs?

Anyone who has credit card debt or isn't maxing out her 401(k) should make those the priority. You should also have at least six months' worth of living expenses in cash.

A few years ago you would have been able to pull money out of your home quickly if, say, you lost your job. Now that lenders have tightened up, that's not so easy.

Retirees and near-retirees contemplating a lump-sum payoff need to ensure they have enough liquid savings to handle emergencies such as unexpected medical expenses, especially because it's hard to tap equity on homes without first mortgages.

And you shouldn't pull money out of your IRA to pay off your home loan, since the IRA funds will be taxed at ordinary income rates.

How long do you plan to stay?

If you plan to trade up to a larger home or downsize to a smaller one within five years, it doesn't make sense to put extra money into your mortgage. The real estate market may be shaky for a while longer, and "you don't want to tie up your cash in your home and then not be able to sell," says La Jolla, Calif., financial planner Christopher Van Slyke.

What do you really gain from the interest tax deduction?

Assuming you itemize your deductions, you can find out what you save by multiplying the mortgage interest you paid last year by your tax rate (federal plus state). A couple in the 28% tax bracket, with a $200,000 loan at 5%, for example, will save $2,781 in taxes the first year of a loan.

Your tax savings decline the further you get into the loan, as more money is applied toward principal.

For many retirees and near-retirees close to the end of the mortgage, the interest deduction is not a reason to avoid paying off the loan, especially since retirees often end up in a lower tax bracket, says planner Peter Canniff of Nashua, N.H.

How would you otherwise invest the money?

Put your money into stocks and bonds and you're likely to get a higher return over the long run than you would paying off your home loan, given today's low rates.

If you itemize, you can calculate your effective return by multiplying your mortgage rate and your tax rate, then subtracting the answer from your mortgage rate (you can do this with the mortgage tax-deduction calculator at bankrate.com/calculators.aspx).

So for someone in the 28% tax bracket with a 5% mortgage, the effective rate of return on paying off the mortgage is 3.6%. By comparison, a 50/50 stock/bond portfolio has historically earned 8.2% long term, though it's sensible to expect future returns to be a more modest 6%.

Still, if you're very skittish about the market or are a retiree keeping a big chunk of money in low-earning CDs, you might do better by losing the loan, given that the average five-year CD is paying just 1.6%.

"For retirees, it's hard to beat the guaranteed return," says Anthony Webb, an economist at Boston College's Center for Retirement Research.

Will being debt-free help you sleep better?

In that case, you might be willing to forgo the extra return you could earn in the market. "Less stress, less worry," says Orlando-area planner Brian Fricke. "Sometimes that matters more than the math."

Posted via email from Duane's Proposterous Posterous

Affordable Luxury Bath Upgrades - 2/25 Money Pit e-Newsletter

The Money Pit e-Newsletter is made possible by: It’s the one room in your house where you spend time EVERY single day. Unfortunately, sometimes the bathroom is an afterthought where design takes a backseat to function. But if you really want to create a resort-like experience in your own home, the bath may be the best place to start. For less than $200, you can upgrade your toilet so it’s the best seat in the house. You can do-it-yourself, but you don’t have to do it alone. Luxury Toilet Upgrades Under $200 You spend a lot of time there every day – so why not make it one of the most comfortable spots in your home? Here are some luxury toilet upgrades you can enjoy immediately for under $200. read more Lead Safe: Replace Old Windows to Avoid Hazards Lead paint is dangerous, especially to children. If your home was built before 1978 and you still have the original windows, you may have lead paint. It’s time to seriously consider replacing your windows -- especially if you have young ones or a pregnant woman living in the home. read more Front Entry Upgrade: Smart Investment That Adds Value A front entry upgrade is one of the most cost effective investments and improvements you can make to your home. A front entry upgrade adds value by instantly improving your home’s curb appeal. A front entry upgrade with energy efficient fiberglass doors is will save money long term. read more Hobby Rooms: Create Space for Your Favorite Pastime Many of us have dreamed of a space in our homes dedicated to our favorite hobby. Maybe for you it’s a workshop, a sewing room, a writer's nook or an art studio. Well what are you waiting for? There’s no better time than now to live your dream. And you might be surprised by how easy it is to create a hobby room in the home you already have. read more ON THE AIR: Lap of Luxury Learn how just $200 can bring your bathroom a new level of luxury. Find out how everything from heated seats to soft closing lids can turn your bathroom into a luxurious escape. Also, with all the different countertop materials available, how do you know which is right for you? Get pros and cons of materials like granite, solid surface and laminate to help make your decision. And discover ways to enhance the look of your front entry with a system that includes the door and all the trimmings. Plus get answers to your home improvement questions about, installing insulation, problems with control heaters, cleaning stains off the garage floors, rewiring electrical, fixing chipped sinks, adjusting windows, eliminating bugs in the attic, bathroom noises, reducing drafts and exterior painting. read more Share This Information With A Friend! Simply forward this Email. And invite friends to register to receive this E-newsletter each week. If you would like to unsubscribe from our weekly newsletter, please refer to the unsubscribe directions at the bottom of this newsletter.

