Home Ownership

Permitted Activities Guide: 15 Outdoor Projects That May Be Illegal

You may think your home is your castle; however, some of your ideas may not be considered permitted activities. In fact, certain outdoor endeavors are prohibited on private property, whether by law, deed restrictions, or covenants and restrictions of the homeowner association (HOA). Certain activities can only be undertaken with the issuance of a permit. ...

Permitted Activities: Know Before You Grow, Build, or Dig

Even if it’s your land, specific outdoor projects require more than just a good imagination. Before you break ground, check local ordinances and HOA rules to see if you need permits or approvals for the following:...

Building a Fence Over 6 Feet Tall
Tall fences usually require both a city permit and HOA approval....
Installing a Deck
Deck construction must comply with city building codes and often requires HOA preapproval....
Adding a Swimming Pool
In-ground or large aboveground pools need permits and inspections for safety and health compliance....
Installing Solar Panels or Large Satellite Dishes
These often require HOA approval and may be subject to placement and size limitations....
Excavating or Altering Land Grading
If changing the soil contour will cause runoff to neighboring yards, it is typically prohibited....
Hardscaping and Paving Large Areas
An excessive amount of impermeable surface can violate environmental runoff regulations and may require permits....
Drilling a Water Well
This may be permitted with local or state approval; it’s often subject to water conservation regulations....
Creating a Large Garden or Crop Production
Large-scale gardening or high-water-use landscaping may require permits or be subject to restrictions.

Your Property Rights Have Limits

Ownership doesn’t mean unlimited freedom. These outdoor activities are commonly restricted—or entirely prohibited—by local laws or HOA covenants:...

Raising Chickens or Livestock
Most urban and suburban neighborhoods prohibit the keeping of chickens, goats, cows, and similar animals. Some areas may allow a few chickens but no roosters....
Beekeeping
Where allowed, this usually comes with strict regulations regarding property size, setbacks, and beekeeper certification....
Operating a Home-Based Business Open to the Public
Zoning laws and HOA rules typically forbid businesses that generate public traffic or industrial noise....
Running an Auto Repair or Industrial Operation
These activities are usually prohibited in residential zones due to safety, noise, and zoning violations....
Storage Buildings or Sheds in Visible Locations
Most neighborhoods require sheds to be placed in a fenced backyard and at a height below the fence....
Excessive Outdoor Lighting
Some cities have “dark sky” regulations limiting light pollution in residential areas....
Discharging a Firearm on Your Property
This is prohibited in most cities and even in some rural areas for lots with acreage below a minimum.

Home Technology, Ownership,

Don’t Be Fooled: How to Recognize Impostor Scams

Imposter scams can become particularly personal, especially with AI-driven fraud. That text with a “final notice” on a toll violation from the Department of Motor Vehicles? Bogus! But a scarier impostor would be an AI-generated voice sounding just like your child calling and claiming to have been kidnapped, then begging for money. How can you tell if these interactions are real or fake? Don’t panic. Read on....

High-tech impostor scams

We all receive fraudulent texts and emails attempting to scam us out of money. But those scams pale in comparison to an AI-generated voice that sounds just like a loved one in distress. With just a snippet of a person’s authentic recorded voice, AI programs can then carry on a conversation sounding just like someone you know....

How can you keep from panicking if it sounds like your teenage son or daughter is in distress? And for lower-level imposter scams, how can you flush out a phony?...

Go to the source

Criminals spew out tens of thousands of texts and emails pretending to be common vendors. You might get a fake text from a bank demanding a payment for an overdraft. The crooks send out thousands of these, knowing that hundreds of bank customers are likely to receive them and that someone might fall for it....

To avoid this imposter scam, investigate the source independently. Do not respond to the message by clicking an embedded link or calling a number that appears to be from the vendor. If you receive a text or email allegedly from your credit card company requesting approval for a large purchase, log in to your account and check the activity. If you see activity you did not authorize, contact the credit card company directly from your account page, not with any number supplied in the bogus text or email....

