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America's Most Expensive ZIP Codes
by virgo | 5:27 AM in Amazing, America, Architecture, Articles, Designs, Famous, ZIP Codes | comments (0)
13 of the Wackiest Beauty Trends Ever
by virgo | 12:14 AM in Amazing, Beautiful, Beauty, Fashion, Hair Trends, Strange, Wackiest, Weird, Weird Makeup, Worst | comments (0)
13 of the Worst Beauty Trends
Sure, in retrospect, not every beauty trend is spot-on sexy. Some make us laugh about our silly decisions, but others…well, let’s just say they’re not among our prouder moments. Behold, 13 of the craziest beauty trends we can’t wait to forget.Mega-Pastel Eyeshadow
Time machines may not be real, but one look at seriously pastel eyeshadow, and we feel like we’ve been transported to an 80s prom. Did this look totally wash out our faces? Yep. Did it sorta make us look like we were wearing cupcake frosting on our lids? You betcha.
How to wear trendsetting eyeshadow
Perms
Miss Bradshaw, we’ll forgive you: Even some of the chicest stars make some beauty mistakes. Not only were perms were kinda funny looking, as evidenced here, but does anyone remember how completely gross they smelled? We’re glad this trend took a nosedive (get it?!).
Sarah Jessica Parker's style
Teased Bangs
Million Mile-Long Nails
Loooooong nails were something we never quite understood—how does one press the elevator button? Brush her teeth? Use chopsticks? In the name of all things functional, we declare this one of the most insane beauty trends e-v-e-r.
Get the new polish trends
Nail polish for pretty hands
Super-Bleached Out Hair
Not only do we have the mega-nail situation going on here, but this is a double DON’T! Those poor, poor bleached-out tresses: No look is worth totally destroying your hair. Trust us.
Women transformed by color and cuts
Tanning with Baby Oil
Who can resist a way to get a good tan? Um, we can when it comes to baby oil: Hel-lo, skin cancer. Just say, “No, thank you” and reach for the SPF instead.
Shop for sun-free tanning lotions
Beehive Hair
While the ’50s and ’60s were a serious revolution in style, some trends are better left in the past. Case in point: the beehive, ‘cause it’s really no fun to hit your hair on the doorframe.
Amy Winehouse's hairstyles
Drawn-On Eyebrows
Skunk-Inspired Highlights
Colored Tips
Cupid’s Bow Lips & Goth Makeup
All-Over Crimped Hair
If only we could take a bullet train back to the ’90s and snatch those crimping irons straight from vanities across the country while yelling, “Control yourselves, ladies!” A little touch of texture here and there can work, but we’re all for ditching the waffle fry takeover look.
Alanis Morisette's current style
The ’60s Flip
If this doesn’t channel our mothers’ old yearbooks, then nothing does. We just can’t understand the idea behind this one, since we’re having a hard time remembering the last time we needed handlebars on our ‘do.
Jessica Simpson's sexy hairstyles
The Best US Cities for Starter Homes
by virgo | 12:32 AM in America, Architecture, Beautiful, Best, Cities, Designs, Famous, Homes, Luxury, People, Popular, Unique | comments (0)
With depressed prices across America’s real estate market, many first time home buyers are in a position to purchase a home that will rise in value over the long term. But since every local market is different, some places are significantly better than others for starter homes.
To understand the country’s best cities for first time buyers, real estate website Zillow.com analyzed data from 125 local markets, comparing median home values, average mortgage payments as a percentage of household income (affordability) and improving trends in home prices.
In addition to the housing data, the unemployment rate and overall cost of living was taken into account, with cost of living data from demographer Bert Sperling’s Best Places, which uses 100 to denote the national average. For example, if a city has a cost of living of 90, it costs a resident 10% less to live in the area, compared to the country as a whole.
These cities are all highly affordable when average incomes are taken into account, and also have an employment landscape that is much more favorable than the rest of the country, making them prime locations for those looking to buy their first home.
So, what are the best US cities for starter homes? Click ahead to find out!
1. Augusta, Georgia
Zillow median home value: $107,900
Month-over-month change: +0.42%
Avg monthly mortgage payment: $524.17
Mortgage payment as % of income: 14%
Unemployment rate: 9.3%
Cost of living: 77.4
The best US city for starter homes, Augusta has now seen four consecutive months of significant monthly appreciation, but median home prices remain very low, at less than 60% of the national average, providing a good opportunity for first time home buyers.
Although Augusta home prices have decreased 5.63% since this time last year, trends in recent months show significant upward movement, signaling that the city has just come off the bottom.
In addition to having an unemployment rate that is better than most of the nation, Augusta’s cost of living is 22.6% lower than the national average, while home buyers can expect to devote only 14% of their annual income to paying off their mortgage.
