Personal Finance Daily: Value-boosting home features

	Personal Finance Daily AUGUST 03, 2012 Friday's Personal Finance Stories By MarketWatch Don't miss these top stories: Home features that add real value How to manage volatility as the fiscal cliff looms July jobs data show some improvement in hiring Top 10 U.S. cities to live in if you like restaurants Those buying a new home have lots of options, from the number of bedrooms and bathrooms they want to whether the home needs a fireplace. A new online tool helps put values on these features, to clue in home buyers and remodelers on where they'll get the most bang for the buck. For example, in certain cases, adding a full bathroom will boost the value of a home more than adding an extra bedroom. And think twice before omitting a fireplace from a floor plan. Read Lew Sichelman's Realty Q&A for more on what home features add real value. Plus, read Paul Farrell's take on why Big Oil is public enemy No. 1 and check out news and commentary about the latest jobs report. —Amy Hoak , Personal Finance writer Home features that add real value You know that spending money will reap rewards when it comes time to sell and move on. But exactly where to put your money for the greatest return is difficult to answer, Lew Sichelman writes. Home features that add real value. How to avoid the complaint department Spend enough time taking care of your money, writes Chuck Jaffe, because it will cost you time and money if a financial decision goes horribly wrong. How to avoid the complaint department. Measuring economic health via the hot rod How do you measure economic health? See if rich guys are restoring old cars. Measuring economic health via the hot rod . 10 U.S. cities to live in if you like restaurants Some towns are known for being great dining destinations. But a recent report from the real-estate website Trulia actually quantified the places where full-service restaurants are in abundance. 10 U.S. cities to live in if you like restaurants. ECONOMY AND POLITICS 'Hopeful' and a 'hammer blow': Jobs reaction The following are some of the reactions by economists and politicians to data showing the U.S. created 163,000 nonfarm jobs in July and that the unemployment rate edged up to 8.3%. 'Hopeful' and a 'hammer blow': Jobs reaction. July jobs data show some improvement in hiring Nonfarm payroll employment rose by 163,000 in July, a faster pace than the prior four months. The unemployment rate ticked higher to 8.3%. July jobs data show some improvement in hiring. Jobs market is treading water, and that's not bad The latest jobs report shows the economy is treading water, a very disappointing result. But at least we're not sinking, writes Rex Nutting. Jobs market is treading water, and that's not bad. Economy isn't helping Romney in swing states Mitt Romney isn't getting much of a boost from the economy in the swing states that will decide who will win the presidency, Rex Nutting reports. Economy isn't helping Romney in swing states. Shilling: New recession has begun Just when you thought it was safe to get back into the market, here comes Gary Shilling to throw ice water on your hopes and dreams, writes Howard Gold. Shilling: New recession has begun. Big Oil is Earth's Public Enemy No. 1 Yes, we have 200 years of oil supply locked underground. Too bad it'll kill us in 50 if we keep burning it. Big Oil is Earth's Public Enemy No. 1. INVESTING How to manage volatility as the fiscal cliff looms As the U.S. hits the one-year anniversary of a debt downgrade, volatility is low. A spike is likely, however, as investors approach the November elections, the debt ceiling, and the "fiscal cliff" at year end. How to manage volatility as the fiscal cliff looms. China letter shows signs of life The death of China may be exaggerated. Both China letters continue a painful recovery, writes Peter Brimelow. China letter shows signs of life. Don't get mad, get even! Everyone's up in arms in anger over the lunacy in how Wall Street operates that, with Knight Capital, became even more evident this week. But Mark Hulbert asks: Why get mad when we can make money from the market's madness? Don't get mad, get even! Emerging markets aren't all the same There are more investment opportunities in emerging markets from which to choose. And that means more competition among capital-seeking enterprises, says Thomas Kostigen. Emerging markets aren't all the same. Get the latest news on our mobile site: http://www.marketwatch.com/m MarketWatch has sent you this newsletter because you signed up to receive it. To ensure you receive this newsletter in the future, please add marketwatchmail.com to your list of approved senders. 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