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Foreclosures make up 26% of home sales

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Foreclosures make up 26% of home sales

By Les Christie, February 24, 2011

 

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Home prices are down but sales are up, somewhat contradictory trends.

Home prices fell nearly 6% during the six months ended Dec. 31, sending values to their lowest levels in the post-bubble period, S&P/Case-Shiller reported on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the National Association of Realtors reported that sales of existing homes rose for the third straight month.

"At least it's not a double whammy where both sales and prices are dropping," said Stuart Hoffman, chief economist for PNC Financial Services Group. "Deals are getting done."

That's because 26% of all homes sold last year were foreclosures and short sales, according to a RealtyTrac report released on Thursday. That's down slightly from 2009, but a jump compared to 2008.

Homes already foreclosed on and repossessed by banks, called REOs (real estate owned), sold for an average of 36% less than normal sales, RealtyTrac reported. Meanwhile, the discount for homes sold while they were still in the foreclosure process (short sales) was 15%.

"It's like the post-holiday sales at Macy's where they're trying to clear out unwanted inventory," said Anthony Sanders, a real estate professor at George Mason University.

Where the sales are

Nevada had the highest percentage of distressed sales of any state at 57%. That was, however, less than 2009, when 67% of sales there were foreclosures. In Arizona, 49% of sales were distressed properties; in California, 44%; and in Florida, 36%.

Foreclosed properties sold for the biggest discount -- 50% off -- in New Jersey.

These homes have attracted bargain hunters, including individuals or groups looking to buy and hold properties, according to Hoffman. They hope to buy at such a good price that they can rent out the properties and make a profit.

"These folks are cash investors who are going in and offering very low bids," he said.

NAR reported that all-cash sales went up to 32% of the total, up from 26% a year earlier. It estimated the percentage of investor purchases hit 23%, up from 17% a year ago.

"Unprecedented levels of all-cash purchases -- primarily of distressed homes sold at deep discounts -- undoubtedly pulls the median price downward," said NAR president, Ron Phipps.

These investment opportunities are not going away. Nearly 30% of mortgage borrowers are underwater on their loans, owing more than their homes are worth, according to Stan Humphries, chief economist for Zillow, the real estate web site.

These owners are very vulnerable to foreclosure so the number of distressed properties that will go on sale only the next year or two will probably remained high.

 

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Foreclosures up... delinquencies down

MBA - foreclosures up delinquencies down

The delinquency rate for mortgage loans on one-to-four-unit residential properties decreased to a seasonally adjusted rate of 8.22% of all loans outstanding as of the end of the fourth quarter of 2010, a decrease of 91 basis points from the third quarter of 2010, and a decrease of 125 basis points from one year ago, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's (MBA) National Delinquency Survey. The non-seasonally adjusted delinquency rate decreased 46 basis points to 8.93% this quarter from 9.39% last quarter.  The percentage of loans on which foreclosure actions were started during the fourth quarter was 1.27%, down seven basis points from last quarter and up seven basis points from one year ago. The delinquency rate includes loans that are at least one payment past due but does not include loans in the process of foreclosure. 

The percentage of loans in the foreclosure process at the end of the fourth quarter was 4.63%, up 24 basis points from the third quarter of 2010 and up five basis points from one year ago. The serious delinquency rate, the percentage of loans that are 90 days or more past due or in the process of foreclosure, was 8.57%, a decrease of 13 basis points from last quarter, and a decrease of 110 basis points from the fourth quarter of last year.  The combined percentage of loans in foreclosure or at least one payment past due was 13.56% on a non-seasonally adjusted basis, a 22 basis point decline from 13.78% last quarter.

Jay Brinkmann, MBA's chief economist said "These latest delinquency numbers represent significant, across the board decreases in mortgage delinquency rates in the US.  Total delinquencies, which exclude loans in the process of foreclosure, are now at their lowest level since the end of 2008.  Mortgages only one payment past due are now at the lowest level since the end of 2007, the very beginning of the recession.  Perhaps most importantly, loans three payments (90 days) or more past due have fallen from an all-time high delinquency rate of 5.02% at the end of the first quarter of 2010 to 3.63% at the end of the fourth quarter of 2010, a drop of 139 basis points or almost 28% over the course of the year.  Every state but two saw a drop in the 90-plus day delinquency rate and the two increases were negligible." 

"While delinquency and foreclosure rates are still well above historical norms, we have clearly turned the corner.  Despite continued high levels of unemployment, the economy did add over 1.2 million private sector jobs during 2010 and, after remaining stubbornly high during the first half of 2010, first time claims for unemployment insurance fell during the second half of the year.  Absent a significant economic reversal, the delinquency picture should continue to improve during 2011, Brinkmann said. 

