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Real Estate Journal
Helmsley Estate Sells Manhattan Hotel The Helmsley Carlton House is being sold to a partnership between private-equity firm Angelo, Gordon & Co. and Extell Development for about $170 million.
WTC Development Talks Continue Negotiations continued between developer Larry Silverstein and the Port Authority who are trying to resolve an impasse over the redevelopment of the World Trade Center site before a critical deadline Friday.
Fortis Sues Lender Kennedy in Debt Case Kennedy Funding, a New Jersey lender to cash-strapped real-estate developers, has plenty of experience going after debtors who fall behind on their payments. But now it's Kennedy's turn to get squeezed.
European REIT Rollout at Hand With European property markets beginning to recover from the market downturn and global recession, there are signs that the REIT revolution could be at hand.
General Growth Debt Bet Pays Off A handful of investors dug to the bottom of the discount bin and snapped up General Growth's convertible bonds at three cents on the dollar. They now trade at 103 cents.
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Take a Class, and Basic Electrical Tasks Shouldn't Trip You Up Q: DEAR TIM: I have a chance to take a $250 course on electrical wiring that covers how to change outlets, switches, light fixtures, rewiring circuits, etc. I'm terrified of electricity and use a stick to trip my circuit breakers.
Do It Yourself Q: Our white kitchen countertop, made of plastic laminate, is stained from spills of things like red wine, curry and fruit juice. How can I clean it?
Replacing Windows? Look for Seal of Approval. Q: DEAR TIM: I'm about to start a window replacement project. My husband wants vinyl windows because of the easy maintenance, but I'm not a big fan. The number of choices is making it hard for me to decide which kind of windows to install. What are the best replacement windows?
Designing a Garden From the Ground Up Most homeowners approach landscape design in a way that is meant to meet their immediate need, whether that is screening, groundcover, shade or flowering plants. The proper approach to landscape design is multi-dimensional -- considering interest on ground, vertical and overhead planes.
Change Is Slow to Come Home For more than 20 years, architect and author Witold Rybczynski has focused on the houses and lifestyles of ordinary people.
Security Systems Can Monitor More Than Bad Guys Q: DEAR TIM: I'm in the market for a home security system, but there seem to be so many aspects that it's rapidly getting confusing. Should I be looking at a wireless system? If the price is too high for what I want, should I consider a do-it-yourself system? -- Marty V., Hartford, Conn.
Do It Yourself Q: We sometimes get a strong sewer odor in our house, especially when we run the washing machine. Someone told us the traps to some of our drains might have dried out, letting sewer gas enter the house. What are your thoughts?
New-Model Wood Stoves Burn Cleaner During the energy crisis in the 1970s, interest in heating with wood surged, particularly in regions where oil or electricity were primary heat sources.
Sewer Gas Odor Can Waft Through Incorrectly Installed Toilet Gasket Q: DEAR TIM: My husband installed a new gasket on the toilet in our master bathroom as part of adding a new ceramic tile floor. He's pretty handy, but I soon noticed a sewer gas odor in this room. There wasn't an odor before. He can't smell it, and I'm reluctant to have him do the job over. The t...
Shivering With a Skimpy Furnace Q: DEAR TIM: Are all heating systems the same? Mine is running constantly and can maintain a temperature of only 67 degrees in my home. It's below zero outdoors. But still, I would expect the house to be comfortable even if the temperature outside is bitterly cold.
Colorful, Sculptural Branching In winter there's not much to take your attention away from the structure or colors of trees and shrubs. You can appreciate them for their branching habits and bark, not just because they supply the "canopy" or "spatial enclosure" of the landscape.
Do It Yourself Q: A couple of my dining room chairs have become wobbly because of loose joints. How can I fix this ?
Tim Carter's Ask the Builder Q: DEAR TIM: I attended a Christmas party at a home that had wainscoting. It was gorgeous. The beadboard was painted a different color than the wall above to accent it. What can you tell me about installing wainscoting? I like a raised panel, but would settle for beadboard. -- Stephanie D., Minneapolis
Mulch Improves Garden Beds Mulch is a gardening mainstay because it protects and nurtures plants while improving the look of many landscapes. Plants need different types of mulches depending on the season.
Today's Busy Families Pass on the Family Heirlooms When people decide it's time to downsize and move out of the home where they have lived for perhaps 40 years, they want to distribute their household furniture, cherished belongings and family heirlooms to their adult children and grandchildren.
Do-it-Yourself Q: I have heard that mold can grow behind a bathtub liner. Is this possible? -- Anna
Tim Carter's Ask the Builder Q: DEAR TIM: I have an opportunity to convert my home to radiant floor heating. A complete renovation is in progress, and I'm convinced radiant floor heating will be the best for me. Can the average homeowner successfully install such a system?
Garden Beauty That the Eye Can't Behold It's understood among landscape designers that the aesthetics of a garden go considerably beyond visual beauty to encompass sound and touch.
Do It Yourself Q: I have a bathroom sink that clogs periodically. I have tried a plunger, several kinds of drain openers and so forth, and I haven't been able to get it to drain well. What's next? -- L. Ramsey
How to Keep a Small Kitchen From Cramping Your Style If you love to cook, but are afraid of buying or renting a place with a kitchen the size of a phone booth, fear not. A small kitchen doesn't have to be a big drawback if you use your space creatively.
