Your Valuable Home

In our Replay today, Tom talks about his kitchen makeover in the works. Our Horror Story highlights what can happen if you hire a contractor who can begin immediately. OOPS! Eight months later, this project remains unfinished. Our Feature today is about Volumetric Building Companies, a Philadelphia-based organization that is creating a major foothold in the modular construction of multi-family residential buildings, hotels, etc. in Philadelphia, other parts of the U.S., the U.K., and continental Europe. Vaughan Buckley, the CEO of the company, briefed us on modular construction. Volumetric recently built a modular hotel in Manhattan with the modules constructed and shipped from their manufacturing facility in Poland. Volumetric modules ship and stack fully loaded with interior finishings, cabinetry, and furniture that the company also manufactures! Modular construction is catching on in Philadelphia and beyond with major developers and off-shoot hotel brands. Modular construction eliminates a lot of the painstaking steps in classic construction and shortens the time between concept and occupancy. If you have been in Philadelphia, New York, or London lately, you may have seen a Volumetric building without even realizing it.

In our Replay today, Jed shares his phase 1 plan for what will be an entire first floor makeover. In the Horror Story, a listener sees through a roofer scam, and cancels the contract. In our Featured segment, we talk with Paul Prager, the visionary energy sector entrepreneur behind a Renaissance in progress in Easton Maryland on the eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay. His hospitality company, Bluepoint Hospitality, has graced Federal Street with what anyone who has a taste for fine food and drink could desire. The Weather Gage serves exotic coffees, aromatic teas and a selection of baked goods. The Stewart features single malt scotch, vintage champagne and small plates. The Wardroom is a showcase of artisan products, premium ingredients and top wines from around the world. By day, you can enjoy a gourmet sandwich there. In the evening there's a pasta bar. The list goes on, capped off by Bas Rouge, a restaurant that surely is among the finest in the U.S. The Prager family is all in on Easton...involved in many philanthropic and cultural pursuits. There are plans to renovate a hotel, and build waterfront homes. Don't miss this fascinating interview, and learn where Paul Prager plans to start a Renaissance next.

In our Replay today, Kevin gives us a heads-up on contractors who swoop in to make the sale, then turn your project over to subs. In today's Horror Story, a homeowner is told that stone replacement at a cost of $4,000 is the right fix for a leaky window. Good luck with that! We wrap up our Real Estate RoundUp this week with a look at four markets in California. First we hear from Gabe Mendez. His G Mendez Group, is ranked in the top one percent of all realtors in San Diego County. Next up, Newport Beach with Heather Chadwell. Heather is with Harcourts, the world's fastest growing real estate company. Then to Danny Gillin with Berkshire Hathaway in Long Beach, who fills us in on value-priced homes in places like Big Bear and Palm Desert two hours east of LA. We complete our California RoundUp with input on LA real estate from Suzi Farajiani, who works out of the LA office of Douglas Eliman, a powerful real estate company with offices in key cities around the country.

In the Replay today, Kevin gets into a big issue for homeowners...insurance fraud by roofers. Why is it happening? The Horror Story today is about Dave's frustration with the paver patio project that just won't end. In this fourth week of our five-week-long Real Estate Round Up, we get local market reports from two accomplished, Maryland realtors...one from the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay, the other from the eastern shore. Wendy Oliver, the number 3 realtor in Coldwell Banker Mid-Atlantic i reports on Annapolis and Anne Arundel County. Chuck Mangold, a principal in the Easton, MD-based firm, Benson & Mangold, covers Talbot County on the eastern shore, with special emphasis on Easton, a town currently undergoing a culinary, cultural and architectural Renaissance. From there, we go south to North Carolina's Research Triangle to get a sense of that market from Kate Steadman of Choice Residential Real Estate in Raleigh.