2. Dayton, Ohio
3. Tulsa, Oklahoma
Zillow median home value: $117,400
Month-over-month change: +0.29%
Avg monthly mortgage payment: $570.32
Mortgage payment as % of income: 15%
Unemployment rate: 7.5%
Cost of living: 79.3
Tulsa has now seen five consecutive months of monthly appreciation, with year-over-year appreciation at 2.39%. Both unemployment and cost of living are also significantly lower than the national average.
4. Akron, Ohio
5. Spartanburg, South Carolina
Zillow median home value: $105,800
Month-over-month change: +0.26%
Avg monthly mortgage payment: $513.97
Mortgage payment as % of income: 14%
Unemployment rate: 11.8%
Cost of living: 78.4
Spartanburg has seen five consecutive months of monthly appreciation, and although the unemployment rate is at 11.8%, the city’s cost of living and median home values are significantly lower than the national average. First time buyers in this South Carolina city can expect to pay about $514 in monthly mortgage payments.
6. Utica, New York
7. Cleveland, Ohio
Zillow median home value: $120,400
Month-over-month change: +0.55%
Avg monthly mortgage payment: $584.89
Mortgage payment as % of income: 14%
Unemployment rate: 9.3%
Cost of living: 80.7
In Cleveland, there have now been six consecutive months of flat or monthly appreciation, with a positive increase of 0.55% in the most recent month-over-month change. Although unemployment is relatively high compared to other cities on this list, Cleveland’s cost of living is 19.3% lower than the national average.
8. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
9. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Avg monthly mortgage payment: $707.80
Mortgage payment as % of income: 15%
Unemployment rate: 6.3%
Cost of living: 81.5
For home prices in Des Moines, there have now been six consecutive months of flat or monthly appreciation, with values that are about 20% lower than the national average. In addition, the city has an unemployment rate that is almost half the national average and a low overall cost of living.
To understand the country’s best cities for first time buyers, real estate website Zillow.com analyzed data from 125 local markets, comparing median home values, average mortgage payments as a percentage of household income (affordability) and improving trends in home prices.
In addition to the housing data, the unemployment rate and overall cost of living was taken into account, with cost of living data from demographer Bert Sperling’s Best Places, which uses 100 to denote the national average. For example, if a city has a cost of living of 90, it costs a resident 10% less to live in the area, compared to the country as a whole.
These cities are all highly affordable when average incomes are taken into account, and also have an employment landscape that is much more favorable than the rest of the country, making them prime locations for those looking to buy their first home.
So, what are the best US cities for starter homes? Click ahead to find out!
1. Augusta, Georgia
Zillow median home value: $107,900
Month-over-month change: +0.42%
Avg monthly mortgage payment: $524.17
Mortgage payment as % of income: 14%
Unemployment rate: 9.3%
Cost of living: 77.4
The best US city for starter homes, Augusta has now seen four consecutive months of significant monthly appreciation, but median home prices remain very low, at less than 60% of the national average, providing a good opportunity for first time home buyers.
Although Augusta home prices have decreased 5.63% since this time last year, trends in recent months show significant upward movement, signaling that the city has just come off the bottom.
In addition to having an unemployment rate that is better than most of the nation, Augusta’s cost of living is 22.6% lower than the national average, while home buyers can expect to devote only 14% of their annual income to paying off their mortgage.
2. Dayton, Ohio
Zillow median home value: $102,300
Month-over-month change: -0.03%
Avg monthly mortgage payment: $496.96
Mortgage payment as % of income: 12%
Unemployment rate: 11.2%
Cost of living: 76.70
In Dayton, the monthly rate of decline has shrunk significantly over the past 7 months and has dropped to less than -0.10% for the past three months. Although home prices are still decreasing slightly, overall home values are among the lowest on this list, while buyers can expect mortgage payments to only take up 12% of their annual income.
Month-over-month change: -0.03%
Avg monthly mortgage payment: $496.96
Mortgage payment as % of income: 12%
Unemployment rate: 11.2%
Cost of living: 76.70
In Dayton, the monthly rate of decline has shrunk significantly over the past 7 months and has dropped to less than -0.10% for the past three months. Although home prices are still decreasing slightly, overall home values are among the lowest on this list, while buyers can expect mortgage payments to only take up 12% of their annual income.
3. Tulsa, Oklahoma
Zillow median home value: $117,400
Month-over-month change: +0.29%
Avg monthly mortgage payment: $570.32
Mortgage payment as % of income: 15%
Unemployment rate: 7.5%
Cost of living: 79.3
Tulsa has now seen five consecutive months of monthly appreciation, with year-over-year appreciation at 2.39%. Both unemployment and cost of living are also significantly lower than the national average.
