Homegrown 2019-21 (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 2022? Click here. 2023? 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 2022? Click here. 2023? Click here. 2024? Click here. 2025? Click here.)
2021 Posts
44. The bathroom design I’ll never get on board with ~ Hygiene habits will make me gladly lose friends
43. Need a decor upgrade? Don't underestimate wallpaper ~ The pros and cons of Peel & Stick Wallpaper rolls
42. The real conversation renters who want to be homeowners should have ~ There are both pros and cons to renting versus buying
41. This Christmas, just fix something around the house ~ Charles Schultz was ahead of his time when it came to feminism
40. Why landlords should give condo boards a copy of the lease ~ Make sure bylaws are followed even if you don't want to read them
39. Handling the language barrier between residents ~ Why I won't stop sending emails in English, Spanish and Amharic
38. Even for voluntary condo board members, there should be ‘off’ days ~ Setting boundaries for condo association members and board members
37. Go4Rent Magazine: Can Pet Friendly Homes Bring Better Tenants?
36. Go4Rent Magazine: Is Saying ‘Nay’ to Tenant Applications OK?
35. Rental walk-throughs: Pet-owning renters should inspect the floors ~ From pet-friendly rentals to homeowners, dodge pet floor damage early
34. What if my contractor is an anti-vaxxer? ~ When your home repairs become an anti-masker, anti-vaccination debate
33. When the building dumpster is in everyone’s way ~ Understanding ADA needs, parking needs and sanitation needs
32. 5 ways to ruin your open house ~ If you’re trying to sell your home, experienced realtors will tell you to leave
31. Before you buy that statement piece of furniture … Plan your room around the furniture instead of competing with it
30. It’s all fun and games until the dog destroys the blinds ~ Trendy new blinds are great for your home, but make them pet-friendly, too
29. Condo board business: Personal email or group email? ~ Do you need to buy a domain name and business email address for condo board communication?
28. Should landlords accept more than checks and cash? ~ In a digital world, landlords and property managers need to become more tech savvy
27. The underdog of owning property: Grant qualification ~ Your mortgage company may or may not tell you about grant options
26. Vaccinated or unvaccinated: Should you be an Airbnb host? ~ Tricky Airbnb rules querying about COVID-19 vaccination status
25. Why the serial litterbug in your building may cost you money ~ Problematic tenants will become a nuisance to their neighbors
24. Dirty dog, clean house ~ Keeping your home smelling and looking clean with your new dog
23. The Walk of Shame: When you’re ready to buy the home ~ Why you should always check out your neighbors pre-purchase on nights and weekends
22. Before you buy the condo, contemplate the assessments ~ When the condo assessments are more than your mortgage
21. The most underrated danger in your home: Lint traps ~ The fire hazard your home insurance company should warn you about
20. EPISODE 4 ~ Homegrown podcast: Meet Melvin Sims of Tenants Rights Group LLC ~ Step 5 to homeownership: Know your landlord-tenant rights
19. Is your home office ruining your sleep routine? ~ Why social isolation has worsened your Zzzzs
18. FetchaDate: When landlords are pro-pet or anti-pet for tenants
17. The downside of making your condos available for rent ~ Does your condo feel like an apartment with more rules?
16. EPISODE 3 ~ Homegrown podcast: Meet Johnetta Paye, Esq., of J. Paye & Associates ~ Step 3 to homeownership: Find a real estate attorney who speaks your communication style
15. EPISODE 2 ~ Homegrown podcast: Meet Karla Thomas, Managing Broker of Urb & Burb ~ Step 2 to homeownership: Find a real estate agent who understands your taste
14. EPISODE 1 ~ Homegrown podcast: Meet Christopher Meeks, trainer for the First Time Home Buyer Education program ~ Step 1 to homeownership: Speak the same language as your mortgage loan officer
13. For every great tenant, there is one who will try to hustle the landlord ~ The highs and lows of renting and evicting — to friends, family and foes
12. Black condo board members, the housing discrimination continues ~ Be prepared for ‘we don’t work there’ emails and anonymous rants
11. Reviewing the annual HOA budget ~ If you’re putting your money in the pot, don’t skip the budget board meeting
10. Make your landlord rich or find a permanent home ~ The “American” question I was asked that made me question public school and black wealth
9. What to be aware of when hiring an exterminator ~ Know the difference between those trying to make a profit and those invested in pest control
8. Read the meeting minutes before buying a condo ~ Know as much as you can about your neighbors as you do your potential property
7. If you read nothing else in your bylaws … Make sure you read 10 things from condominium bylaws before buying property
6. Why can unit owners who owe assessments be on the condo board? ~ Section 22.1 of the Illinois Condominium Property Act: When HOAs owe past assessments?
