We have an old, unlived in house that is disintegrating. We need help fixing it up, emptying the junk out of it and selling it. We are overwhelmed and find it hard to face this problem. Advice needed.
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posted by anonymous
on Oct 2, 2012 -
16 answers
We're thinking about making an offer on a house. However, it has an odd feature in the basement that may be related to drainage. Can anyone tell us what this might do or what could be behind the wall?
Picture here - it's the 4" bumpout in the back left corner.
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posted by WowLookStars
on Sep 30, 2012 -
11 answers
We have a limestone house that has a small amount of periwinkle blue siding. In addition, the doors (front and garage), window frames, gutters, and various trim pieces are white.
Image 1.
Image 2.
From the street, the house doesn't look that great. Repainting the blue siding should be a relatively easy job, but what color would really look good?
Should the white doors be painted to match the new siding color?
posted by steinwald
on Sep 29, 2012 -
25 answers
I have a mortgage that is perfectly healthy. Should/can I do a HARP refinance on it?
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posted by miyabo
on Sep 27, 2012 -
9 answers
As part of a big upcoming pre-winter energy improvement and remodeling at Chez McMurphy (sprayfoaming, new windows, etc), we're going to have to remove the 1920s era cast iron radiators. I'd like to replace them with more modern efficient "european style" flat panels. (My first option, sandblasting and refurbishing them turns out to be considerably more expensive.) A couple of questions though....
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posted by RandlePatrickMcMurphy
on Sep 24, 2012 -
5 answers
What is the story behind the pop-cultural trope of the "Japanese Houseboy?"
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posted by Miko
on Sep 22, 2012 -
12 answers
What's the quickest, easiest way to clean out my mom's house in San Diego when I don't live there?
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posted by Lauram
on Sep 17, 2012 -
4 answers
I need to replace the entry door to the garage soon, but with an extremely tight budget, limited time, an angry mother, and an asshole older brother. Help! Details inside.
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posted by HiphopAnonymous
on Sep 11, 2012 -
33 answers
My flat has been on the market forever, and nothing has worked out. Advice and encouragement requested.
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posted by Ziggy500
on Sep 11, 2012 -
13 answers
Have two days next week to find apartment/partial house on small budget in Parker, Centennial, Englewood area of Colorado (outside Denver). 2 adults, $800-850 (before utilities); 1 or 2 bedroom, washer/dryer preferred, quiet and safe....hopefully space for a mini terrier. I am looking at tons of stuff online but trust MeFites input and steeling for the fact that I am probably not going to find much. I am open for a partial house but not sure if Craigslist is safe or trustworthy to look. Any input is appreciated....truly. Excuse any naiviete on my part.
posted by snap_dragon
on Sep 7, 2012 -
6 answers
Should I sell or rent my house when I move to a different part of town? I would just about break even in either situation.
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posted by ethidda
on Sep 4, 2012 -
12 answers
Am I stuck with shouldering this or can I still go after the contractor? Water leaks from the upstairs shower into the kitchen on the first floor. This, after the bathroom was completely gutted and new plumbing, fixtures and tile installed. Problem is, the renovation was completed just over five years ago.
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posted by terrier319
on Aug 31, 2012 -
9 answers
Does anyone in the USA officially name their main residential house, along the lines of how some people name their houses in the UK?
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posted by lstanley
on Aug 24, 2012 -
53 answers
Mousefilter: a house mouse got its back half stuck in a box fan last night. We heard it squeaking and rescued it (and I got nipped). Nurse line tells us to keep the mouse, just in case, and page our doctor. We did. This morning, when we came out, it was on its back and non-responsive, but still breathing. What do we do?
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posted by joyceanmachine
on Aug 18, 2012 -
19 answers
How do I come to terms with the fact that my apartment will never be as neat as I would like?
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posted by anonymous
on Aug 17, 2012 -
21 answers
Asking for a friend- Who is responsible for the cost of repairs after a house fire? I am renting the house. I have renters insurance. The fire report said no negligence on my part. I'm located in California.
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posted by Secretariat
on Aug 16, 2012 -
31 answers
Moving out of town on short notice, house to sell, tenants etc. Advice?
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posted by mdn31
on Aug 10, 2012 -
3 answers
I recently installed new doors in my house, I have three entry doors that I need to finish with weather stripping and a door sweep.
The doors are Douglas fir, single light doors. None of them get any direct rain, just mostly it is a air and bug protection is what I am looking for.
