Many older people want to stay in their own homes or at least in the same neighborhood. The maintenance and upkeep of a large family home is not always a practical option, physically and financially. But a retirement home sounds so… retired.

So, where are you going to live if you leave the home your children grew up in? There are a few options that you might want to explore if you are adamant about not moving into a structured retirement facility.

Manufactured Mobile Homes are an increasingly attractive choice for older folks. These homes are affordable, energy efficient, spacious and some of the models are designed especially for seniors, utilizing “universal design” features. If zoning ordinances permit, they can be assembled near or on family property, or moved to a senior mobile home community.

Cooperatives are usually found in urban areas. Homes in a cooperative combine the benefits of home ownership with the convenience and efficiency of multi-family housing. This idea appeals to those who want to build equity in their accommodations but don’t want the isolation or responsibility of a larger home.

Condominiums are also an option. This type of ownership offers many advantages to older people. Condos are different from a conventionally owned single-family home or an apartment. While you are holding title to your own living unit, you share ownership of common areas.

Accessory Apartments are worth considering if your house is too large and the utility bills and maintenance are too much for you. An accessory apartment is a second, completely private living unit created in the extra space of a single family home. You may have heard it called a MIL or mother-in-law apartment.

ECHO Housing (Elder Cottage Housing Opportunity) or Granny Flats are also an option. These separate, self-contained units are designed for temporary installation in the side or backyard of an adult child’s home.

Home Matching Programs have been gaining in popularity because of the lack of adequate senior housing. The idea is that you contact a service (often for a fee) that matches people up as roommates. When it works, it is an excellent situation and can enable an older person to stay in his/her own home, while relieving the feelings of isolation and loneliness that many older people experience. A good home-matching service offers counseling to provide help in identifying needs and concerns.

Shared Housing is a similar option. This is what the TV sitcom Golden Girls was all about. It can be economical, provide companionship, and provide a sense of security. It is a peer group situation, but it is not for everyone. If you’ve never lived with others (or have been on your own for many years), you may find it difficult.

Adult Foster Care, or Adult Family Homes, is provided in a private home occupied by an individual or a family who will offer room, meals, housekeeping, and minimal supervision for a month fee. Staff are not permitted to administer medications, however, unless they are nurses.

Retirement Hotels (also called Senior Resident Hotels or Senior Apartments) are hotels intended for people over 62. Some hotels are high-rises and have landscaped gardens while others are drab concrete shoe boxes, but they are usually built in good locations with nearby public transportation. Rent can include meals and maid service, activities programs, assistance with personal grooming, and access to a chore service for a fee.

A Boarding House is when you are basically renting a room, sometimes shared, in someone else’s house, with a manager on the premises.

Senior Apartment Houses are monthly rentals with a variety of options. Some have security systems, activities, and a full complement of services, while others offer lodging only.

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An awning is actually a type of canopy, typically made from canvas. You will find awnings used on houses, mobile homes, RVs, and businesses to help protect an area such as a porch or deck from sunshine and rain. In addition, most awning designs actually block out harmful UV rays from the sun. The benefit here is that furniture, carpeting, wall paint, and artwork does not fade from direct sunlight. However, the protection an awning provides, helping to keep heat outside, people notice the monthly utility bill decreasing.

Just as many features for a home or business, awnings are available in many different options. For example, you could choose a complete awning that runs the entire length of your deck or patio or if you prefer, a smaller awning that might keep sunlight off the front door. Many awnings are so thick and well made that they also provide some level of protection from snow and cold wind. In this case, you might consider adding a chimera for warmth while still being able to enjoy the outside.

In addition to various sizes, awnings also come in a huge selection of designs and prices. For example, a simple awning could cost between $250 and $400 while a motorized awning could be $3,000 or more. Before you make your final decision, we suggest you do some shopping locally, as well as check some of the online resources. Chances are that you will find a number of awnings you like. Although local sales are always possible, online websites could be the way to go for saving money.

