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Check to see if your house is landmarked
Ever since the collapse of the market, McMansions have fallen out of style. Buyer tastes have veered towards old homes with character. Revamped Victorians, Edwardians, bungalows are hot! Sellers who  modernized their 100 yr old homes up to 2012 amenities and upgrades while maintaining the old world charm and architectural integrity command huge prices. 

However, before you start chopping up your old house, check with the city to make sure it is not designated as an historic landmark. Otherwise you may be violating historic preservation ordinances!  This family in Palo Alto ,CA is fighting the city to get their house (in photo) removed from the city history inventory. What is considered historic is up to debate. Apparently, this Council Member agrees with this family: "With all due respect to the Historic Resources Board, they're not composed of experts." Snap! 

 
 
LogoTV viewer asks Hermanity:

Question: We want to build an in-law unit, but money is tight. Should we just use a handyman and bypass permits?
Answer: Handyman for dinky jobs is fine, but doing a major project without permits will come back to bite you. You can get sued, fined or be forced to tear it down. Plus, it can affect your re-sale value too. 

Did any viewers out there ever get in trouble for a big renovation without pulling permits? Would love to hear your story! 
 
 
Can you believe popcorn ceiling once was the height of housing fashion?! Depending on how it was sprayed on, it always looked to me like either ghostly bile or wall of pimply whiteheads. Delish! I find it funny when I see a gorgeous crystal chandelier hanging from a ceiling of pigeon poo.  If a homeowner is going to spend thousands of dollars on fabulous lighting, why not give it a nice clean backdrop. It's like serving beluga caviar on a Styrofoam plate.

Anyone a fan of popcorn ceiling? LMK! (it's ok. you can post anonymously)

NOTE: Thank you for my friends at P6.com for shooting, editing & hosting this video. Check them out here!

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A big joy of home ownership is 'making it your own.' But if you ever want to sell down the line, an overly self-indulgent remodel will hurt your revalue value. Save your vanity projects for your plastic surgery!
 
 
You're not just buying the house, you're buying to the neighborhood!
 
 
Here I am with Kendra Todd (winner of Celebrity Apprentice) assessing a $1.2M property on "My House is Worth What?"