Our Replay today has Kevin delving into an issue some homeowners are having with roofers who claim to have discovered storm damage in their roof, and that insurance will pay for the repairs. In the Horror Story, Dave shares his frustration with the delays in the construction of his paver patio. In this, the third week of our 5-week series, the Real Estate Round Up, we take the pulse of the real estate market in New York with Joe Bonacci from Corcoran. Joe has been named a top agent nationwide and has closed market-making deals in New York City and the Hudson Valley in upstate New York. Moving to PA, Sandy Smith, the Home and Real Estate Editor of Philadelphia Magazine, provides a snapshot of the market in southeastern PA. Then on to St. Petersburg, near Tampa, where we talk with Jac Smith head of the Jac Smith Group about that hot real estate market. So far in 2022, the Jac Smith Group has had listings and sales ranging from $168,000 to $8,500,000.

In the Replay today, Dan shares the plan for his house now under construction in the Jersey seaside town of Stone Harbor. In the Horror Story, a new door installation reveals a potentially catastrophic problem....no header! If you have residential investment properties, or are thinking about acquiring one, invest 30 minutes listening to Scott Abernathy. Scott is the most recent past president of the National Association of Residential Property Managers, and head of his on property management firm – PMI Professionals – in Murfreesboro, TN. We'll be talking with Scott about what he thinks is ahead in the market for residential investment real estate.

This is the first in our five-week long series, the Real Estate RoundUp. In our Replay, Justin Reif, COO of the Window Works Company in the heart of North Carolina, explains why his company became one of ProVia's newest dealers. Justin also relates a Horror Story about a door installation (not a ProVia door) by a not-so-careful contractor. In today's featured Real Estate RoundUp, Bruce Carlisle a veteran broker of raw land in Northern Georgia shares the wisdom of decades of experience, including how to value raw land, how to make community dynamics work for you, how raw land is a building block of communities and other nuggets from his book Top Dollar Dirt.

In our Replay today, Mike's ProVia siding and window project is almost complete. In the Horror Story, a contractor who did a shoddy tile job tries to pin the blame on Kevin's shoe molding. In our Feature, Jessica Lautz from the National Association of Realtors, explains the incredible NAR Remodeling Impact Report. The results will surprise you. The brilliance in the report is the “Joy“ index...are people satisfied with their choice of home improvement projects after the projects are complete?

What about Costa Rica intrigued this young couple so much that they make it their part-time home year after year? Is it the climate, the cost of living, the stable government? What is it? In our Horror Story today, Kevin takes exception with contractors who continue to install windows improperly. In our Feature today, John Wales, the General Manager of Cover Wallet, a company that sells Worker's Compensation and Liability Insurance to contractors, gives us the shocking news that many contractors working in the U.S. are inadequately insured, placing their workers and their customers – homeowners – in jeopardy. John talks about what happens if a worker who is not covered by Worker's Comp is injured on your property, and what happens when a contractor with little or no Liability Insurance damages your property. This is something you must hear and take to heart before you hire another contractor for a home improvement project.

In the Replay today, Mike phones in an update on the installation of his new ProVia windows and doors. And in the Horror Story, we cover the shortcomings in some manufacturers' warranties. In this trying time, families are looking for ways to trim their budgets. One place to look is to your energy provider. Today we talk with two representatives from PECO, the energy provider in southeastern, Pennsylvania, as they share lots of ways to save money on energy and energy equipment. PECO offers an Energy Assessment...a comprehensive look at your total energy consumption, and a FREE Energy Checkup, which customers can make use of to score free, money-saving LEDs. We also cover the rebates PECO offers for energy equipment purchases, and a cool tool on PECO.com that helps you calculate yearly savings if you take the plunge and get an EV or hybrid.. Ask your local energy provider how they can help you save.

In our Replay today, we talk about the next stage in Tom Martino's master bath and bar room reno. The Horror Story is about a lazy roofer who didn't replace the step flashing and the ceiling drywall collapsed The beauty of residential real estate is that it isn't one size fits all. Listen to these four different investors, all of whom got into residential real estate as an investment. One likes older properties with fix-up potential. Another likes condos in HOA-run communities. And only two of the four use management companies to manage their properties, collect the rent and deal with tenants. An investment in a residential property can be what you need it to be.