Making the Most of Every Inch If you have a tiny room that you're thinking about as a bedroom for your child or a guest, getting the most out of a small space is a challenge but not an insurmountable one.
Putting Up a Wood Fence Worthy of Compliment Q. DEAR TIM: Wood fencing is my next project. My wife loves wood fences, and I feel they are attractive. What do I need to know to ensure this project is a success? What is a good wood fence post? Should I pre-build fence panels or construct the fence in place? Is it necessary to embed the fence posts in concrete? -- Barry L., Columbia, S.C.
Deconstructing an Old Home Can Give You Building Blocks for a New One You have decided to build a new house. You weighed all the pros and cons of 15 lots and finally chose one that's near public mass transit, so you'll need only one car. It's a 10-minute walk from a local shopping area, so you can easily incorporate some exercise into your regular routine.
Grout Fix for a Good-as-New Tile Floor Q: DEAR TIM: The grout in one joint of my floor tile has come out. Do you know why this happened? I can see that the previous homeowner repaired it. What's the best way to work with floor grout in this situation? What type of grout do I install, and how do I match the color perfectly?
To Personalize Your Garden, Think Beyond Plants When homeowners cut their landscaping budget, they typically get rid of things such as garden pools, fountains, walls, seating, sculpture, containers and lighting. But these elements, which can be grouped together as "site amenities," contribute to the impact of a garden.
Gene Austin's Do-It-Yourself Q When I turn on the hot water in my bathroom sink, it comes out in spurts. I also feel knocking and shaking in the hot-water pipes in the basement. What's wrong? -- N. Sehghl
Want to Shrink Your Carbon Footprint? Think Food. In moving for a year to New York City from Ann Arbor, Mich., a small Midwestern college town, the biggest change for me has not been the shift from a house to a high-rise and a living space that is only one-third as big.
Tim Carter's Ask the Builder Q: DEAR TIM: I need a chain saw and am flummoxed as to which type to buy. I'm certain that I want a gas chain saw, but wonder whether to get an 18-inch or a 14-inch model. I've never used one before and am concerned about my safety.
Q We have periodic power failures in our area that are a real nuisance. Is it practical to install a generator to supply emergency power to our home? -- Edward
With These Activities, Gardening Need Not Take a Holiday Here are some upcoming holiday and horticultural events for November, December and January. They're free unless otherwise noted. Call ahead to see whether registration is needed.
Do It Yourself Q I have a pedestal-style porcelain sink that needs refinishing. Can I get high-quality results by doing it myself with a refinishing kit, or is it best to hire a pro? -- J. Errington
Replacing Mortar Joints in a Stone Patio Q: DEAR TIM: I have a patio repair job at my house. The irregular pieces of limestone are fine, but the mortar joints between them are failing. In some places, the stones have lifted up. The patio is about 20 years old.
Plants That Burst With Fragrance A neighbor stopped by last weekend holding a piece of shrub with a dainty, sweet-smelling flower on it. His wife walked past the plant daily and absolutely had to know what is was. Fragrance does that to people.
Do It Yourself Q: I have kitchen cabinets covered with plastic laminate, and they need to be refinished. Paint-store clerks said they can't be painted, but I came across two products that claim to do the job with little or no preparation. What do you think?
A Project That Is Easier Than It Seems Here's a do-it-yourself job for the bathroom that may appear harder than it actually is: Replacing or adding a medicine cabinet.
Install Siding Like a Pro Q: DEAR TIM: What can you tell me about installing vinyl siding? I like its no-maintenance aspect, and it looks easy to install. What instructions can you share? What tools will I need to get professional results on my one-story house? -- Patty S., Scranton, Pa.
Do It Yourself Q: My house is very cold, and I need to get new entry doors in the front and back. Which type of entry door is best: wood, steel or fiberglass? Do I need storm doors, too? -- Anna
Shopping for TVs With the Experts Technological advances have made giant flat-panel TV screens with intensely detailed pictures affordable to the average American consumer. But which one to choose?
What to Know Before Digging a Fire Pit Q: DEAR TIM: Last night I sat around an outdoor fire pit at a friend's house. Everything about this magical spot was enjoyable. I want to build one for myself. What's involved? Is it a good idea to have a patio fire pit, or should I consider a garden fire pit?
Do It Yourself Q: We have a top-brand storm door that has been in place for several years. The door has a cylindrical closer of the type I have seen on many such doors. However, the door closes much too slowly and lets in bugs in summer and cold air in winter. Can you help?
Key to Successful Blacktop Repair Is to Carefully Follow Sealant Instructions Q DEAR TIM: I need to repair a blacktop crack. What is a good way to prevent water penetration? I've tried different sealers, but some have been messy. Is there an easy-to-apply product that produces great results? -- Maggie S., Athens, Ohio
How to Save Money in the Garden People are trying to figure out how to save money everywhere they can. A lot are becoming interested in growing their own fruits and vegetables.
