Articles filed under Real Estate

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Kitchen islands don’t have to cost a fortuneFeb 28, 2014 12:00 AM
You don’t have to be a millionaire to own an island. You could have your own personal island right in your kitchen. If you kitchen is large enough, you can add a central workspace, or island, in just a weekend and without spending a fortune.
Americans again cash in on home equityFeb 28, 2014 12:00 AM
One of the mortgage products that contributed to the housing crash is booming again: New home equity credit line borrowings soared by 42 percent in the final three months of 2013 and were up sharply for the entire year, to $111 billion.
Association warns of “hot spots” in aluminum wiring Feb 28, 2014 12:00 AM
Q. Our condo was built in 1971, and the electrical system is wired with aluminum. Fortunately, all of the wire ends were retrofitted with copper “pigtails” about five years ago.
Lisle trustees providing input on plans for downtown siteFeb 27, 2014 12:00 AM
With a company proposing a mix of apartments and retail space for the old village hall site in downtown Lisle, village trustees are trying to decide what they want to see in the plans and whether they're willing to offer incentives to make the project happen. “I think we are well on our way to moving this project forward,” Mayor Joe Broda said. “Overall, the consensus of the board is we like the new revision of the product they are presenting.”
U.S. sales of new homes up in JanuaryFeb 26, 2014 12:00 AM
U.S. sales of new homes rebounded in January to the fastest pace in more than five years, offering hopes that housing could be regaining momentum after a slowdown last year caused by rising interest rates.
Contact warranty company before making repairsFeb 23, 2014 12:00 AM
Q. We bought a home in June. The previous owner threw in a home warranty. Eight days after closing, during a heavy rain, the sump pump failed.
Water’s high acidity requires a specialist’s attentionFeb 23, 2014 12:00 AM
Q. Our house was built in 1967. Over the years, we’ve been having a problem with corrosion on the hot-water fittings, mostly around the faucets. It is green and the faucets get a thick buildup on them.
Should condo owners press their boards to seek FHA approval?Feb 22, 2014 12:00 AM
If a condo meets FHA approval, purchasers of units in the condo are eligible for FHA financing. This is advantageous to existing residents who want to sell their units. However, many condos that could qualify have never sought approval.
Be clear on what services a discount broker provides Feb 22, 2014 12:00 AM
Q. I am planning to list my house by March or April. What is your opinion, pro and con, about listing with a low-rate agency that advertises to sell with 0 to 2.5 percent commission. Can a multiple-listing agent sell through them and add to the commission?
Snow-filled balconies can damage condo buildingFeb 22, 2014 12:00 AM
Q. The enormous snowfall this winter has caused snow to fill balconies that serve the individual condominium units. This has caused the drains on the balconies to become clogged with snow and ice. Can the board require owners to remove the snow from their balconies?
Rural lawmakers struggle to make themselves heardFeb 22, 2014 12:00 AM
Indiana Rep. Bill Friend, a pork producer, said it’s challenging to explain modern farming to colleagues who no longer have personal connections with agriculture. He calls it an annual educational project, as he knows of only one other state legislator who makes his living primarily from farming.
The outside of your home needs as much attention as the insideFeb 22, 2014 12:00 AM
More people will see the outside of a home than will ever see the interior. Beyond pure vanity, though, maintaining a beautiful home exterior will keep the structure sound and ensure a healthy resale value. It’s puzzling, then, how it can be so easy to neglect the home exterior.
Important tips for do-it-yourself paintingFeb 21, 2014 12:00 AM
Painting is the least expensive way to upgrade your home. Even a small project can make a big difference. Here are some of our favorite tips and tricks to help your next paint job turn out like a masterpiece!
Home deals worth checking outFeb 21, 2014 12:00 AM
If you’re planning to shop for a home in the coming few weeks, here’s an early spring buying season come-on that just might save you some money if you qualify.
White particles signal a problem with the furnace Feb 21, 2014 12:00 AM
Q. Ever since we installed wood flooring, we notice little white granules on the floor every morning. We previously had white carpet, so we never noticed this before. We suspect that this is coming from the forced air registers in the ceiling, but we had the furnace checked by a heating contractor.
Pets are cool, but irresponsible pet-owners are notFeb 21, 2014 12:00 AM
Q. My neighbor has two Chihuahuas. They are nice little dogs, but they’re always squeezing through the fence in his front yard to tear up my garden and poop on my lawn. I have talked to my neighbor several times about this problem, but he just shrugs his shoulders and says that there’s nothing he can do. I don’t want to harm the little buggers, but I’m at my wits’ end. What do you suggest?
Developer has plans for vacant downtown Lisle siteFeb 19, 2014 12:00 AM
More than a decade after Lisle demolished its old village hall, officials are hoping to sell the downtown property to a company that would construct a mix of apartments and retail space. Village board members this week approved a “letter of intent” to develop the former village hall site at Main Street and Burlington Avenue. “I want to see people downtown and I want to see businesses come to the downtown area,” Mayor Joe Broda said.
Schindler factory for saleFeb 18, 2014 12:00 AM
Oskar Schindler, who ran a cookware factory in Krakow that had been converted to arms production, moved the plant and its Jewish workers to Brnenec in 1944 as the Soviet Red Army approached Poland. Originally a textile plant owned by a Jewish family, the Brnenec site was given to Schindler thanks to his ties to the Abwehr, or Nazi secret service. He managed to keep many of his employees out of Auschwitz by telling the German government they were skilled laborers.
Raise the colors, or just pitch the tint? Feb 17, 2014 12:00 AM
Sara Peterson, editor-in-chief of HGTV Magazine, was the guest last week on The Post’s Home Front online chat. Here is an edited excerpt.
For cookbook author Joan Nathan, a home that ‘loves people’Feb 17, 2014 12:00 AM
When you’re in a home where dozens of renowned chefs are about to gather for a weekend of merrymaking and fundraising for a good cause, you can’t help but get caught up in the excitement of a potential “pastrami-off” between two chefs and the opportunity to indulge in black hummus and shakshuka, an egg dish concocted by cookbook author Joan Nathan.