Archive for November, 2005



Fixing a stained bathtub

An old stained bathtub can be frustrating, but you don’t want to take the easy way out to try to fix it. It may need more work than simply cleaning the stains; the finish could be worn away, exposing the porous substrate to stains. Do-it-yourself refinishing kits probably won’t do the job and [...]

Existing home sales down in October

Sales of existing home dropped in October by 2.7 percent, and could have been larger had not so many New Orleans residents been relocating after the hurricanes. Despite the decline, the national median price of a home rose 16 percent over the previous October to $218,000. Sales of new homes, however, continued to [...]

The cooling market demands more resourceful buyers and sellers, to capitalize on the dynamics of their local market.

Backup offer provides safety net

Having to submit a backup offer may be discouraging, but if you wanted the home badly enough and the orignal deal falls through, you’ll be glad you did.

Housing shows signs of cooling

Buyers are taking their time and sellers are still a little unrealistic with their asking prices.

At a crossroads

A revival of Rogers Park has been fueled by a number of new condo developments.

Unfamiliar and noxious odors are sometimes the first warning for maintenance problems in the home.

Someone dropping by unexpectedly? Follow these tips to get your house in shape in a half hour.

Family ties

From the Tribune:

For many inheritors…deciding what to do with the family home is not so simple or straightforward. The process can be fraught with heartbreak, sibling rivalry and–given today’s superheated real estate market–pressure to cash out quickly while home values remain high.

Property tax rebates?

State and local government revenues are up, and some localities are refunding property taxes to home owners. Property taxes have increased 34 percent over the past five years, three times faster than inflation, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Some places, like New York City, are giving a flat rebates to [...]

Fulton Market share

The Fulton Market and Fulton River Districts are becoming two of the city’s hottest neighborhoods, as a flurry of residential development and restaurant, club, and art gallery openings make this erstwhile warehouse district a popular destination for young professionals. Fulton Market is bounded by Grand, Ogden, Madison, and the Kennedy Expressway. The Fulton [...]

High gas prices and heating costs may slow development in distant suburbs and curb the demand for large homes.

Mortgage picture likely to change for 2006

A cooling housing market and tighter restrictions on lending mean that more buyers will turn to fixed rate loans.

Moving out of the home office

Some users of home offices decide it’s time to move out .

The day after Thanksgiving is the busiest day of the year for not just shoppers, but plumbers too. Think twice before dumping those leftovers down the drain.