Brian Ripp's Blog

One of the best ways to select a contractor is to ask friends or relatives for recommendations.  Make sure they have worker's compensation insurance and general liability insurance in case of accidents on the job.  Building codes set minimum safety standards for construction.  Generally, a buildi...

Governor Schwarzenegger today signed AB 183 providing $200 million for home buyer tax credits.  The bill allocates $100 million for qualified first-time home buyers who purchase existing homes and $100 million for purchasers of new, or previously unoccupied, homes.  Eligible taxpayers who close e...

A new study by the USC Lusk Center for Real Estate finds that more immigrants are choosing to put down roots in mid-size cities rather than larger gateway areas, in part because many smaller metro areas feature established, growing neighborhoods of fellow immigrants and less competition for entry...

Arranging your office so you can be efficient is important, but since you spend so much of your time there, you also want to be comfortable while you work.  To promote well-being and prevent injury, you should try to position your body so your joints are naturally aligned.  Leaning forward, slouc...

If you are interested in purchasing a new home, you'll need to research your financing options.  One major part of financing is the annual percentage rate (APR).  As you enter into a deal, you will likely know your area's prime interest rate, but you also need to learn about the lender's APR.  Th...

The economic crisis has affected Americans' spending and borrowing habits. According to a Harris Interactive poll.  Nearly 2/3 of Americans say they are spending less, while 64 percent say they are less likely to take out a loan.  Another 33 percent say they are using their credit cards less ofte...