Q: I have heard that mold can grow behind a bathtub liner. Is this possible? -- Anna
A: Yes, if water gets trapped between the tub liner and the original tub surface. Water can enter any joint that is not thoroughly sealed. With a typical tub liner, which is a tough plastic shell molded to fit into the existing tub, leaks are possible at the rim joint of the tub and liner, the drain, and the overflow opening. A "squishy" reaction when someone stands in a tub is said to be a symptom of water under the liner.
Many are taking advantage of this year’s low mortgage rates to purchase a home. Pent up with excitement, many families, who have scrimped and saved for a down-payment, jump for joy when the mortgage lender finally approves their application. But, they should realize that there’s a whole new set of expenses that must be covered before actually closing on the sale.
By taking advantage of incentives, you can actually cut the cost of a system in half or even less. If the financial savings isn't enough reason to convince you that now is the best time to use a solar electric system at your home, then consider that PV power gives you a hedge against rising utility costs, cuts down on the burning of fossil fuels and thus helps the environment, and gives you the satisfaction of being energy independent.
Your boss has just given you the career opportunity of a lifetime, but the job is in another state.
Soon you discover that moving your family to another city may be one of life’s hardest tasks. The thought of leaving behind old friends and schools for a strange town can be frightening. The biggest challenge of all, however, it to preserve the equity in your housing investment so you will be able to purchase a similar home in the new location.
Back to buying and selling: Readers continue to tell me that a lot of sellers still think they can demand high prices for as-is properties. Sellers complain that buyers are too picky.
But if your place isn't ready for the market, prospective buyers will move on. If you must put your house on the market now, it makes sense to have it checked by a qualified home inspector first.
During the housing boom, pre-inspections seemed unnecessary. If a buyer balked at a new roof or furnace, another would be along soon.
Not anymore. To sell a house quickly and for a satisfactory price, a seller must make sure the house is close to perfect. If that means spending money to make money, spend it.
Higher interest rates and home prices in the past have kept home owners from purchasing larger homes. The current real estate market conditions, however, are encouraging for many home owners who want to “buy up” to higher priced homes with more to offer.
