Are Screws Really That Expensive?       There is a variety of methods for securing deck boards to the joists. Nails were the most common for the longest time; it was easy to do you just needed nails and a hammer. But over time the nails would begin to work their way out and needed to be corrected. Deck builders saw the value in using screws to hold the deck boards in place much more securely. This requires some additional tools but in the long run worth the effort. Recently the deck screws have become even more specialized. Special screw heads, various compositions, and colors can all be had today. The number of screws used has been pretty consistent over time - two screws per deck board, per joist. Having two screws provides strength throughout the deck and by having the screws out to... 09/26/2014

  Too Much Weight or Just a Warped Post?     This really caught my eye because I know that the deck was very heavy and the spam between the posts was too far apart. Maybe it was just a matter of the board warping but it didn’t look right. If it were my house, I’d replace it either way; a warped post is not as strong as a straight one!   04/01/2014

A client recently asked me, what is a "Short-Sale?"  A short-sale is a home for sale that is worth less than what is owed to the bank(s) on the loan(s). The home seller and the agent set the asking price "below market" to attract a buyer and get the home under contract quickly. They usually don't care what the home sells for because the seller is not getting any money from it, they are just trying to avoid foreclosure. Once an offer comes in, it is submitted to the bank(s) for review.  Typically, there is a 1st, 2nd and sometimes a 3rd loan on the home.  Since the home is usually worth less than the 1st, the 1st lender approves the sale, the 2nd and 3rd lenders aren't entitled to any money, so they say "no," and then they all argue about it for months on end until the 1st lender gets fr... 05/22/2009