I enclosed a porch and installed large windows from Restore (Habitat for Humanity) and am putting ceramic tiles down.  Already the house is much warmer because of this inexpensive, simple treatment.  Where I live the temperatures have gotten to about -50, and any way I can do passive heating at a relatively low cost, I...more

This isn't a house that was fixed up to live in- it was obviously bought to "fix-up" and flip.  Its called staging.  I'd love to see what a competent housing inspector would find under all the spackle!

Charlie Sheen is a fantastic actor;  it is true that most things that end, end badly.  I think he aged out of the show's age demographic and the number cruncher's were happy to see him leave.  Too bad he didn't have a portrait that aged, instead of him; like The Picture of Dorian Gray.  Maybe a tasty piece of humble pi...more

I live in a rural area where there are many Amish.  They have been in America since the 1700's and keep to themselves.  They are totally self-supporting and an asset to any community.  I think we can learn a lot from their example of simplicity.  No tv or electricity is extreme for most of us, but if our government is ...more

We are in a double-dip recession which I hope doesn't lead to a depression.  What scares me the most is that basic products like gas, milk, and meat are skyrocketing.  How can families living on the margin survive now?  Food shelf donations are down, there is more need, and next winter will be a nightmare in terms of f...more

When California prices hit the level they were at in 1993-1994, I think the prices will begin to rise.  I bought a condo in 1993 for 189,000.00 in Anaheim Hills, Ca; prices went up to 500,000.00, and are now around 325,000.  I sold that condo at a healthy profit in 1996, bought a fixer for 500,000.00 and sold it in 200...more

I own a lot of low/moderate income property, and have had for 25+ years.  Rental property value hasn't been hit as hard as owner-occupied homes, but is still down.  What I have noticed is that the tenants are getting worse.  More trashing of units, late-pays (understandable in this economy), flouting of the rules (brin...more

I made a lot of money and had a lot of fun buying and rehabbing fixer-uppers and then selling them.  Now isn't the time to get back in the game but perhaps soon. I am looking at apartment buildings in non-rent controlled areas where I can move into one of the units and have the other units pay for my housing costs.  I ...more

I'm not worried about credit card debt or other debt- I make my living from rental units and taxes and insurance and the drop in the economy has taken a toll.  My husband is disabled and I can't take a full time job out of the home.  We live very cheaply and there is really nothing to cut.  I don't know what to do abou...more