Home | Journal Gazette

Picking a contractor

Mon, 20 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

Thinking about starting a renovation project? We asked Craig Durosko, founder and chairman of Sun Design in Burke, Va., to outline what you need to know to find a good contractor.

Don't feed the green monsters

Rosa Salter Rodriguez — Sun, 19 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

For many area homeowners, nothing's quite as beautiful as a lush, green lawn.

Your fabulous dream house could be prefab

Katherine Salant — Sun, 19 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

Author Sheri Koones is on a mission to educate American homeowners about home building.

Turn master bath into luxury haven

ROSEMARY SADEZ FRIEDMANN — Sun, 19 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

The master bathroom is usually a haven for refreshing and relaxing in the privacy and comfort of your own personal space. Of all the bathrooms in the house, the master bath is the most important and should be the most elaborate as far as comfort is concerned. Here are some tips for decorating.

The deal

Sun, 19 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

BND announced the following transaction: Steve Wesner represented the seller, Max P. Shambaugh, in the sale of 1.226 acres at the northwest corner of Speedway and Stable drives, to Speedway Stable Drive LLC, represented by David W. Dumas.

Building permits

Sun, 19 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

Following are recently issued Allen County building permits for commercial and residential buildings and additions of $30,000 or more. The residential building cost is the builder's estimate and does not include land.

Laundry lessons

Mon, 13 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

From the washer and dryer to the detergents used to keep your clothes clean, there are many elements involved in your laundry experience. With all of the money families spend annually on clothing, towels and bedding, keeping these items in shape is important. It all starts with proper laundry care.

Garden is a pumpkin patch

Rosa Salter Rodriguez — Sun, 12 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

On Mother's Day, is there anything sweeter than receiving a hand-picked bouquet of flowers from a favorite little one.

Outdoors, small can be spectacular

MELISSA RAYWORTH — Sun, 12 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

Design magazines and home decorating catalogs tend to feature sprawling backyards with big wooden decks and room for everything from decorative fountains to artificial ponds.

Building permits

Sun, 12 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

Following are issued recently Allen County building permits for commercial and residential buildings and additions of $30,000 or more. The residential building cost is the builder's estimate and does not include land.

Cleaning the fridge

Mon, 06 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

Think that cleaning your refrigerator (and keeping it clean) takes a lot of effort? Well, chill. Just follow these tips:

Some houses selling quickly

Rosa Salter Rodriguez — Sun, 05 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

With mortgage interest rates from some lenders dipping below 2.2 percent, Fort Wayne area real estate professionals are saying now is a great time to buy a house.

15-year home loans drop to a record-low 2.56%

MARCY GORDON — Sun, 05 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

The average U.S. rate on 15-year fixed mortgages fell to a new record low last week, and the rate on the 30-year fixed loan declined. Cheaper mortgages have encouraged more home-buying and refinancing.

Cleaners tackle grill grit, grime

AMY LORENTZEN — Sun, 05 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

Nick Escalante enjoys grilling his family's meals a couple of times a week year-round, but doesn't like cleaning the greasy mess that comes with it. So he uses a professional grill cleaner.

Extermination is not a DIY project

Margaret Ely — Sun, 05 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

Early spring is swarming termite season, when young adult termites emerge en masse. Jim Fredericks, director of technical services for the National Pest Management Association, said the "swarmers" surface to mate, form their own colonies and feed.

Building permits

Sun, 05 May 2013 03:00:00 EST

Following are Allen County building permits for commercial and residential buildings and additions of $30,000 or more issued recently. The residential building cost is the builder's estimate and does not include land.

Plan DIY project

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

Many DIY projects go off the rails because the person doing the project dives right into doing without planning. No matter what kind of DIY project you take on, whether it is a craft or a total bathroom redo, there are some essential steps to ensuring it stays on track:

Rehab? Remodel? ReStore!

Rosa Salter Rodriguez — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

Former Fort Wayne remodeling contractor Nathan Ainslie has an eye for a home rehab bargain, and when he's at work, he sees them all around him.

Use wallpaper to transform

Katherine Salant — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

If you want to make a major change without a major remodel, you'll get the biggest bang for the buck with a few gallons of paint.

Rates on 15-year home loans slide to record-low 2.61%

MARCY GORDON — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

The average U.S. rate on 15-year fixed mortgages fell last week to its lowest level on record, making refinancing and home-buying more attractive to those who can qualify.

Building permits

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

The Deal

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

BND announced the following transactions: David Norton represented the tenant, CVS/Caremark, in the land lease of 2.26 acres at the southwest corner of Hobson Road and Crescent Avenue from IPFW. Brian Fleming represented RCI Development who is the developer of the property.

House making you sick?

Laura Barnhardt Cech — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

It was a chronic thing: Almost every time Erma Taylor's great-grandson caught a cold, he also ended up having a severe asthma attack. Taylor, a retired nurse, spent many hours at a hospital, helping to hold the toddler for tests and breathing treatments, and wondering what was causing the attacks.

Combining home, studio

Rosa Salter Rodriguez — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

Since the advent of telecommuting, it's not unusual for people to work at home.

Mortgage rates fall to 3.41%

CHRISTOPHER S. RUGABER — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

Average U.S. rates on fixed mortgages fell closer last week to their historic lows, making homeownership more affordable and refinancing more attractive.

Building permits

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

Growing problem with impatiens

Rosa Salter Rodriguez — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

When Ken Hensch looks around his greenhouse this spring, it looks a little different.

Home mortgages retreat to 3.43%

MARCY GORDON — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

Average U.S. rates on fixed mortgages fell sharply last week and moved closer to historic lows, keeping home-buying and refinancing attractive.

