Aug 17th 2011 12:00PM
The U.S. housing recession is so deep that an average home takes nearly a year to sell. In the hardest hit areas, it can take several years. Just ask residents of Detroit, Nevada and parts of Florida, Arizona and southern California. As if that were not enough, there are hidden costs associated with an unsold home in which... Continue Reading »
Feb 3rd 2011 5:30PM
During my 20 years as a professional home inspector I've walked the floorboards of thousands of old houses. By now, I've developed an uncanny ability to predict the home repairs they'll need before even setting foot inside. It all comes down to understanding the decade-to-decade differences in old house construction and... Continue Reading »
Jan 6th 2011 9:15AM
Updated Jan. 7: Andre Hall came back from the holidays to continue repairing a 4-bedroom, 1-bath home he had acquired from a friend facing foreclosure in the West End area of Pittsburgh in November only to find that a city contractor had demolished the 1916-built house that had been vacant for five years. "When I came... Continue Reading »
Dec 1st 2010 7:26AM
The holiday season doesn't mean you are automatically thankful for everything about life. After all, you are still among the lowly renters in a world where it feels like everyone else owns. Let's face it, owners are the ones who have it made. Or are they? Here are 10 reasons to be thankful that you rent: Continue Reading »
Oct 4th 2010 2:07PM
Lou Andrews Smith is a homeowner in Sacramento who decided to let his flood insurance lapse for two reasons. "First, it just cost too much -- I had the standard policy and it's $1,400 a year now," he says. "Second, we've had years of drought and near-average rainfall. I don't live near a river or lake, so I don't feel that... Continue Reading »
