We have all been moved by the images coming out of the hard-hit areas of Hurricane Irene. Many people have seen their homes washed away or flooded to ruin. CNN Money reports that total damage could reach $7 billion, only $3 billion of which will be covered by insurance. Our hearts go out to all of the people affected.

Big news is expected to come out of Washington next week as sources say President Obama will unveil new plans to stimulate the housing market in his address on jobs to a joint session of congress. Let’s hope!  In the meantime, this week the Administration extended the deadline for unemployed homeowners to apply for the foreclosure-prevention program.

Talk about a prime piece of real estate. I am not referring to a house, but rather a parking space. In some overcrowded cities with limited available parking, people can earn a pretty penny from selling a space. One couple sold a parking space they bought for $100K three years ago for $125K. Not a bad profit!

Can your home be bad for your health? Well, for homeowners facing foreclosure, yes. New research shows that there is “a direct correlation between foreclosure rates and the health of residents in Arizona, California, Florida and New Jersey.” The researchers found that these distressed homeowners were more at risk for hypertension and diabetes. In a related story, if you are looking to stay healthy in your house, check out these tips to make your house more fit-ting for a healthy lifestyle.

Homebuyers and sellers can sometimes have unusual requests and stipulations when making a deal. One man in California may take the prize for the most atypical demand: he will sell his home well below market value to a buyer who will let him and his wife live in one of the bedrooms for the rest of their lives for free.  That may be a little more difficult to negotiate than, say, including the furniture.

Gardeners pull inspiration from many places, be it books or places they have visited. To help green thumbs introduce French influence into their gardens, Designer Charlotte Moss provides tips from her explorations from some of France’s most remarkable outdoor masterpieces.  

Does your town rank in CNN Money’s best places to live in each state?

Have a Happy Labor Day Weekend!