When buying a house is it better to have the seller pay the closing costs or to reduce the sale price of the home? [more inside]
posted on Oct 1, 2008 - 9 answers

How late is too late to negotiate with mortgage broker for fees? And how can I track mortgage interest rates to get a better rate before closing? [more inside]
posted on Sep 19, 2008 - 5 answers

I have a rental house that I am selling. It has been listed with a Real Estate agent since Nov 07. Not one offer on it. Some people from my parent's church are interested in buying it, but they want to do it For Sale By Owner -no Real Estate Agents involved. My listing expires on Oct. 11. How long after the listing expires can I sell it on my own? Is there a grace period? Any ideas of how to cancel the listing beforehand? I don't want to lie, but I would rather sell to the church people for obvious reasons (more money for me, better deal for them, etc.). I am in GA.
posted on Sep 2, 2008 - 23 answers

Every 3,000 miles, I change the motor oil. But what about the house? I need a home repair and maintenance schedule? I'm looking for the best books and online resources that describe optimum home repair schedules and practices. [more inside]
posted on Aug 18, 2008 - 9 answers

Help me best attack a clogged vent stack. [more inside]
posted on Jul 22, 2008 - 11 answers

How do I move back to New Orleans? Or, in light of the economy here and elsewhere, should I stay in Baton Rouge and suck it up? [more inside]
posted on Jul 10, 2008 - 7 answers

Air conditioner puts out more water than cool air. Ideas on what two renters can do? [more inside]
posted on Jun 29, 2008 - 9 answers

Help me figure out just what the hell is up with our new addition, bugs, and sawdust! [more inside]
posted on Jun 24, 2008 - 2 answers

House vs. apartment. Are the costs of maintaining a house roughly less, the same as, or more than levies on a comparably sized apartment? [more inside]
posted on Jun 16, 2008 - 11 answers

Much like my last question posted here four years ago about OS9, I am being flummoxed by hard water. Or more specifically, the level of difficulty wrt installing a water softener. How hard is it? [more inside]
posted on Jun 12, 2008 - 5 answers

I am thinking of installing a metal roof. I am in central New England. My present shingled roof has a 3½" to 12 pitch and is rated for up to 30 pounds per square foot. This winter The roof had to be shoveled on a regular basis. I am both worried that with heavy repeated snows my home is at risk for structural damage and I suspect that this 30 PSF rating is not a real world figure. I also have a problem with heavy snow blocking the combustion air for my furnace which is built into the furnace stack. Would a dark colored metal roof with such a shallow pitch be self clearing under heavy snow?
posted on Apr 26, 2008 - 5 answers

I'm going to be building a modest split-level home this spring – 1900 sqft – in Madison, WI. Should I expect the cost of materials to be lower or higher than it was to build the exact same house 6 months ago? [more inside]
posted on Apr 22, 2008 - 10 answers

I'm moving to a new place and need to know what kinds of simple items I can use to furnish my place and keep it looking neat [more inside]
posted on Mar 13, 2008 - 8 answers

What kind of risks should I watch out for bidding in a housing auction? [more inside]
posted on Feb 5, 2008 - 5 answers

Why is my condo still cold?! I've sealed up all the windows... [more inside]
posted on Feb 4, 2008 - 17 answers

Family of four, moving to Bay Area, making $115K. Is this crazy? [more inside]
posted on Jan 27, 2008 - 15 answers

Does soundproofing material in a window also keep out the cold? [more inside]
posted on Jan 20, 2008 - 8 answers

I'm a woman, divorced, being audited by the IRS, in some credit card debt and have problems with my rental history. Should I sell my home? [more inside]
posted on Oct 9, 2007 - 14 answers

I need recommendations for a good central vacuum system to install in my house. [more inside]
posted on Sep 18, 2007 - 1 answers

My landlord won't give me my deposit back. Is there anything I can do? [more inside]
posted on Sep 12, 2007 - 20 answers

My landlord left a letter on my door informing me that there will be a "walk-through" the house this week. What are my rights, and what is some good advice? (I live in New Mexico, USA) [more inside]
posted on Aug 27, 2007 - 41 answers

Having recently moved to a small flat with little outside space, my free-standing kick-boxing bag is of no use. Even if I had room to hurl myself at it, I'd annoy the neighbours. What sort of equipment can I use to practice Thai boxing and grappling at home? [more inside]
posted on Jul 3, 2007 - 8 answers

