How Is Black Mulch Made?

The contrast between brilliant green foliage and deep black mulch is appealing to some gardeners, and black mulches are made from a variety of substances, both natural and synthetic. In some cases, the colour of this substance is organic, and in several other circumstances, the color is especially applied to this mulch material for its …


How to Support a Chandelier

When you are hanging a light fixture in the ceiling, you have to fasten it properly or you could have a catastrophe on your hands. Nailing or screwing an electric box to a rafter provides sufficient support for fixtures which weigh 40 pounds or less, but chandeliers often weigh more than that. Most fixtures have …


How to Fix a Bay Window That Does Not Close Tightly

Several things can cause a bay window not to shut tightly. In older houses, a bay window meeting may sag and the window frame is no longer square. As a result, the border of the window hits the framework when you try to shut it. But generally, the reason a bay window doesn’t shut tightly …


The way to Install Underfloor Insulation in Older Houses

Insulating an uninsulated floor can drastically save on energy costs, helping to keep the house warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. An additional benefit to adding batts of insulation is that the dampening effect it will have on sound control. Many producers now provide more earth-friendly, formaldehyde-free types of insulation as opposed …


How to Rent a House With the choice to Buy

Renting a house with the option to purchase can also be referred to as rent-to-own or lease-to-own. Normally, the tenant signals a 12- or 24-month agreement with the property owner. During this time period, the renter repairs his credit so, when the initial time is over he can obtain a mortgage for the remainder of …


Traditional vs. FHA Home Loans

Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans are those guaranteed by the federal government and extend credit to homeowners who’d otherwise be denied a traditional mortgage. FHA loans offer benefits and are generally more easy to qualify for. In addition, the FHA guarantees that interest rates on mortgages are as competitive as those provided by loans, though …


Things to Know About Renter's Insurance

A candle is left burning, or a electrical connection smolders within an adjacent apartment and your flat is finally destroyed. Who’d pay for the damages? The physical structure and related fixtures owned by the landlord are probably covered by a homeowner’s policy, but your belongings aren’t. Having a tenant’s insurance policy would supply you with …


HUD Guidelines for Qualifying for Senior Housing

Senior housing offers inexpensive housing for the low-income elderly. The applicant must meet eligibility standards set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD. Additional guidelines apply to the housing itself and the other tenants, as the house has to meet HUD standards to be eligible as a senior housing unit. Function …


How Is the Assessed Value of a House Determined?

Assessments are conducted by officials as a means compute property taxes and to value property that is local. Professional assessors evaluate property conditions within whole neighborhoods first, before setting values. From there, assessors need to have the ability to present documentation to back their claims against disputes. Assessment protocol helps government authorities plan budgets and …