Mansfield and Four Additional Texas Cities Among Best Places to Live

Five Texas Cities Among Best Places to Live

TEXAS (Dallas Business Journal) – Five Texas cities have made CNN Money’s latest list of America’s best small cities in which to live.

McKinney took the number two spot on the top 100 list, just behind top-rated Carmel, Ind. Rounding out the top five were Eden Prairie, Minn., Newton, Mass. and Redmond, Wash.

The other Texas cities making CNN Money’s list include Allen (No. 13), Mansfield (No. 28), Flower Mound (No. 32) and Pflugerville (No. 43).

What qualifies these cities as "best places to live"? According to CNN Money, "these terrific small cities offer what American families care about most: strong job opportunities, great schools, low crime, quality health care, and plenty to do."

Clever Christmas Gifts for the Home to Fit Any Budget

When we think of the holidays, we think of home — our own home, maybe our mom’s, or even a best friend’s. Why not give a gift that will make that home better, warmer, more practical, and more fun?

Here’s a guide to Christmas gifts for every budget, from under $50 to stocking stuffers that dreams are made of.

Read More ð

Home Ownership Matters

Home ownership has a significant impact on net worth, educational achievement, civic participation, health, and overall quality of life.  And, home ownership helps create jobs — lots of them — right here at home.

Read More ð

Houses for $100 Down

That's all you'll need for a down payment to buy a foreclosure offered for sale by the government.

Read More ð

Buying is Cheaper than Renting in Most U.S. Cities

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Home prices have taken such a beating and demand for rental units has increased so much that it's now cheaper to buy a two-bedroom home than to rent one in most major U.S. cities.

Read More ð

10 Upgrades Under $100 to Boost a Home’s Value

Don't assume that only big-budget home renovations will produce valuable results. But there’s good news for homeowners on a budget. Plenty of inexpensive upgrades — like these — can pay off when it comes time to sell.

Read More ð

DFW Foreclosure Postings Down 14% for August

Dallas-Fort Worth residential foreclosure postings for the August courthouse auctions dipped below 4,500 for the fourth consecutive month and have declined 14% compared to August 2010, according to Foreclosure Listing Service Inc.

Read More ð