Opening Doors Blog

Do not make extensive changes to a new yard for a year or so until you understand the landscape’s peculiarities. Use a garden journal to record what you learn about the soil, drainage, shady areas and any hot and cold spots. Use the first year to experiment. Plant a few annuals, perennials, some vegetables and some plants in pots. [...] Read More

Charitable groups, including the Salvation Army and Goodwill Industries as well as local churches and shelters, accept many items – flatware, dishes, toys, clothing and furniture as long as they are clean and in good condition. If you can’t get your donations to the organization, ask if there is a pick-up service. [...] Read More

The original detached houses and townhouses built in the Victorian/Gothic style date back to the latter half of the 1800s. The most striking element of these homes is that they are teeming with ornamentation, with arches and frills made of wood or stone extending from the front door to the eaves beneath the roof, even further up to, perhaps an elaborate finial topping the peaked roof of a tower. [...] Read More

Your yard and garden present numerous opportunities for creative and pennywise recycling. Reuse yard waste. Start a stick pile to use as kindling for your or your neighbor’s fireplace. Use scrubbed rocks as paperweights. Fallen leaves or flower petals make quick table decorations or when dried, mounted and framed, simple but beautiful artwork. [...] Read More

Colonial-style homes have been built in the USA since before the Boston Tea Party back in the early days of the 1600s and 1700s as the name implies. The style has never really gone out of favor. One of its nicest variations is the center-hall colonial which has a roomy area inside the front door for receiving guests. [...] Read More

Basements, like garages are magnets for household overflow, especially if the space is unfinished and dry. A basement can be turned into a useful storage space with freestanding plastic or metal shelves, temporary wardrobes and stackable storage boxes. [...] Read More

You will be asked to come up with what is known as “earnest money” to show just how serious you are about buying the home once you have made your offer. This deposit money is given to the seller and applied against the down payment. If the sale does not go through then the earnest money will be forfeited or lost unless the binder or offer to purchase expressly provides that it is refundable. [...] Read More

Narrow 3 1/2 inch-wide shelves installed between open studs will hold quart cans of paint, jars of fasteners, garden sprays and other supplies. Using a 1x4 first make 3/4 inch blocks to support the shelves. Attach the blocks to both sides of the stud with glue and 1/2 inch screws. Cut the shelves to fit between the studs then place them securely on the blocks. [...] Read More

What is a condo conversion? A condo conversion is a change of title from a single owner of an entire project or building to multiple owners of individual units. Not all rental apartments can be easily converted into condominiums. [...] Read More

The garage tends to become a catch-all space for extra stuff but the time and thought you put into organizing it is an excellent investment. You walk through this space everyday on your way to your car so garage clutter is an inconvenience and a possible source of danger. [...] Read More