In our Replay today, a listener shares his plan for two projects: 1) rejuvenating a master bedroom, and 2) transforming a decaying hot tub room into a bar area. In our Featured segment, hardscaping and masonry pro, Mike McColgan, shares his thoughts on different types of materials for walkways and patios and the looks that can be achieved with each. He also describes the many steps he takes to create a paver walkway and entryway...clearly not a job for the casual DIYer.

Our Replay and Horror Story today are about a new roofing job that turned into a big, avoidable problem. A new roof gone bad, can be one of the biggest home improvement hassles a homeowner can face. Then, Cameron Jaggard from the PEW Charitable Trusts explains how PEW is involved in a huge and vital mission by military and civilian organizations, including the Gullah Geechee Nation (descendants of slaves), to rescue 1,000,000 acres of salt marsh from North Carolina to the east coast of northern Florida. Salt marsh has been proved to be an effective line of defense against rising seas...a protector of property, even jobs! If you have coastal property and/or concern about global warming, you'll want to listen and pass this on.

In our Replay today, we talk with Trish, a Your Valuable Home listener planning to move from California to Pennsylvania. In her letter to Kevin, Trish reveals some information that unscrupulous contractors could prey upon. In our Horror Story, a homeowner is taken by a contractor demanding a large up-front payment. The Feature today is a fascinating discussion about the first solar-powered city in the U.S. It has its own healthcare and school systems, town center with shopping, restaurants, etc., a large lake and golf course, and other recreational facilities – and every home comes with broadband and EV charging equipment. It's an inter-generational vision come true for Syd Kitson, the driving force behind Babcock Ranch.

Need to figure out inter-generational living arrangements, John is making progress with his solution. Listen to this enlightening Replay. New Pod City's own Frank and Christina Sasso, encountered a Horror Story in their New Jersey rental property: their plumber got stumped over how to run a new vent pipe through the roof. Dealing with the pipe collar vent flashing left the plumber scratching his head. In our Featured segment this week, we talk with one of the founders of ECOhome.net about the treasure trove of GREEN building information and best practices to be accessed on the site – all for free. If you're thinking GREEN for a new primary residence, vacation home or addition – or you just want to understand the subject better – this is a definite “must hear.”

In our Replay today, we critique the concept of online referral services. If you have ever used one, or are planning to, this is worth a listen. You would expect the stucco application and windows in a newly constructed home to be trouble-free. Not so in this Horror Story. In our Featured segment today, Chris Sherrington from Lawn Doctor covers the why and how of all the tools and processes Lawn Doctor pros employ to maintain healthy lawns and shrubs – and fight the critters that destroy them. There's a science to it that is best left to the pros. You do the cutting. Lawn Doctor does the rest.

In our Replay today, Danny wraps up his solution to giving his beach house guests their own private bath. Our Horror Story comes from an architect who solved the puzzle of why so many front porches in a new development blew down. This will blow your mind! In our Featured segment, multiple award-winning interior designer, Donna Hoffman, returns for an encore interview on how to achieve a timeless look in home décor that will last for years, versus a trendy look that could be quickly outdated. Doing a major makeover? Should you rip up that butterscotch narrow-width hardwood? Not so fast, Donna says.

In our Replay, we wrap up a project where one bath becomes two This may be an answer for some of our listeners. In our Horror Story today, hear what happens when a contractor subs out a roofing job...nothing good. Today in our Featured segment, Meg Bondilli, a marketer of real estate developments, explains the concept of the 15-minute city. She also provides examples of cities in Europe and the U.S. where the concept has been successfully deployed. The 15-minute city relegates the automobile to a subordinate role. It's where people can live, work and enjoy recreation and entertainment in a compact area that encourages active transportation (EG – walking, bicycling), and where spaces become “places” for human interaction.

In our Replay today, we address listener comments about two ways to prevent ice damming from forcing water under your shingles and into your home – ice shield and heat tape. Which do you think is more effective? The Horror Story? You guessed it...another roofing nightmare, because the roofer didn't install the flashing and ice shield properly. In our Featured segment today, we engage Ray Nabi, one of the top mold experts in the U. S., in a comprehensive discussion about mold, its negative impact on the human body, how you can spot it, and protect against it. Mold can attack the lungs, exasperating asthma and other respiratory conditions. It also puts children at increased risk of developing asthma. Stachybotrys and Aspergillus are two particularly dangerous types of mold. Mold...you can't prevent it, but you can protect yourself and your family.

