Category Archives: Home Projects & Upkeep

I learned something new last Friday regarding the debate between conserving an old house by restoring it, versus tearing it down completely and starting new. This took place at a property I have listed for sale, and with me were the Buyer, … Continue reading →

I used to get this question all the time while I was a home inspector: “Well… does the house pass or fail?” I can see where people would think in those terms. That’s how we’re programmed to think in the … Continue reading →

For 22 years now, Remodeling Magazine has published a Cost vs. Value study where they look at roughly 20 common upgrade areas and measure the return on those upgrades. The study is separated by region, but all in all, there … Continue reading →

I often quote a renowned building performance expert named Joseph Lstiburek, on his two rules for ideal exterior design in wet climates: One, “If you want to save cash, flash!” And two, “Don’t be a dope, slope!” I’ve seen plenty … Continue reading →

Last month, we took a family vacation out of town. We locked up the house, set a few lights on timers, and turned down the thermostats on the the furnace and water heater. Basic stuff. Our house is less than … Continue reading →

As a former home inspector, I’ve seen  plenty of mis-wired, mis-plumbed, mis-vented, and just plain WRONG water heater installations. Although I did “flag” them, I didn’t fully realize the potential consequences until I watched the video below. Whether or not … Continue reading →

Q: What’s wrong with this picture? A: Every house performs differently. The setting, the ground-type, the orientation… it all matters. And so does the era the house was built in, the choice of lumber that went into it, the carpenters … Continue reading →

Men fix things. Or at least, we like to believe we CAN fix things. It’s a double-edged sword at times. I mean, long before I became a Realtor I learned carpentry. And I still have every tool I ever owned, right … Continue reading →

Money’s tight in ’09 for a LOT of people and businesses. Maybe MOST people. Definitely MOST businesses. But that coin has a flip-side in that it is a bonfide “buyer’s market” in most sectors of the economy. “Prices are down… Incentives are … Continue reading →