Montana Dream Homes by Billings Gazette

2014 MONTANA

DREAM HOMES ownership ∞ decorating ∞ improvements ∞ outdoors

montana dream homes 2014

∞ features ∞

decor ating

Doors, a forgotten design element.....................12 6 Point checklist to take to the paint store ........15

outdoors

A perfectly plush lawn ........................................6 Spring is here ....................................................11

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improvements

Do-it-yourself furniture updates .........................4 We fix ‘ugly’ .....................................................10

ownership

Dodd-Frank Act ..................................................5 Beyond the mortgage payment ..........................14

Montana Dream Homes is a yearly special advertising publication of the Billings Gazette.

Sales & Marketing Director Dave Worstell

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∞ improvements ∞ Do-it-yourself furniture updates John Nordine says he does everything from A to Z as far as upholstery is concerned. And, it’s true; he’s done airplanes, zebra skin foot stools and everything in between. By Jasmine Maki Grand Forks Herald (MCT)

he owner of John’s Upholstery Center has been doing upholstery work for more than 35 years, and one could say he knows all the ins and outs of the craft. He opened his workshop in Grand Forks, N.D., about ﬁve years ago and started reupholstering everything from antique chairs to boat seats. Throughout the years, he’s built quite the clientele, doing upholstery work for Altru Health System, the Empire Arts Center and many automotive centers in the area. Reupholstering is just a way to update old furniture instead of throwing it away and buyMATERIALS ing all new pieces, he said. After determining that the frame is sturdy Although Nordine said as a rule of thumb enough for an update, Nordine said, you can every piece of furniture can be reupholstered, select your fabric. Colors and patterns are comthat doesn’t mean every piece should be reuppletely up to personal preferences, but he said a holstered. fabric with good wearability is essential. The wearability of a fabric is measured in A SOLID FRAME rubs or double rubs, and the higher the rub the The ﬁrst thing people need to know before better the fabric. When purchasing fabric, each they decide to update a piece of furniture is will have a description card with the necessary whether the piece is worth the work, he said. information. A single piece of furniture can take more He said fabrics range from 100,000 to than eight hours to reupholster, and fabric can 500,000 rubs. While Nordine doesn’t expect cost a couple of hundred dollars. everyone to spend hundreds of dollars on fabric, “You want to make sure you have a quality he said, “It’s no secret cheap materials don’t last frame that’s not all broke up,” he said. “Frame as long as high-end materials.” is probably the most important.” For do-it-yourself projects, one will also Nordine said people will often bring in really want to consider the type and thickness of the old antique chairs, and he’ll let them know if material. the piece is worth redoing. “Cloth can be done on a home sewing machine; most vinyls cannot, and the reason is that 4

(Ingram)

the stitches are too close together for vinyl,” Nordine said. Once one has chosen a fabric, Nordine suggests using an upholstery measurement chart to determine how much fabric will be needed for the speciﬁc project. Various charts with images of different types of chairs and the correct amount of fabric needed for each can be found online by searching, “upholstery measurement chart.” “An average chair is anywhere from 5 to 7 yards,” he said. “Couches can run 15 or more yards, so it’s important to measure and get somewhat accurate measurements.” Nordine suggests purchasing at least one extra yard of fabric if the material is reasonably priced. The extra fabric can then be used if there’s a mistake during the process or to repair the piece later on if there’s a spill or tear. please see page 8

∞ ownership ∞ Does the Dodd-Frank Act Affect my Ability to Buy a Home?

We invite you to work with a Decision Maker who will back you up from start to finish

Until 2008, when the latest economic melt-down commenced, many banks throughout the country made home loans to consumers, regardless of their ability to repay.