In our Replay today, Kevin takes on what seems like an impossible project, and makes it happen. He converts one hallway bath into two full baths. In our Horror Story, another roofer delivers a botch job, including damaging the gutters and fascia. And in our Featured segment, Thomas Bowels, Radon Team Lead at the EPA, talks about the prevalence and danger of Radon in homes, and what you can do about it. Amazingly, most homes in the U.S. are subjected to this cancer-causing gas.

In today's replay we do some detective work for a homeowner in Bradenton, Florida to isolate the cause of cracking stucco on the second floor of his house. Today's Horror Story comes from Delaware contractor Brandon Nieves, who shares roofing horror stories so you never have one happen to you. In our Featured interview today, we learn all about CORETec® Luxury Vinyl Flooring. You can't beat it for looks and wearability – and it saves time, steps and cost in installation. Kevin's home improvement clients love it. More and more homeowners are opting for CORETec over tile, marble and wood when they expand kitchens, re-do baths, finish basements and more.

In our Replay today, we interview one of Kevin's customers about his new ProVia windows. He offers a frank, glowing assessment of the windows and the installation. Our Horror Story is about a new roof that was doomed from start to finish...whenever that happens. In our College, you may have heard about Habitat for Humanity, but do you really know the extent of Habitat's good works for people in need of a home to call their own. April is Home is the Key Month, when you should get to know what Habitat and It's Restore organization are all about. Volunteer. Support. Feel great about it!

Lisa talks about how she's working with Kevin's VSP Home Remodeling to fashion her basement into living and entertaining space. Kevin fills us in on the don'ts of siding and siding contractors...all of them demonstrated in a single job. Good luck, homeowner! Looking for a home security system that makes sense for your situation and budget. There are enough of them out there to confuse the heck out of anyone. That's why we sought out Rebecca Edwards to run down the handful of systems safewise.com has concluded make sense for most homeowners and landlords. This interview helped Ron narrow the choices to two moderately priced systems. It can help you, too.

In our Replay today, this is the second week in a row where we talk about an interesting and challenging bathroom redo. In our Horror Story, Kevin begins remodeling a basement only to find out that one of the walls is inferior. Ooops! Today in our Featured segment we talk with the head of South Carolina Realtors about the myriad reasons that make this southern jewel so desirable as a place to relocate to or own rental property. Among other positives, South Carolina has lots of Atlantic shoreline (read Myrtle Beach, Kiawaha, Seabrook and Hilton Head Islands, one of the lowest property tax rates in the country and the allure of historic Charleston. Oh what a foodie town! And then there's the Spoleto Festival! Now wonder the state is booming with big industry and lots of jobs – and interesting things to do.

Joe shares the logistic challenges caused by only one functional bathroom in his house, while the others undergo renovations. Our Horror Story today is about a contractor who took the money and walked. Thinking of flexing you remote working privileges by migrating to another state or going to a less costly state to acquire rental property? Delaware, where the property taxes are some of the lowest in the nation and there is no sales tax, may be for you. We gain a lot of insight about Delaware from two top Berkshire Hathaway realtors in the top part of the state.

In our Replay today, Bob reports on the progress with his kitchen reno. Our Horror Story is about a contractor who built a porch over a deck, without submitting drawings and getting the required permit. Guess what? It leaks and is fraught with building code violations. If you've thought about going the airbnb route to generate an additional revenue stream, listen to our Featured segment today, as Antoinette explains what it takes to be a successful airbnb host. She makes it work with a great location between New York and Philadelphia, strict rules, and part of the house that has a separate entrance and space for one or two guests. If you own an investment property in an HOA-run community, check the HOA docs first to determine if an airbnb is acceptable.

