Blog Posts
1/3/2010
In the U.S., New Year's Day is becoming a time to relax and recover from the previous holidays.
Morning hours can include watching the spectacular Rose Bowl Parade on television and later
seeing the game.Americans generally ignore the goodluck shenanigans that are popular in other
countries.But a large percentage of us still think we can cook and eat our way to a prosperous new year.
Corned beef and cabbage is one luckychoice because cabbage leaves signify money in this and other
cultures. Many people think pork should be included in the New Year's meal. For hundreds of years,
the hog has signified prosperity.Black-eyed peas, hog jowls or ham are lucky foods in some areas
as is rice.One activity is becoming a New Year's Day event. You hear bragging about it the day after.
Yes! They took down the Christmas tree. Making New Year's resolutions is an admirable
New Year's Day Most of us have given up on making a list because one or two are more
than we can handle anyway. If you haven't seen over the holidays, it's nice to visit relatives on
New Year's Day. In at least one rural community, men and boys go rabbit hunting and
women and girls make dinner.
2/1/2010
Homeowners look to the attic for new remodeling space
Remodeling a home can provide more living area without building on extra rooms. Now that the economy is moving in the
right direction, more homeowners are investing in revamping existing space in the attic, basement, porch or garage.
The attic is a popular destination for a new bedroom. But homeowners are also using attic space for an office, exercise
room, movie screening room, a spa or as a private getaway for meditation. Empty nesters are remodeling too, but they are
not looking for more space. They just want it reconfigured. People with adult kids or retired parents living with them have a
need for more privacy. According to a recent survey by AARP, a full third of respondents ages 18 to 49 reported living or
having lived with parents or in-laws. With a still iffy real estate market, homeowners are deciding to take advantage
of the 400 or 500 square feet they can find in the home they have. Attic conversions can be tricky. They can include
building stairs, reinforcing the floor so it can hold furniture, adding a window or two and routing wires, ducts and pipes.
A survey last year by the Home Improvement Institute showed that one in five remodelers planned to focus on the attic
in 2010. The industry hopes attic conversions will provide a much needed $225 billion boost in sales, according
to Smart Money magazine. One industry survey shows that 83 percent of attic remodeling costs can be recouped when
the house is sold. During the housing boom, high visibility rooms like kitchens, master suites and family-room
expansions were popular among remodelers. Now, homeowners are looking for space to put a grown kid or a parent
4/1/2010
Older golfers starting out
At the Pinehurst Golf Academy in North Carolina, they are seeing more new golfers who are in their 50s, 60s, and older. Here's some advice for late starters:
* Buy clubs that are the right size and weight for you. Get advice from a sporting goods store or a club pro. A fitting can cost $50 or more but will usually be deducted from the price of the clubs.
* Good news: Changes in equipment make it easier for a beginner to get started. Head designs and changes in club weight and flexibility can help choose graphite shafts.
* Take instructions. Most club pros give lessons. Get recommendations from other golfers. Instructors at private clubs are usually happy to take on students from the outside.
* Get advice on when to play the course. The course professional will say which hours are not crowded with good golfers so you won't hold anyone up.
* Know that there are advantages to starting at a later age. You are more likely to play a steady game rather than trying to hit 300 yards off the tee, for example.
* Use the senior tees or ladies' tees when you start. More people should use them all the time, and no one should be embarrassed about doing it.
* Forget the stroke rules at first. If you are taking too many shots, pick up your ball and go to the next 100-yard mark, to the green or the next hole. No one wants to take a lot of shots on one hole.
* Golf is great cardiovascular exercise!
5/1/2010
Builders show faith in the housing market
Sales of newly constructed homes and contracts to build them are way off from the peak year of 2005. But cash-rich builders are betting on a turn in the market for new homes They are buying land again. In some cases, builders are competing with each other for the best locations. As with other companies on the stock market, large builders have seen the price of their shares almost double in the last year. The number of lots owned or controlled by a dozen of the biggest builders rose in the second half of 2009, according to a recent study. They are scooping up bargains and buying what they need to meet expected demand for some time to come, showing faith in new home sales for this year and next year.
7/28/2010
How to select the most qualified home inspector
Buying a place where you will live for many years can fill you with anticipation and excitement. Now you've finally found the home that is just right for you. You've walked through the place, probably more than once, and everything looks perfect. But this could be the largest investment of your life to date, so you need to be sure. You need a home inspection. Today, it's required by most lenders before the deal is closed, but who do you choose to do it? Your real estate agent can provide several names for your perusal. Here are some questions to ask when interviewing them.
* Certifications: Check for affiliations such as those from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) or the International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO).
* Experience in building: The inspector has to be able to look at a wall, for example, and know how it's put together. Many home construction features are hidden from view.
* Experience as a home inspector: Check how long he or she has been in the business. Experience, training and insight are required for a thorough inspection.
* Ask to see their typical inspection plan and checklist. It should have space for written details and advice.
* What types of equipment will be used? Cutting-edge inspectors use more than a ladder and flashlight. They may bring electrical circuit analyzers, a carbon monoxide and fuel gas analyzer, a digital moisture meter and a digital camera to document their findings.
The report should contain a detailed picture of the house on the day of the inspection. It should itemize major components and their condition. It should include a listing of items in need of normal maintenance or attention. The report must list major repair items, any defect that could present a significant expense to repair and estimated repair costs. When choosing, don't pick the cheapest inspector. For about $50 more, you could get a more complete picture of the property.