Mike Fratantoni, MBA's vice president for single family research said "While the foreclosure starts rate fell during the fourth quarter, the percentage of loans in foreclosure rose to equal the all-time high. The foreclosure inventory rate captures loans from the point of the foreclosure referral to exit from the foreclosure process, either through a cure (perhaps through a modification), a short sale or deed in lieu, or through a foreclosure sale. As we predicted last quarter, the percentage of loans in the foreclosure process increased in the fourth quarter, largely due to the foreclosure paperwork issues that were being addressed in September and October. These issues caused a temporary halt in foreclosure sales, particularly in states with judicial foreclosure regimes, such as New Jersey, Florida, and Illinois. 

With fewer loans exiting the foreclosure process through sales, the foreclosure inventory rate naturally increased, even as fewer foreclosure starts meant that fewer loans entered the foreclosure process in the fourth quarter."  "The share of loans in foreclosure in California and Florida combined was 36.0%, a decrease from 37.3% in the third quarter, and 39.3% a year ago.  Over 24% of the loans in Florida are one payment or more past due or in the process of foreclosure, the highest rate in the nation, followed by Nevada at over 22%, compared to an average of 13.6% for the nation.  Only eleven states saw an increase in their foreclosure start rate with Maryland seeing the largest increase." 

On a seasonally adjusted basis, the overall delinquency rate decreased for all loan types. The seasonally adjusted delinquency rate stood at 4.51% for prime fixed loans, 11.23% for prime ARM loans, 21.26% for subprime fixed loans, 25.32% for subprime ARM loans, 12.26% for FHA loans, and 6.67% for VA loans.  The% of loans in foreclosure, also known as the foreclosure inventory rate, increased 24 basis points to 4.63%, which ties the survey's record high, last reached in the first quarter of 2010. All loan types saw an increase in the% of loans in foreclosure. The foreclosure inventory rate for prime fixed loans, which, make up the largest portion of the survey (accounting for 63% of the loans), increased 22 basis points to 2.67%.

This was the highest rate recorded for prime fixed in the history of the survey.  The rate for prime ARM loans increased 17 basis points from last quarter to 10.22%. Subprime fixed loans saw an increase of 104 basis points to 9.92%, which is a new record high in the survey. The rate for subprime ARM loans increased 26 basis points to 22.04%, while the rate for FHA loans increased eight basis points to 3.30% and the rate for VA loans increased 21 basis points to 2.35%. 

The foreclosure starts rate decreased nine basis points for prime fixed loans to 0.84%, five basis points for subprime fixed loans to 2.73%, and 22 basis points for FHA loans to 1.02%.  The foreclosure starts rate increased two basis points for prime ARM loans to 2.38%, 15 basis points for subprime ARM loans to 4.24%, and two basis points for VA loans to 0.88%.  Given the challenges in interpreting the true seasonal effects in these data when comparing quarter to quarter changes, it is important to highlight the year over year changes of the non-seasonally adjusted results. The non-seasonally adjusted delinquency rate decreased for all loan types since the fourth quarter of 2009. The delinquency rate decreased 135 basis points for prime fixed loans, 124 basis points for prime ARM loans, 284 basis points for subprime fixed loans, 152 basis points for subprime ARM loans, 154 basis points for FHA loans, and 91 basis points for VA loans. 

The non-seasonally adjusted foreclosure starts rate increased 21 basis points for prime fixed loans, 26 basis points for prime ARM loans, and seven basis points for VA loans, but is down 47 basis points for subprime ARM loans, 26 basis points for FHA loans, and remains unchanged for subprime fixed loans on a year over year basis.  Forty five states saw increases in the rate of foreclosure starts on a year over year basis, with the largest increases coming in Washington, Rhode Island and the District of Columbia.  The largest decreases were in Florida, Connecticut, and Maryland.  Nevada and Arizona top the rankings in terms of foreclosure starts and loans in foreclosure across most loan types.

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10 Hidden Home Insurance Credits

by Jay MacDonald
Thursday, February 17, 2011

When looking for ways to save on home insurance, many homeowners stop at a smoke detector, a security system and a multiline discount for insuring your home and vehicle with the same company.

But property and casualty companies have a variety of other lesser-known credits available that can shave your homeowners insurance premium by up to 25 percent."

More from Bankrate.com : • Saving on All Types of Insurance • Health Insurance Tax Credit for Employers • 7 Best Ways to Save Money on Car Insurance

"Mitigating loss is a big part of who we are and what we do," says Sean Meehan, second vice president of property strategy and design for Travelers Insurance of Hartford, Conn. "Yes, we pay claims. But at the same time, we want to help prevent claims, which lowers premiums in the long term.