In our Replay today, John shares his smart housing solution to taking his mother into his house after the death of his father. This may be a solution for some in our audience. Our Horror Story today deals with a board-and-batten siding botch job. Three months later the siding was falling down. There's a childcare problem across the U. S., which is preventing lots of working moms from going back to work. Are grandparents a partial solution, as they were at the height of the pandemic? Listen in on this vital discussion with Donna Butts, Executive Director of Generations United and Dr. Lynette Fraga, CEO of Child Care Aware of America. Some possible solutions surfaced during this interview.

How would you begin to budget for the re-do of a kitchen? Simple. Catch today's Replay, as Kevin and Tom, the homeowner, put that puzzle together. We've seen many siding jobs that have gone sideways…roofing jobs, too. The Horror Story today is about a double-header…the roofing /siding job that turned into a nightmare. In our Feature this week, Frank Sasso, the founder of the New Pod City Podcast Platform, marks the first year anniversary of the podcast version of Your Valuable Home by interviewing Kevin and Ron. Find out how a contractor and marketing communications executive teamed up on a show that was a mainstay on Philly radio for seven years before the duo flipped the switch to podcasting. Also, learn about the mission of the show and why Kevin and Ron do what they do.

In our Replay today, Charles talks to us about his basement redo after a flood. Our Horror Story is about a crazy ceiling fan installation. You won't believe this! Have you ever considered a home sprinkler system? According to Tim Schuck, a fire marshal in Pennsylvania, a sprinkler system can be a life and home saver. Sprinkler systems are very efficient and reliable these days and they don't cost a fortune to install. This is part two of our two-part series on being prepared for fire if it ever happens to you. Part 1 was in our Podcast that was distributed last week on 2/11/22. Listen to them both.

In our Replay today, Charles shares the story of how his basement flooded, and what he did to fix the problem. Our Horror Story today is about a fan installation that will make your head spin. Do you know the difference between a volunteer and a career fire company? Any questions about how best to prevent a fire from happening in your house? Do you know what to do to survive a residential fire? Today's feature could literally be a lifesaver for you and loved ones.

Nothing tops the feeling you get when a home improvement project – especially a big one like a kitchen – comes out just the way you envisioned it. In our Replay today you can hear that great feeling in Susan's voice as she talks about her completed kitchen. In our Horror Story, you'll find out why contractor/designer relationships can sometimes get a little bumpy. In our Feature, we check in with Joe Bonacci, from Corcoran Real Estate, in New York on the state of the five-borough New York City Market. Did Covid put a dent in the New York market. Not much. Find out which areas are hot – and where the best values are.

Brandon Nieves from R&R Roofing and Remodeling in northern Delaware – and a regular Your Valuable Home listener – is with us to talk about roofing the right way. He'll also share a home improvement Horror story, and how his company bailed a woman out of a project botched by another contractor. In our Feature this week, we interview Jessica Lautz, PhD, Vice President of Demographics and Behavioral Insights at the National Association of Realtors (NAR) about the residential real estate market in 2022. Will the seller's market stay hot? Will home values continue to soar? Will interest rates help or hurt the housing market in 2022? Also, get the inside story of the NAR's 10 top “hidden gem” markets for 2022.

Frank Sasso, the founder of the New Pod City Podcast Network is the wizard behind the recording, editing and mixing of all Your Valuable Home Podcasts. He opens this week's podcast riffing on what makes YVH a unique and important weekly podcasting experience for anyone who owns residential real estate. In our Horror Story this week, you'll scratch your head, as we did, about this crazy vinyl window installation. And then there's our Feature. Fitting out an existing or new kitchen with major appliances can be a confusing array of brands, features, prices. That's until you spend an invaluable half-hour with Conal Rony, the “appliance consultant” at Kieffer's, a major retailer in southeastern Pennsylvania. In one interview, he helps our listeners put together the appliance puzzle. Don't miss this.

In this week's Replay, Bob the homeowner shares his vision for an expanded kitchen. Bob also provides today's Horror Story about a new, leaking roof. His contractor simply walked away. Fairfax County grew into prosperity and prominence in northern Virginia largely because of the automobile. Now, in a sign of the times, the County is guiding development to achieve more user-friendly environments for pedestrians and bicyclists. Reston Town Center in Fairfax County is considered a model for community growth in 2022 and beyond. Join us for this fascinating discussion of what's next for Fairfax and what it means for homeowners and businesses.

