Articles filed under Real Estate

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Rotted doorframe can be patched Feb 10, 2013 12:00 AM
My problem is that we failed to realize that occasionally the drain at the bottom of outdoor steps down to my basement would clog. Water would sit in that bottom well, in turn seeping under the storm door and causing the doorframe to rot. What product can I use to repair the door frame that could withstand the freeze/thaw cycle in my area?
High-tech ‘Granny Pod’ could change elder care Feb 10, 2013 12:00 AM
Viola Baez wouldn't budge. Her daughter's family had just invested about $125,000 in a new kind of home for her, a high-tech cottage that might revolutionize the way Americans care for their aging relatives. But Viola wouldn't even step inside.
Clean faucet finishes with care Feb 10, 2013 12:00 AM
Q. I'm trying to get the corrosion off my older bathtub mixing valve and sink faucet. I have tried using strong cleaners, without success. Also, some spots on the handles appear to have a gold color coming through the chrome plating.
Townhouse owner takes insurance money, fails to make repairs Feb 10, 2013 12:00 AM
Q. Our association has a situation that the board is having trouble resolving. Two years ago one of our owners had major inside damage done to his townhome, the result of a broken water pipe that was left running for an entire weekend.
HECM reverse mortgages are attracting the wrong crowd Feb 9, 2013 12:00 AM
The recent actuarial review of the financial status of FHA’s home equity conversion mortgage (HECM) insurance fund revealing a deficit of $2.8 billion has generated considerable attention in Congress and elsewhere. Some commentators have suggested that the deficit was a reason for curtailing the program.
No sibling competition, but still a complex issue Feb 9, 2013 12:00 AM
Q. Is it beneficial for a widow to “sell” her house to a child for $1.00? What might be conflicts to either side? Sibling competition is not an issue.
Overcoming culture clash among diverse residents Feb 9, 2013 12:00 AM
Recent immigrants frequently settle in areas with persons of like background, and are often drawn to the benefits of community association living. However, the task of building new lives, working and raising families often leave them little time to learn a language and culture that bear little resemblance to their own.
FHA’s new mortgage fees will pack a bite Feb 8, 2013 12:00 AM
If you want to buy a house with minimal cash by using an FHA-insured mortgage, here's some sobering news: Thanks to an ongoing series of fee increases and underwriting tweaks — the most recent of which were announced Jan. 31 — FHA is getting steadily more expensive, and may not work for you.
Steps to take when an ‘ex’ meddles with a home refinancing Feb 8, 2013 12:00 AM
Federal law prohibits a former spouse from gaining access to the other's current credit report, even if it involves the refinancing of a home that they once owned together.
Home inspector: heavy-handed bureaucrats intimidate homeowners Feb 8, 2013 12:00 AM
Q. We purchased our home 10 years ago. A primary selling feature was the detached guesthouse, built in 1964. But now, the county posted a sign on our gate declaring that we are in violation of code.
Resolve to organize your home this year Feb 8, 2013 12:00 AM
Organizing and decluttering are in the top 10 New Year’s resolutions almost every year. One way to get some of your gear under control is to make the most out of your existing closet space. Most are easy to install in just a weekend. Here are some tips to get you started.
Bartlett might set up foreclosed building registryFeb 6, 2013 12:00 AM
The Bartlett village board, meeting as a committee Tuesday, heard a proposal for a new ordinance that would give the village staff more support in dealing with vacant properties.
U.S. home prices rose last year by most in 6.5 years Feb 5, 2013 12:00 AM
Emerald is color of the year Feb 3, 2013 12:00 AM
When Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Institute, chose the color of 2009, the United States was sinking deep into a recession and the bright yellow of Mimosa, it was hoped, would energize and encourage the country. So what's the right color for an economy that's hopefully on the mend? Well, emerald green, of course.
Landlord is required to return any overpayment of rent Feb 3, 2013 12:00 AM
Q. I rent an apartment on a month-to-month basis and have given 30-day written notice to terminate my tenancy. It will expire on the seventh day of next month. I didn't know that I would be changing jobs until the day I gave notice so I have already paid my rent in full for next month.
Easy plumbing upgrades will make a big difference Feb 3, 2013 12:00 AM
Q. I would like to do some upgrades around my house. My question is -- although my plumbing system is working properly, what are some easy plumbing upgrades you recommend to help my home and family?
How to insulate your attic access opening Feb 3, 2013 12:00 AM
Q. I just moved into a new house and I went up into the attic to store some holiday decorations. There was no insulation on the cover or seals around it. Shouldn't the cover be insulated and sealed?
Painting interior doors adds ‘wow’ to rooms Feb 2, 2013 12:00 AM
If you've got your decor looking just about right but want that extra "wow" factor, consider painting interior doors. It's a low-commitment project, since you can simply repaint if you don't like the outcome. And you can customize the color and design to any decor.
Using a HECM reverse mortgage as an insurance policy Feb 2, 2013 12:00 AM
Can seniors insure themselves against running out of money? A standard remedy for anxiety associated with hazards to life, limb or pocketbook is insurance. In the case of homeowners with equity, the insurance is provided by the federal government with the HECM reverse mortgage program. But the senior must use the program properly.
New life for a century-old living room Feb 2, 2013 12:00 AM
Marianne and Mike live in a gorgeous century home with all the advantages that come with an older house -- high ceilings, character and charm aplenty. But there are drawbacks to older homes, too, and their living room had most of them -- poor lighting, uneven walls and intrusive radiators, to name just a few.