Alan J. Heavens

Email aheavens@phillynews.com

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Alan J. Heavens has been writing about real estate and home improvement for the last 14 years. A veteran of 35 years as a reporter, he holds B.A. and M.A. degrees in history.

Heavens cannot make recommendations about contractors, Realtors, mortgage services or neighborhoods.

Home Economics: Mortgage lending at 16-year low

By Alan J. Heavens

09/21/2012

If you tried to get a mortgage last year and failed, or were put through the wringer first, you are in good company.

Brighter outlook for city condos

By Al Heavens, Inquirer Columnist

09/16/2012

Condos in Rittenhouse and Washington Squares appear to have held their value, but for many newer projects elsewhere in the city, it has been tougher, with auctions taking place to accelerate sales, for example.

Your Place: Floor is shoddy; were there more builder shortcuts? 09/14/2012: By Alan J. Heavens, Inquirer Real Estate Writer

Question: I was looking at a new condo with "cherrywood flooring." No illusions that it was solid; I was told it was engineered.
Problems with loan programs 09/09/2012: By Al Heavens, Inquirer Columnist

Home Affordable Modification Program and its counterpart, the Home Affordable Refinancing Program, have been around since 2009. How successful these programs have been depends on whom you ask.
Tips for cleaning up after flood damage 09/07/2012: By Alan J. Heavens, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Home Economics: Even when flooding is limited, say, to a basement, there are still precautions to be taken and special damage remedies to be considered.
Lightbulb letdowns and how to avoid them 09/07/2012: By Alan J. Heavens, Inquirer Real Estate Writer

Memories of columns past came to mind as I read Consumer Reports' latest CFL-versus-LED lightbulb study, available in complete form in its October issue.
Make sure you have coverage for big storms 08/31/2012: By Alan J. Heavens

Home Economics: Measures taken to prepare for big storms like Hurricane Sandy can reduce the damage they cause.
Remodeling trend: Reusing materials 08/26/2012: By Al Heavens, Inquirer Columnist

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry has a Contractor of the Year awards program that provides a look at the trends that the winners are seeing in the market.
Your Place: Advice on repairing a crack in a concrete patio 08/24/2012: By Alan J. Heavens, Inquirer Real Estate Writer

A reader said there was a 20-foot crack running across her 15-year-old concrete patio that had been repaired with caulking. She asked if she should have the patio repoured.
City housing market defies prediction 08/19/2012: By Al Heavens, Inquirer Columnist

At the end of the second quarter, home prices in Philadelphia were one-third of the way to recovering what they had lost since August 2007.
Be weather wise for winter 08/17/2012: By Alan J. Heavens

Despite the mild winter this region had last year, cold will return at some point. Best to be ready when it does. If you jump on some cold-weather-prep projects now, it might increase your football-viewing time before the season is in full swing.
Your Place: Mold has enveloped house windows and trim 08/17/2012: By Alan J. Heavens, Inquirer Real Estate Writer

Question: About three years ago, the trim on my sister's house was cleaned, sanded, and repainted with the same good-quality, oil-based paint.