Madelyn Flannagan, vice president of agent development, education and research for the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, or the "Big I," agrees: "Insurers give a discount to encourage people to be more careful and to better understand the homes they're insuring."

[Click here to check home equity rates in your area.]

Here are 10 "hidden" home credits that may be available through your agent to cut down the cost of home insurance. Discount estimates are courtesy of the Big I.

Gated Community: Have Peace of Mind

Do you live in a gated community? Your home insurer shares your peace of mind in knowing there's a layer of security between you and home invaders, and may be willing to credit you for lessening their risk.

"That definitely falls under loss mitigation," says Meehan. "If you live in a gated community, it's a lot less attractive to a thief than a place that doesn't have that security."

In the larger scheme, where you live always affects the rates you pay. That's logical, since some parts of town statistically pose more risk than others of vandalism and theft. But sometimes living in the country can actually cost more.

"If you live near your local fire department in a safe, quiet, easily accessible neighborhood, your homeowners rates might be lower than if your home is located off the beaten path," says Meehan. "Your home may cost more to insure if you are many miles from the nearest fire department."

Gated community credit: 5 percent to 20 percent.

New Wiring: Save Money and Lives

Want to scare your insurance agent? Tell him your teenage son rewired your house over the weekend. Then expect your premium to go through the roof.

The math is simple: house + old wires = fires. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, in a typical year, home electrical problems result in 67,800 home fires, 485 deaths and $868 million in property losses, according to a 2006 report. The USFA estimates that home wiring causes twice as many fires as electrical appliances.

Considering new wiring? Depending on the age of your home, you may qualify for a new wiring credit.

"New wiring, if it's installed right, is much safer and less likely to cause any type of outages, shortages or fires," says Meehan. "It can be an insurance eligibility issue, too, because a lot of companies are not as keen to write old knob-and-tube wiring because of the fire risk. It could limit your options.

New wiring credit: 10 percent.

Impact-Resistant Roofing: Grab a Hard Hat

Your roof is a major concern to your insurance company. Not only does it take a beating from wind, rain, hail and hurricane-blown debris, but once it's compromised, the damage costs on a home insurance claim can rise dramatically.

So it comes as no surprise that, as more and more impact-resistant roofing materials have come to the market, insurers have been increasingly willing to offer rate discounts to homeowners as an incentive to invest in a "hard hat" for their abodes.

Your state's department of insurance can direct you to information about impact-resistant UL 2218 standard roofing material, which is graded as Class 1 through 4, with Class 4 being the sturdiest. Insurers may require that your roofing material be tested by an approved laboratory before issuing a credit. The upgrade may also net you a tax deduction.

"Insurers definitely are giving discounts for Class 4 because, if your roof blows off in a rainstorm or nor'easter, the water damage is going to be substantial, resulting in a much larger claim," says Flannagan. "They definitely want you to protect yourself against that."

Impact-resistant roofing credit: 5 percent to 10 percent.

Claims-Free Credit: No Claims is Good News

You know that good-driver discount the auto insurance companies offer? A claims-free credit is the home insurance equivalent.

The reason is pretty simple: Your absence of claims keeps more money in your insurer's pocket. And increasingly, they're willing to pass some of that savings on to you by shaving your home insurance premium.

"That's a fairly new discount, but almost every year we're seeing more companies add it," says Flannagan. "People who have been claims-free for 10 years can get like a 20 percent discount. I think a lot of companies are trying to reward longevity."

Even if you've had a claim, you may still qualify for a long-term customer discount upon renewal if you've been insured for a certain number of years.

Claims-free credit: 20 percent

Homeowners Association: Keep Risk at Bay

As strange as it seems, some home insurance companies will give you credit for the company you keep -- as long as that company is in the form of a neighborhood homeowners association, or HOA.

"I've heard that it's because of the security aspects of HOA communities, with things like community watch," says Flannagan. "Plus, people may have to maintain their home in a certain way in order to meet the requirements of a homeowners association's restrictions and covenants."

You don't necessarily have to be a member of the homeowners association to take advantage of this discount; your home is simply considered less risky because of the involvement of your neighbors in keeping your community safe from thieves and vandals.

Homeowners association credit: 5 percent to 10 percent.

New Ratings Models: This Year's Could Cost Less

Home insurance is a changeable business, in large part because real estate is a dynamic market. Actuarial experts crunch the numbers as neighborhood values rise and fall and construction costs ebb and flow in order to develop models that help insurance companies manage their risk.

Since your homeowners insurance rate naturally flows from these models, it follows that rates can change as well -- sometimes in your favor. In some cases, new models are used to establish lower rates to attract new customers.

"Many insurance companies have tiered rating now, and if you don't quite fit into the perfect mold because of something that might have been on your credit report, you could be paying more than necessary because you haven't cleared that up," says Flannagan.