Mason University, found that nearly 6% of banks surveyed stopped offering mortgage loans, nearly 5% stopped offering Home Equity Lines of Credit, and more than 30% of the small banks plan to stop offering loans that do not meet the guidelines for “Qualified Mortgages.” Fortunately, most community banks in Montana did not engage in By Andy Rio risky real estate lending; they were Andy Rio is the President and CEO of Little Horn State Bank already structuring loans to meet the definition of “Qualified Mortwith offices in Hardin and gages.” Those same banks verified Billings. income rather than accepting the s the economy slumped customer’s word. This and other prudent underwriting standards are and mortgage default rates soared, Congress how the customer’s ability to repay enacted the Dodd-Frank is calculated under the new reguWall Street Reform and Consumer lations. The new rules will help ensure that you will get a mortgage Protection Act to prevent that from ever happening again. While that you can afford. This is important, since a home is the largest this Act was well intentioned, single purchase that most people the Dodd-Frank Act comes with problems of its own – an increased ever make. However, regardless of what your lender tells you about regulatory burden, the cost of which must be passed along to con- your ability to repay, the ultimate responsibility is yours to determine sumers. The most recent portions what fits comfortably within your of this Act, regarding “Qualified budget. Mortgages” and the consumer’s I expect that, despite the results “Ability to Repay,” took effect on of the Mercatus Survey, Montana’s January 10, 2014. community bankers will continue A recent survey of more than to offer home loans at a competi200 banks in 41 states, conducted by the Mercatus Center of George tive price.

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∞ outdoors ∞ Every dream home deserves a perfectly plush lawn Making a decision between laying sod and seeding your lawn is often driven by the cost and time.

even sporadic growth. As not all of the seed will typically germinate due to birds, weed competition, etc., you should plan on overseeding at least once. As sod is matured for approximately twelve months before it’s By Tvetene Turf delivered to you, you can expect a similar time-frame before you have a similar result our initial costs will be higher with with your seeded yard. sod, but you’ll have an instant lawn • Weeds – grass seed needs water to germithat’s ready for your family to enjoy nate and grow. Given that you’re seeding in about two weeks. A seeded lawn into bare soil, providing this water also is more economical, but will take much longer encourages weed growth. With little to comand requires a considerable amount of effort on pete with, and a much faster growth cycle your part to achieve the same results. To make a than your grass, it can often seem as if you fair comparison, always remember to factor in a planted a weed patch instead of a lawn! Be patient. Spray out the weeds with a qualcouple of key points: ity weed spray that’s designed to be safe • Time – once you lay sod in your yard, for your young grass. Once the weeds are simply keep it well watered for a couple of sprayed out, you may need to re-seed those weeks and you’re ready to go. If you choose areas again. to seed your lawn, expect 4-6 weeks for

Sodding and/or seeding a lawn is a major investment. Depending on the size of your lawn, this can be a costly job even before adding the cost of additional supplies, such as soil, fertilizer and tilling equipment. Many homeowners who incur this type of expense want to ensure their investment lasts. Here are the some main points to care for and protect your investment: • Keep children and pets off of the newly sodded or seeded area while it is establishing itself. • When mowing, keep the lawn height to around 2-3 inches to prevent scalding. • Once established, fertilize the lawn every 50 to 60 days, beginning in March and ending in October. • Every year after the lawn is established, aerate the lawn to keep the soil from being too compact and to enable oxygen and nutrients to get into the soil. Whether you are a landscape professional in need of a truck load of sod, or a private homeowner in need of either a complete lawn or just a few rolls, Tvetene Turf can provide you with superior quality sod at an affordable price. Our Kentucky Bluegrass, RTF (Fescue Blend) and Bella Bluegrass sods are grown locally. These hearty, perfectlyplush grasses have been specially formulated to thrive in the diverse climate conditions found in the region we serve. Tvetene Turf now offers topsoil and compost enriched topsoil for your site preparation. Want to seed instead? We carry the same Kentucky Bluegrass and Fescue seeds we use in our fields. We also carry fertilizer for your new sod or for your already established lawn. Tvetene Turf has set the pace for growing the areas highest quality sod for over 40 years. Our dedication to quality and outstanding customer service has made us the leading sod producer in south central Montana and northern Wyoming for decades.

