Dear James: I could use a long bench on my deck to use when entertaining. Are there low-cost, simple-to-build bench designs that I could make myself? —Mark B. Dear Mark: Building a deck bench is one of the most common do-it-yourself projects. It would be wise to make two benches while you are at it….
Average New Home Loan Size Hit Record High in July
The average new home loan size rose to a record high in July as the housing supply crunch drove more prospective buyers to turn to newly-built homes, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA). Even as the number of mortgage applications for new home purchases fell by a seasonally unadjusted 4 percent between June and July, the…
Clever Tips for Designing a Small Mudroom
When it comes to packing in lots of function, very few spaces beat a mudroom. But many homeowners don’t have a dedicated space for a mudroom. Or they may think they don’t have enough square footage to create a useful go-to spot for their families. But a few clever design ideas and some maxed-out storage…
Rose Care: Commonly Asked Questions
Summer is rose time, so let’s answer some of your questions about roses. Q: My roses are dropping their leaves. They turn yellow and fall off. What can I do? A: Take a close look at the leaves. Are they just turning yellow, or do they have some black spots on the yellow leaves? If…
How to Make an Offer on a Home
Dear Monty: We are first-time home buyers. Being rookies, we get lots of advice from family and friends. Still, the process is different with everyone giving us advice. We would appreciate step-by-step guidance on exactly what we should be doing all the way through. How do we make an offer on a home? Monty’s Answer:…
Replace Your Old Gutters Yourself and Save
Dear James: A tree fell and damaged some gutters, but I should replace them all. I plan to have the gutters professionally made, but I will install them myself. Do you have any advice? —Greg R. Dear Greg: You can typically save about 50 percent of the total cost by installing the gutters yourself. The…
How to Divide Irises
Q: We have some bearded iris that have spread out from their original planted spot and now form a circle with an empty spot in the middle. Can we divide them and replant them back into the spot they came from? It’s the best location to see them from between some bushes. A: Yes, you…
7 Pleasantly Surprising Reasons to Decorate With Houseplants
There’s something warm and inviting about a well-placed, thriving houseplant. Experts call this “interior landscaping,” and it’s becoming increasingly popular, not only in homes but in offices and other commercial settings. I would have assumed that’s because houseplants can be quite inexpensive. But now, we’re learning that houseplants offer surprising physical and mental benefits as…
10 Items to Toss From Your Garage in the Next 30 Minutes
If your garage has turned into the glorified dumping ground for anything that doesn’t fit in your house or that you’re just not quite ready to get rid of, it’s time to get a garbage bag and a donations box and tackle the task. Your garage is a great place to store cars, bikes, lawn…
Country Singer Lee Greenwood to Help Build Custom Home for Disabled Veteran in Alabama
The country music singer behind the hit “God Bless the U.S.A.” announced a partnership July 22 to build a specially adapted home for a wounded veteran in Alabama. Grammy-winning artist Lee Greenwood recently met with local home builder Breland Homes to discuss the cooperative endeavor to support a permanently injured serviceman. The project will involve…
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