4. Akron, Ohio
Zillow median home value:$117,400
Month-over-month change: +0.15%
Avg monthly mortgage payment: $570.32
Mortgage payment as % of income: 14%
Unemployment rate: 10.1%
Cost of living: 75.2
There have now been four consecutive months of monthly appreciation in Akron, a city where residents enjoy a cost of living nearly 25% lower than the national average.
Month-over-month change: +0.15%
Avg monthly mortgage payment: $570.32
Mortgage payment as % of income: 14%
Unemployment rate: 10.1%
Cost of living: 75.2
There have now been four consecutive months of monthly appreciation in Akron, a city where residents enjoy a cost of living nearly 25% lower than the national average.
5. Spartanburg, South Carolina
Zillow median home value: $105,800
Month-over-month change: +0.26%
Avg monthly mortgage payment: $513.97
Mortgage payment as % of income: 14%
Unemployment rate: 11.8%
Cost of living: 78.4
Spartanburg has seen five consecutive months of monthly appreciation, and although the unemployment rate is at 11.8%, the city’s cost of living and median home values are significantly lower than the national average. First time buyers in this South Carolina city can expect to pay about $514 in monthly mortgage payments.
6. Utica, New York
Zillow median home value: $100,900
Month-over-month change: +1.07%
Avg monthly mortgage payment: $490.16
Mortgage payment as % of income: 13%
Unemployment rate: 7.1%
Cost of living: 88.40
In upstate New York, Utica has seen five consecutive months of significant monthly appreciation, with the most recent month-over-month increase above 1%. Both cost of living and the unemployment rate are much lower than the national average, while median home values stand at just over 55% of the national average.
Month-over-month change: +1.07%
Avg monthly mortgage payment: $490.16
Mortgage payment as % of income: 13%
Unemployment rate: 7.1%
Cost of living: 88.40
In upstate New York, Utica has seen five consecutive months of significant monthly appreciation, with the most recent month-over-month increase above 1%. Both cost of living and the unemployment rate are much lower than the national average, while median home values stand at just over 55% of the national average.
7. Cleveland, Ohio
Zillow median home value: $120,400
Month-over-month change: +0.55%
Avg monthly mortgage payment: $584.89
Mortgage payment as % of income: 14%
Unemployment rate: 9.3%
Cost of living: 80.7
In Cleveland, there have now been six consecutive months of flat or monthly appreciation, with a positive increase of 0.55% in the most recent month-over-month change. Although unemployment is relatively high compared to other cities on this list, Cleveland’s cost of living is 19.3% lower than the national average.
8. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Zillow median home value: $121,100
Month-over-month change: +1.55%
Avg monthly mortgage payment: $588.29
Mortgage payment as % of income: 15%
Unemployment rate: 6.4%
Cost of living: 83.1
There have now been seven consecutive months of significant monthly appreciation in Oklahoma City, which also has a relatively low unemployment rate of 6.4%. In addition, median home values are over $60,000 less than the national average in the city.
Month-over-month change: +1.55%
Avg monthly mortgage payment: $588.29
Mortgage payment as % of income: 15%
Unemployment rate: 6.4%
Cost of living: 83.1
There have now been seven consecutive months of significant monthly appreciation in Oklahoma City, which also has a relatively low unemployment rate of 6.4%. In addition, median home values are over $60,000 less than the national average in the city.
9. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Zillow median home value: $107,700
Month-over-month change: +0.46%
Avg monthly mortgage payment: $523.20
Mortgage payment as % of income: 13%
Unemployment rate: 8.5%
Cost of living: 87.7
Pittsburgh has seen flat or positive monthly appreciation for the past five months, while home prices are at about 60% of the national average of $182,200. With this taken into account, first time buyers can expect to devote only 13% of their annual income to mortgage payments, on average.
Month-over-month change: +0.46%
Avg monthly mortgage payment: $523.20
Mortgage payment as % of income: 13%
Unemployment rate: 8.5%
Cost of living: 87.7
Pittsburgh has seen flat or positive monthly appreciation for the past five months, while home prices are at about 60% of the national average of $182,200. With this taken into account, first time buyers can expect to devote only 13% of their annual income to mortgage payments, on average.
10. Des Moines, Iowa
Zillow median home value: $145,700
Month-over-month change: +0.81% Avg monthly mortgage payment: $707.80
Mortgage payment as % of income: 15%
Unemployment rate: 6.3%
Cost of living: 81.5
For home prices in Des Moines, there have now been six consecutive months of flat or monthly appreciation, with values that are about 20% lower than the national average. In addition, the city has an unemployment rate that is almost half the national average and a low overall cost of living.
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