"Even your address can have an impact on it, because when you bought that policy, CLUE, or Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange, reports might not have been part of the underwriting, but now they are."

New ratings credit: Call your agent. Sometimes, you can even save money by applying for a new policy with the same company.

New Home or Renovation: Have Fewer Safety Risks

In auto insurance, a new car will usually cost more to insure than an older model. In home insurance, however, the savings often goes to the new house or one that has been recently renovated.

The reason? New pipes don't leak, new furnaces don't malfunction, new electrical panels and wiring don't cause fires, and new roofs, chimneys and foundations don't lead to costly claims.

"We offer homebuyer discounts," says Meehan. "The logic behind that is, you've had it inspected by a professional and a lot of times they've detected -- and you've arranged to have an electrician fix -- all those wiring issues. Usually, when you buy a new or even an existing home, that loss mitigation has been done because of the inspection process. It gives us a better understanding of what's going on in that home."

If you're considering a renovation, check with your insurance agent first. They may have suggestions on how to tweak your project to maximize your home insurance savings.

New home or renovation credit: up to 25 percent.

Nonsmoker Credit: Kick the Habit for Lower Rates

Where there's smoke, there's fire. Unfortunately.

Even though the number of smokers nationwide is in decline, smoking remains the No. 1 cause of home fire fatalities in the United States. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, smoking caused 18,900 residential fires in 2007, killing 595, injuring 1,200 and causing $327 million in residential property loss.

Home insurance companies generally raise their rates if there's a smoker in the household. Will they conversely offer you a discount if your home is smokeless?

"Yes, most companies do that," says Flannagan. "With home insurance, it is one of those underwriting questions that does provide a credit for some policies in some states. It's not a rating tier, however; you don't go to a nonsmoker rate for home insurance the way you do with life insurance."

Nonsmoker credit: 5 percent to 15 percent.

Mature Insured: Age Has its Privileges

Home insurers love retired customers because they tend to spend more time at home, where they might be able to detect a home hazard in the making -- a gas leak, pipe break or smoldering electrical panel -- and avert a disaster.

If you or your spouse are 55 or older and retired, and your home is your permanent residence, you may qualify for a mature insured credit.

"There is some data out there to support that people who are retired and therefore home more are able to avoid loss or identify loss sooner," says Meehan. "During the day, if you're working and have a pipe break, you won't know it until you get home. But if there is someone home at the time, they go, 'Oh, pipe broke,' call people, boom; the loss is minimized. It's a five-minute water run versus a five- or six-hour water run. You're mitigating the loss immediately."

Retired or 55+ credit: 10 percent to 25 percent.

High-Tech Sensors: Create a Safer Home

When we think of sensors that keep our home safe, most of us think of either a fire alarm or a security system. While these are both excellent and creditworthy loss-prevention devices, insurance companies are equally excited about a new generation of home sensors that can detect water or natural gas leaks before they become a claim.

Water sensors come in two varieties. Passive leak detectors are inexpensive stand-alone devices that emit an alarm and/or flashing light when moisture is detected. Active leak detectors signal a leak and shut off the water source. Active systems may be installed on individual appliances or as a whole house solution. Gas detectors are most often passive.

"Gas and water sensors are a great credit," says Meehan. "The big-box stores helped create the culture of improving and protecting your home because you can go to Home Depot and Lowe's and just buy this stuff. That drove companies to create solutions that people can self-install."

Sensor credit: 5 percent to 10 percent.

___

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Some People Just Have TOO much Money!

The Love Love boat

By Mike Krumboltz mike Krumboltz – Tue Feb 15, 2:54 pm ET

In the tradition of the guy who http://www.tiredacts.com/2009/12/08/best-christmas-decorations-ever/">hung a mannequin from his second-story gutters comes French sculptor http://www.julienberthier.org/Love-love.html">Julien Berthier.

A trickster as well as an artist, Berthier has created a 21-foot sculpture that looks just like a capsizing ship. In fact, it's so convincing that many a boater has stopped to assist.

http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/-Julien-Berthier-Love-Love-Sculpture/ss/events/...">Click image to see more of Berthier's incredible sculpture

Graham Hussey/galerie GP&N Vallois, Paris

Berthier says that he's not out to trick the authorities: "There was a misunderstanding like if I had made this piece to have

coast guards run to help me even though there wahttp://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/-Julien-Berthier-Love-Love-Sculpture/ss/events/...">s no reason to. It is important to say that coast guards and harbor masters have always been warned and that the piece is not at all about crying to the wolf."

The sculpture bears such a strong resemblance to a real boat for a simple reason: It is one. Berthier cut a yacht in half and then made some serious modifications. The result: When anchored, it looks like a sinking ship. But--and here's the really cool part--it can still glide on the water just like a "regular" boat thanks to an onboard motor.