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Furniture Updates

The removed fabric will then become the pattern for the new pieces.

blown reupholstery project, Jeanie Demlow, of Grand Forks, suggests a simpler do-it-yourself update. RECONSTRUCTION Demlow has been making slipcovers for her Using the old fabric as a pattern, Nordine furniture since 1998. Now, she makes pieces for said he cuts the fabric about 2 inches bigger all her daughter, Joy Bailey’s, business The Joy of the way around to accommodate for the extra Junk’n. padding he’ll add. Demlow said anyone with basic sewing “Things like cushions where the size is pre- knowledge can do it, and it takes fewer tools determined, you’re going to make exact because than full reupholstery. Slipcovers are also more you want that to go on nice and tight again,” he forgivable and an easier project for a beginner. said. “If you’re not a precise person, that’s OK When all the pieces are cut, one can use the with slipcovers,” Demlow said, adding that the photographs taken along the way to reassemble extra fabric gets tucked into the creases of the the piece, using a staple gun to reattach the furniture. pieces. Creating slipcovers follows the same basic Nordine suggests taking close-up photos steps as reupholstery. First, one must determine because sometimes a wrinkle will be necessary, if the piece is worth the project. Next, one must and if there’s no photograph, it may be difficult measure the piece of furniture. Demlow said, to get just right. “Measure twice, cut once.” Unlike reupholstery, when making slipcovers SLIPCOVERS ANOTHER there isn’t any old fabric to use as a pattern, so proper measuring is even more important. OPTION “Sewing knowledge is really important,” For those who aren’t ready to take on a full-

From page 4

DECONSTRUCTION With fabric purchased, the next step is dismantling the piece of furniture. “For the do-it-yourselfer, when you take a piece off, take a picture. Take another piece off, take a picture,” he said. The photos will later act as a reference for reassembling the furniture. Most chairs are upholstered with staples and tacks. The fabric can be ripped off or carefully removed by taking out all staples and tacks. Different strategies for removing fabric can be found on DIY sites and Pinterest through quick Google searches. One of the quickest ways is to use pliers to slowly twist the fabric, pulling it off the furniture and removing all staples in one move. This method was titled the Roller PlierMajiggy and posted by Brooke Ulrich of AllThingsThrifty.com.

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Demlow said, explaining that one has to have a mental picture of how the pieces will be cut from the fabric. When the pieces are cut, Demlow said one can begin sewing. She added that anyone with basic sewing knowledge should be able to figure it out. If they need any help, she suggested searching for tutorials on do-it-yourself sites and Youtube. When choosing fabric for a slipcover, Bailey said one should ask, “What’s your look and what’s your budget?” She said fabric for slipcovers ranges from $5 per yard to $60 per yard and more.

REUPHOLSTERY VS. SLIP-COVERS While both reupholstery and slipcovers can update a piece of furniture, Demlow and Bailey said the two projects create much different styles. Demlow said reupholstery is tailored and elegant, while slip-covers tend to create a more laid back and casual feel.

“If you like country and shabby chic, slipcovers are the way to go,” Bailey said. There are several advantages to using slipcovers rather than reupholstering a piece of furniture. Slipcovers easily can be removed and washed. Because they aren’t permanent, they also allow the owner to change the look of a piece of furniture for different seasons or occasions. On the other hand, reupholstering furniture creates a tailored look and allows the owner to add more padding, replace any springs and touch up the frame in the process. But, whether one chooses to tackle reupholstery or a simple slip-cover, one piece of advice holds true: start small and simple. Nordine recommends starting with a chair cushion or a bar stool. Bailey said even a simple pillow is a good starting point. “Do it as a hobby. Don’t do it with an idea that you have to have it done by Thursday because it won’t get done,” Nordine said. “Work on it a little bit, and when it bothers you, walk away for a while.”

He added, “start with a small project and work your way on up, and if you have any questions don’t be afraid to call and ask someone.”

(Thinkstock)

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∞ improvements ∞ We fix ‘ugly’ As a home owner, what are the two scariest rooms to update? Most people agree that the kitchen and the bathroom are the most difficult. By Trevor Nelson Trevor Nelson is co-owner of Miracle Method of the Bighorns.

f you are getting ready to tackle a kitchen or bathroom update or remodel project, Miracle Method of the Bighorns offers a full range of products and service that come with a five-year warranty. “Our service area includes Cody, Powell, Billings, Gillette, Sheridan, Casper and everything in between,” said co-owner Trevor Nelson.

