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Patina is where the heart is

By Arrol Gellner, Friday, February 27, 2009.

A contractor once told me an interesting story about a house he'd built for a man in Connecticut. Winter was already setting in when he'd gotten the place weather-tight, so as soon as he finished the fireplace, he built a fire in it to keep the house warm. When the owner found out, he demanded that the contractor tear out the bricks inside the fireplace and replace them because they'd gotten sooty. He told the contractor that he was paying for a brand-new fireplace, and he was damned well going to get one.  more...

Icicles in attic a red flag

By Paul Bianchina, Friday, February 27, 2009.

Q: This summer we had siding installed around our house and we painted over the ventilation vents (husband's idea). My husband decided to cover the attic vent on top of the roof with a plastic bag because he said it would help seal the house better. I had a weird feeling about this, but I don't know anything about home repairs. Well, now we have a problem with condensation in our attic (that's what I think). He went up there last night and found that there were icicles on the frame.  more...

Budget plan strands financial stability

By Lou Barnes, Friday, February 27, 2009.
Flickr photo by <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/orinrobertjohn/3012838083/" target=blank>Orin Optiglot</a>.

A strange week, with some encouraging and some not-so-encouraging moments -- on balance, more uncertainty at the end than the beginning.

Mortgage rates rose to just above 5 percent, but we have made that trip up several times after a high-four bottom and then dipped again. The Treasury market was more worrisome: The 10-year jumped to 3 percent upon confusion in the financial rescue and release of President Obama's budget.  more...