If you think you want to add an awning to your home or business, you might invest in having it professionally installed. Although you could probably do some awning installations, generally the job is a little more difficult than it looks. One word of advice - check companies that offer free installation. While the price might be slightly higher, when comparing with a company that charges for both the awning and installation, you might save.

Then, there is the variety of colors and designs. The nice aspect here is that you can create any look you want while enhancing your home or business. If you want a sophisticated look, perfect for entertaining friends, then a white or taupe and white striped awning would be gorgeous. However, if you want an awning simply to coordinate with the house, you will find all types of colors and patterns from which to choose.

Awnings are also made with many unique features. An exceptional choice is the retractable awning. With this, you can crank or push an automatic button and the awning rolls up and out of sight. When ready to escape the heat, sun, or rain, you would simply go through the reverse process. The benefit with this feature is that if a storm brews and the wind picks up, the awning can be pulled in to avoid damage.

Remember, in addition to adding an awning over your deck or patio, you can also add them over a door, window, balcony, or terrace. Immediately, the appearance of your home will be improved without blocking out any beautiful views. Considering there are literally thousands of companies making and selling awnings, finding a deal and the right design is not difficult.

EMMETT, Idaho–( BUSINESS WIRE )–T.J.T., Inc. (the Company), (Pink Sheets:AXLE), a major supplier of axles, tires, and set-up supplies to the manufactured housing industry announced a net loss of $261,000, or $.06 per diluted share, for the third …

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T.J.T., Inc. Reports Third Quarter Results for Fiscal Year 2009 - Businesswire.com

NEW YORK, July 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Assurant, Inc. (”Assurant”) (NYSE: AIZ) , a premier provider of specialized insurance and insurance-related products and services, today reported results for the second quarter and first six months of 2009 …

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Assurant Reports Q2 2009 Net Operating Income of $99.3 Million, or $0 … - PR Newswire

(”Assurant”) (NYSE: AIZ), a premier provider of specialized insurance and insurance-related products and services, today reported results for the second quarter and first six months of 2009. Second Quarter Results Net income in the second quarter of …

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Assurant Reports Q2 2009 Net Operating Income of $99.3 Million, or $0 … - CNBC

Gettysburg Pennsylvania is very centrally located, both for a vacation home and a year round residence. Imaging bing less than an hour from Hershey Pennsylvania and there candy factory and amusement park, as well as less than two hours from Washington DC, an easy journey for a days vacation trip or a commute, and for anyone working in Baltimore, it is about an hour and even less for those working in the state capital of Harrisburg.

You do not have to travel to get to see attractions either, there is plenty to do right in and near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. In addition to the museums and the Gettysburg Battle Field, there are three golf courses in the immediate area, 5 lakes within a 10 mile radius. There are great horseback riding and hiking and bicycle trails.

There is a lot of new construction going on in Gettysburg Pennsylvania, due probably in part because of the talks regarding opening a casino in the area. That would have an impact on the home values, making them rise, so now would be a good time to take a serious look at Gettysburg Pennsylvania as a good investment in the future.

Take a look at the examples of what is available in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania today. The majority of the homes are in the middle price ranges. As you can see, there are homes in just about any price range, style and size. Large homes are very much in evidence, unlike most communities where you will be hard pressed to find anything over 3 bedrooms, at least with a good choice. The lower priced mobile homes are in parks where you own the house, but not the land. Most of the houses are on at least a quarter acre, with the exception of the town houses, which are right in town.

Take some time to come to Gettysburg for a vacation, even if it is only for a weekend getaway and see if you get the feeling that Gettysburg Pennsylvania would make a great place for your vacation or year round home and if it strikes your fancy, start hunting. The listings here can all be found
on realtor.com, so you can start your hunting there.

