It was the night before Christmas and all through the house, the television sets were filled with memories of holidays past. ...more

December 24, 2008 |

It's the American dream but owning a home is something many of us took for granted as children. Either our parents owned the homes we grew up in or we were too young to know the difference. ...more

December 5, 2008 |

During a recent visit to the veterans hospital in Los Angeles, I ran across a young man fresh out of the Army. He had fought in Afghanistan and was recovering from some of his wounds. He was also homeless and, quite frankly, a little frustrated by what he saw as cumbersome and inefficient layers of bureaucracy between the departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. ...more

November 27, 2008 |

The Tampa Bay area's falling home prices - and perceived bargains - are slowly luring buyers back into the market. ...more

November 16, 2008 |

The federal government is poised for a massive bailout of some of our largest mortgage banks and to help homeowners facing foreclosure land loans that are less expensive. All of that pulls at most folks' heartstrings, and it should in many cases. However, we must tread carefully when making decisions like this that will cost all taxpayers a lot of money. ...more

July 25, 2008 |

SEBRING — When you live in a neighborhood where a high-profile crime has been committed, it would be easy to jump to the conclusion that violent crime is increasing across the county. But perception isn't always reality. "I went to the front yard to get my paper in the morning and I saw all sorts of police cars and crime scene tape everywhere," said Sebring Country Estates resident George Bauer. "It made me wonder what was going on." ...more

February 3, 2008 |

A year and a half ago, 14-year-old Matt Mooney saw a friend and his family move into a Habitat for Humanity home. ...more

January 20, 2008 |

but I've learned that I don't love hot weather that lasts way past summer with no end in sight. I moved from Washington State in June and I'm not used to summer being 12 months long. ...more

January 11, 2008 |