Home and Garden
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Fall cleanup in the garden doesn’t mean what it used toSep 28, 2024 9:00 am - Cleaning up the garden — or “putting the garden to bed” — has traditionally been a fall endeavor. In recent years, however, as information about the migrating or hibernating habits of birds, pollinators and other beneficial wildlife has seeped into the mainstream, many gardeners are postponing their big cleanups until spring. And that’s a good thing.
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Privacy issues arise with release of contact informationSep 25, 2024 9:41 pm - A board must maintain contact information for all owners, and in turn must make that information available to owners who request it for a purpose relating to the association. This can cause privacy concerns for owners, who may choose a workaround for protection.
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Buying for the long haul: How to choose a resilient house
Sep 25, 2024 3:30 am - After a hot stormy summer, homeowners are more aware than ever of the toll that extreme temperatures, high winds, torrential rain and power outages can have on their families and homes. While water issues can be hazardous and costly to repair, flying debris such as tree branches can damage roofs and windows. But there are steps buyers can take to evaluate risk before buying and that homeowners can take to mitigate risk before a storm.
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How to make your home feel like a spa on a budgetSep 25, 2024 2:39 am - Nothing can quite match the pampering, posh and contended experience you get when visiting a luxury spa. But the pros suggest recreating this feeling in the comforts of your own home isn’t as difficult as you would imagine with the right products, preparation and imagination.
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Two plumbing problemsSep 25, 2024 2:07 am - The main sewer line keeps getting clogged with roots and has to be cleaned out every three months. The line might need to be replaced, or possibly lined with a synthetic material, a new technique that’s cheaper than replacement.
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Home and garden calendar, Sept. 29-Oct. 5Sep 25, 2024 1:57 am - Garden clubs, fall planting parties, bulb sales and more.
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Pink or blue? Apply sulfur to turn those pink hydrangeas blue againSep 25, 2024 1:55 am - If your blue hydrangeas have turned pink this year, a sulfur application may return the new flowers’ color to blue.
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For home shoppers, the Fed’s big rate cut is likely just a small step toward affording a homeSep 23, 2024 9:55 am - The Federal Reserve gave home shoppers what they hoped for this week: a big rate cut and a signal of more cuts to come. Even so, aspiring homebuyers and homeowners eager...
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Mortgage rates are coming down — and homebuyers are ready to pounce
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Violation fines should come after written notice and hearingSep 19, 2024 6:00 pm - Is your board handling violation fines properly? Illinois law allows the board to levy a fine for a violation of the declaration or rules, after providing written notice of a violation and an opportunity for a hearing. Further, the decision to levy a fine must be made at an open board meeting.