Scams by voice call

Sometimes, you receive a phone call from someone claiming to be with the IRS or the Social Security Administration, making a bogus claim that you must repay some money. These agencies will never call and demand money by phone. Never. ...

Do not be alarmed if your caller ID gives the name of that agency. Scammers can mask their numbers in that way....

Much more alarming would be a voice sounding just like your loved one pleading for money. Dealing with this imposter scam requires some preplanning and a cool head....

As part of an overall family safety plan, discuss this very scenario. Establish a code word or an answer to a code question. A code word or question must be something that all of you can remember, and it should not be something shared publicly on social media that the bad guys can harvest. For example, if you vacation together each summer in Destin, Florida, and post about it on social media, don’t make your code question about where you vacation. The code word or question should be something private and closely held that all of you are familiar with. ...

If you receive such a call, do not panic. Ask the voice on the line for the code word or answer. If the caller does not respond but still tries to get you to cooperate, write down the phone number, hang up, and call the police. This type of call is attempted extortion and is more severe than common scams by phone, text, or email....

Outdoor Living, Ownership,

Skin-Irritating Plants: How to Spot and Avoid Them

When you pull weeds in a landscape, your hands may get a stinging, burning, or itching sensation if you come in contact with certain skin-irritating plants. Various plants use chemical warfare to protect themselves from being eaten by foraging animals or removed by human hands. Don’t touch these five toxic plants without wearing gloves....

Skin-Irritating Plants

Stinging nettle, as its name implies, sets off a stinging sensation in your skin upon contact and may produce a rash. After the stinging stops, the skin may feel clammy and slightly wet. Stinging nettle leaves are narrow and can be recognized by their sharp, saw-toothed edges. ...

Wood nettle makes your skin burn upon contact. Wood nettle leaves are broader than stinging nettle leaves and have a ribbed pattern radiating out from the center to the edges. Generally, any plant with “nettle” in its name is not your friend....

Poison ivy is the most commonly known toxic plant to the skin, causing a rash containing blisters. Some people have an exceptionally allergic reaction that can be life-threatening. Only pull poison ivy while wearing gloves, long sleeves, and pants. Stuff the vine into plastic bags, tie them off, and toss them in the trash. Never burn poison ivy, as even the smoke can carry the toxin and irritate the mucous membranes of the eyes and respiratory tract. Poison ivy is recognizable by its distinct, large, saw-tooth leaves that grow in groups of three. In the fall, the leaves may change color to red or yellow. If unsure, remember the saying: “Leaves of three, let it be.”...

Poison oak and poison sumac bring similar symptoms as poison ivy and should be handled with similar precautions. The rash these plants cause may produce blisters. Poison oak leaves resemble those of an oak tree, although the plant is not part of the oak family. Poison sumac, on the other hand, is a bushy plant characterized by long leaves that radiate sideways from the branch....

Giant hogweed is not as widespread as nettles and poison ivy—it’s found in just 16 states. It is an invasive species introduced from the Caucasus Mountains of Asia in 1917 as a decorative plant. It grows aggressively and crowds out other plants. It can reach over 10 feet tall and has very broad leaves topped with clusters of white flowers. It is sometimes mistaken for Queen Anne’s lace. Touching the plant is not toxic, but getting the sap on the skin damages your skin’s ability to protect itself from ultraviolet light, leading to a severe sunburn called phytophotodermatitis....

Other, lesser-known irritants

Wild parsnip roots are edible, but getting the sap on the skin can also produce phytophotodermatitis, just like giant hogweed.
Baby’s breath is a staple in the floral trade, often used in flower arrangements, but the sap can cause minor skin irritation.
Besides skin irritations, there are a host of plants with pollen that causes respiratory irritation, such as ragweed and many others.

What to do if you’re affected

Most plants that irritate the skin and respiratory tract utilize histamines, among other chemicals. Using a topical treatment with an antihistamine, such as calamine lotion or Benadryl cream, brings temporary relief. Taking an antihistamine tablet can help as well. There are several nondrowsy antihistamines available over the counter....

