Wow! Bumblebeez.... "I'm tired of hearing about people with allergies and their problems to scents. I feel sorry for them, but every time I go into Bath and Body Works, it's packed out. Surely there are still plenty of people who do like scents and I think they far out number the ones who have issues. Again, I feel bad for them but lets not encumber the rest of the world with their problems. And if they come to my house, I won't burn candles and I'll remove my wallflowers. Odor de doggie will be the only aroma." I don't know you, but are you also the type of person to smoke inside and get sick of people complaining about the smoke? Lot's of people smoke, so those who don't like it should not encumber the rest of the world with their problems (sic). You came across harsh... I was originally (before I read your post) going to post something along the lines of: Please don't spray scents and such into the air before a showing. As someone who went through the buying process I looked at a lot of houses, some had no scents, others had too many scent, and everything in between. My perception of house with too many scents is that they are dirty. Houses that smelled like cleaning products, I perceived as clean. As for houses with no scents... I looked at the house. I am one of those "complainers" who can't stand artificial scents. I can't go anywhere near the first floor of Macy's or walk past a Bath and Body works. Notice I said artificial scents. I LOVE natural scents and they don't make me feel sick. Most people who have an aversion to scents are to the chemicals, not the actual smell. If you place essential oils around, you get the smell with none of the chemicals. For those that like plug ins, you might try the reed diffusers with natural products. They do scent the air, but don't output chemicals.

Well, I had a friend who sold Pampered Chef and she talked me into hosting a party after my first kitchen remodel about five years ago -- I think I was vulnerable because I did want to show off the new kitchen. She is someone who has had a lot of bad luck and never seems to have money for the unexpected or sometimes even the necessities, so I was an easy mark and a softy and agreed to do it. BIG MISTAKE!!! She did a fine job with the presentation, and a good number of my friends came and bought stuff. But the processing of the orders was a nightmare, and she messed things up so badly that it took months and months to straighten them out, and was an embarrassment for me with those who had come and made purchases. It definitely affected our friendship, and I was relieved when she moved away because I was always afraid she was going to ask me to do it again. And while I did get some free stuff (which, other than the toast tongs, I don't use very often) I spent a fortune on the ingredients for the food that was prepared. So, be warned, while attending them can be painful and anxiety-producing for some, hosting the party can take you to a whole other level of torture.

I am not an expert but I can give you my experience with a stone house partially below grade, on which we are right now having footing and curtain drains re-done. We are using the best contractor for the job in our area, and he insisted on doing it this way. The trench must be dug at least a foot below the foundation. Two drains will be installed - one without holes to take the water from the gutter leaders and one with holes to carry off surface and ground water. The stone wall that is underground was power washed, re-cemented, and tomorrow will be sprayed with a rubber sealant So far everything I've said I'm sure you already know. But where I think he departs from common practice is in removing all of the rocks and stones against that wall and replacing it with clean fill. Rock retains moisture, which gets wicked into your house through the stone of your foundation. You can help the dirt to dry out faster by eliminating foundation plantings and exposing it to sun (also shows off your stone wall better!). Roots are also conduits for water and can penetrate the wall. Pay attention to the depth of your drain - if it's not BELOW the foundation, you may be wasting your time. Now as for the question of moisture inside the house - my own guess is that it will have plenty of other opportunities to escape through the rest of your walls that are not underground. You are always going to have a problem with condensation because of the temperature differences between the stone and air (especially in hot humid summers), and may want to use a dehumidier or fan then. I will be interested to hear others' thoughts on all of this.

I search various real estate websites online, everyday. It's like a part time job for us. Not so much remax, century 21, or weichert, since their sites tend to be so overwhelming and cluttery. I tend to choose local real estate company websites, which in my experience have been a bit more accurate with more detail and clearer photos. If I find a house I like, I try everything to find the address to visit it first before wasting our agents time. Real estate agents aren't what they use to be (no offense). It use to be that they showed you houses that truly matched your criteria, now you can't trust an agent, especially if you live out of state. They will show you the junkiest houses, in the worst neighborhoods, with no regards to your wishes or needs, and let me tell you we're not picky. All we're looking for is a fixer upper on a wooded secluded lot. We're willing to do the roof, the floors, doors, trim. All we need is at least 3 bed, 1 bth, but leave it to your agent to show you houses that are undoable. In their defense though, I understand they have to show off the houses that have been sitting for a while to demonstrate effort to the seller, however, it's not cool when your agent knows you're driving 3-4 hours to see a house and you have specifically asked them if the house is secluded and they tell you yes, only to get there and see another house in plain view. Thank goodness we decided to rent in the area we're looking so we don't have to drive 3-4 hours anymore..