Is Your Fireplace Mantel Safe?
Over the years I’ve built hundreds of fireplace mantels. I’m often asked: What is the typical and safest distance between the mantle piece and fireplace? RULE OF THUMBÂ (considering the mantel is wooden) The most common measurement is to place it 12″ above the top of the fireplace system, and for every additional inch that the […]
Do I Really Really Need a Real Estate Agent?
Let’s cut to the chase…unless you’re ready, willing, and able to do and have ALL of the following: Locate potential property. Schedule appointment to see property. Know the market trends in the neighborhood Know school district lines Contact “The Right Lender” Can locate parks and recreation, shopping and places of worship Got the inside of […]
Life’s Soup Bowl All Boils Down to Trust
In early November-2013, in Las Vegas, NV, there’s a student competition underway. The ad goes something like this: ABC’s Construction Management Competition (CMC) is a hallmark competition that promotes careers in construction management.  In addition to providing a significant learning opportunity, the competition fosters an environment that will bring out the best in each team; encourage dialogue among […]
5 Warning Signs of an Unsafe Deck
There about 40 million decks in the US. About 1/2 of them need either repairing or replacement. The cause? Improper construction or/and lack of maintenance. July 28th – 2013 ::Â Tinley Park, ILÂ Fourteen people were injured Saturday night after the second-floor deck of a home in the 16700 block of Beverly Avenue collapsed during a party […]
Should Real Estate Agents Attend the Home Inspections?
Many real estate agents don’t attend their buyer’s home inspection because someone has told them that this increases their liability. I completely disagree. It’s their conduct at the inspection that puts them at risk, not their presence. About half of the agents that I regularly work with attend at least part of the inspection, and […]