If you experience shortness of breath, numbness, and tingling at the site of the irritation and a thickened tongue, call 911 or Poison Control, as these are signs of a severe allergic reaction that could be life-threatening....

Outdoor Living, Ownership,

How Cute! Finding Baby Wildlife on Your Property

You might be working in your flower bed one day and find baby wildlife that seems to be abandoned: a tiny raccoon, deer, squirrel, or bird. As adorable as the creature may be, with its big brown eyes and tiny whiskers, you should leave it alone. Here is why....

It’s a wild animal, and so is its mother.

Finding baby wildlife is exciting, but just because an animal is alone does not mean it has been abandoned. Mother deer often hide fawns in bushes while they go forage, possibly for extended periods. Baby squirrels and raccoons might sometimes be abandoned by their mothers, but most likely, they are also nearby. ...

Baby birds may fall out of the nest or be found on the ground after making their first attempts at flying. If a baby bird has feathers and open eyes, it is probably starting out on its own in life, so don’t disturb it. If it has closed eyes and no feathers, it will die if left out of the nest and needs help. The nest may be right overhead, so you can hopefully put the bird back where it belongs. ...

Baby lizards and snakes will do just fine without their mothers. Reptiles are born to be independent from the start....

What to do if you have baby wildlife on your property

If you find a baby mammal of any sort, leave it alone and just keep an eye on it throughout the day. Chances are, the mother will return for it. There is one exception, and that would be if the animal is visibly hurt or sick. In such a case, call your local animal control or a wildlife removal service. Trying to handle a sick or injured animal puts you at risk of being bitten, scratched, or possibly infected with disease. Animal control will handle the creature with compassion and care....

If no mother returns for the baby and you must move it for some reason, first lay a towel over it. Wearing thick gardening gloves, gently pick the animal up and move it to a safe place. Then call animal control....

Remember, it is a wild animal.

Resist the urge to try to make a pet of the animal. Adorable though it may be, when a wild animal grows to adulthood, it can become more aggressive and pose a danger to you and your family....

Buying, Buying a Home,

Attorney Versus Title: State Requirements at Closing

The closing is the culmination of a real estate transaction, when the property title and payment exchange, and the professionals guiding the transaction get paid for their services. Depending on the state in which your transaction occurs, the closing is conducted by different parties: a real estate attorney versus a title company. Here are the differences....

Attorney Versus Title: Who handles the closing process?

Closing on a real estate transaction is a complex legal and financial process. The aspects include:...

Completing the sales contract, which in most states is a set template set by state law.
Vetting the title history of the property to determine who owns it or may hold a legal claim, such as a lien for unpaid taxes or vendor work.
Preparing the deed documents for transfer from seller to buyer.
Dispersing escrowed funds to receiving parties. The buyer’s down payment is escrowed, and later it and the full funding are paid to the seller at closing. Fees to the attorney and other vendors involved in the sale process will also be paid out.

What are the differences in how a closing is handled?

In states where an attorney-managed closing occurs, the attorney handles all the steps. The state may not require a title insurance policy....

The advantage of an attorney-managed closing is the confidence for both seller and buyer that the legal process has been professionally overseen and is dependable. The disadvantage is that legal fees are higher than in states where a title company handles the closing. If no title policy is issued, any ownership defects found later are more costly to resolve....

In states where a title company manages closings, the process is more expedited. Attorney oversight is reduced, but not eliminated. The title company does a title search and issues title insurance policies to protect the buyer and the new mortgage lender. Most title companies have attorneys whom they pay to vet the documents, but since the forms are usually state-mandated templates, the vetting is less in-depth, and the legal fees are less costly. ...

Therefore, the advantages of a title company closing are savings in time and money. In contrast, the disadvantage is that reduced attorney involvement means the process does not receive as detailed a legal review....

Home Improvements, Ownership,

Go Big or Go Home: How Grand is Your Home Renovation Project?

