I also want radiant heat floors in the bedrooms, so naturally we'd get those in when doing the tile. 

Managing multiple contractors has to be the same as herding cats :) What % LTV did you ultimately get to refi at?

Recent exchange into a 1 year old unit with a gas fireplace. Much to my surprise there is no fan. I am like is this just for show? Apparently you can install a fan but doesn't that seem like something that should come...

I agree, the rate change may thin the herd a little bit, but not enough to be significant.

I also follow some real estate investment groups and I herd about the High Tax issue killing most of the profits.

Radiant heat is wonderful, but darn, that is expensive. 

They are radiant heat, so they heat the room and objects much like the sun does.  

Its feels like herd mentality.I remember reading an article stating the times (world wide) are similar to the tensions prior to World War I.

If shes still feeling anxious and upset about the monitoring and his comments about her and her kids "sounding like a herd of elephants" (and its been 4 or 5 times now) I think it makes sense to let her move out - do you guys?

Most people follow a herd mentality.