Opening Doors Blog

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

It is very important for you to dig into the association’s rules, you need to make sure the association does not prohibit anything that is important to you. Homeowners have all but gone to war over some of the restrictions in their communities. In addition to the very common restrictions on exterior paint color you might also run into some of these prohibitions like no basketball hoops or kids’ bicycles in the driveway, no flags or wreaths, no unusual paintings, no fences, no boat or truck parking. [...] Read More

You are most likely facing a moth infestation if you discover holes and white larvae in stored clothing. Sort through the affected items and throw away anything you cannot salvage. Take the rest to a dry-cleaner letting the staff know about the infestation. [...] Read More

Before you move into any neighborhood governed by a community association-including detached homes in a neighborhood governed by a homeowners’ association, as well as townhouses and apartments owned separately as condos or co-ops-it’s critical that you review the association’s financial statements as well as its governing documents, known as “Codes, Covenants & Restrictions,” or CCRs. [...] Read More

Out-of-season clothing, books, photographs and linens all require special attention when you put them away. There are many other household items that need storage space beyond the everyday clothes and accessories. These include the out-of-season clothing, special occasion and heirloom clothing that are made of delicate or valuable fabrics, table and bed linens, holiday decorations, books and papers, photographs. [...] Read More