When it comes to home renovation, scale matters. The size of the project impacts who does the work, how much it costs, how long the house will be in disarray, and more. A home remodeling project can be a one-room short-term job or a major house renovation. You must know up front what it will take to do the job so that you are properly prepared. ...

The scope of the home renovation project

For your remodeling project, assess the following aspects:...

Will the changes you envision be only cosmetic improvements, such as fresh paint, new flooring, new trim boards, counter and cabinet replacements with new drawer handles, and maybe new light fixtures?
Will the project involve structural changes, such as adding a room, which entails adding to the foundation and roof structure, knocking out walls, and expanding or adding doors and windows?
Will the work require local government permits and inspections?
Will there be work that should be done by a licensed professional, such as an electrician, roofing contractor, or plumber?
Can you do any of the work yourself? Do you have the skills and any needed licenses?

The answers to these questions determine whether your project is a simple remodel or a major rehabilitation and, thus, who can do the work. ...

If the changes are mostly cosmetic and you have the skills, then your project is probably a small-to-medium remodeling job....

If the work requires finer skills, professional licensure, changes to the home’s structure, permitting, and inspection, it is a job for professionals, unless you have those skills and licenses....

Financial considerations

The size of the project affects the size of the budget. If you can do some of the job yourself, you can save some money through your sweat equity. But if the job requires licensed pros, permitting, and inspection, count on higher costs. ...

If your project is a house flip, where you’ve purchased a home and intend to fix it up and resell it, the cost of the house purchase plus the total construction cost should be around 70% of what you think you can sell for when the remodel is done. ...

Hassle factor

Finally, consider how the project will disrupt daily life at home. If your kitchen will be torn up for a while, can you manage a workaround for cooking meals, or would you eat out for the duration? If your master bath is being gutted, can your whole household share one bathroom for a while?...

Plan ahead for these inconveniences to make the project go more smoothly....

Related – Keep Calm and Remodel On!...

Building a Home, Buying,

How to Handle Disputes with a Home Builder

Construction costs are expensive, so having a good relationship with your home builder is essential. When you sink hard-earned money into a new home, you should get excellence in return. Unfortunately, sometimes the work is substandard, incomplete, or behind schedule, and you may feel cheated. Here’s what to do when your home builder disappoints you....

Ways that a home builder may fall short of expectations

Here are some ways a home builder can fail to deliver:...

Using substandard materials
Doing substandard work
Not finishing the job on time
Not meeting building code requirements or failing to get proper permits
Working significantly behind schedule
Designing various aspects differently from the agreed-upon plans

How to catch and deal with problems early

The first thing to do is to stay engaged in the building process as the job progresses. Visit your home’s job site at the end of each day while the construction superintendent is around to monitor progress. This can help you catch developing problems early, when they can more easily be corrected without much tearing out and rebuilding....

If the job is not up to expectations, review your purchase contract for the home. You may also have signed upgrade addendums for higher-quality flooring, counters, cabinets, light fixtures, and door hardware. Review the language of those carefully. Make sure the language is on your side between what was agreed upon and what you received....

Ask the construction superintendent to meet you at the job, then share your concerns with him. Address matters in a calm, businesslike manner. Show him why you believe you have not received what was agreed upon and allow him to explain. Talk about solutions, not accusations, and avoid implying that the contractor is ripping you off. Give him the benefit of the doubt as much as possible, then let him step up and fix the job....

If the superintendent disputes whether the quality of work is substandard, contact the builder’s sales representative and ask that the work be examined. Explain how the work does not match the language in the sales contract and addendums. ...

Be aware that some issues could result from developments that the builder did not foresee. Weather or supply chain issues may cause delays past expected deadlines. Materials may have to be substituted to stay on schedule. As much as possible, give grace to these possibilities. ...

If you cannot work out the differences

If you, the superintendent, and the sales rep cannot resolve your differences, contact the builder’s headquarters and ask someone from the corporate offices to get involved. ...

If you still cannot find a resolution, reach out to third parties:...

