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• Buy a condo? No thanks

  Posted Aug 18 2008, 02:54 PM by Ryan MacClanathan
  Filed under: Housing, Spending, Insurance
  Rating:

  Ah, the much-maligned condominium -- not quite a house, not quite an apartment. Traditionally seen as a low-cost alternative to homeownership, condos are often great ways to grow equity -- plus you never have to mow your lawn.

  But to Flexo at Consumerism Commentary condo living leaves much to be desired. In his post titled "Why I will (probably) never buy a condo," Flexo lists four reasons why he'll never embark on "Apartment Living Part 2":   Read More...

  Discuss ( 14 comments) 3,194 Views Digg this | Email this | Link to this

• Deterring burglars the cheap way

  Posted May 20 2008, 11:18 AM by Karen Datko
  Filed under: Housing, Insurance, Saving, Karen Datko
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  A rash of break-ins at Andy's apartment complex prompted him to think about improving security. He found that the cost of a monitored security system would run about $1,200 for the year, including $500 for installation. Yikes.

  He came up with some low- and no-cost alternatives and lists them in a post at Saving to Invest. For instance, what would it cost you to turn down your phone ringer before you leave home?   Read More...

  Discuss ( 4 comments) 4,568 Views Digg this | Email this | Link to this

• The flood upstairs: Why you need renters insurance

  Posted Apr 25 2008, 10:27 AM by Donna Freedman
  Filed under: Housing, Insurance, Donna Freedman
  Rating:

  Last weekend I heard the kind of frantic knocking that signals trouble for the resident manager. A tenant was banging on the door to tell me that a second-floor apartment -- not his -- was flooding.
  

  As I ran toward the stairs, I could see moisture dripping from the first-floor hall ceiling. Upstairs, I found that a toilet had blocked and overflowed. Later, a water-damage restoration specialist would estimate it had overflowed for at least three hours.   Read More...

  Discuss ( 8 comments) 2,419 Views Digg this | Email this | Link to this

• Flood insurance: Are you sure your home is covered?

  Posted Apr 23 2008, 06:35 AM by Karen Datko
  Filed under: Housing, Spending, Insurance, The Dough Roller
  Rating:

  This post comes from partner blog The Dough Roller.

  I've been talking with my insurance agent over the past few weeks about flood insurance. It may not be as exciting as Dr. Phil's marital debacle, but then again, Dr. Phil is unlikely to destroy my home.   Read More...

  Discuss ( 1 comments) 1,179 Views Digg this | Email this | Link to this

• Out on your own: Tips for renting an apartment

  Posted Jan 30 2008, 06:11 PM by Karen Datko
  Filed under: Housing, Spending, Insurance, Karen Datko
  Rating:

  Renting your first apartment is one of those rites of passage to adulthood. So, when you're meeting with a landlord, try to act like an adult. That's No. 1 in David's "10 tips for first-time apartment renters" at My Two Dollars. "You might not want to wear your baseball hat backwards or continue smoking that cigarette," David advises. "It could reflect badly on you."

  The tips are excellent, covering essentials like having a good credit score because the landlord likely will run a credit check on you. Read the lease and understand it. Find out if parking is included or extra.

  Here's another good one: Talk to neighbors before you sign a lease. "Between finding out about the guy that sings love songs to his old girlfriend at 3 a.m. to the chain smoker in the apartment next door, you can learn a lot just by being friendly with one of the neighbors," David writes.   Read More...

  Discuss ( 1 comments) 3,175 Views Digg this | Email this | Link to this