We've just moved into a new house and we've noticed a strange odor both inside and outside most nights since we've been here. It's our first house ever and we're at a loss with regards what to do... [more inside]
posted on Jun 24, 2007 - 30 answers

My family has mold growing on the lower portions of inside of the walls in the central area of our 15-year-old home. We're getting the house sprayed, but the price the contractor gave us seems extremely high. What should I expect? [more inside]
posted on May 9, 2007 - 8 answers

Mortgage Filter: My wife and I are looking for homes in the greater DC area and found what we think might be one of the best mortgage deals in the country. Of course, you can imagine that we are incredibly skeptical. More after the jump. [more inside]
posted on May 6, 2007 - 4 answers

My wife and I put in an offer on a house for $187,000, which was accepted by the sellers. However, the inspector found a major problem that will cost about $22,000 to fix. What's a fair counter-offer given this problem? [more inside]
posted on Feb 14, 2007 - 30 answers

Homeowner blogs? [more inside]
posted on Jan 26, 2007 - 8 answers

Help me budget for buying our first home. [more inside]
posted on Jan 12, 2007 - 17 answers

How do we figure out whether we're financially and emotionally ready to buy our first home? We have a really good handle on what we can afford, which neighborhoods we like best, what houses are going for. We've read "Home Buying for Dummies." We've saved up an OK chunk of cash. But my husband and I are both worried, and for different reasons. [more inside]
posted on Jan 7, 2007 - 32 answers

What are some "green" alternatives when replacing an old shingle home roof (in New England)? [more inside]
posted on Nov 8, 2006 - 13 answers

How to remove paint from parquet floors? [more inside]
posted on Nov 8, 2006 - 9 answers

How can I make my house's decor appear sophisticated and interesting? [more inside]
posted on Oct 28, 2006 - 25 answers

I know, I know, light bulbs seem to fail in clusters, but I don't think this is to do with putting a bunch of lights in at the same time. This week for instance, I got up and turned on my kitchen lights (8 x 50w small spots) and one blew and tripped my Ground Floor Light fuse. A day later and I get home and turn on the same lights, another goes and trips the lights circuit again. Later in the week, another goes in my study. I replaced all the bulbs today. I turn them on, everything is fine, I go outside and turn on the porch/side lights (3 x 60w) and two of them blow. I nearly always have an inop light or two. My question is this : Is there an electrical fault which might explain this pattern of failure ? Thanks
posted on Oct 7, 2006 - 11 answers

Ned Flanders was right. Insurance is a form of gambling. Please help me win the bet with my home warranty. [more inside]
posted on Sep 14, 2006 - 6 answers

I just discovered a bottle of water has leaked onto my hardwood floor. What can I do to minimize the damage while the floor is still damp? [more inside]
posted on Sep 3, 2006 - 10 answers

PropertyFilter: Can a non-resident own a home in the United States? [more inside]
posted on Aug 19, 2006 - 11 answers

can anyone recommend a good DIY/home improvement guide on-line? [more inside]
posted on Aug 19, 2006 - 4 answers

Where are the best places to buy moderately priced (and new) furniture in New York besides Ikea? [more inside]
posted on Aug 10, 2006 - 9 answers

Considering moving to Salem Oregon. Do you live there? Have you lived there before? How can I learn more about the area before we visit? There is [more inside]
posted on Jul 5, 2006 - 12 answers

What US neighborhoods are best known for interesting examples of Craftsman homes? I know about the various bay area neighborhoods - the Maybecks of the Berkeley hills, Westwood Park in SF, etc.; I'm familiar with Pasadena and its Bungalow Heaven, as well as Santa Barbara's many restored bungalows - and I'm familiar with similar neighborhoods here in Sacramento, where I live now. What I'm mainly looking for are out of the way, underrated or less-known neighborhoods with interesting historical and architectural character, specifically expressed in homes built in the Craftsman aesthetic - from the conservative late Victorian through the Prairie and Mission revival. [more inside]
posted on Jun 7, 2006 - 21 answers

UKPropertyFilter: I'm in the process of buying my first house. Can anyone offer the wisdom of their experience of employing a conveyancer? Specifically I'm interested in using a local firm of solicitors/conveyancers vs. using the cheaper on-line alternative. [more inside]
posted on May 24, 2006 - 6 answers