Miracle Method of the Bighorns can refinish bath tubs, counter tops and tile shower surrounds, as well as repair fiberglass and porcelain. They can also install bathroom safety packages, including such features as Easy-Step tub to shower conversion kits, slip-resistant surfaces and grab bars. Nelson and Phipps prefer the process Miracle Method uses. “Other refinishing companies use acid to etch fiberglass or porcelain. We don’t because acid is dangerous to us and our customers,” Phipps said. “Miracle Method uses a proprietary adhesion promoter – a non-toxic liquid that is applied just before the top coat goes on.” The refinishing process starts with prepping the surface by cleaning and fixing damaged areas and imperfections. “The majority of our time is spent preparing. If the prep isn’t done correctly, the end result will show it. That’s part of the reason why the do-it-yourself products fail,” Nelson said.

Another major difference between the DIY products but also the process other refinishers use, is Miracle Method’s bonding agent. “Our bonding agent is the reason why we have the strongest finish in the industry backed by a 5-year warranty,” said Phipps. The bonding agent takes the place of the acid that other refinishers use to etch the surface. “We offer a range of solid colors, or natural accents for a stone look,” Phipps said. “We do free in-home estimates, and we bring sample books with us,” he added. “We can help you find something you like, which goes perfectly with your existing floors, cabinets or fixtures.” Miracle Method of the Bighorns has technicians in the basin area and in Billings. To schedule an estimate call Miracle Method at 307-271-5240.

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∞ outdoors ∞ Spring is here: Stop vegetating and start cultivating Finally. After what seemed like the longest, wettest, grayest, coldest, snowiest winter ever, crocuses have pushed through the soil and are blooming.

To-do list for March and early April

Here are some tips from the Fayette County (Ky.) Cooperative Extension Service about what you can do right now. • Sow grass seed. Turf-type tall fescue is your best choice. Dwarf varieties mean less By Mary Meehan mowing. McClatchy Newspapers (MCT) • Feed bulbs a balanced fertilizer to promote nice blooms next year. Do not cut leaves s if that’s not great enough, spring down after flowering. They provide food for has sprung. It’s time to get outside, the plant. Let them die naturally. dig in the dirt, dream of home-grown • When working on a vegetable garden, make tomatoes and get your lawn ready to sure the soil is suitably dry. To test, squeeze show off to the neighbors across the street. a handful of soil into a ball. Drop it from Here’s some help -- a few suggestions about waist height. If it crumbles easily, the soil is what you can do right now and some classes to dry enough to work. help you get in the planting mood -- so you can • Speaking of vegetables, now is the time to get started. plant cool crops. These include asparagus,

• • • •

beets, cabbage, carrots, chard, collards, kale, lettuce, onions, peas, potatoes, radishes, spinach and turnips. Plant pansies and other cold-tolerant flowers. Repot houseplants and feed them with fertilizer at one-quarter strength. Increase pot size gradually. Use sunny days to begin bed cleanup, being careful not to step on emerging plants. Clean out birdhouses. If you don’t have any, now is the perfect time to hang a few.

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∞ decorating ∞ Doors, a forgotten design element It’s a design opportunity that’s easily missed: Even the most stylishly decorated rooms often have bland wooden doors with cheap hardware.

homes, not realizing what a difference they can make to the look of a room. Whether your style is traditional or modern, subtle or bold, improving your doors can give your rooms an easy facelift. Interior designer Emily Henderson, host of HGTV’s “Secrets from a Stylist,” uses doors as By MELISSA RAYWORTH a canvas for anything from wallpaper or stenFor The Associated Press ciling to textured paint or artfully applied gold igh-end designers have always made leaf. Decorated doors can “bring a bit of surprise glamour,” she says, and highlight architecdoors a priority, says Brian Pattural elements. rick Flynn, an interior designer and But know what sort of change you’re looking founder of decordemon.com. “If you for. look at any Fifth Avenue apartment” in New “Sometimes you want your door to be disYork City, he says, “you’ll probably fall in love guised” and blend quietly into the space, Henwith their doors because they blend architecture derson says. Other times, you’re seeking a burst with decorating and make it really special.” of color or texture to draw attention. But many of us ignore the doors in our

REMODELS & NEW CONSTRUCTION

INFUSING STYLE Painting with bold or contrasting colors can quickly make a door the star of a space, Flynn says. Try painting an entire door white and letting it dry for at least one day. Then put painters’ tape over the areas you’d like to keep as white accents, and paint the entire door another color (glossy black is great, he says). After removing the tape, touch up any imperfect spots with a tiny brush. Another option that Flynn loves: Have doors upholstered with leather or geometric print fabric to add softness and style. Leather is easy to wipe clean, he says, and “if it ages over time, that only adds to the look.” Bring the door to an upholsterer or do it yourself by wrapping the door in cotton batting and attaching fabric with a staple gun along