Building permits

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

A mix of old and new

Rosa Salter Rodriguez — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

When one thinks of the neighborhood near Foster Park, the mind's eye tends to see sprawling, mansion-like houses occupied by the wealthy of an earlier era.

Spring prints have artsy vibe

KIM COOK — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

Visiting this spring's decor previews often felt like exploring an art gallery. There was an artistic vibe to everything from dinnerware to drapery, art photographs to textiles. Manufacturers are now able to reproduce artwork with impressive detail and precision.

Rate falls to 3.54% for 30-year mortgage

MARCY GORDON — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

Average U.S. rates on fixed mortgages crept closer to their historic lows low week, a trend that could help the housing recovery strengthen.

Building permits

Sun, 07 Apr 2013 03:00:00 EST

Make designing divine

Melissa Rayworth — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 03:00:00 EST

Home-decorating television shows and shelter magazines have many Americans dreaming about inviting an expert interior designer into their homes.

State's design registry useful, not foolproof

Rosa Salter Rodriguez — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 03:00:00 EST

If you hire an interior decorator, do you know what you're getting? In Indiana, the answer is both yes - and no. Since 2009, you can be a bit more assured of the person's educational and professional qualifications if he or she is listed on the Indiana Interior Design Registry.

Powder room a place for bold design

Lindsey M. Roberts — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 03:00:00 EST

If most rooms in a house require restrained practicality in design - neutral paint for switching out seasonal accessories, kid-proof fabric for high-traffic furniture - the powder room begs for boldness.

Back to the gilded age

AMY LORENTZEN — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 03:00:00 EST

Intrigued by the drama and inspired by the sophistication of British aristocrats in "Downton Abbey," some fans are plotting to bring the series' style into their own homes, with gilded finishes, opulent upholstery and portrait paintings.

Mortgage rates tick up to 3.57%

MARCY GORDON — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 03:00:00 EST

Average U.S. rates on fixed mortgages edged up last week but remained near historic lows. Low rates have helped drive the housing market's steady recovery.

Building permits

Sun, 31 Mar 2013 03:00:00 EST

Peek into house's history

Rosa Salter Rodriguez — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 03:00:00 EST

Chris Shatto's house is one of the more colorful ones in Fort Wayne. Yes, it does have eye-catching harlequin colors of painstakingly applied paint coating its exterior.

Foam interior an experiment that lasted

LYNN UNDERWOOD — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 03:00:00 EST

"From there to here, and here to there, funny things are everywhere," wrote Dr. Seuss. In Minnetrista, there's a funny-looking house that could have dropped straight out of one of his books.

Smart-divide sink best of both worlds

ED DEL GRANDE — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 03:00:00 EST

Q. We're going to remodel our outdated kitchen and plan to install a cast-iron kitchen sink. I want a single-bowl sink that will be open and large for me to work in. My husband wants a double-bowl sink. He says it will be better for the garbage disposer and, later on, for resale value. Can you help us solve this disagreement. - Ann, Kansas

Go modern with Easter decorations

Kim Cook — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 03:00:00 EST

Fuzzy chicks and cute bunnies are part of the pastel pantheon of Easter decor, and their charm helps define the look of the season.

Take a few steps to prevent the spread of mildew

CAROLE FELDMAN — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 03:00:00 EST

It may start with a couple of small dark spots on the grout where the shower stall meets the tiled wall. A few days later, they multiply. Mildew.

30-year mortgage loans dip to 3.45%

MARCY GORDON — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 03:00:00 EST

Average U.S. rates on fixed mortgages fell last week and remained near historic lows, a trend that has supported a recovery in housing.

Building permits

Sun, 24 Mar 2013 03:00:00 EST

Retreat into the past

Rosa Salter Rodriguez — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 03:00:00 EST

A lot of people peruse classified ads for good deals on items such as used lawn mowers and dining room furniture.

30-year loans rise to 3.63%

MARTIN CRUTSINGER — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 03:00:00 EST

The average U.S. rate on 30-year fixed mortgages rose last week to its highest level in seven months but remains near historic lows. Low mortgage rates have helped support the gradually recovering housing market.

Building permits

Sun, 17 Mar 2013 03:00:00 EST

Following are recently issued Allen County building permits for commercial and residential buildings and additions of $30,000. The residential building cost is the builder's estimate and does not include land.

The Deal

Sun, 17 Mar 2013 03:00:00 EST

BND announced the following transactions: Roger Koehlinger represented the landlord, TT Properties, and the tenant, TGFM Production, in the 36-month lease renewal of 2,435 square feet at 3706 S. Calhoun St.

Classic, unwired toys see swell

Kim Cook — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 03:00:00 EST

In a megabyte-driven world, you would think kids would be playing solely with mega-tech toys.

Taming clutter

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 03:00:00 EST

Tips for keeping the living room more presentable: •If trash tends to accumulate in the family room, adding a wastebasket might cut down on clutter. If you know food will be thrown away here, get one with a lid and some deodorizing trash bags.

Building Permits

Sun, 10 Mar 2013 03:00:00 EST

Following are Allen County building permits for buildings and additions of $30,000 or more. The residential building cost is the builder's estimate and does not include land.

Organize bathroom

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 03:00:00 EST

Use these tips for bathroom organization to make the most of your bathroom, regardless of its size.

Personal workspaces

JENNIFER FORKER — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 03:00:00 EST

We focus so much energy turning a house into a home, we sometimes forget to aim our decorating genius in another notable direction: the office cubicle.