These chimneys are typical of residential chimneys that are more than 50 years old. Both need re-pointing. The one in front is beginning to twist and bend; it could start dropping bricks soon. The other one also has gaps that are easily visible. Unfortunately, chimneys like this are sort of typical around here. What’s pointing?
Snow season! Here we go. As a real estate agent, I get asked about who is responsible to shovel -- the landlord or the tenant? Since that's a legal question, I depend on Attorney Richard Vetstein for accurate legal answers to general legal questions. He keeps an eye on legal changes that affect homeowners. Here
A thing of beauty is a joy forever! In honor of Valentine's Day, I share work that makes my Buyer Broker heart go pitter-pat with joy. A quality electrician or plumber will install their materials with care. Although loose, wiggly wires carry current as well as these will, the care taken to do a neat
Here is an idea that should cross the pond. February is the time to think about creating nesting places for local birds. In England, National Nest Box Week is and organization that encourages people to create nesting places for local birds. Their habitats are being threatened by building, and landscaping that eliminates the places where
What are those things on that roof and why are they there? Those little spikes are there to break up sheets of ice and snow that will be falling off the roof this season. If the ice comes down in one, solid sheet, it is heavy and can damage property and hurt people. It is
Winter. Yes, the days are short now. Soon we'll see (and be shoveling) snow. Will we see white stuff like last year, or the year before? I get asked questions about snow removal, as a real estate agent. Since they are legal questions, I depend on Attorney Richard Vetstein for accurate legal answers to general
Even though it isn't winter yet, housing prices begin to drop this time of year. Winter is a bargain-hunter's paradise, but it is also house-hunting hell. Between Thanksgiving and Martin Luther King Day (or Super Bowl Sunday when the Pats are in the playoffs), demand dries up, but so does inventory. The drain on demand
In summer, my heating system is set to 55 degrees. Yes. I am a wimp. I do not want to wake up some night in August because I am cold. When it becomes “autumn,” the temperature gets cold enough to start running the program on the thermostat because it could be below 55 degrees any
Merry Christmas to all Christian house-hunters. Mary, Mother of Jesus, can be seen in yards throughout the region. On December 13, I ran into this pretty Mother in front of an open house. She was a well-maintained pious statue in front of a house that was in generally poor condition. This Blessed Mother is considered
First, remember that I am looking at this from the buyer’s side; that’s what I do. I don’t know the minds of sellers. I only know the history of past seasons and the gossip of listing agents about what is coming up. Here’s a quick and easy analogy: seasonal house buying is like seasonal clothes