On the home front

Contractor sale

Hanover Habitat for Humanity and the central Virginia chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry will hold a contractor yard sale Oct. 24 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hanover Habitat for Humanity office at 8177 Mechanicsville Turnpike.

Area contractors are invited to drop off priced items -- such as windows, doors, countertops, cabinets, plumbing fixtures, lighting and flooring --Tuesday through Thursday. Items will be stored until the sale. On the day of the sale, contractors should bring tables, cash for change, a tent in case of inclement weather and business cards. There is no cost to participate, but you may donate a portion of your proceeds to NARI or Habitat for Humanity.

To sign up, e-mail or call (804) 641-1438. The groups are also looking for sponsors to help with advertising costs. Sponsors will be recognized on a banner at the sale. A rug for a rug

Capel Rugs, located at 3995 Deep Rock Road in Henrico County, has partnered with Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity for its "Trade In, Trade Up" event today through Oct. 31. Shoppers who bring gently used rugs to the store will receive savings on new area rugs. Donations benefit the Richmond Habitat for Humanity ReStore.

For each rug donated, shoppers will receive 25 percent off their purchase of a new area rug and a tax donation receipt from the Richmond Habitat ReStore if the rug is reuseable. The store's staff will be available to help customers unload used rugs Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Corner lots

Some tips on how to avoid real estate nightmares:

• Ghastly pasts: A "stigmatized property" is a home with a shady past (think crack house or murder scene). Sometimes there are good deals to be found, provided potential buyers can overlook a grisly background.

• Frightening home flaws: Many people buy seemingly well-maintained homes only to uncover huge flaws later. Never purchase a house without first having an inspection (even for a new construction) and check things out just prior to closing.

• HOA horrors: Homeowners associations certainly have their perks, but sometimes the rules and restrictions can be a bit much. When considering a home governed by association covenants, review them closely and shy away from anything that seems outlandish.

• Neighbor nuisances: Problem neighbors can quickly turn a dream home into a nightmare. Before buying, talk to residents to get a feel for the neighbors. Be sure to be neighborly after the sale, too.

• Spooky surprises at closing: When it comes down to the wire, sometimes interest rates, closing costs, and even mortgage payments turn out to be higher than expected. Consulting an agent or broker to review closing documents line-by-line can help determine the problem.

To read more on real estate nightmares, visit HGTV's FrontDoor.com's Web site at http://www.frontdoor.com/top10. It's time to . . .

Transition your houseplants to move back indoors for the winter. Check the foliage carefully for any critters that may have taken up residence during the summer. Hosing off the plant with a gentle spray of water can help clean the leaves and make insects easier to see. Make the move easier by bringing plants in at night and putting them back out during the mild days. In a week they'll be ready to spend the winter in the warmth of your home. Richard Nunnally's
gardening Q&A, D3