A weak housing market received a tiny boost from apartment construction last month. But the overall outlook remained dim as applications for building permits fell to the lowest level in 14 months.

Construction of new homes and apartments rose 1.7 percent last month, according to the Commerce Department. Driving the increase was a 32.6 percent surge in apartment and condominium construction — a small fraction of the market.

Still, requests for building permits, considered a good sign of future activity, fell 3.1 percent.

A rebound in housing is considered critical for a sustained economic recovery. But builders continue to struggle with weak demand for new homes caused by high unemployment and a glut of foreclosed homes on the market.

The July increase in housing construction pushed total activity to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 546,000 units. Building activity in June was weaker than first reported. It fell 8.7 percent to an annual rate of 537,000 units, the slowest pace since October of last year.

Housing construction got a boost earlier in the year when the government offered buyers up to $8,000 in federal tax credits. But after the incentives expired at the end of April, sales and constructions activity slumped.

Here are four inexpensive ways to keep your yard mosquito free during these "dog days of summer."

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Home ownership is a big step, and many people worry whether they're ready to take it on. If you currently rent your house, you may wonder if you can even afford to buy a home. Just looking at real estate listings online or in the Sunday paper can make you break out in a cold sweat. Yes, homes are expensive. But they should be considered an investment, and for many homeowners, it's one of the smartest investments they'll make. Depending on how much you currently pay for rent, how expensive homes are in your area, what your credit score looks like, and how long you plan to live in the house (among other factors), buying a home is often less expensive than renting in the long run. After all, when you rent, you just pay for a roof over your head. When you buy, you become the owner of that roof and everything beneath it.

Renting does have its advantages. Here are some:

• Renting offers more flexibility. If you like knowing you can pack up and move at a moment's (or a month's) notice, it may make more sense to rent. Depending on the terms of your lease, you're not tied to a residence for more than a year or two at most. When you own a home, on the other hand, you need to sell the property or find a suitable tenant before you can move—or else you'll end up paying a mortgage on an empty house.

Tip: If you know you're likely to move within three or four years, you're probably better off renting than buying. That's because you won't have time to build up much equity in your house (its cash value as you pay off your mortgage's principal) or break even on your closing costs.

• Maintenance is someone else's headache. When you rent, you call the landlord if a pipe bursts or the furnace quits. He sends someone to fix it and takes care of the bill. When you own, all the maintenance — from keeping everything in good repair to mowing the lawn and shoveling snow —- is your responsibility.

• You can move in faster. Buying a house takes time. If you're in a hurry to move to a new neighborhood, you might want to rent for a year and look for a place to buy during that time. Renters can usually move in soon after getting their rental application approved. Buying a home, on the other hand, takes months. You'll be living in your new house for years, so you want to take your time finding just the right home. Then you may spend a couple of weeks negotiating with the seller before you agree on a price and conditions. And getting financing and preparing for the property transfer can take 30 days or longer.

• Your move-in costs are lower. Renting a house usually involves no more up-front costs than two months' rent and a security deposit. Buying a home is far more expensive. You need a down payment of anywhere from 3.5 to 20 percent—or more—of the home's purchase price and thousands of dollars more for the fees and costs associated with getting a mortgage.

• You can keep your money in the bank. Being a first-time homeowner frequently means scraping together all the money you can find to afford a down payment and closing costs. Once you buy a house, your money is tied up in your home. After you built up some equity (cash value in the house as you make principal payments), you can tap into it with a home equity line of credit. But if you want your money readily available (especially within the next few years), or if you want to invest in something other than real estate, it may make more sense for you to rent.

If you're thinking about buying a home, you're already aware that buying has its own advantages. Here are some major ones:

• Say goodbye to your landlord. It irks some people to pay good money each month and not get anything more in return than the right to live under someone else's roof. When you own your home, each mortgage payment builds up your equity in the house that increases with time. Some landlords are great, but others are slow to make repairs—and quick to raise the rent. If you want to feel like your home is your own, you might be ready to buy.

• Take advantage of tax breaks. You can deduct mortgage interest, property taxes, and some closing costs from your federal income taxes.

• Beat inflation. As the cost of living goes up, the cost of rent goes right up with it. If you use a fixed-rate mortgage to buy a home, however, your principal and interest payments stay the same for as long as you live in the home. The longer you stay there, the more pronounced this benefit.

• Build equity. Renting is pay-as-you-go; as long as you pay your rent and abide by the terms of your lease, you can live in your home. But if you buy, as you make mortgage payments and as home values rise, you gain equity in your home. You can treat your home's equity like a savings account, cashing out when you sell the home and using the money for a down payment on your next home. Or you can borrow against it using a home equity line of credit.

• Have your own place. For many people, the main reason to buy a home is to have a place that's truly their own. You're not paying off the landlord's mortgage—you're investing in a home with your name on the deed. That's a great feeling, whether you buy a one-bedroom manufactured home or a many-roomed mansion.

Wondering whether renting or buying is best for you? Contact us and we'll discuss your options with no obligation on your part.

Millions of people have found themselves facing foreclosure since the economic climate has shifted so rapidly over the past couple of years. Thanks to President Obama’s Federal Loan Modification Plan, however, thousands of people are starting to see themselves having some new hope that they may be able to keep their home. This loan modification program is all a part of the Federal Stimulus Package and has been funded with a total of $72 billion.

Now is the time for you to take advantage of Obama’s loan modification plan that can help you stay in your own home. You’ll simply need to fill out an application and be approved, so make sure you get help with the application process because it can only be done once. Once you’re approved for the loan modification services you’ll start to see a monthly payment that’s less than 31% of your income monthly and may have a longer repayment period, a lower interest rate, waived late fees and even forgiven principle all due to the loan modification program.

This loan modification program is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime chance for you to save your home and even pay less for the house you’ve come to love. If you’re like millions in this country that aren’t sure if they’re going to make it, it’s time to stop worrying and start taking advantage of the Obama federal loan modification plan that can possibly help you. Don’t wait too long; this plan will no longer be in effect after 2012 and you can lose your chance forever if you wait until you’re already in foreclosure. The first step you need to take is to seek advice from someone knowledgeable about Obama’s Federal Loan Modification Plan to make absolutely certain that you have completely reliable information and are dealing with someone who is qualified and capable of helping you with saving your home.