Alan J. Heavens

Email aheavens@phillynews.com

Follow on Twitter

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.

Your Place: Tips for heating a home safely

By Alan J. Heavens, Inquirer Real Estate Writer

01/13/2012

On a warmish New Year's Eve, I planted more lettuce in the cold frame on the south side of the house since what I'd put in a few weeks before was thriving.

Al's Place: Al Heavens blogs on real estate and home improvement

Keep on tinkering, learning 01/01/2012: By Al Heavens, Inquirer Columnist

Are you the sort of person someone at the turn of the 20th century might have called a "tinkerer"? I'm referring to the type who likes to build things or learn something new every day, no matter how old he or she gets.
Your Place: When should you sweat foggy windows? 12/30/2011: By Alan J. Heavens, Inquirer Real Estate Writer

You may think I'm all wet, but I've decided to talk about condensation, only because I receive a lot of questions about foggy windows in the winter.
On the House: 12/25/2011: By Al Heavens, Inquirer Columnist

Inquirer real estate writer Alan J. Heavens' home improvement column appears Fridays in Home & Design. See instructional videos at Al's Place. Go to philly.com/yourplace
Laughable look at the year ahead 12/25/2011: By Al Heavens, Inquirer Columnist

I've got less than a week to finish off everything I started during 2011. I'm one of those people who need a clean slate at the beginning of every new year. I don't think I've ever actually achieved that goal, but I always make the effort with great enthusiasm.
Jumping into growing real estate sector 12/23/2011: By Alan J. Heavens

Home Economics: Those who might have bought homes are renting apartments or condos, instead.
Your Place: How would you rate your cooking skills in the Kitchen Audit? 12/23/2011: By Alan J. Heavens, Inquirer Real Estate Writer

If you are busily creating small miracles for the holidays at your stove today, you might be interested in this tidbit.
Be ready for tough weather 12/18/2011: By Al Heavens, Inquirer Columnist

My brother-in-law, who is an engineer for a utility company in Connecticut, has just spent $4,000 on a Honda backup generator designed to keep a good part of his house running for 14 hours on 4.5 gallons of gasoline.
Holidays merry time to sell home 12/16/2011: By Alan J. Heavens

Home Economics: Is a new house, or being able to sell your present one, near the top of the holiday list?
Your Place: Keeping the home fires burning safely at holidays 12/16/2011: By Alan J. Heavens, Inquirer Real Estate Writer

Holiday safety tips from the Chimney Safety Institute of America start this week's column. Each year, 27,000 house fires start in chimneys or fireplaces, while nearly 16,000 fires begin in clothes dryers, according to Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Fix or replace appliances? Depends 12/09/2011: By Alan J. Heavens

Home Economics: When should you repair and when should you replace? With the economic downturn keeping people in their homes longer and money ever tighter, it is a choice being considered by more homeowners these days.