In the fifth episode of our new Listener Favorites Series, you'll learn about Unison, the novel way to leverage your home's equity, to make improvements, pay off medical bills…whatever. It's true…no interest or principal payments for up to 30 years! But first, in our Replay, we help the legendary performer, Kim Sledge plan a garage makeover to livable room. Kim and her sisters (Sister Sledge) gave the world "We Are Family" and a string of other hits. In the Horror Story, Kevin was working one of his jobs, when along came a contractor without a permit to solicit business from Kevin's customer. Some people have no shame.

In the fourth episode of our new Listener Favorites Series, we speak with a Provia executive about the finer points of the company's windows and doors and their incredible warranty. But first, in our Replay, Gerri talks through the projects she has in mind for her new downsized house. If you're planning interior work, you can get some ideas by listening to this interview. Think you're safe hiring a family member to do some simple home improvements. Gerri did and paid the price.

In the third episode of our new Listener Favorites Series, we learn about the first house in America designed to be both resilient and sustainable from the architect who designed it, Illya Azaraoff. This house, built to replace one destroyed in hurricane Sandy, can stand up to a Category 5 hurricane. But first, in our Replay, Kevin walks us through the final steps in the installation of the expanded septic system that was required when he added an in-law suite to his home. Our Horror Story involves a newly constructed residence with all sorts of workmanship issues. Oh yes, it happens. Resilient and sustainable…these are two terms that are making their way into more and more discussions of how we build residential structures in America.

In the second episode of our new Listener Favorites Series, Kevin, John the Master Plumber, and electricians James and Joseph run down a list of projects that the average weekend DIYer should not take on because they're either too complex, too dangerous or both. But first, in our Replay, in our Replay, we talk with Jed about replacing 22 windows in his home – and about turning a dilapidated porch with an aging hot top into an inviting sitting area. The Horror Story is about the nightmare framing and wiring job done on Jed's porch by a former owner.

In the first episode of our new Listener Favorites Series, much-awarded interior designer, Donna Hoffman, accepts our challenge to share her thoughts on how to bring the interiors of homes in six different architectural styles up to date. But first, in our Replay, Angel, an interior designer, shares the back story of how she found a mid-century modern home for her mid-century modern Airstream. Both are rejuvenation projects in progress. In the Horror Story, Kevin explains how a young interior designer made a huge mistake by scheduling the installation of a hardwood floor before the demolition was done. Ouch!

In our replay today, Kevin demystifies roofing estimates for a homeowner. In our Horror Story, workers for a large builder try to cover up two different roof elevations on the same roof with a roof over a roof. A nightmare! In our Feature segment, we'll explore the potential of deep-seated water with Merlin Yockstick from Blue Planet Science Group. Merlin claims that there's plenty of fresh water in the U. S. and around the globe in relatively untapped networks of aquifers, below those that have historically been tapped. He also talks about the technology required to find that deep-seated water and cites 1,500 wells that have been drilled on several continents that prove his point.

In our Replay today, Josh talks about the finishing touches and the overall appeal of his re-built master bath. Our Horror Story is about the perils of dealing with the sales personnel of high-pressure, high-volume window installation companies. In our Featured segment, “ Mr. Sustainable,” Dante Di Pirro, a pro-environmental lawyer, addresses what the recently-passed Infrastructure Law means for sustainable forms of energy, the power grid, EVs and broadband. In this part 2 of our series on the new Law, there's a lot of good news for communities across the country.

In our Replay today, Joshua shares his master bath project. It's a complete makeover with a much-enlarged shower - something more and more homeowners are doing these days. In our Horror Story, a contractor tried to band aid a botched siding job. Did it work? Half-way through today's podcast we talk with transportation expert and Your Valuable Home contributor, Gary Toth, about provisions in the Infrastructure Law that make cities and towns more user friendly for pedestrians and people on bicycles, and bring rail travel, roads and bridges up to date.

