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Fix a botched tung oil finish
Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:50:59 -0800
Outdoor table becomes 'spotty' after exposure to dewBill and Kevin BurnettInman News®Q: I read your article about using tung oil on outdoor furniture, and put a first coat on my redwood patio table. I followed your and the manufacturer's inst..[read more]
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Why we can't shake name brands from our brains
Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:12:24 -0800
Book Review: 'Brandwashed: Tricks Companies Use to Manipulate Our Minds and Persuade Us to Buy'Tara-Nicholle NelsonInman News®Book Review Title: "Brandwashed: Tricks Companies Use to Manipulate Our Minds and Persuade Us to Buy" Author: Marti..[read more]
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Reverse exchange can secure bargain real estate
Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:21:27 -0800
Keep deal alive when unexpected delays ariseTom KellyInman News®The duplex close to the university campus was too good for Harvey Blanks to pass up. An acquaintance of mine for more two decades and a longtime real estate investor, Blanks had be..[read more]
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3 home defects that can elude discovery
Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:38:46 -0800
Who's liable for items overlooked during inspection?Barry StoneInman News®DEAR BARRY: We bought our home two months ago and have discovered three defects that our home inspector overlooked. These include a water leak under the kitchen sink, a g..[read more]
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Seniors: Avoid lump-sum mortgage payoff
Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:32:06 -0800
Alternatives help those on fixed incomes from becoming 'house rich and cash poor'Benny KassInman News®DEAR BENNY: I am 74 and recently have been contemplating paying off my condo mortgage. The remainder of the mortgage is $98,000 at 6 percent. ..[read more]
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4 factors to consider before buying a home
Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:43:43 -0800
Mood of the MarketTara-Nicholle NelsonInman News®It's tax time, so those who don't own homes are seriously thinking about whether they should. And those who do are busy trying to collect up and cash in all of their deductions. To boot, the rea..[read more]
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Pros and cons of 9 bathtub materials
Fri, 17 Feb 2012 11:32:19 -0800
Some keep water hot for longer, but convenience comes at a pricePaul BianchinaInman News®Last month, we discussed some of the many options available when replacing a bathtub or a tub/shower combo.But what we didn't look at were the many differe..[read more]
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'Turnkey model' for bulk REO sales a win-win for contractors, community
Fri, 17 Feb 2012 11:06:47 -0800
Tennessee firm manages rehab and renting for hundreds of homesSteve BergsmanInman News®In a number of cities, especially those hard hit by the recession, investor groups have swooped in, buying up hundreds of REO properties as quickly as they c..[read more]
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5 building permit issues you can't ignore
Fri, 17 Feb 2012 02:25:41 -0800
Don't get stuck with $20K bill when it's time to sellDian HymerInman News®It's a good idea to check the building permit record on a home you're planning to buy before you remove your inspection contingency. Although buyers are advised to take t..[read more]
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Don't overpay for title insurance
Fri, 17 Feb 2012 03:48:22 -0800
When refinancing your mortgage, ask about the 'reissue rate'Jack GuttentagInman News®Ten years ago, Kenneth Harney wrote an excellent series of articles on why many refinancing borrowers pay too much for title insurance. In one article, publish..[read more]
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3 seller responses to canceled home purchase
Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:13:57 -0800
REThink Real EstateTara-Nicholle NelsonInman News®Q: What is the best route to go if the buyers lose their jobs prior to closing and cannot qualify for the mortgage? The people who were planning to buy our home put down a substantial amount of..[read more]
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Can tenants refuse a surprise police search?
Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:01:50 -0800
Rent it RightJanet PortmanInman News®Q: I'm an apartment house manager. Last week, a couple of uniformed police officers came to the office and asked to be let into one of our residents' apartments. I agreed, and watched while they looked arou..[read more]
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Master basic home repairs
Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:52:50 -0800
Why pay for fixes that you can do yourself?Bill and Kevin BurnettInman News® Q: I'm a new condo owner. I'm not handy at all, but I figured I'd better learn some of the basics or get ready to shell out the bucks for a contractor to do what I sh..[read more]
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Rent your garage, driveway for extra income
Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:18:45 -0800
Parkatmyhouse.com matches homeowners with drivers desperate to find affordable parkingTom KellyInman News®My father was a physician in a two-man shop. He was also a baseball fan. When he was "on call" and felt things were calm enough to attend ..[read more]
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Know home-inspection red flags
Tue, 14 Feb 2012 09:36:04 -0800
What looks benign now may require costly repairs after purchaseBarry StoneInman News®DEAR BARRY: We hired a home inspector before buying our home, but he dismissed a defect that has now become a problem. In the room below the master bathroom, t..[read more]
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