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Get the squeal out of bathroom faucet

By Bill and Kevin Burnett, Wednesday, December 3, 2008.

Q: I was hoping you could help me with some plumbing problems. In my downstairs bathroom, which doesn't get much use, the hot-water faucets on both sinks squeal when they are being turned off. The cold faucet doesn't squeal. It doesn't happen in the other bathroom, which is in the master suite. My neighbor in the attached townhouse has the same problem.  more...

Taking a SWAT at the cold call Premium Content

By Kris Berg, Wednesday, December 3, 2008.
Flickr photo by <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/markhillary/964441032/" target=blank>markhillary</a>.

Have we not learned anything?

Our industry is a little under the weather lately, and a whole lot of agents are in some serious pain. I'm reminded of the old joke where a man says, "Doc, it hurts when I do this." The doctor's obvious reply is, "So, don't do that."

Sometimes the answer is just that simple. If it hurts to do something, don't do it anymore. Do something else.  more...

Real estate needs more regulation Premium Content

By Marcie Geffner, Wednesday, December 3, 2008.

Among all the mistakes that have led to the current real estate wreck, it now seems clear that lax government regulation should be at the top of the list. Ivory-tower economists may tout the undeniable theoretical benefits of unfettered markets, but those benefits clearly depend on the health of the entire system. When regulation backs off to the point of systemic failure, free-market enthusiasts have gone too far.

Here are seven areas in which inadequate government control or oversight contributed to the current real estate crash:  more...