Hi, readers – welcome to another edition of At Home With Tom and Sandy. We are here to give you the inside scoop on real estate and the construction industry, what’s up, what’s down, what’s hot and what’s not. We’ll share real estate stats, home prices, building permit numbers, construction pointers and give you hints on renovations that will give you a return on your investment. We will talk about products, how to take care of your home and so much more. As we all know, there is a lot going … [Read more...] about Considering Growth, Real Estate and Construction
Sandy Griffis
It Pays to Take Care of Your Plumbing
Welcome to “At Home With Tom & Sandy.” We are here to give you the inside scoop and tips on taking care of your plumbing. Settle in, enjoy and take these precautions to ensure you do not have plumbing issues in your home. Unexpected situations can occur, so an astute, shrewd look around your home can make the difference between a problem or potential crisis being caught early or a problem or potential crisis that can lead to damage and a huge expense and repairs. The average household … [Read more...] about It Pays to Take Care of Your Plumbing
What to Consider Before Remodeling
Welcome to “At Home With Tom and Sandy.” As I always like to say, “Sit back, relax and enjoy.” Tom and I certainly hope you enjoy our column this month. Sandy: Hey, Tom, what splendiferous topic for our readers is swilling around your head? Tom: Well, I have been thinking about that. As you know, I do a fair amount of consulting with homeowners who are considering a remodel. On occasion, I end up dissuading them from moving forward. Sandy: Way to go, Tom. Talk yourself out of … [Read more...] about What to Consider Before Remodeling
Resolving to Be RAKtivists
Welcome to “At Home With Tom & Sandy.” Happy New Year! And remember, it is never too late. Every day, people pass up opportunities to make a difference in our community. We can all do “something” and it doesn’t have to cost anything. So, start a daily habit of doing “something.” If you have the power to make someone happy – DO IT. Our world needs more happy! Tom and I thought our first column of 2021 would be about more happy, human kindness and resolutions. Settle in and thanks for reading … [Read more...] about Resolving to Be RAKtivists
Creating a Livable, Relaxing Outdoor Space
Welcome to “At Home With Tom and Sandy.” As I like to say, “sit back, relax and enjoy.” Starting four months ago, Tom and I began to introduce you to our community/industry partners so you could get to know them better, and what fun that has been. You have met Steve Simpson of Blue Line Designs, Jim Reed of Reed Brothers Construction, Christie Board, our local certified kitchen & bath designer with Board By Board Design, and most recently, Tom Liuzzo, a registered land surveyor for Granite … [Read more...] about Creating a Livable, Relaxing Outdoor Space
Getting to Know Tom Liuzzo with Granite Basin Engineering
Welcome to “At Home With Tom and Sandy.” Sit back, relax and enjoy. As you know, Tom and I have been sharing our column on a monthly basis with the community for several years now and what fun it has been. Starting three months ago and continuing forward for a few more publications, Tom and I have been introducing you to our community/industry partners so you can get to know them better. Our first month, you met Steve Simpson of Blue Line Designs, then we introduced you to Jim Reed of Reed … [Read more...] about Getting to Know Tom Liuzzo with Granite Basin Engineering
Removing Emotional Clutter; Remodeling from Within
Welcome to “At Home With Tom and Sandy.” This month, in light of everything going on with the coronavirus, Tom and I thought we would take a pause and enjoy a lunchbreak or for those of us who breakfunch – something which I do all day, eating small meals between breakfast and lunch and do not take a lunch break – we are going to veer away from our normal column. Settle in. This is going to be wonderful! Sandy: Hi Tom! Happy April! For our detour topic this month, I have invited Deborah … [Read more...] about Removing Emotional Clutter; Remodeling from Within
Finding that Special Place for Peace and Contemplation
Welcome to “At Home with Tom and Sandy.” Here we are, Tom, in a new year. As they say, how time flies. Speaking of time flying, fleeting and anything but coasting – we have been sharing our monthly column with the Quad Cities Business News readers for three years this March. Super cool, over-the-top fun and it is indeed an honor to be your partner, Tom, and share boundless significant information with our readers. Sandy: I love saying Happy New Year and I promise to stop at the end of … [Read more...] about Finding that Special Place for Peace and Contemplation
Making Resolutions, Spreading Kindness
Welcome to “At Home with Tom and Sandy.” Happy New Year! It is never too late. Every day, people pass up opportunities to make a difference in our community. We can all do something and it doesn’t have to cost anything. So, start a daily habit of doing something. If you have the power to make someone happy – DO IT. Our world needs more happy! Tom and I thought our first column of 2020 should be about more happy, human kindness and resolutions. Settle in, and thanks for reading “At Home with … [Read more...] about Making Resolutions, Spreading Kindness
Becoming More Energy Efficient
Welcome to “At Home with Tom and Sandy” and this month we are going to talk about energy. Yep, there is a certain amount of energy in our column. Sandy: Well here we are again, Tom, fall is in the air, and I believe I can smell Christmas! Tom: Definitely my favorite time of year. Sandy: The weather transitions from cooling to heating over these next few weeks, allowing us to open our doors and windows, leave off the AC and enjoy the cool evenings and, of course, save some shekels on our … [Read more...] about Becoming More Energy Efficient