Before I proceed, let me say that no matter how smart you think you are, you aren’t as smart as you think. We didn’t know this house was a fixer-upper when we bought it. We had been led to believe by the home inspector that we hired—when hiring one was not as common as today—that we were buying a real charmer, a house into which the previous owner had put tender loving care from which we would benefit. Click here to read more.. »
Be Brave in Buying a House (2)
Be Brave in Buying a House
I was dragged into homeownership kicking and screaming. My accountant stood over me, waving my 1981 federal return, telling me that if didn’t get some sort of big deduction, Uncle Sam could afford to take early retirement based on what I was paying the government in income taxes. Click here to read more.. »
Should You Resale Your House?
Although resale might not be an issue here—extra space can mean a home office, a guest room, or a playroom for families not needing an extra bedroom—you will need to contact the local building official to see what kind of permits are needed. Changing the exterior of the house might require planning and zoning approvals. Don’t forget to bring your neighbors into the process at the start. Click here to read more.. »