ARCHIVED BLOG POSTS

2011 

Ready for the colder months? You will be if you follow these simple guidelines to keep your wood fireplace burning brightly—and safely. 1. Only burn dry, cured wood—logs that have been split, stacked, and dried for eight to 12 months. Cover your log pile on top, but leave the sides open for air ...
09/30/2011
Advanced programmable thermostats give you precise control over your heating and cooling, helping to reduce wasted energy. It’s no secret that heating and cooling account for the bulk of a home’s energy usage — an average of over $1,000 annually. Switching from a manual to a programmable thermost...
09/28/2011
    Get rid of roaches by starving, trapping, and poisoning them: It’s a start.     Don't leave standing water in your sink, tub, or toilets—roaches will help themselves to a drink. Get rid of roaches, which are not your friends. Flooring They carry dysentery, and they eat your food, books, and ...
09/27/2011
  Installing a second dishwasher speeds cleanup, customizes your kitchen, and makes your home more functional and practical.       This wood-faced La Perla dishwasher from Miele blends right in to the surrounding cabinetry. A second dishwasher in your kitchen, or even a dishwasher drawer, can ca...
09/26/2011
  Can saving the planet be as simple as what kind of laundry detergent you use? Maybe not. But MXenergy, an independent energy provider, says those choices do matter and wants consumers to think about the environmental impact of their daily decisions. “What you realize as you move to a more sust...
09/23/2011
  If you’re thinking about adding a pool — or a deck, an elaborate swing set, or maybe even a trampoline — you might want to consider more than whether you can afford it. You also should talk to your insurance company to see what effect it could have on your home owners policy and premiums. If so...
09/22/2011
Labor Day through Halloween is your window for preparing lawns for a lush spring. Although spring lawn care gets all the attention, fall lawn care is the make-it or break-it season for grass. “I’m already thinking about next year,” says John Dillon, who takes care of New York City’s Central Park,...
09/21/2011
Seal air leaks around your windows and doors to prevent wasting precious home heating and cooling energy that costs you money. An average home loses up to 30% of its heating and cooling energy through air leaks. The most significant air leaks tend to occur around windows and doors. To stop air le...
09/20/2011
  The real estate assessment letter you filed away unopened is the driving force behind how much you pay in property taxes. If you're suspicious that your property taxes are too high, you can check for errors by calculating the value of your property tax. You might not think too hard about your ...
09/19/2011
  Determining which type of equity loan to take — second mortgage, HELOC, or cash-out refi — comes down to a number of factors, including why you need it. When the economy is humming, it’s hard not to see your home as a giant vinyl-sided piggybank. You can borrow against its surging value for any...
09/15/2011
Rainer
106,486

Donna Bosze

Ask Me Why I'm Different!
local_phone(757) 456-9500
smartphone(757) 338-5334
Contact The Author