5. Add value to your home, not just tchotchkes ~ Why you need to take a physical inventory of your home each year
4. Rent, utilities, bills: Prepare before moving in ~ Why that Monopoly scene in ‘The Cosby Show’ stands the test of time
3. Before you buy a new home, get the inspection ~ If the asking price seems too good to be true, check it out — again and again
2. Never hesitate to ask ‘Is your payment method secure?’ with contractors ~ Contractors change payment methods at snail’s pace
1. Private surveillance cameras and pleasing the neighbors ~ Know your state laws before placing cameras in multi-unit buildings
43. Need a decor upgrade? Don't underestimate wallpaper ~ The pros and cons of Peel & Stick Wallpaper rolls
42. The real conversation renters who want to be homeowners should have ~ There are both pros and cons to renting versus buying
41. This Christmas, just fix something around the house ~ Charles Schultz was ahead of his time when it came to feminism
40. Why landlords should give condo boards a copy of the lease ~ Make sure bylaws are followed even if you don't want to read them
39. Handling the language barrier between residents ~ Why I won't stop sending emails in English, Spanish and Amharic
38. Even for voluntary condo board members, there should be ‘off’ days ~ Setting boundaries for condo association members and board members
37. Go4Rent Magazine: Can Pet Friendly Homes Bring Better Tenants?
36. Go4Rent Magazine: Is Saying ‘Nay’ to Tenant Applications OK?
35. Rental walk-throughs: Pet-owning renters should inspect the floors ~ From pet-friendly rentals to homeowners, dodge pet floor damage early
34. What if my contractor is an anti-vaxxer? ~ When your home repairs become an anti-masker, anti-vaccination debate
33. When the building dumpster is in everyone’s way ~ Understanding ADA needs, parking needs and sanitation needs
32. 5 ways to ruin your open house ~ If you’re trying to sell your home, experienced realtors will tell you to leave
31. Before you buy that statement piece of furniture … Plan your room around the furniture instead of competing with it
30. It’s all fun and games until the dog destroys the blinds ~ Trendy new blinds are great for your home, but make them pet-friendly, too
29. Condo board business: Personal email or group email? ~ Do you need to buy a domain name and business email address for condo board communication?
28. Should landlords accept more than checks and cash? ~ In a digital world, landlords and property managers need to become more tech savvy
27. The underdog of owning property: Grant qualification ~ Your mortgage company may or may not tell you about grant options
26. Vaccinated or unvaccinated: Should you be an Airbnb host? ~ Tricky Airbnb rules querying about COVID-19 vaccination status
25. Why the serial litterbug in your building may cost you money ~ Problematic tenants will become a nuisance to their neighbors
24. Dirty dog, clean house ~ Keeping your home smelling and looking clean with your new dog
23. The Walk of Shame: When you’re ready to buy the home ~ Why you should always check out your neighbors pre-purchase on nights and weekends
22. Before you buy the condo, contemplate the assessments ~ When the condo assessments are more than your mortgage
21. The most underrated danger in your home: Lint traps ~ The fire hazard your home insurance company should warn you about
20. EPISODE 4 ~ Homegrown podcast: Meet Melvin Sims of Tenants Rights Group LLC ~ Step 5 to homeownership: Know your landlord-tenant rights
19. Is your home office ruining your sleep routine? ~ Why social isolation has worsened your Zzzzs
18. FetchaDate: When landlords are pro-pet or anti-pet for tenants
17. The downside of making your condos available for rent ~ Does your condo feel like an apartment with more rules?
16. EPISODE 3 ~ Homegrown podcast: Meet Johnetta Paye, Esq., of J. Paye & Associates ~ Step 3 to homeownership: Find a real estate attorney who speaks your communication style
15. EPISODE 2 ~ Homegrown podcast: Meet Karla Thomas, Managing Broker of Urb & Burb ~ Step 2 to homeownership: Find a real estate agent who understands your taste
14. EPISODE 1 ~ Homegrown podcast: Meet Christopher Meeks, trainer for the First Time Home Buyer Education program ~ Step 1 to homeownership: Speak the same language as your mortgage loan officer
13. For every great tenant, there is one who will try to hustle the landlord ~ The highs and lows of renting and evicting — to friends, family and foes
12. Black condo board members, the housing discrimination continues ~ Be prepared for ‘we don’t work there’ emails and anonymous rants
11. Reviewing the annual HOA budget ~ If you’re putting your money in the pot, don’t skip the budget board meeting
10. Make your landlord rich or find a permanent home ~ The “American” question I was asked that made me question public school and black wealth
9. What to be aware of when hiring an exterminator ~ Know the difference between those trying to make a profit and those invested in pest control
8. Read the meeting minutes before buying a condo ~ Know as much as you can about your neighbors as you do your potential property
7. If you read nothing else in your bylaws … Make sure you read 10 things from condominium bylaws before buying property
6. Why can unit owners who owe assessments be on the condo board? ~ Section 22.1 of the Illinois Condominium Property Act: When HOAs owe past assessments?