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Inside your home, you can use doorknobs and oththe sides. Tap the staples with a hammer to recess them, then paint over them in a color that matches the er hardware “like jewelry,” Burnham says. Try crystal or chinoiserie knobs, oiled bronze metal hardware or fabric. You can also glue ribbon over the staples to shiny chrome, depending on your style. hide them. Lately, Flynn has merged fun and function by putBRINGING THE LOOK OF YOUR HOME ting elaborate door knockers on bedroom doors. If you want to highlight your home’s history or TOGETHER just bring a vintage look to the rooms, consider using “Look at your doors,” says Los Angeles-based designer Betsy Burnham. “Do they all match?” If you doors reclaimed from older buildings. Flea markets want a cohesive style throughout the home, try paint- and antique shops may have great doors for low ing every door the same color and accessorizing each prices. They can be accessorized with vintage hardware or new pieces in a vintage style. with the same stylish hardware. But Henderson cautions that installation can be Burnham usually chooses white or off-white paint for doors and door frames, “but in one house I did all tough. “I’ve tried replacing knobs,” she says, “and it’s the doors sort of a khaki,” she says, “which was more actually turned into a bit of a nightmare.” Another nontraditional option: Use shiny, metalmodern.” If you want a bolder statement, she suggests painting all the doors a dark shade of charcoal and us- lic paint or cover the back of a door with chalkboard paint so you can leave quick notes, scrawl grocery ing oil-rubbed bronze doorknobs. lists or let kids get creative. Henderson and Flynn agree that consistency is important for doors that all face the same hallway. On the sides facing into rooms, you can indulge your ADDING SQUARE FOOTAGE If closet doors swing out into a small room, considimagination. But for the sides facing a hallway, “it could look unintentionally messy” rather than creative er replacing them with bi-fold doors or pocket doors. Or remove closet doors entirely and turn the area if the hardware and paint colors don’t match. into open shelving. To give it a ﬁnished look, wallpaper the closet interior and hang tieback draperies EXPRESSING YOURSELF Doors are a great way to personalize a space, Burn- where the doors were. Burnham loves this idea, but says it only works ham says. A classic six-panel door has a very different if you’re someone who will keep storage areas neat. feeling than a heavy wooden plank door with lots of Many clients ask to have doors removed to expose dramatic hardware. open shelving, she says, “but it’s a really special cliFront doors can be a great place to express your ent who can keep that looking great.” style. A custom-designed door with expensive hardOne last bit of advice: If you do remove bi-fold ware can have a huge impact and be worth the investdoors, don’t get rid of them. They make great freement, Burnham says. One option is to “keep the house sort of neutral and standing room dividers, Flynn says, especially if you do a pop of color at the front door,” she says. “We’ve paint or upholster them. In a bedroom that doubles seen red doors used really well. You could even do a as an ofﬁce, “it’s a great way to delineate work space from sleep space.” bright teal.”

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∞ ownership ∞ Beyond the mortgage payment:

Before buying your first home, brace yourself for these extra costs On his road to homeownership, Scott Leibfried has learned one thing: Expect the unexpected. By Amy Hoak MarketWatch (MCT)

e and his wife had an offer accepted on a home, only to later find that foreclosure proceedings were about to begin on it. That’s after they considered another home that was aesthetically pleasing but had major issues that came to light upon closer inspection. In the meantime, they’re trying to estimate the money they will need for closing costs and any future expenses, hoping that they won’t eat too much into their financial cushion. “There are always going to be things that come up,” Leibfried said. That statement could describe homeownership in general. Allan Glass, a Los Angelesbased real-estate agent who works with the couple, says “the biggest mistake buyers make is underestimating the costs” of buying a house and maintaining it over time. Homeowners should have 1 percent of the purchase price of their home in savings for improvements and surprise expenses, he said. 14

