Turning On The Lights
Fun From The StartFor those with the will to start a new business the rewards, both financial and emotional, can be excellent, but the risks can also be significant to both sanity and mortgage. Of course, the chance of success increases if a company has a good, well thought through strategy before ... more...

FSBOs The Secret of 'After Settlement Escrow' to Solve Problems
Most FSBOs (people who are selling their own homes) are aware of the conventional use of escrow. In this article, we look at ways to use escrow to solve problems.EscrowEscrow means different things in different parts of the country. In California its part and parcel of the settlement process. In ... more...

Use the FHA Mortgage Specifically Created for Home Improvement
Almost everyone knows about FHA mortgages. They are tailor-made for first time homebuyers and others with less than perfect credit or other financial issues. You don't have to be low income or have bad credit to use FHA, but generally the loan limits prohibit high priced homes.What you may not ... more...

Reglazing Bathtubs for a Whole New Experience
Is there a need to provide a more worthy bathing experience in the household? Then bathtub reglazing may be an option.Bathtub ReglazingBathtub reglazing or refurnishing can improve the features and quality of the present bathtub. The refinishing and the new touches can give a total makeover to the ... more...

Budgeting Your Log Home - Creating a Checklist
If you've read my first article, BUDGETING YOUR LOG HOME: Where do you start?, you've got a very basic overview of the process. However, there are still a number of questions I'd like to address. Again, many of these questions will come up if you build any custom home, but I'd venture to guess the ... more...

Building Permits and Inspections
Probably the most intimidating part of building your own house is the permit process. Not only do the the requirements vary from township to township, but at times the decisions made seem so subjective that we find ourselves seething in frustration. However, permits and inspections are a ... more...

Log Homes - Top 10 Questions (and Answers)
1. What is the best log home company?There are over 300 companies that offer log home kits and packages. Each is different than the others. Most have been in business for a number of years, offer a good product, have considerable experience, and have satisfied customers. They vary by wood types ... more...

Master Builders Ask, Do You Know What Design/Build or Design/Construct Means? You Should
These real questions are answered by me and US Master Builders after receiving them from readers of my e-book, "Residential Development Made Easy."Question 1.'Design / Build,' sometimes called 'Design / Construct' is a development process where the contractor (the builder) engages all the ... more...

Working In Iraq: Is It For You?
The US Army Corp of Engineers and numerous private companies are still looking for people to help rebuild Iraq's infrastructure. In fact, one Web site reports that there are currently 60,000 jobs available in Iraq for US citizens. And the pay can be very good. Some civilian contractor jobs start ... more...