In our Replay, John shares the experience of re-modeling his master bath. Our Horror story today deals with a homeowner's worst nightmare. When a scaffold broke a worker fell and neither he nor the GC had worker's comp. The homeowner got sued. In our Feature segment today, we dig deep into the subject of standby and portable home generators with a top executive at Generac. A lot of homeowners in Texas were caught off-guard without generators during the 2021 power crisis. Don't let it happen to you. Get a quick education on generators in the second half of today's podcast.

In our Replay today, Rosemary shares the process of leaving a large house with a lot of property after 30-some years, and right-sizing to a one-bedroom rental cottage. Our Horror Story today is proof that celebrities, too, can be victimized by contractors who do shoddy work. Kim shares her story of the two-tub nightmare. In our fascinating Featured segment today, we discuss the why and how of a house in New Jersey that is entirely powered by hydrogen. Here the points of view of the engineer who created it, the woman who owns it and the real estate agent charged with marketing it.

If you're planning an extensive makeover of your kitchen, you'll want to hear about Stacey's kitchen re-do. It includes the removal of walls to reveal her back yard view. Then in our Horror Story, the second installment of the epic botch job created by Linda's plumber. In our Featured segment today, the notable landscape architect Carter VanDyke showcases spectacular projects that could be part of the landscape anywhere, USA. Carter offers suggestions on livening your outdoor environment, whether you're living in Pennsylvania, Florida or southern California. If your property is in need of landscaping/hardscaping, you'll want to hear this.

In our Replay today, Josh talks about the completion of his kitchen and hall bath. If you've been following the progress, you'll want to hear the final outcome. Our Horror Story is about what could be the worst siding job in history. Listen and pick up pointers that can prevent this from happening to you. And in our Featured segment, architect Darren Vickery talks about his approach to designing homes for seaside locations.

Our Replay today deals with Linda's ambitious makeover of her house, including new bedrooms, a new living room and an addition. Linda's dream became a $400,000 nightmare that began with an $85,000 up-front payment to definitely the wrong contractor. In our Featured segment today, we learn the complexity of the water shortage in the Western states and how Arizona is meeting the challenges of a dwindling water supply. You'll want to hear this eye-opening interview with the Director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources.

In our Replay today Joshua returns to talk about the transformation of his kitchen and bath…from old to new in only two weeks. Would you hand over $85,000 to a contractor at the beginning of a renovation. This woman did, and that was only the beginning of her Horror Story. She ultimately wasted about $400,000 on work that had to be totally re-done. In our Featured segment today, Angel returns with an up-date on her textbook Mid-century Modern home renovation. Homes in this architectural genre deserve to be preserved, and Angel is doing it right.

Our Replay today involves a young couple – Mark and Stacey – who finally found their first home in the desirable Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia. It's not easy, but it is possible to find an affordable, livable home in this crazy seller's market. In the Horror Story, a homeowner is left scratching their head about which was worse…the tornado that damaged the roof or the repair job that followed. In our Featured Segment today, you'll learn about a company called FloLogic® with the technology to detect water leaks when they start, shut down your home's water supply and alert you to the problem. If you want to avoid this kind of headache, you need to hear this.

In our Replay today, Joshua talks with Kevin about his vision for his kitchen and bath reno. We'll have Josh back as the project progresses. Our Horror Story today is about a roofing job that's as bad as it gets. It was definitely avoidable. A new roof is an expensive home improvement. That's precisely why you can't afford to take a leap of faith that the contractor will do a great job. In our Featured segment today, we'll explain what should be included in a comprehensive roofing estimate, how to evaluate a roofing contractor, and how to make sure you get what you paid for. When it comes to inspecting a roofer's work, a picture is worth a couple thousand words.

Our Replay this week deals with bringing the out-of-date look of a house up-to-date, without spending a fortune. New windows, trim, and doors did the trick. Should a new roof leak? In this Horror Story, that's just want happened, because the roofer failed to replace some step flashing, and improperly installed the pipe collars. In addition to sharing his residential real estate “know how” in our Feature this week, Steve Olsher also gives us a peak into his next residential real estate project, LATATUD. If you're a YVH listener, and thinking about investing in residential real estate, listen to this podcast at least twice.