look out for a lab that does Reams testing. Carey Reams didn't come up with the test. It's just a Morgan extract developed by (oddly enough) Dr. M.F. Morgan at the University of Connecticut. Calling it a Ream's test gives credit where none is due and completely ignores the creator. Also, when looking for a lab, most that run the test will call it a "Morgan extract" so searching for a "Ream's test" will exclude a lot of labs that do perform that test. Of course, Reams came up with her own interpretation critera. However, they are based on a prescribed lbs. per acre formula. ie. she wants 400 lbs. per acre of phosphorous. This is the next best thing to useless because the amount of nutrients that would be sufficient in a sandy soil are worlds away from sufficient in a heavy clay. (and a myriad of other factors play a role) You also aren't limited to Morgan extract to gie an idea of what is actually available rather than the total that you would get from a strong acid extraction. In fact there are many valuable weak acid extractions that follow the same basic principle. Mehlich 2, Mehlich 3 and DTPA are other examples. However, the best method will vary with your soil type. Following one "guru" style type of testing rather than choosing the correct method of analysis and interpretation (which touches on the whole religious mind set without the thinking to back it up scenario that has been such a popular topic lately) can result in poor information and results.

I presume your present windows are single pane. Any storm windows? As you have been told, the pratice of replacing the material around the mullions is reglazing. If these windows are 4 over 4, or even 8 over 8, the reglazing is a big job. Caulking is done where the window frame sits in the frame both outside and inside. Obviously, you live in a part of the country not noted for mild winters so anything you can do to elivate the drafts should pay some dividends. Now, if I was looking at your home for a possible purchase, my first consideration is how much money will I need to spend to bring this home up to date. However, if you spend (pick a number) to replace windows with double or triple pane vinyl/fiberglass windows,would that cost bring a higher price for your home in relation to the neighborhood?

Buy a toilet in your price range that gets good reviews. Standard toilets have a 12" rough-in, meaning that the center of the drain is about 12" from the back wall. If yours is different from this by, say, 1"-2" you might need to order a toilet with a different size rough-in. There are dozens of discussions here on GardenWeb where people discuss the "best" toilets, and you should use the search function here to read through those.

I would hire an interior designer, but first, I would also "get to know my neighbors". One of the benefits of a condo or stock plan home is that the floor plans are similar and you can get great ideas from other owners. You can find out if they used designers and who they used. Then you can work cooperatively with a designer to achieve your vision. There are some amazing designers who are true artists and can make your space an amazing, well designed, functional home, but like every other profession for every amazing designer there are 5-7 who range from good to mediocre and 2 or 3 that are simply inexperienced or lack talent. In my experience working with both interior designers and design professionals from high end furniture stores and kitchen stores are mixed. I have had some fabulous suggestions that really worked out well and many uninspired solutions that I could have done as well without assistance, a few suggestions that made me shake my head in disbelief (placing the fridge where it can t fully open, moving an entire wall instead of moving a doorway) and too many that exceeded the agreed upon budget including one who told me I needed to replace 1200 sf of tile to work with the wall color she selected. Some of the best advice I have gotten has come from posting pictures and dimensions of my space on Houzz. Some of my best solutions have come from reading discussions and designer feedback on Houzz. Good luck with your condo!