5. Add value to your home, not just tchotchkes ~ Why you need to take a physical inventory of your home each year
4. Rent, utilities, bills: Prepare before moving in ~ Why that Monopoly scene in ‘The Cosby Show’ stands the test of time
3. Before you buy a new home, get the inspection ~ If the asking price seems too good to be true, check it out — again and again
2. Never hesitate to ask ‘Is your payment method secure?’ with contractors ~ Contractors change payment methods at snail’s pace
1. Private surveillance cameras and pleasing the neighbors ~ Know your state laws before placing cameras in multi-unit buildings
2020 Posts
22. What do you gain from being a difficult neighbor? ~ My mixed opinions on removing police from neighbor disputes
21. Green cleaning at home ~ Eco-friendly ways to clean with kids or pets at home
20. Should you profit from guest parking passes? ~ A cheap way to make a profit from the parking lot
19. Working from home: The fine line in your insurance ~ In a COVID-19 world, can you run your business by the bylaws?
18. Should your condo association require a move-in, move-out fee? ~ Moving expenses are more expensive, thanks to stricter COVID-19 waste management rules
17. If condo boards are compensated, what should condo owners know? ~ Why waiving condo assessments is shaky territory
16. Hiring quality private parking companies ~ North Shore Towing nightmare: Every towing and patrol company isn’t created equal
15. Should activism signs be allowed in condo unit windows? ~ Freedom of Speech or suppression by condo rules?
14. Sell your condo unit or rent it out? ~ Know where landlord role starts and board role ends
13. Landlords, tenant disputes and happy mediums ~ Lessons learned on the condo board that I wish I’d have known as a tenant
12. Pest prevention and problematic tenants ~ Hiring the one contractor you dread the most: Exterminators
11. Do condo associations need property managers? ~ Finding the right property manager for your condo board
10. Condo residents, face masks and common areas ~ Should board members make face masks mandatory in lobbies?
9. Before you hire a maintenance team, double-check the contract ~ Snow removal, handyman, plumber, painter, gardener: Don’t hire a contractor until you’re sure of the pros, cons and what-ifs
8. No dogs allowed? When to bend the condo rules ~ Is your no-pet policy doing more harm than good for condo owners?
7. Senior access while investing in a new home ~ Keep ADA compliance and elderly family in mind before renting or owning your next home
6. Lease or own appliances: Which should your condo association choose? ~ Know what you’re getting into after you purchase washers and dryers
5. Before you join a condo association … Know exactly what you’re getting into as a board member
4. Getting past homesickness ~ From out-of-state students to recent moves, here are tips to keep ‘home’ close to your heart
3. What your next contractor will never tell you about his work ~ Why Yelp and Google reviews will always reign supreme
2. Hardware stores are ‘essential’ for work-at-home employees ~ Why your local hardware store managed to stay above water during the quarantine
1. What your next contractor will never tell you about his work ~ Why Yelp and Google reviews will always reign supreme
21. Green cleaning at home ~ Eco-friendly ways to clean with kids or pets at home
20. Should you profit from guest parking passes? ~ A cheap way to make a profit from the parking lot
19. Working from home: The fine line in your insurance ~ In a COVID-19 world, can you run your business by the bylaws?
18. Should your condo association require a move-in, move-out fee? ~ Moving expenses are more expensive, thanks to stricter COVID-19 waste management rules
17. If condo boards are compensated, what should condo owners know? ~ Why waiving condo assessments is shaky territory
16. Hiring quality private parking companies ~ North Shore Towing nightmare: Every towing and patrol company isn’t created equal
15. Should activism signs be allowed in condo unit windows? ~ Freedom of Speech or suppression by condo rules?
14. Sell your condo unit or rent it out? ~ Know where landlord role starts and board role ends
13. Landlords, tenant disputes and happy mediums ~ Lessons learned on the condo board that I wish I’d have known as a tenant
12. Pest prevention and problematic tenants ~ Hiring the one contractor you dread the most: Exterminators
11. Do condo associations need property managers? ~ Finding the right property manager for your condo board
10. Condo residents, face masks and common areas ~ Should board members make face masks mandatory in lobbies?
9. Before you hire a maintenance team, double-check the contract ~ Snow removal, handyman, plumber, painter, gardener: Don’t hire a contractor until you’re sure of the pros, cons and what-ifs
8. No dogs allowed? When to bend the condo rules ~ Is your no-pet policy doing more harm than good for condo owners?
7. Senior access while investing in a new home ~ Keep ADA compliance and elderly family in mind before renting or owning your next home
6. Lease or own appliances: Which should your condo association choose? ~ Know what you’re getting into after you purchase washers and dryers
5. Before you join a condo association … Know exactly what you’re getting into as a board member
4. Getting past homesickness ~ From out-of-state students to recent moves, here are tips to keep ‘home’ close to your heart
3. What your next contractor will never tell you about his work ~ Why Yelp and Google reviews will always reign supreme
2. Hardware stores are ‘essential’ for work-at-home employees ~ Why your local hardware store managed to stay above water during the quarantine
1. What your next contractor will never tell you about his work ~ Why Yelp and Google reviews will always reign supreme
2019 Posts
2. Technology’s influence on the future of interior design ~ Eco-friendly designing at home
1. 5 lessons I learned as a first-time homebuyer ~ What I wish someone would've told me as a new homeowner
1. 5 lessons I learned as a first-time homebuyer ~ What I wish someone would've told me as a new homeowner