You can watch a video of the boat/sculpture (called the Love-Love) below. It might not be ship-shape, but, believe it or not, it is sea worthy. Julien has taken the sculpture across the English Channel and toured it around Europe.

http://vimeo.com/4530080">Love Love from http://vimeo.com/user1705942">julien berthier on http://vimeo.com">Vimeo.

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The Woman Behind Superman: Inspiration for Lois Lane Dies

By Claudine Zap, Yahoo! Buzz | Tuesday, February 15, 2011, 12:07 PM

Siegel inspired "Superman's" Lois Lane

Alan Light

Here's some super-sad news: Lois Lane has died. The woman who inspired the character from the "Superman" comic, Joanne Siegel, was 93. Her husband, Jerome Siegel, modeled Lois Lane after the woman who eventually became his wife.

 

The Cleveland native met the Man of Steel co-creator Siegel and his partner Joe Shuster when she was just 15 or 16. The teen had placed a classified ad in the local paper offering her services as a model. Shuster answered the ad, and the sketches he made were the basis of iconic Lois Lane.

 

The love interest of Superman eventually became the real-life love interest of Siegel. She was introduced to Siegel by Shuster in the 1930s, but the two didn't marry until 1948, when Siegel's divorce to wife Bella Siegel was finalized.

 

"Superman," introduced as a DC comic book in 1938, became one of the best-known superheroes of all time, but the writers were not credited. In 1978, with the Warner Brothers movie about to come out, DC finally added the co-creators' names to every Superman story and agreed to pay a lifetime stipend.

 

After Jerome Siegel died in 1999, the Siegel and Shuster families filed for partial ownership of the character from Warner Brothers. Joanne Siegel could not leap tall buildings in a single bound, but she would end up doing something more important: preserving the legacy of the Superman creators.

 

Brad Ricca, who teaches a comic book class at Case Western University, described her determination for justice this way: "Siegel would call DC Comics in New York and say, 'You need to help these people who made you all millionaires.'" The professor added, "Kind of like Lois Lane, she just wouldn't give up."

 

In 2008, a ruling gave the families a right to a large share of "Superman," but details are still being worked out.

 

All that, and looks, too: An expert on Siegel tweeted, "Just heard Joanne Siegel passed away. Lois Lane herself. One of the most beautiful people I ever met."

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10 Islands to Explore Before You Die

We scoured the globe to find 10 islands that belong on your must list. Each of these places offers something that you can’t find anywhere else, from the largest man-made archipelago to hot springs so therapeutic they’ve been popular since Roman times.

By Gary McKechnie

Tanah Lot, a Hindu temple on Bali

Photo: Romain Cintract/hemis.fr/laif

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If you're going to imagine yourself on an exotic island, dare to dream big! Here are 10 one-of-a-kind islands where you'll discover every item on your wish list, from overwater bungalows and pristine wildlife to sublime street food and mysterious cultural monuments.

1. Bali

Find your center on an island so spiritual it's become known as "Island of the Gods." The warm, spiritual essence that writer Elizabeth Gilbert discovered here and celebrated in Eat, Pray, Love has been native to Bali for centuries. It's one of 17,000 islands in the Indonesian archipelago—and the only one on which Hindus form the majority (93 percent). Even more striking is the fact that there is a spiritual celebration here nearly every day. Three Hindu temples at the Besakih (the Mother Temple of Bali) survived a 1963 eruption that destroyed nearby villages while missing by mere yards this terraced complex atop volcanic Mount Agung. The event is still considered a miracle by locals, who arrive in regular procession; they balance offerings on their head and climb the steps to the sound of mantras, jingling bells, and the sharp flutter of umbul-umbuls (ceremonial Balinese flags). Anyone interested in exploring the inner self might like the Nirarta Centre, an 11-room hotel set amid rice terraces and gardens that holds daily meditation sessions. After finding your center here, channel your energy into jungle treks, scuba diving, and big-break surfing along beaches of fine white and volcanic black sand. Exhale against a backdrop of rice paddies and Impressionist sunsets that illuminate the Indian Ocean.

Sun Bay Beach, Vieques

Photo: parasola.net/Alamy

2. Vieques

Experience the world's clearest bioluminescent bay. When the U.S. Navy packed up and left Vieques in 2003, after more than 60 years, it left something behind: unspoiled nature. Land once used for bombing practice is now designated as a national wildlife refuge. So far there are only a few mega-resorts like those found on the Puerto Rican mainland—instead, you'll find homey inns like the aptly named Great Escape B&B, where breakfast is served poolside (from $115). There are only two notable towns (the population is less than 10,000): Isabel Segunda on the northern side of the island, and the far smaller Esperanza on the south. The effect is that when you reach a beach at the end of a dirt road here, your reward is having the sand largely to yourself. Playa de la Chiva (Blue Beach) attracts daytime snorkelers and divers, but the real reason Vieques belongs on your bucket list is Puerto Mosquito. Of the seven bioluminescent bays on the planet, Puerto Mosquito is the most impressive, thanks to the clarity and brightness of its waters. Schedule a moonless night for a swim or kayak tour and you'll be greeted by billions of micro-organisms called dinoflagellates that ignite the water with a magical blue-green glow (Aqua Frenzy Kayaks, from $30 per person). It's like swimming in a watercolor painting.