A three-bedroom mobile home for $11,000
A four-bedroom mobile home for $59,000
A three-bedroom townhouse for $109,900
A four-bedroom story and a half for $209,900
A three-bedroom cape cod for $214,900
A brand new four bedroom colonial for $285,900
A four-bedroom cape cod for $305,000
A brand new four bedroom three story colonial for $312.650
A brand new four bedroom colonial for $360,000
A four-bedroom center hall colonial for $374,500
A four-bedroom colonial for $375,900
A large four bedroom cape cod with an open front porch for $399,900
A five bedroom 1820.’s center hall Federal style colonial on 9+acres of land for $409,000
A six bedroom early Victorian for $429,900
A four-bedroom farm house with 3 acres of land for $489,500
A brand new two bedroom condo in a three story Tudor style building for $596,400
A four-bedroom farmhouse with 30 acres of land for $799,000
A four-bedroom colonial with a den on 5+ acres of land $875,000
A five-bedroom Tudor colonial on 31 acres of land for $1.195,000
A four-bedroom two hundred year old farm house on and 80 acre horse farm for $2,200,000

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NEW YORK (AP) — The stock market is giving up some momentum from its rally as new worries about the economy pop up.

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Stocks slip on jitters about pace of recovery in economy; Rally … - Allentown Morning Call

Many of us when looking up and down the streets in our respective neighborhoods are facing the reality of the “housing slump.” For most who have either been forced to sell a home or have had it foreclosed on, it doesn’t have to be the end of all luck. And it’s becoming more common for homes in suburban or residential neighborhoods to have an added member of the family or guest, particularly someone who has recently lost his or her home.

This doesn’t mean that the person, persons or family at a loss has failed or did something to let the process of losing a home happen. And no, it doesn’t mean these despairing people are incompetent in any way, can’t finance, or have no chance of ever owning a home again. It also doesn’t permit an excuse with regard to anybody who has owned a very large home and has been prosperous that he, she, or family has a second home to go to. What’s important is what you can do until the slump subsides. One alternative is home sharing or living in closed quarters while savings or work opportunities build.

Many military families, students and mobile workers are plagued with nomad living constantly. Other considerations include a modular or fabricated home, a mobile home, or staying in a recreational vehicle or trailer park. Also, mobile homes are available for rent at the same rate as small in-town rents, but with more space and room for pets when allowed. By the time some of us survive the slump perhaps there will be some rethinking done and a mobile home can be eventually moved to an ocean site, set up near a national park or wildlife refuge, or kept in walking or short driving distance of a casino, sports, theater or shopping town utopia.

Instead of the “housing slump” getting anybody down perhaps it’s a chance to touch base with long-missed friends or family, an opportunity to visit an old home town or a chance to spend some time with Spot or Rover, maybe Muffin if you have a favored feline. Considering the crunch is not practical for a family with children in school, perhaps if the bills are spinning out of control and mom, dad, wife or husband is out of work, you may have little choice other than selling your home in the spring, camping at a quality site over the summer before school starts and give yourself a chance to save for a rent or smaller place in the meantime. Another solution is to rent your home while you stay at a less expensive location. Also, remember some area Social Service agencies are holding some reserves for the housing crunch with regard to food and medical as well as non-profit organizations and local church groups.

It’s necessary to keep your head up and thoughts positive, to use the local libraries, business centers and employment resources for computers and letter writing. Be aware that in most neighborhoods at this point of the slump, somebody has either lost a home or has someone staying with them who is in the predicament. It could happen to any of us for many reasons, catastrophes are not on purpose. In fact, after talking in depth with most people, all too many have “been there” at some time of their lives. And for those of us who have a warm roof over our heads this can be a reminder to be exceedingly grateful.

Stock index futures pointed toward a lower start on Wall Street Wednesday as investors grew increasingly wary about the economic recovery. A new report on U.S

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Futures point to lower open amid dismal earnings, weak durable goods … - Allentown Morning Call

THE Ministry of Water and Housing will be pursuing discussions with Free Form Factory Limited, local manufacturers of expanded polystyrene (EPS) concre-panels, with a view to utilising the material in the development of affordable housing solutions …

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Housing ministry considers Concre-Panels for low-cost housing - Jamaica Observer