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June 9, 2001
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It may be raining a little, but new landscaping should be delayed until the wet season truly gets underway. In the meantime, consider drought-tolerant plants. Story
[Times art: Amy Dickey] |
The lean, mean suction machine
The central vacuum cleaner cleans more powerfully and more easily than a portable cleaner, is affordable and can be retrofitted to a house.
Lambast those lubbers
Ridding your garden of the greedy grasshopper pests of summer is possible, though the most effective approach will take a little time.
Shopping for a house? First, shop for an agent
Real estate agents should "sell" themselves to prospective clients and customers on the basis of their experience and track record, says Gee Dunsten, a Maryland-based sales agent and trainer.
To arms! Assist the Civil War re-enactors
Costumers, unite; your services are needed at Gettysburg. The battlefield there will be seeing action once more in a Civil War reenactment. Doris Miller writes to tell us that her son and daughter-in-law are preparing the costumes they will wear to take part in it, and they are just about ready to take their places except for one article of clothing.
Get professional help with finances
Question: As we approach the end of the fiscal year, can you suggest a publication that offers guidance on homeowner association finances? We're specifically seeking advice on movement of money between operating and reserve accounts, allocations of operating surpluses at year end and possible tax consequences.
Farm records can yield a genealogical harvest
In 1879, Cornelius McAvoy rented 15 acres of tilled land, 120 acres of pasture and 15 acres of woodland in Jefferson County, N.Y. Four calves were born on his spread, and he bought three others. He produced 730 pounds of butter.
Home Front
Briefs and news of note
Keep pet dogs and cats away from this toxic toad
Question: My dog died a horrible death from eating a poisonous Bufo toad. Please write about this danger.
St. Petersburg Times real estate classified ads:
Other recent real estate stories:
Lower your taxes with homestead exemption
A nation of homeowners
How good is your escrow coverage?
Don't ask
To have and to hold a mortgage of their own
A testament to hope (Jan. 23, 1999)
Program can help with down payment, closing costs
From hope to homeowner (Jan. 9, 1999)
Woman's untidiness leads to legal wrangle
Commission add-ons (Jan. 2, 1999)
Children are not to be seen here either
Other real estate links (from Yahoo!):
Cost of Living calculator: compares the cost of living in any two cities. Also includes links to Salary Calculator and Moving Calculator among other tools. From the folks at HomeFair.Com.
Best Places to Live 1997: From Money magazine.
MoveQuest: maps, financing tools, price data, logistical tips.
TenantNet: a resource for residential tenants' rights.
FAQs for Home Buyers and Owners: From the America Society of Home Inspectors.
Home Buyer and Renter Consumer Information: From the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Home Buying Tips: from the U.S. Government General Services Administration.
R-Net: Real Estate and the Net: links and tips for the busy. Of interest to investors, brokers and consumers. Accepts factual ads.
Real Estate Library: collection of informative articles about buying and selling real estate.
Realtor.com: includes info on buying and selling real estate, allows you to browse property ads in the U.S. and locate realtors.
Regional real estate links:
Florida Home Builders - features Florida developers with Web sites.
Florida Living Network - listing of real estate companies and Realtors in Florida.
© Copyright 2001 St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.
Looking for some helpful real estate links on the Web? Click here.
Contact real estate writer Teresa Burney via e-mail at burney@sptimes.com. |
