Poisons lurk in your dog's domain

Valerie Vinyard Special To The Arizona Daily Star

Zeppelin, an energetic white Labrador retriever mix, occasionally can be found chomping on a stick at the dog park.

20-year-old roof is likely near time it ought to be replaced

Rosie Romero Special To The Arizona Daily Star

Every year, thousands of Arizona residents email Rosie Romero's website or call his radio show with questions about everything from how to pre…

The smart collector: Folding bed has value as a curiosity, but no collector market really exists

Danielle Arnet Tribune Media Services Smart Collector

Q: My mother bought this folding bed in the 1970s. It's marked "Bednet," but I can't find any info online. Is it a Murphy bed?

Beach towels that say, 'Hey, look!'

Kim Cook The Associated Press

Along with the sunscreen, book, toys and snacks we haul to our waterside of choice this summer, we need a beach towel or two.

Sales by ZIP code

85321

Mourning doves are taking over the neighborhood

Rosie Romero Special To The Arizona Daily Star

Every year, thousands of Arizona residents email Rosie Romero's website or call his radio show with questions about everything from how to pre…

The comeback Coverup

Dan Sorenson Special To The Arizona Daily Star

Drapes are making a comeback as window treatments after a few decades of being pushed aside for mini-blinds and vertical blinds.

The smart collector: Antique and early fire memorabilia is a white-hot collecting category

Danielle Arnet Tribune Media Services

Q: I got this fireman's trumpet, badge and bell at an estate sale and would like to know what they're worth. I was told the bell was used goin…

Swimming in green: Eco-friendly pools

Gabrielle Fimbres Special To The Arizona Daily Star

Green hair and red eyes - they're a sure sign of summer in Tucson, when temperatures are soaring and pools are swimming in chlorine.

Please don't kill the succulents: Book shows how to protect them

Claire Rogers For The Arizona Daily Star

Succulents have specific requirements in terms of soil, cold exposure and watering regime, but for Jacqueline A. Soule the primary considerati…

The smart collector: Mug has 3 hound-shaped handles

Danielle Arnet Tribune Media Services

Q: I was given this three-handled cider jug by friends in England long ago. I was told that it's very old. There are no marks, but I think it'…

Sealer should not be used outdoors on slate; it will cause flaking

Rosie Romero Special To The Arizona Daily Star

Every year, thousands of Arizona residents email Rosie Romero's website or call his radio show with questions about everything from how to pre…

Being Handy: A how-to guide

Dan Sorenson For The Arizona Daily Star

Back in the day, when a drain backed up, a light fixture started sparking, a kid's bedroom needed bookshelves or some other repair or small ho…

Big bang in pipes is due to water pressure; fixing it is important

Rosie Romero Special To The Arizona Daily Star

Every year, thousands of Arizona residents email Rosie Romero's website or call his radio show with questions about everything from how to pre…

The smart collector: Do as pros do - get the best, most current price information available

Danielle Arnet Tribune Media Services The Smart Collector

Q: I found three vintage sports pennants from the 1940s, but I can't find value for them. There's a reference book on pennant prices, but who …

Why must I replace my furnace when I change my air conditioner?

Rosie Romero Special To The Arizona Daily Star

Every year, thousands of Arizona residents email Rosie Romero's website or call his radio show with questions about everything from how to pre…

Photos: Remodeling the Yocum house

Local attorney Spencer Smith and his brother, Steve, are remodeling the original Tucson Botanical Garden’s home of Harrison Yocum. Spencer’s i…

The smart collector: Potato-chip cans prove popular collectibles

Danielle Arnet Tribune Media Services

Q: Many years ago, we bought a Japp's potato-chip can at a flea market. Does it have any value?

House questions: How do I get the ugly haze off my pavers?

Rosie Romero Rosie Romero Special To The Arizona Daily Star Special To The Arizona Daily Star

Every year, thousands of Arizona residents email Rosie Romero's website or call his radio show with questions about everything from how to pre…

Summer approaches, so give heat-loving plants a home

Claire Rogers Special To The Arizona Daily Star

Summer's heat is drawing near, and many sun-loving plants are just beginning to thrive.