Do It Yourself Q. My house has aluminum siding. The baked-on finish has become badly scratched in places. Is it possible to paint it? What preparation and paint are needed? --Mary
For Furniture, Smaller Is Better HIGH POINT, N.C. -- Even before these days of shrinking economic expectations, furniture makers were getting the message from consumers: small is the new black.
How to Salvage a Hardwood Floor: Piece by Painstaking Piece Q. DEAR TIM: I'm faced with a hardwood floor repair. Water seeped under my front door and warped the floor. What's involved in a job like this? I'm usually not too timid when it comes to home repairs, but I'm out of my comfort zone.
Do It Yourself Q. Our sliding doors have brass handles. Over the years, the outdoor handles have become pitted and ugly, but the indoor handles remain bright. What can we do about this? -- B. Fleming
Rescuing a Badly Damaged Shower Q. DEAR TIM: My ceramic tile shower has severe water damage. I was cleaning the shower when the tile caved in, creating a hole in the wall. How can I install tile in the shower so this will never happen again? Is this a job I can do myself? What are the steps to get long-lasting results? -- Diana C., Norcross, Ga.
Do It Yourself Q. I have a mint-green bathtub that dates to the late 1950s. There is a sizable chip in it and I have been unable to find any kind of patching material that is close to the color. Can you help? -- J. Cozzi
Where Old Sit-Coms Meet Green Ambition ONLEY, Va. -- Maybe it's the homemade windmills spinning on the balcony. Or the golf-cart batteries that power the kitchen. Or maybe it's the purple shag carpeting, the pink shutters, the "Dick Van Dyke Show" furniture, the leopard-print paint on the dining room floor or the gold Rolls Royce in the gravel driveway.
Roof Vents You Can Understand Q. DEAR TIM: It's time for a new roof, and I need to know which roof vent to install. I am considering a continuous ridge vent, but it seems to defy physics and logic. Once hot air reaches the peak of the roof, it has to go down several inches to escape the attic.
This October, Focus on Spring This month, possibly more than any other, is the time to ensure that your garden stays healthy and blooming next year. It's a great time to assess and improve your landscape.
Do It Yourself Q. Our bathroom is damp and has a serious mold problem because of poor ventilation. We could replace a fixed window with one that opens, but it would be expensive. Would a larger vent fan help? Are there any other options? -- M. Norvell
Simple Steps to Cut Heating Costs Q. DEAR TIM: What can I do to lower the cost of heating my home? The cost of fuel is going up faster that I can pay the bills. What are you going to do this winter in your home to lower your cost?
As Fall Sets In, Take Time to Walk, Learn and Listen Lectures, workshops, tours and other programs are available around the region this fall. They're free unless otherwise noted. Many require registration, so call ahead.
The Bathroom as a Sanctuary It's been an annoying fact of life for ages: You're enjoying your shower, someone in the house flushes a toilet, and all of a sudden it turns from heaven into Hades.
At Last, Pie-in-the-Sky Concepts Come Home Eat your heart out, George Jetson. Technology can automate a house to the point where homeowners are alerted when food in the fridge goes bad, irrigation systems monitor dew levels and toilets medically analyze urine.
Do It Yourself Q. We need to replace our water heater and are thinking of getting a tankless, gas-fueled heater. Are the energy savings of tankless heaters worth the extra up-front cost?
Block Premature Rot in Wood Deck Railings Q. DEAR TIM: The wood deck railing at my home rotted prematurely and needs to be replaced. How long should deck railings last? I love mine but wonder whether I should replace it with a vinyl railing or even an aluminum one.
Do It Yourself Q. We want to get new windows for our house and are considering either new-construction windows (replacing jambs, sills and all) or just so-called replacement windows. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each type of window? -- J. Hoffman
Museum Piece Offers Glimpse of a Prefab Future CHICAGO -- Just inside the first floor of the Museum of Science and Industry's Smart Home, a 20-year-old recovered Crate & Barrel sofa flanks a cool-to-the-touch ethanol-burning fireplace that floats in the middle of the room.
Practice Silicone Caulking Before Getting to Work DEAR TIM: Caulking is not my favorite job, but I have to use silicone caulk to fix a leaking shower enclosure. Can you offer any tips on caulk removal so I do not damage the metal or the marble curb? What is the secret when working with silicone caulk? I always end up with a mess. -- Beth S., Sarasota, Fla.
Do It Yourself Q: Can we paint our brick fireplace? The only high-temperature paint we can find is flat black, and we want a brighter color. We plan to continue using the fireplace after painting. -- L. Magee
Dress Up a Concrete Hearth With Slate Q: DEAR TIM: I have a concrete fireplace hearth. Is it possible to cover it with slate? If so, is that difficult? Instead of slate, should I just install a hearth pad?
Square Feet | The 30-Minute Interview: Jeffrey Katz Mr. Katz is the chief executive and principal owner of Sherwood Equities Inc., which has developed and manages more than $3 billion in commercial real estate.
On Location: Bringing a Taste of New York to Johannesburg Adam Levy lives in a 10-story building that he converted into seven spacious floor-through apartments, including his own duplex penthouse that he finally completed last fall.
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