If the issue concerns the quality of work, ask a home inspector to examine it. Pay him for his time and opinion. Take a copy of the inspection report to the superintendent and the builder’s corporate office. Notify the local code enforcement office of the situation.
If the work is done by licensed subcontractors, you can contact the state licensing agency for the particular specialty, such as plumbing or electrical.
If these methods don’t help, you can contact an attorney if the dollar amount exceeds the state-determined threshold for small claims court.

The final walk-through with the home builder

When purchasing new construction, you should hire an inspector to examine the completed home before closing to resolve any significant issues. The buyer usually does a final walk-through with the superintendent and the sales rep to inspect the home right before closing. Bring along a roll of blue painter’s tape; tear off little pieces to attach to anything that looks incomplete or incorrect. (If you stayed on top of the job as it was in progress, your blue tape should only be for minor fix-it jobs, what the industry calls “punch-out” jobs.) Bring a notebook and jot down notes. This is your last chance to resolve any issues before closing the deal....

Building a Home, Buying,

Learn the Basics of Driveway Construction

Proper driveway construction is key; after all, you use the space for more than parking cars. You may have a basketball goal so your kids can play pick-up games in the driveway. Perhaps they make chalk drawings of cartoon characters on it. No doubt your driveway plays a crucial role in the life of your home. Here’s what you should know....

Material types, durability, and cost

Here are the four most common driveway material types, their typical expected wear-and-tear, and their cost to construct....

Asphalt is popular for most county and state roads because of its simplicity in construction and repair. The material is durable, lasting up to 20 years with good maintenance, which involves periodic sealing. It expands and contracts elastically in heat and cold. Construction costs run up to $13 per square foot.
Concrete is also durable and can last up to 30 years before major repair or replacement is needed. However, it is more expensive than asphalt, with construction costs running up to $15 per square foot.
Pave stones, or pavers, are aesthetic and durable. They are also the most expensive and labor-intensive to construct since the stones are laid out by hand like a puzzle, with pieces cut individually to provide symmetry. Installation requires grading, laying drainage material beneath, and leveling the stones with one another, all of which are labor-intensive. The cost to build runs up to $50 per square foot. The good news is that, when individual stones are damaged over the years, you can lift them out and drop in replacements.
Gravel is the least expensive and simplest, coming in at about $1.50 per square foot. To prepare a gravel driveway, the space is first leveled, and then the topsoil is thoroughly scraped away to remove grass and weeds. Next, landscape fabric is put down before the gravel is dumped and then spread. Gravel naturally drains water after a rainstorm. However, heavy rain can create flowing torrents that wash away the gravel, requiring the homeowner to rake it back. Grass and weeds also tend to poke through, which requires pulling or treating.

Driveway Construction

Preparing the ground is the most crucial aspect of driveway construction. The ground must be leveled by grading, and the vegetation has to be scraped completely away (and possibly treated to keep plants from returning). Drainage materials like sand and gravel are installed before the surface material. ...

Concrete must have expansion joint seams every few feet so that the surface can expand and contract with outside temperatures. ...

Gravel driveways need edging to keep the gravel in place and prevent it from spreading and washing outside its proper boundaries. ...

Repairs

Both asphalt and concrete have repair material available to inject into cracks to prevent them from lengthening and widening. In winter weather, frozen water expands, pushing cracks wider and longer. This can also cause potholes to develop. Filling cracks promptly is important. ...

Potholes should have rough edges smoothed by cutting out a square to provide a clean edge. They should then be filled with the same material, whether concrete or asphalt, before a sealer is applied....

Building a Home, Buying,

Curious About Building on Federal Land? Consider These Points

Have you ever wondered if you could purchase federal land? The United States government is considering selling some of its vast land holdings to the public for residential development in order to relieve housing shortages across the nation. How might that option—paired with existing programs—help you own a home at an affordable price?...

Agencies that hold vast swaths of federal land

The federal government owns 28% of the land in the US, mainly in the western states. For example, in California, the federal government owns half of the land; in Nevada, it owns 80%....

