Homegrown 2023 (on Substack)
Subscribe to this Substack column for $5 per month or $50 per year. For $80 as a founder, get full access to “Black Girl In a Doggone World™,” “Homegrown Tales,” "One Black Woman's Vote" and “Window Shopping” too.
This is a place for (new) homeowners, condominium owners, condo board members and people thinking about home repairs/upgrades.
Also, check out a few episodes from "Homegrown: An Ode to Sugarbowl Sam" podcast.
(Looking for Homegrown Tales 2019-21? Click here. 2022? Click here. 2024? Click here. 2025? Click here.)
This is a place for (new) homeowners, condominium owners, condo board members and people thinking about home repairs/upgrades.
Also, check out a few episodes from "Homegrown: An Ode to Sugarbowl Sam" podcast.
(Looking for Homegrown Tales 2019-21? Click here. 2022? Click here. 2024? Click here. 2025? Click here.)
31. Before signing closing docs, ask about appliance warranties ~ Appliances may be the primary feature that's overlooked during homebuying walk-throughs
30. Why aren't more credit unions subject to the Community Reinvestment Act? ~ CNN: Navy Federal Credit Union, the nation’s largest credit union, approved less than half of home loans for African-American mortgage applicants
29. Want to lower your homeowners insurance premiums? Get a security system ~ Finding the best ways to use home security systems with or without the discount
28. First lesson in housing money management: Moving out of dorms ~ Why parents should prioritize financial planning before their kids head to college
27. Befriend your pipes, diversify your strainers ~ Protect your sink and tub from short-haired dog fur
26. Is your transom window really necessary? ~ The home burglary that made me reevaluate transom lighting
25. People in glass houses shouldn't need gated windows ~ From squatters to break-ins, anything can happen when you don't check on a home
24. New York has a firm eye on and new set of rules for Airbnb hosts ~ What sparked safety concerns that may have led to an increased Prohibited Buildings list?
23. Why does a Community Association Management license matter when hiring a property manager? ~ In addition to licensure, condo boards need to get tough on contractor cancellation rates
22. If relatives live with you, can they be tax dependents? ~ Awkward but honest conversation: Claiming yourself on your tax forms
21. Before you plant that apple tree in your yard ~ Talk to your neighbors about pest risks, maintenance and human strangers as guests
20. Go4Rent Magazine (Substack Exclusive): Securely Making Tenant Security Upgrades ~ FOR RENTERS: July 2023
19. Is reporting stolen plants worth it? Yes and no ~ Welcoming visitors and garden admirers, keeping thieves and trespassers away
18. Why do reserves matter so much with condo associations? ~ Mortgage companies will let a potential buyer and seller know the purchase potential early
17. Economical ways to build a bar at home ~ Adding a bit of 'Cheers' post-pandemic
16. It's not me, the Realtor, it's you ~ How Realtors can diplomatically part ways with a difficult home buyer or seller
15. Move-out day, give it away ~ Best tips for house cleaning giveaways before the movers arrive
14. Go4Rent Magazine (Vol. 7R ~ Renter Edition): Know Legal Ramifications of Recording Tenant-Landlord Disputes
13. Go4Rent Magazine (Vol. 7R ~ Renter Edition): Note from the Editor
12. Protecting your home through technology ~ The scams you should know about homeownership
11. Renting a house: Preparing to own ~ Even without the mortgage interest deduction, there are perks of single-family home renting
10. Managing your contractors, property managers included ~ Why being an authorized user has such a major responsibility
9. Go4Rent Magazine (Vol. IX): First Impressions: Realtor Etiquette to Reach Final Sales
8. Go4Rent Magazine (Vol. IX): Tenant Selection Criteria: Finding the Best Renters
7. Go4Rent Magazine (Vol. IX): Note from the Editor
5. Go4Rent Magazine (Vol. 6R): From Brackets to Rust, Balcony Maintenance Is Key
4. Go4Rent Magazine (Vol. 6R): Laundry On the Go
3. Go4Rent Magazine (Vol. 6R): Note from the Editor: Vol. 6R
2. Heated floors: Are they worth it? ~ Short answer: Yes, yes and yes, but here are the cons anyway
1. Go4Rent Magazine (Substack Exclusive): Finding the Perfect Property Manager
30. Why aren't more credit unions subject to the Community Reinvestment Act? ~ CNN: Navy Federal Credit Union, the nation’s largest credit union, approved less than half of home loans for African-American mortgage applicants
29. Want to lower your homeowners insurance premiums? Get a security system ~ Finding the best ways to use home security systems with or without the discount
28. First lesson in housing money management: Moving out of dorms ~ Why parents should prioritize financial planning before their kids head to college
27. Befriend your pipes, diversify your strainers ~ Protect your sink and tub from short-haired dog fur
26. Is your transom window really necessary? ~ The home burglary that made me reevaluate transom lighting
25. People in glass houses shouldn't need gated windows ~ From squatters to break-ins, anything can happen when you don't check on a home
24. New York has a firm eye on and new set of rules for Airbnb hosts ~ What sparked safety concerns that may have led to an increased Prohibited Buildings list?
23. Why does a Community Association Management license matter when hiring a property manager? ~ In addition to licensure, condo boards need to get tough on contractor cancellation rates
22. If relatives live with you, can they be tax dependents? ~ Awkward but honest conversation: Claiming yourself on your tax forms
21. Before you plant that apple tree in your yard ~ Talk to your neighbors about pest risks, maintenance and human strangers as guests
20. Go4Rent Magazine (Substack Exclusive): Securely Making Tenant Security Upgrades ~ FOR RENTERS: July 2023
19. Is reporting stolen plants worth it? Yes and no ~ Welcoming visitors and garden admirers, keeping thieves and trespassers away
18. Why do reserves matter so much with condo associations? ~ Mortgage companies will let a potential buyer and seller know the purchase potential early
17. Economical ways to build a bar at home ~ Adding a bit of 'Cheers' post-pandemic
16. It's not me, the Realtor, it's you ~ How Realtors can diplomatically part ways with a difficult home buyer or seller
15. Move-out day, give it away ~ Best tips for house cleaning giveaways before the movers arrive
14. Go4Rent Magazine (Vol. 7R ~ Renter Edition): Know Legal Ramifications of Recording Tenant-Landlord Disputes
13. Go4Rent Magazine (Vol. 7R ~ Renter Edition): Note from the Editor
12. Protecting your home through technology ~ The scams you should know about homeownership
11. Renting a house: Preparing to own ~ Even without the mortgage interest deduction, there are perks of single-family home renting
10. Managing your contractors, property managers included ~ Why being an authorized user has such a major responsibility
9. Go4Rent Magazine (Vol. IX): First Impressions: Realtor Etiquette to Reach Final Sales
8. Go4Rent Magazine (Vol. IX): Tenant Selection Criteria: Finding the Best Renters
7. Go4Rent Magazine (Vol. IX): Note from the Editor
5. Go4Rent Magazine (Vol. 6R): From Brackets to Rust, Balcony Maintenance Is Key
4. Go4Rent Magazine (Vol. 6R): Laundry On the Go
3. Go4Rent Magazine (Vol. 6R): Note from the Editor: Vol. 6R
2. Heated floors: Are they worth it? ~ Short answer: Yes, yes and yes, but here are the cons anyway
1. Go4Rent Magazine (Substack Exclusive): Finding the Perfect Property Manager