Q. What process must one follow to go about having a custom home built? And in your opinion do you believe having a custom home built will create more headaches (and be more expensive) than buying a home directly from a builder ?

A. There are plenty of reputable custom home builders out there , ask at your local lumber yard(not home depot or Lowe's) for recommendations. In my opinion a custom home is the way to go. It's your home ,for your life ..design it, insulate it, heat it, cool it,wire it, plumb it to suit you and your family's needs.If you want to save the extra money each month... drive a Honda.

Q. She is 87 senile doubly incontinent and cannot feed herself, she is having care visitors 4 x daily in her own home. But social services wish to remove her to a care home to be assessed for 4 weeks, then move her yet again into a permanent home. She is quite happy in her bed at home and I have stated my wish for my mother to die at home rather than face a lot of upheaval.

A. If someone is with her around the care I think it would be appropriate as long as she is getting skilled care at home. In the end social services may prevail as they have a lot of clout.

Q. In the Philippines, it is not common for most families to entrust the care of their elderly to nursing home facilities. But there are a few nursing home facilities who offer services that feel almost like home.

A. I know there's a nursing home, in Metro Manila, I think it's located in Marikina Heights. The Order of Ministers of the Infirm, the Camillians, manage this nursing home that also offers adult daycare services. The name's Camillus MedHaven Nursing Home -- the place is quite large, and it's just in the suburban area. The staff are all professionals, and I heard they even have resident gerontologists. Check this out

Q. A place were you can buy pieces or segements, (like walls and roof, that are already put together for you so i could a home addtion to my home. i live in mass. thankyou

A. 84 Lumber for one and Home Depot maybe and good Lumber Co.

Q. My husband and I are are looking to buying a home in the next 5 years probably...give or take some! We want a custom home so I was wondering...Ive heard of all these home building softwares out there but I wanna know which one is the best one to use? About how muh is it and what features does it have that makes it good

A. AutoCAD is the only one I know of but you have to learn that tuboCAD, i think it's called, is getting put on computers now days 3d home, or something like that, was one of the firsts and easiest

Q. There is a home that is for sale by owner...they added a sunroom with a seperate airconditioner unit...they are saying the home is now 2500 sq ft. But tax records show the home is 1780 sq ft. If I buy this home will they see the new sq ft and tax me on it?

A. Yes, either that or make you tear it down, it sounds like the addition is not legal.

Q. If I pay cash for a new home that I'm buying from a custom home builder will I still have all the regular fees at closing? There is no realtor involved with the sell.

A. Look at your contract. Either way, you'll want title insurance. It's a nice thing to know you'll always have legal claim to the property your home is on.

Q. Most of the posts on this topic have been about either new homes, or in a buy/sell situation. In my case, I am considering buying a home warranty for my 5 year old home since I have been incurring some expense lately on applicances, plumbing etc...Are there any that deliver on their promises and provide quick courteous service? Any information on rates would also be great..

A. Hi there, I am a Realtor and I recommend home warranty products for all clients, Seller, Buyers or even Renters if they have to pay for repairs in the home. The best one I have seen and had VERY good service is HMS Home Warranty. You can get there 800 number from information. One that I doNOT recommend is AHS American Home Shield. I have had nothing but complaints in Va. about them. They may be okay somewhere else though. Good luck, Twila