“That is the absolute minimum. It’s better to have 2 percent to 3 percent socked away somewhere.” The cushion often isn’t easy for first-time home buyers to have -especially after they’ve scrimped and saved for their down payment. And there are many first-time buyers in the market now, due to affordable prices, and lower interest rates. “Some people walk away from closing with a nickel and a stick of gum, and that’s probably not going to be a good idea,” says Dale Robyn Siegel, president of Circle Mortgage Group, in Harrison, N.Y. She recommends having at least six months of mortgage payments in the bank after closing on a house. To get a better handle on where the house stands, buyers should attend a home inspection and ask questions, says Bill Richardson, a home inspector in New Mexico and president of the American Society of Home Inspectors. That way, they can get tips and recommendations from the inspector as he or she is working. They should keep the inspection report handy for reference. For existing homes, an inspector will estimate the age of major components, giving the home buyer a sense of when they will need replacing. A furnace, for example, often lasts between 12 and 15 years; a water heater from 10 to 12 years, he says. please see page 16

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∞ decorating ∞ Your Personal 6 Point Checklist To Take To The Paint Store It’s easy to forget something when you go to your local paint store or decorating center to buy the items you need for interior painting.

If your paint is different, or if you need help deilings. Choose one with synthetic bristles, computing either your square footage or the especially if you’ll be working with latex wateramount of paint you’ll need, ask the counterper- based paint. son for help. 4. Roller cover(s) 2. Top quality paint As with brushes, you should use synthetic For the best paint performance, be sure to roller covers when applying latex paint. Make By Paint Quality Institute select a top quality 100% acrylic latex paint. sure there are no obvious seams. Short-nap www.paintquality.com These paints go on more easily and create a roller covers (1/16” to 1/4” deep) are best for smoother finish. They are more durable and smooth surfaces. o help save you a second trip to the long-lasting than ordinary paints. And today’s store, take this list with you and check best quality 100% acrylic latex paints “hide” 5. Roller frame off the items as you go. And, be sure to better, so you’ll usually need to apply just one U-shape frames, which tend to be firmer, apread the first item on the checklist even coat of paint. While these paints may cost a ply paint more evenly. Be sure the one you buy before you leave home! few dollars more per gallon, you’ll find they’re is sealed on the ends. 1. Dimensions of the room or space you’ll be worth it when you calculate the money and time you’ll save not having to apply that second coat. 6. Roller tray painting Make sure the tray you buy is the same width This is something you should remember to 3. Good quality brushes as your roller. Disposable plastic liners make take with you to the store. A gallon of paint A well-balanced, 3”-wide angled brush is clean-up easier. typically covers 400 square feet of wall space. useful for “cutting in” corners on walls and

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could (end up being) a $700 repair or more.” Richardson suggests planning From page 14 for a $500 to $1,000 annual genA list of approximate life exeral maintenance budget for most pectancies of home components starter homes, which would cover -- as well as cost estimates -- can everything from painting a room to be found at LivingWithMyHome. caulking the bathtub. com, a Web site sponsored by “Buying a home is one of the home-inspection company Pillar largest investments you’re going to to Post. Click on the “Repair & make,” he said, “If it’s done wisely Remodel Estimates” tab. and with lots of thought, it can be a Once you know what you’re huge asset. If it’s not well thought dealing with -- and perhaps what out, it can become a huge burden the sellers will repair or pay for to you.” before the sale is final -- look five Estimating monthly expenses years out and make a list of bigcan often trip up new home buyers ticket home issues that you’ll need as well. to address, says Kelly Rogers, As renters, people are accusdirector of education for the Con- tomed to paying rent and likely sumer Credit Counseling Service utilities -- phone, Internet service of Orange County, based in Santa and cable. Ana, Calif. Make a timeline for As a homeowner, however, those expenses. there will be other utility costs When small problems pop up, such as water, sewer and trash it’s important to address them collection. Then there are property before they become large-scale taxes, homeowner’s insurance and projects. Consider the tile in the possible homeowner’s association bathroom: As soon as there’s dedues. terioration or cracking, address it, Remember, you also can have Richardson said. miscellaneous expenses such as “If the toilet is loose to the floor snow removal and lawn service, ... it doesn’t seem like a big deal, if you don’t plan on doing them but it can leak and rot the floor,” he yourself, Siegel said. said. “What could be a $15 repair

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