Home and Garden
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How to surf for the right sofa, from the comfort of your homeAug 04, 2018 6:00 am - The promise of online shopping — that virtually anything you want can be sent to you within a day or two — is not true of many home items, and no item is it less true of...
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More thoughts on curbing HUD losses on reverse mortgagesAug 04, 2018 6:00 am - My article last week stated that large losses on HECM reverse mortgages could be attributed to adverse selection. The program was attracting too many of those in despera...
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Happy owners don't write about timesharesAug 04, 2018 6:00 am - Q. It seems like all I read about timeshares is how awful they are to get rid of, and how people are unhappy with them. Are there folks who like their timeshare? Is it a...
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Escrow-free loans raise credit-risk questionsAug 03, 2018 6:00 am - Editor's note: This is an update of a column that originally published Dec. 7, 2016. WASHINGTON - Do you really need an escrow account attached to your mortgage? Aren't ...
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Why should we replace copper gas connectors?Aug 03, 2018 6:00 am - Q. A home inspector advised changing the gas connectors on my furnace, water heater and kitchen range. He says the old copper connectors are unsafe and should be replace...
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Post office, gardeners reach prairie planting compromiseAug 03, 2018 1:00 am - A pollinator garden at the post office on Ogden Avenue in Naperville won't be growing much longer. But the lead gardener, a conservationist and postal officials say the...
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Designing for multigenerational livingJul 29, 2018 7:01 am - As more and more baby boomers hit their golden years, and younger generations pay off university loans and save for their own houses, many homes are increasingly multige...
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Time to plant the seeds of fall vegetablesJul 29, 2018 7:00 am - In spring, gardeners can't wait to plant seeds of cool-season crops and begin harvesting the first season of vegetables before tomatoes have even been planted. Now, as w...
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Shrub's needles are susceptible to edemaJul 29, 2018 7:00 am - Q. Why are my yews turning yellow, brown and falling from the plant? A. The symptoms of leaves or needles turning yellow, brown and falling off are the result of too muc...
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Porcelain figurine inspired by ancient fableJul 29, 2018 6:01 am - Q. This porcelain figurine of the princess and the frog was given to me years ago by an older friend. It stands about 8 inches tall and is in flawless condition. The pri...