Real Estate
Five things you need to know about the government's tax credit for new homeowners
Last summer, the federal government threw first-time homebuyers a big bone: an income-tax credit for buying a place to live. This isn't like a tax deduction: A tax credit can have even more impact on your finances than a deduction because it allows you...
Vacation home owners rent them out for income
MIAMI BEACH - Whether it's the snowy slopes of Colorado, the blue waters of Florida, or the picturesque golf courses of Hilton Head Island, finding a quality vacation rental is becoming easier every day. That's especially true now as the economy sinks...
Vetting a contractor is important in tough times
With the economy on shaky ground, it's more important than ever for homeowners to carefully screen the contractors they hire for home improvement projects. Consumer protection experts say that when work slows down, some contractors may bid on jobs outside...
House of the Week: This home plan makes a memorable first impression
A smart layout, decorated by tasteful touches, leaves a memorable first impression on visitors to this home, Plan DD-2096, by Home Plans LLC. The floor plan covers 2,088 square feet of living space. Welcome guests into the warm entry, which is flanked...
Cheat Sheet: Indoor air quality on rise with well-sealed modern homes
The quality of the air we breathe indoors becomes even more important in the colder months, when we naturally spend more time inside. But the list of things that pollute that air is a long one, featuring such varied culprits as combustion sources (oil,...
Do It Yourself: Forget bats in your belfry; you’ve got squirrels in your attic
Q. How does one get rid of squirrels in the attic? - H. COOKE A. Many experts recommend trapping the animals, using humane traps that won't injure them. You can buy special squirrel traps ( visit www.doyourownpestcontrol.com and click on Get Rid of...
Your Place: Consider foam insulation for copper pipes
Q: We would like to insulate our copper water piping to and from our gas furnace. My husband would like to use fiberglass insulation, since he can wrap it around the piping and make it fit. He is unable to find foam that will easily fit over the pipes....
Home Style: Ultraviolet light fights odors
A new type of plug-in product uses light instead of fragrances to counteract odors in the air. The Germ Guardian UV-C Pluggable Air Sanitizer uses ultraviolet-C light to kill germs, odors and other airborne nasties, such as mold spores and other allergens....
Real Estate Q&A: Can a homeowners association be a family affair?
Q. I live in a non-gated community in Southern California. Three of the five members of the homeowners' association board in my development are related. There is a father-in-law, daughter and a sister on the board. This family owns 10 of the homes in...
Fix It: Clearing the picture on storm window condensation
Q: The storm windows on the second floor of our two-story home are getting a lot of condensation. What causes this and what can be done about it? A: This happens because of the "stack effect," one of the driving forces of air movement in your home,...
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