Stone monoliths on Easter Island

Photo: Courtesy chobart/myBudgetTravel

3. Easter Island

Ponder the handiwork of one of the most mysterious civilizations in history. With the nearest major landmass, Chile, lying 2,200 miles away, Easter Island is as remote as it is mysterious. No one knows exactly why nearly 900 gargantuan stone monoliths are sprinkled across this isolated, 60-square-mile scrap of land in the middle of the South Pacific—and those long, stone faces aren't talking. For several hundred years, the moai that are unique to this island have maintained their silent sentinel even as the civilization that created them collapsed and a trickle of tourists appeared in its wake. Intended to stand atop cut-stone altars (called ahu), the moai average 13 feet high and weigh nearly 14 tons each; most lie prone, toppled by civil wars in the 17th and 18th centuries. A particularly compelling spot is Rano Raraku, the collapsed volcano where many moai were quarried and where nearly 400 figures remain, all frozen in various states of completion. The island counts only one town, Hanga Roa, where you'll want to check in to Vai Moana, a low-key hotel with 18 rooms set in bungalows (from $102, including breakfast and transport to and from the airport). You can then wander from the volcanic coastline across grassy hills without bumping into another human being who might break Easter Island's spell.

Thermo-mineral pools on the beachfront

Photo: Mirko Angeli/Alamy

4. Ischia

Revive with therapeutic hot springs and mud wraps. This volcanic island in the Bay of Naples has hot springs so therapeutic that they have drawn admirers for 2,000 years. Greeks, Romans, and Turks quickly discovered that Ischia's fumaroles, hot springs, and heated mud hold the power to ease sore muscles—or simply provide a degree of self-indulgence. Today's travelers are likewise pampered by massages and mud wraps courtesy of the island's geothermal characteristic, which helps fill the 22 thermo-mineral pools of the beachfront spa Giardini di Poseidon Terme. After your treatment of choice, peel off the sandals for a walk on the beach or visit the 15th-century Castello Aragonese. You can also get a taste of the glam, jet-setter lifestyle associated with Italy and depicted in the film The Talented Mr. Ripley, shot here on location. Retreat to the family-run Hotel Villa Angelica, whose garden naturally includes a thermal swimming pool with a Jacuzzi (from $75, including breakfast).

The lush Chiloé archipelago

Photo: Herve Hughes/hemis.fr/laif

5. Chiloé

Experience a culture and wildlife developed in isolation. The lush, cloud-covered Chiloé archipelago may lie off the western coast of Chile, but its history, customs, and language bear little resemblance to those of the mainland, or anywhere else in the world, because of its isolation. Local farmers have passed down a mythology of gnome- and witch-filled woodlands and ghost ships. Valdivian temperate rain forests are protected within Parque Nacional Chiloé. In the Pacific, dolphins, penguins, otters, and the largest creatures in history—blue whales—are studied and protected by the Cetacean Conservation Center. In the central city of Castro, order a steaming meal of curanto (shellfish, meat, and potatoes) and peruse handicrafts made of wood and colorful garments created from Chilean wool. Residents still live in traditional palafitos (stilt houses). Jesuit missionaries, who first arrived in small numbers in the 1600s, used local materials and construction techniques to build exquisite chapels. Their work survives in more than 50 wooden churches found in communities such as Castro, Nercón, Chonchi, Dalcahue, and Quinchao; their appearance reflects a hybrid of European and indigenous styles that you won't find anywhere else on earth.

Iconic overwater bungalows of Bora Bora

Photo: José Fuste Raga/Age

6. Bora Bora

Settle into your own overwater bungalow on the world's most famous idyllic island. If you envision yourself on an island in French Polynesia, Bora Bora is the place to hang your hammock. Even novelist James Michener, who penned sweeping epics set in the South Pacific and beyond, dubbed it the world's most beautiful island. Mingled in among the Society Islands northwest of Tahiti, Bora Bora's lowland reefs and islets are lorded over by Mount Pahia and Mount Otemanu, twin peaks forming an extinct volcano in the island's interior. Super-expensive upscale resorts along the western edge—and a fair share of inns and vacation rentals—feature overwater thatch-roofed bungalows built on stilts above shallow, clear-as-gin waters. (Maitai Resort is a comparatively affordable option, considering the $800-plus competition, with rooms from $198 and bungalows from $408, including taxes.) Slip on a sarong and relax while savoring the vision of endless miles of soft sand beaches and lagoons. Luxurious, certainly, but of even greater value is the philosophy of Bora Bora's residents: Aita pea pea. In other words, "not to worry."

