|
Visit the new Around the House blog
Click here to view PBA's new Around the House Blog, featuring home improvement news, videos and answers to your questions. Around the House, both the blog and the newspaper column, gives you a chance to ask the builders association your questions about home improvements and home maintenance.
Welcome to the Around the House Blog
Welcome to PBA's Around the House Blog, a supplement to the association's Q&A newspaper column. We will update the blog weekly to keep content fresh.
The blog will link to topics for homeowners, including articles posted on the PBA web site and external articles.
Have a homeowner question? Click here to send us an e-mail at aroundthehouse@PaBuilders.org.
Blog update
April 17, 2008
We are currently working on a major update for the Around the House blog. Please check back to see how we have improved the blog!
Finding out what your home is worth
March 5, 2008
The Street offers six ways to find out what your home is worth. (Click to read)
Extra principal payments help reduce mortgage
Feb. 13, 2008
Sending an extra principal payment with each month's mortgage payment to get ahead and pay off the mortgage early. It's a small share of the mortgage during a mortgage's first years. Click to read more.
Eco myths?
Feb. 5, 2008
Click to read myths on eco-friendly energy.
Is it time to refinance?
Jan. 28, 2008
If you are looking for information about whether it's a good time to refinance, use this online calculator.
Ideas for your home
Jan. 16, 2008
Use these links to read about home improvement ideas from Gomestic.
Create an elegant, unique look for your home
Jan. 10, 2008
- Whether you are looking for flooring, hardware, lighting, ceiling fans or other touches for your home, check out the Secret Sources from This Old House for 2006 and 2007.
- If you are looking for restoriation suppliers, try this link.
Raffles, cars and a closing-price tontine
Jan. 2, 2008
The Consumerist collected serveral examples of creative ways to unload a home in the down market. (click to read)
Coupons available for television converters
Jan. 2, 2008
 |
Some households will need a special converter box by January 2009, when the United States adopts a digital television standards. (Click for more) |
Paying off the mortgage: Does it pay?
Dec. 31, 2007
- Can a single large payment drop monthly mortgage payments? (click here)
- Invest the money or pay off the mortgage? (click here)
- Another view: Don't neglect retirement account to pay down mortgage (click here)
- Some electric providers are offering a rate structure rewarding customers for limiting power consumption during peak times. (click to read)
- Pennsylvania's electric cooperatives offer rebates for reducing electric "loads" by allowing the cooperative to briefly cut power to electric water heaters during peaks. (details here)
Perfect bathroom addition: Fish
Dec. 19, 2007
Fish and Flush is ure to liven up your bathroom, while giving you an aquatic audience for everyday functions.
Lights out for Edison's bulb
Dec. 18, 2007
A federal energy bill would phase out incadescent light bulbs over the next 4 to 12 years. (click to read)
Is your house getting moldy?
Nov. 30, 2007
Visit this page to get credible, unbiased information about controling mold problems in your home.
Driveway questions and answers
Nov. 27, 2007
Click here to open a helpful brochure with information about paving and maintaining your asphalt driveway.
Planning a remodeling project?
Nov. 26, 2007
Prepare for a successful remodeling project in your home with practical advice from PBA's latest Around the House column. (click to open PDF)
Helpful advice from trusted sources
Nov. 26, 2007
- A Consumer Reports expert speaks to Newsday about extended warranties and other traps. (click to read)
- Yahoo's personal finance section provides consumer-oriented information about protecting yourself with the right insurance coverage. (click here)
- CNN Money provides seven end-of-year tax tips. (click here)
- Looking for child care information? Review profiles and consumer reviews at care.com (free limited access).
Extra holiday weight and house fires
Nov. 14, 2007
The first evidence of holiday season bloating appears early and worsens by the end of the year. It costs you money and endagers your health. Usually this bloat appears near the walls of a home as its owners overload power outlets until they are unsafe. (Click to continue)
Will a secret history of your home make it hard to sell?
Nov. 8, 2007
MSN Money reports that insurers keep a secret file detailing your home's history that could make it hard to sell or to get homeowners' insurance. (click to read)
Green building, real estate taxes and more
Nov. 2, 2007
- Utne magazine takesn an in-depth lok at green building. (click to read)
- Verify basic facts with your local government and other hints for getting your tax assessment reduced (click here)
- What should you save when leaving your house because of fire or disasater? (From Time)
Materials costs drop, and contractors need work. Time to remodel!
Dec. 28, 2007
Can you eliminate unneeed insurance?
Dec. 28, 2007
Private mortgage insurance protects a lender, not a homeowner. Lenders force borrowers with less than 20 percent equity to buy the mortage insurance. Some home appreciate in value, and appraisal will prove it's no longer needed.
Getting the best deals
Dec. 27, 2007
Bankrate supplies a tip sheet for the best time of year to buy flooring, air conditioners, boats, outdoor gear, funriture and more. (click to read)
Wireless network shutdown may affect security, fire alarm systems
Dec. 27, 2007
When the nation's oldest wireless communications network is shut down in February, homes security and fire alarm systems may lose their connections. The problem affects primary connections for homes without hard-wired phone lines and backup wireless connections that activate when hard-wired phone lines are inoperable. (click for more)
How much are mortgage fees costing you?
Dec. 26, 2007
Visit this consumer-oriented site to find out what fees may be tacked on to your next mortgage.
Energy conservation through timing
Dec. 20, 2007
Handy links to tips, information
Oct. 25, 2007
Winterize your home and maximize energy effiency
Oct. 10, 2007
Marketwatch reports energy costs will increase home heating bills 10 percent this winter in the Northeast. (Click for more)
Get your updated energy savings guide
Oct. 2, 2007
Click here to get your updated copye of the Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. Plenty of information is available for free online, or you may order a print copy for $16.95.
Keep your lawn green without using more water
Sept. 26, 2007
Perpetual Water solves the problem of keeping your lawn green without using more water, even during droughts, when watering lawns is forbidden.
Fixed-rate vs. adjustable-rate mortgages
Sept. 24, 2007
- Businessweek reports about experts asserting adjustable-rate mortgages are best. (click to read)
- Fixed-rate mortgages provide built-in protection against inflation, argues this source (click to read)
- If you are buying to "move up" from your current home, review these ideas for selling your home.
Check out this resource from the Do-It-Yourself Network about sweat equity.
More trends in today's homes
Sept. 6, 2007
Staging your home to sell
Sept. 4, 2007
A 10-step list provides suggestions to help sell your home faster. (click for more)
Getting the most from your bathroom
Aug. 28, 2007
- This helpful blog entry from wisebread has lots of ideas for frugal bathroom improvements (click here).
- We recently discussed homeowners' growing expectations for bathrooms in Keystone Builder, PBA's member magazine. (click to read)
- Update: CNN Money reports how adding a bathroom increases your home's value. (click to read)
Keep your home safe for the children
Aug. 24, 2007
- Inspect your back yard play area and keep it safe (click for more)
- This article from Parent Wonder gives 101 tips for childproofing your home. (click here)
|