Most of this land is in very rural areas and is not practical for residents who want easy access to employment, shopping, and infrastructure for public utilities. However, some tracts of land are near enough to urban areas that they could be viable for sale to developers for residential use....

The federal agencies that own these tracts are the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the U.S. Forest Service, and the National Park Service. The BLM is the agency most likely to offer land for sale near urban areas, opening up opportunities for builders of affordable housing....

Affordable housing is defined as housing in which residents spend 30% or less of their gross income on housing costs. The federal government cooperates with developers who intend to build housing that meets this metric....

The cost of lots is a major driver of rising housing costs. Releasing large tracts of land near urban areas for sale at affordable prices could help alleviate the shortage and high cost of housing. ...

Examples of federal land sales and development

Two examples of federal land being used to develop affordable housing are the Arlington Mill Residences near Arlington, Virginia, and a 500+ acre development in the Las Vegas Valley in Nevada....

Challenges for federal land development

There are challenges to developing land for affordable residential housing. For one, bureaucracy is notoriously thick with regulations and red tape. The federal government will need to examine and streamline regulatory processes for releasing and permitting development projects. Second, environmental law often slows development as the government wants construction to be done in environmentally sensitive ways....

Contact the Bureau of Land Management office in your state for information about possible federal land development opportunities near you....

Money, Mortgage,

Qualifying for a Mortgage When You’re Self-Employed

The mortgage approval process can be stressful for anyone, but self-employed people encounter an extra measure of scrutiny. You may have succeeded in pursuing the American dream of owning a business only to find that financing a home is more difficult than if you worked for someone else. Here’s our guide to mortgages for the self-employed....

It’s all about ability to repay

Mortgage companies aren’t biased against the self-employed. Lenders simply want to be sure their borrowers can repay their loans. If your income is reported on a W-2, you’re considered a more stable applicant than a self-employed person whose income varies and whose business may not succeed....

The first steps of applying for mortgages for the self-employed are the same as for any loan applicant. You’ll need to shop around for the best rate and terms, prequalify and complete paperwork. Certain qualifying factors are the same even if you’re self-employed. Your debt-to-income ratio must fall below 43 percent. A good credit history is a must if you want a good interest rate. Putting a sizable percentage down on the purchase price shows commitment....

The difference in seeking a mortgage as a self-employed person lies in the documentation you must provide to convince the lender you’ll be able to repay the loan....

Prepare to submit in-depth documentation

When it comes to mortgages for the self-employed, proof of reliable and sufficient income to repay the mortgage will be the biggest hurdle to clear. Self-employed people must provide at least two years of tax returns plus business profit-and-loss statements....

If you’ve owned your business for several years and show solid, growing income, you’ll likely be seen as stable and reliable. If you’ve been in business less than two years, however, you will have to persuade the lender that your business has a strong future....

Self-employed people may have to pay a higher interest rate than salaried employee applicants would. But the more you can show you are seriously dedicated to a growing business that has good prospects and can provide you sufficient income to pay a mortgage, the better your chances of getting a loan at an agreeable rate....

One potential snag with mortgages for the self-employed stems from legitimate business deductions. It makes sense for self-employed taxpayers to claim every allowable business expense against income to reduce the taxes they owe. But the lender uses the resulting lower net income to measure debt-to-income ratio, which may hurt loan approval prospects....

Improving your chances if you’re self-employed

Self-employed people can take steps to ensure they’ll have an easier time when they apply for a mortgage....

Form either a C corporation or a limited liability company (LLC) and register your business with state or local government agencies.
With your business incorporated, pay yourself income reportable on a W-2 income rather than a 1099.
Don’t claim every business expense on your taxes the year before applying for a mortgage, even though you will owe more in taxes.
Do not operate your business out of personal bank accounts. Set up separate business accounts. Use QuickBooks or other business software to keep finances in order.
As with your personal finances, pay down business debt and maintain a timely payment history.
Make as large a down payment as possible. Putting down 20 percent or more shows commitment that mortgage underwriters like to see.

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