MORTGAGE

Federal Reserve meets this week The Fed isn't going to raise short-term interest rates. Instead, the committee might describe the methods and timing of taking money out of circulation to keep inflation at bay. Interest rate roundup | Trend index

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• Fixed vs. ARM

• Mortgage blog Bankrate's Holden Lewis on mortgages

DISCUSSIONS

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NEWS AND FEATURES

HOME OF THE WEEK Historic Lexington, upgraded Marilyn Pike recalls seeing this house in Lexington Center's historic district in 2004, when both the outside and inside were dark brown. Her daughter, then 12, raced to the third floor and declared, "Mommy, it's my dream house." Previous home: West Roxbury

Home sick The weekend before Christmas, I didn’t work. I had a cold; not the flu, not the Black Plague. My absence went mostly unnoticed in the... More blog posts More headlines UMass makes deal for Bayside Home builders gloomy, despite federal tax credit Case's career rewarding by any measure Developer’s easy-money pitch left a trail of ruin

BUYING

On the Block Warm tidings ’Tis the season to cherish these homes’ wood-burning stoves.

More buying headlines Office rents falling, report finds Use of Milton’s poor farm at issue Treasury to press mortgage firms on foreclosure prevention FHA wants tighter rules for lenders Patrick unveils $150m loan fund for rental properties

HOME DESIGN AND IMPROVEMENT

Designing Toss in style A home recycling center doesn’t have to be unattractive. Search for local home pros and suppliers

PETER HOTTON Leaks put damper on new bay window Q. There are no leaks from a calm, vertical rain, but I do get leaks after a day of slanting horizontal rain. Can you figure why? 2 p.m. Thurs Chat with Peter Carol Stocker Recommended Garden Gift Books Here are some of the best 2009 garden books that I would recommend for holiday giving:"Oh Garden of Fresh Possibilities! Notes from a Gloucester Garden,"...

SELLING

10 steps before selling your home Eager home buyers are few and far between. The Globe Magazine has 10 steps to hook one.

More selling headlines As jobs remain elusive, foreclosures rise again Judge upholds ruling on sales of foreclosed properties Home sellers slash prices by $28.4 billion