I think everything at Home Depot and the local "Door store" are pretty ugly, I looked online, but immediately overwhelmed by the choices and nothing stood out as being all that different from what I was seeing at the Depot.
Thanks for any suggestions.
Henry
posted by silsurf
on Aug 2, 2012 -
2 answers
My friends and I are looking to move into this new place, and I can't help but feel there's something odd about the couple we're renting from...
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posted by Mach3avelli
on Jul 27, 2012 -
20 answers
A month from selling our house, and we found out we have an oil tank leak we need to clean up before we leave. Costs could be up to $10,000. Anything we can do?
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posted by Tooty McTootsalot
on Jul 18, 2012 -
21 answers
My wife and I are buying a house in Austin, Texas ( Steiner Ranch ). We are trying to figure out how we want to finance it. We have the means to pay for the house with cash. We are being offered a mortgage at 3.6%. The cost of the house would represent about 50% of our net worth. The other 50% is fairly liquid, with an even spread between 401k, index funds, 529's, and cash. Should we do it?
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posted by jasondigitized
on Jul 11, 2012 -
25 answers
Looking for a lead on Removall 220 available for retail in the Twin Cities area, or recommendations of equivalent (brushable, eco-friendly) paint strippers.
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posted by longtime_lurker
on Jul 10, 2012 -
2 answers
Help me set some reasonable rules/guidelines for being at our vacation house with guests or our adult children so that I do not do all the cooking. meal planning, laundry and tidying during vacation.
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posted by seekingsimplicity
on Jul 10, 2012 -
19 answers
My parents want to put the down payment on a (small) house, and have me live in it and pay the mortgage. Are there any downsides to this that I'm missing?
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posted by insufficient data
on Jul 10, 2012 -
36 answers
I own a house built in 1904 - how can I learn more about home construction and home maintenance? I do a lot of my basic repairs myself and always make a point to watch and ask questions (non-obnoxiously) when I have repair people over.
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posted by waylaid
on Jul 7, 2012 -
20 answers
Calling all home improvement gurus and energy efficiency wizards--help me figure out how to better insulate my attic! I've read through a bunch of information on energystar.gov and other websites about insulating attics, but the more I read the more confused I get about how to do this, because I have the world's weirdest attic. HELP.
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posted by iminurmefi
on Jul 3, 2012 -
12 answers
I have a need for a one time deep-cleaning service in the Minneapolis area. Does anybody have any recommendations? Further, does anybody have tips for getting family members to try and be less cluttered?
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posted by anonymous
on Jul 1, 2012 -
7 answers
My husband died recently. We were together for decades and have school-age children. His passing involved severe trauma, and we have social support and frequent therapy appointments to get us through the turmoil. Emotionally, we're holding up.
My question is about getting our affairs in order.
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posted by Fichereader
on Jun 16, 2012 -
29 answers
Last night I was threatened by someone on my property. What should I do to get over feeling vulnerable/anxious?
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posted by brevator
on Jun 15, 2012 -
21 answers
Why am I wrong to think that the wood on this house won't rot away or become a treat for insects? [Photo links inside]
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posted by roue
on Jun 11, 2012 -
15 answers
I need to paint my previously painted cement block porch while putting in the least money, time, and effort. What can be painted over a chipped paint job without it chipping again?
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posted by paperclip2000
on Jun 11, 2012 -
5 answers
I have a house that needs creative landscaping—but I'm in over my head. Can you recommend inspiring photos or magazines or websites, or some guides to getting started choosing ground cover, hedges, flowers, etc, for a landscaping newb?
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posted by deern the headlice
on Jun 7, 2012 -
12 answers
There is a house across the street from me that has been vacant for a little over a year now. I have noticed the trees in the backyard growing out of control and they are starting to block my view. More importantly, I am worried about the potential for a fire from the accumulation of pine needles on the ground.
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posted by MattMangels
on May 29, 2012 -
10 answers
I'm having a ridiculously fun time playing with Audiotool and am learning a ton about desktop production. Where do I go from here?
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posted by bumpjump
on May 26, 2012 -
7 answers
Recommended moving companies for a move from Vancouver (Canada) suburb A to Vancouver suburb B? Need to move furniture up narrow steps without dinging either walls or furniture. Looking for reliable service but reasonably priced.
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posted by Hawk V
on May 19, 2012 -
3 answers
We're looking for a new home and found one we like, but the odor is a bit overwhelming. Can it be fixed?
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posted by roue
on May 18, 2012 -
14 answers
