Warning over home equity release - 2004-02-04
The government was yesterday warned that vulnerable elderly people could become victims to mis-selling if one of the main types of home equity release scheme is not regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

A failure to regulate home reversion plans could result in a skewed equity release market that disadvantages consumers, most of whom are elderly and some of whom may be vulnerable.
Read the full story at Guardian Unlimited

Home Upgrades That Pay - 2004-02-04
Is your home hit with the winter blahs? Before you take a sledgehammer to the den's drywall and take out a second mortgage, you might want to curl up by the fireplace with Remodelingmagazine.com's annual Cost vs. Value Report.

The best bang for your remodeling buck is a "kitchen spruce-up," which includes refinishing cabinets and installing energy-efficient appliances at an average cost of $14,773, according to the survey.
Read the full story at Motley Fool