Homeowner Forum / General / October 2004

My market research company has put together a questionnaire to better
understand the market for homes in the central Austin, Texas area.  It is
brief (just nine questions on a single web page) and anonymous.  No matter
where you currently live, please take a couple of minutes to ...

      I'm building a picnic pavilion and was trying to figure out
what size rafters I need. I'm trying to get away with 2X4's 24" OTC.
The building is 10'X16' so the span is 5' on each side. There will be
an overhang of about 2 feet. So the rafter needs to be 7 feet but for

We've been in our present home for a little
over a year and have a built-in microwave.
A few of us get headaches when standing around
with the microwave oven turned on.

I'm looking for pros and cons of:
1.  A package A/C heating system; compressor, coil and heat strips located
in a single package outside the home.
vs

I recently converted from oil to gas, hot water monoflo system.  I have
convectors throughout the house and 3 baseboard heaters (recently
purchase the home).  After we fire the system up all the convectors
heated up, however the 3 baseboards didnt and there is no where to bleed

My girlfriend and I are planning to buy some land and build a house
ourselves.  I really don't have the skills of a handyman but am willing
to learn.  If I went that route, will I be saving money as opposed to
buying a built house?  How big are the savings (apporximate % number)?

(First-time HomeOwner)
How can you get a relatively "fixed" settlement date? Or a "before
date X" for settlement as part of contract?
Basically, I want to lock-in rates AND/OR know when to move since I'm

Anyone have any opinions or experience with hard wired vs RF linked
security monitors? We've had some prowler problems and we need some
security fast, but need to figure out what's best for our needs.
Thanks in advance.

The house I'm doing has some pretty large windows in the sunroom and I
was thinking of replacing some worn mini-blinds with either the 2"
wood or faux wood blinds.
Where have the rest of you gotten the best price for this type blind?

What is the proper height to set an upright vacuum for doing carpets?
I have heard that a high setting allows better airflow under the vacuum,
and that somehow picks up more dirt.
I've also heard that a low setting allows the beater to really dig deep

    I own a home in Northern Virginia and it's been discussed in the local
papers and among friends that it's really hard to get contractors to work on
residential projects lately.  So I understand that.  The contractors are having
booming business right now and they're swamped.  I ...

Before I ask for quotations . . .
The task is to tile a bathroom with a Jacuzzi
tub 20" high now surrounded by wood paneling
to 46" high.  We want waterproof tiles to say

I bought a new water hose at Sam's.  It's a real heavy one.  I didn't notice
any problem the first time I used it, but later on I went out to run some water
in a bucket to water flowers.  The water was soapy.  Husband said, must be the
bucket.  Next time, I was washing off patio.. ...

I am going to move into my first house (excited!) and in need of quite
some furnitures for the living room, dining room and bedroom. What are
my best chances here ? Wait for the local furniture store sales or
ordering on-line from outlets in N.C. (any good URLs) ? Does it make any

As a labor of love to my 2 year old daughter, I built her a playhouse over
the summer.  
Playhouse is 8'x6'.   Did the framing, used T-111 for siding, and put an
asphalt roof on.