Homegrown 2019-21 (on Substack)
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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. Follow @HomegrownTalesSubstack on Instagram and @HomegrownTalesSubstack on Threads.
(Looking for Homegrown Tales 2022? Click here. 2023? Click here. 2024? 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. Follow @HomegrownTalesSubstack on Instagram and @HomegrownTalesSubstack on Threads.
(Looking for Homegrown Tales 2022? Click here. 2023? Click here. 2024? 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