Where We Live: Bel Air Ranch Estates

Gabrielle Fimbres Special To The Arizona Daily Star

Editor's note: Our series explores Tucson neighborhoods' homes, vibes and people. Look for the Where We Live series monthly in the Home + Life…

LEDs can replace halogen lights; they're long-lasting and run cool

Rosie Romero Special To The Arizona Daily Star

Every year, thousands of Arizona residents email Rosie Romero's website or call his radio show with questions about everything from how to pre…

The smart collector: Finding a value range for paintings by obscure artist is job for an appraiser

Danielle Arnet Tribune Media Services The Smart Collector

Q: I bought some beautiful paintings in Germany decades ago. I need to assess personal property for insurance purposes and all I can give my a…

Living pictures are hot trend

Sarah Wolfe The Associated Press

Looking for a fresh way to liven up your garden walls? Think plants, not paintings.

Driveways with elegance

Dan Sorenson Special To The Arizona Daily Star

Short of a bronze front door and a uniformed doorman, few things class up the front of a house more than a circular brick driveway.

The smart collector: Million-dollar vase gets column reader excited

Danielle Arne Tribune Media Services

Q: We read in your column about a Yuan Dynasty porcelain that sold at auction for $1.3 million. My relative lives in Taiwan and collects porce…

Scandinavian style has simple, refined vibe

Kim Cook Associated Press

Perhaps to alleviate the dreariness of long northern winters, Scandinavian style tends toward folk-art florals, crisp checks, plaids and strip…

Best to replace old interconnected smoke detectors

Rosie Romero Special To The Arizona Daily Star

Every year, thousands of Arizona residents email Rosie Romero's website or call his radio show with questions about everything from how to pre…

The smart collector: Internet sales shed some light on price range for vintage lamp

Danielle Arnet Tribune Media Services

Q: I saw a small Pairpoint "puffy" lamp with lilacs, flowers and butterflies on the 8-inch shade. The base is tree-shaped brass. What is the p…

Rosie Romero: You have 3 choices if pondering a wood floor

Rosie Romero Special To The Arizona Daily Star

Every year, thousands of Arizona residents email Rosie Romero's website or call his radio show with questions about everything from how to pre…

Ranch-style homes could have new day in the sun

Kathleen Lynn, The Record, N.J.

The ranch is a real love-it-or-hate-it style. While many consider them outdated and too small, others say ranches could be just the ticket for…

Discover to begin offering home equity loans

ALEX VEIGA, AP Real Estate Writer

Discover Financial Services says it will begin offering home equity loans beginning in the second half of this year, the latest move by the co…

Homebuilders join 'Buy American' trend

Melissa Kandel, CTW Features

But buying American isn’t just about the materials that go into your home.

Cut 4 years off your mortgage

Tom Reddin, The Charlotte Observer

Columnist advises:  switch from the traditional monthly mortgage payments to either weekly or bi-weekly payments.

Tips for making a dishwasher, drain work better

AMY LORENTZEN, Associated Press

Your dishwasher, sink drain and garbage disposal do the major dirty work in your kitchen. Keep them running efficiently with a few easy steps.

Government eases mortgage rules for troubled borrowers

Associated Press

A federal agency says it is easing rules for troubled borrowers to lower their monthly mortgage payments on loans backed by Fannie Mae or Fred…

The Mortgage Professor: Hidden price points can raise borrowers’ costs

Jack Guttentag, The Mortgage Professor

Homeowners carrying a mortgage rate above the current market rate can refinance profitably. Let's discuss how those who intend to refinance or…

Program helps bring houses up to snuff

Quad-City Business Journal

A renovation program provides eligible buyers up to $25,000 for necessary home improvements.

Build or buy? New construction rebounds with overall housing market

NWI Times

How do you choose between a new construction home and an existing home? Rich and Amy Day of Crown Point, Ind. found the benefits of new constr…

The Mortgage Professor: Paying down mortgage always a good idea

Jack Guttentag, The Mortgage Professor

Don’t let misconceptions prevent you from paying down your mortgage balance. In today’s market, it is the best investment most borrowers can make.