Can anyone recommend a good contractor / home builder in the Boston / Metrowest area? [more inside]
posted on Apr 25, 2006 - 6 answers

Something in our house is making us sneeze. How can I find out what it is? [more inside]
posted on Mar 7, 2006 - 10 answers

Why would the lightbulbs burn out much more frequently in one room of my house? [more inside]
posted on Feb 22, 2006 - 9 answers

Might have to do some serious work on my house's foundation. Estimates run to $10,000 or more. What should I be asking or thinking about here? [more inside]
posted on Feb 19, 2006 - 4 answers

What are some advantages and disadvantages of buying a newly built home? [more inside]
posted on Feb 2, 2006 - 19 answers

Poor homeowner: What are my options for inexpensive carpeting? [more inside]
posted on Jan 16, 2006 - 8 answers

I need a housecleaner / housekeeper recommendation in Sacramento, CA for a rush cleanup job before thanksgiving.
posted on Nov 19, 2005 - 3 answers

Is it cheaper to buy a house or build one from scratch? [more inside]
posted on Nov 14, 2005 - 18 answers

Recirculating Sand Filter septic systems or other alternatives? Anybody here have one or know anything about them? [more inside]
posted on Oct 26, 2005 - 1 answers

Can I sell a home by owner? [more inside]
posted on Oct 2, 2005 - 7 answers

Rapid self-design house building in the UK. I have an ill-informed notion that this should be possible by using pre-formed concrete slabs, but can find very little information. Can anyone shed any light on the subject? [more inside]
posted on Aug 9, 2005 - 6 answers

Experienced homeowners, help out a first-time buyer. What wisdom can you impart about the home buying process? What do you wish you had done differently when buying your first home?
posted on Jul 29, 2005 - 36 answers

How do I know if I am getting the best home loan available to me? [more inside]
posted on Jun 29, 2005 - 9 answers

The front porch of my 1926 non-historic house needs to be refinished. It has peeling paint over stain, is developing 3-4mm wide cracks and when I make it down to wood, the boards seem to be damp. Small ants come spilling out when I turn off my orbital sander. [more inside]
posted on May 21, 2005 - 14 answers

I'm interested in stories about living in apartments where something bad has happened. Apartments with gnarly histories. Murders, suicides, 'haunted' apartments, whatever. Did it affect the value? Did you learn about it only later? Did you hire an exorcist? Did a new paint job suffice? etc. Anyone have such stories, or know of such?
posted on Feb 6, 2005 - 16 answers

Having finally settled into a new job, my wife and I are beginning the process of buying our first home. We're hoping to make the process as smooth as possible.
Anyone have advice for ways to accomplish this goal? [+]
posted on Feb 4, 2005 - 37 answers

[VaccumFilter] My Wife wants a new vacuum for Xmas. Namely, she wants that bright yellow $400 vacuum that you see on TV all the time. That seems a bit excessive to me for our small house. Tell me mefities, what's the best vacuum for the money? Is it worth repairing an old vaccum instead?
posted on Dec 3, 2004 - 49 answers

New Home Filter: I just bought my home, and want a fence for the back yard. I've received a couple of estimates, but don't want to pay cash, preferring to keep cash on hand for an emergency. Would a loan to finance be better, or a credit card? Are there other options? I plan to pay off within a year.
posted on Oct 13, 2004 - 11 answers

Any advice for being the letter in a sublet? (More inside, naturally)
posted on May 17, 2004 - 5 answers

So yesterday my wife — Ms. We're-Not-Moving — found a house closer to Portland that she loves. We both love it. The only offer we can make, though, is contingent upon selling our home, which we hadn't even considered until yesterday. Help! Does anyone have experience with this kind of thing? What can we do to make a contingency offer more attractive? What about bridge loans? Anyone have experience with those? I need advice on hurried real estate transactions (other than "don't do them").
posted on May 6, 2004 - 10 answers

Any tips on selling a house?
posted on Jan 18, 2004 - 24 answers

After living together for four years, my sig other and I are ready to take the plunge - and buy a good vacuum cleaner. We have a dog, she has allergies, I googled and quickly came up with the Dyson DC07 'Animal', which has 5 stars on Amazon but which costs $500. Simple? Well, other reviews, including some other Amazon reviews, say it's a bit of a dog, and one accuses Dyson of padding the reviews with their PR material. Has anyone used a Dyson, or the DC07? [More inside]
posted on Jan 5, 2004 - 23 answers