http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/al_heavens RSS Feed for Inq Col Al Heavens en-us Sun, 08 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/al_heavens/20091106_Your_Place__Tankless_water_heaters_can_save_energy_and_time.html Question: I'm hoping you can give a brief explanation of the tankless water heater. I can't seem to make my husband understand. Our water heater is on the opposite side of our house from the bathrooms and laundry room. Consequently, it takes running the water a long time before we get any warm/hot water. Isn't the tankless heater something that allows you to tap into hot water on demand? http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/al_heavens/20091108_On_the_House_.html Inquirer real estate writer Alan J. Heavens is the author of "Remodeling on the Money" (Kaplan Publishing). His columns appear Fridays in Home & Design. http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/al_heavens/20091108_On_the_House__Good__bad_of_reverse_mortgages.html A few weeks back, I wrote about a National Consumer Law Center study reporting that some of the same people who sold subprime loans now sell reverse mortgages. http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/al_heavens/20091030_Cheat_Sheet__Which_snow_thrower_best_meets_your_needs_.html Continuing our efforts to get this region and our homes ready for winter, this week's tips will focus on rearranging the tons of snow that some weather forecasters predict this year. http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/al_heavens/20091101_On_the_House__First-time_buyers_lift_home_sales.html Today's real estate market certainly differs from the not-so-long-ago boom years. Sales volume is still down, for the most part, as are prices. http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/al_heavens/20091023_Your_Place__Getting_ready_for_winter__Faucets__shrubs__gutters.html We're taking questions today that continue the topic "Getting your house ready for winter." Question: A couple of years ago, I had no-freeze faucets installed on my foundation. I know that they're not supposed to freeze, but is there a chance that they might? http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/al_heavens/20091025_On_the_House__Mortgage_help_for_the_jobless_.html A couple of weeks back, Croydon homeowner Theodore Frimet shared what happened when he tried to navigate the turgid waters of mortgage modification. http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/al_heavens/20091016_Cheat_Sheet__It_s_time_to_weather-strip__or_save_with_new_furnace.html Winter is approaching, and despite predictions that the months of December to March will feature milder weather and lower energy prices, it never hurts to be prepared for the worst. http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/al_heavens/20091018_On_the_House__Paid_in_full_but_not_yet_free_and_clear.html Ralph Zimmerman did something that most of us wish we could, but few of us manage: In 1996, Zimmerman paid off the mortgage on the Whitpain Township house he bought in 1983. Thirteen years instead of 30, when fixed interest rates were as high as 18 percent and rarely lower than 8 percent. http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/al_heavens/20091009_Your_Place__Grease_and_oil_stains_on_old_hardwood_floor.html Question: My brother tracked in, on his work shoes, grease and oil from an auto repair shop. I have old, worn hardwood floors from when I purchased the house and haven't been able to redo them yet. The grease has made dark black patches on the parlor floor, right in the center of the room where you can see the ugly stains as soon as you walk in the front door. I have put throw rugs over the black stains but I really want to get the grease and oil out of the wood. How can I do that?