Laid-back beachy living in Key West

Photo: Ian Dagnall/Alamy

7. Key West

Embrace Jimmy Buffett's "Margaritaville" utopia. Laid-back, beach-y living coupled with a flamboyant arts scene lends a one-of-a-kind appeal to this lowland island (peak elevation: 18 feet). Key West inspired Mississippi-born balladeer Jimmy Buffett, and it remains hallowed ground for his followers—the "parrotheads" that roost here throughout the year and keep the mythical utopia of Margaritaville alive. Tennessee Williams, Harry S. Truman, and Ernest Hemingway were also seduced. Defying easy categorization, Key West is capital of the Conch Republic, the tongue-in-cheek micro-nation created in 1982 by residents proud of their liberal lifestyle. Natural sand beaches are surprisingly rare here, but with the chance to snorkel above North America's only living coral reef and enjoy the company of a Technicolor collection of 400 species of tropical fish, it would be a shame to spend your beach time on land, anyway. When you've dried off, head to Mallory Square to catch street performers during the daily Sunset Celebration. Follow it up with brews along the "Duval Crawl," a tour of watering holes in the early 20th-century buildings that line Duval Street. From there, it's a pleasant, 15-minute walk to the Grand Guesthouse (from $98, including breakfast).

A fruit stall in Penang

Photo: Aurora

8. Penang

Treat yourself to Malaysia's unique fusion of cultures and flavors. Start your food crawl at stalls that crowd the streets of Georgetown, Penang's largest city and Malaysia's food capital. The delectable fare on offer memorably mingles Malaysian, Chinese, Indian, and European flavors. Foodies in search of supreme bliss should head to the marketplace Ayer Itam—adjacent to Kek Lok Si (the Temple of Supreme Bliss)—to dine on a variety of dishes based on rice, noodles, fish, shellfish, chicken, pork, vegetables, eggs, and coconut. Look for lor bak (deep-fried marinated minced pork served with a chili sauce); lok-lok (skewered seafood, meats, and vegetables); and ikan bakar (grilled or barbecued fish marinated in spices and coconut milk, wrapped inside banana leaves, and grilled over hot coals). The same fusion of cultures is evident in the local architecture, which ranges from modern high-rises to buildings built by 19th-century British colonialists. Add to the mix beach resorts, preserved mangroves, small fishing villages, and a share of temples, mosques, and churches. Kek Lok Si best exemplifies this coexistence. At seven stories, it's the largest Buddhist temple in Southeast Asia, and it reflects the shared values of Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism—designed with a Chinese octagonal base, a Thai-accented middle tier, and a Burmese-style peak.

A baby seal pup in the Galápagos

Photo: Courtesy fungofan/myBudgetTravel

9. Galápagos

Follow in the (r)evolutionary wake of Charles Darwin. The namesake tortoise is only one reason to explore this archipelago overrun with more than 500 spectacular native species found nowhere else. Charles Darwin's 1835 visit sparked his curiosity, leading to his landmark book and the observation that these islands are the "laboratory of evolution." Much of the biological kaleidoscope noted by Darwin—such as penguins, sea lions, finches, blue-footed boobies—is still visible on the Galápagos, which are scattered more than 600 miles west of Ecuador. Look out for the waved albatross, which has a 7- to 8-foot wingspan, on Española. Tour operators navigate the islands on everything from luxury catamarans to motor yachts, and many employ naturalists to guide you through the archipelago's rocky coasts, lagoons, coral reefs, bays and white sand beaches. Gap Adventures offers small-group itineraries that often include meals, airfare from Quito, and a cabin aboard a 16-passenger ship. Life on the island is only half the equation, so pack your mask, snorkel, and wet suit.

Palm Islands archipelago in Dubai

Photo: Jochem Wijnands/Age

10. Palm Islands Dubai

Size up the world's largest man-made archipelago. Nature creates and removes islands every day, but it took a supernatural influx of cash and credit to create what developers hope will be the permanent Palm Island archipelago. Based on a sketch by a sheikh, the world's largest man-made islands are being dredged up and put in place as destination resorts: the Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali, and Palm Deira. Each work-in-progress is designed to attract tourists, who (more than fossil fuels) can provide a renewable source of income. If all goes well, the three islands will be the focal point of Dubai and become a Middle East playground of spas, resorts, upscale residences, villas, and superior shopping malls. Palm Jumeriah is already in place with an Atlantis resort and its wild water park open and a Trump hotel slated to open in 2011. (A more concrete, if off-island option, is the Arabian Courtyard, whose rooms have hardwood floors and richly colored upholstery, with prices as low as $100 a night.) S ome islands might be more exotic—and certainly less expensive—but none are more impossibly engineered and ambitious.

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