Tampa Bay,FL real estate listings and homes for sale, home buying, home selling information

How to stop the ants from marching in (Hurrah!)

7/30/2010 1:07 PM

Has your home or yard been overrun by crazy ants? No, we don't mean Aunt Mildred but one of the 12,597 known species of ants that may be paying you a visit this summer. Like some relatives, they can be erratic, arrive in groups and tend to overstay their welcome. Ants can be troublesome anytime but are most active between April and mid-October acco...Read More

Husqvarna recalls riding tractors with faulty fuel lines

7/30/2010 1:00 PM

As recalls go, this week's of 1,700 Husqvarna riding tractors was pretty small. Of course, the 53 owners who reported fuel line damage to their $3,000 mowers might disagree. The problem with the mower is that the fuel line on the rear-mounted fuel tank is too long and can come in contact with moving parts while the tractor is in use. This poses a f...Read More

In the labs: New air conditioner Ratings

7/30/2010 12:34 PM

Our ongoing tests of small, medium and large air conditioners found a new batch of good-performing units that use the environmentally friendlier R410 refrigerant. We also tested the stylish Friedrich Kühl SS08M10-A, which wowed us in every category except price. Many of the new air conditioners are excellent deals. “Right now, consumers have many g...Read More

Cool cooking strategies for hot summer days

7/30/2010 10:32 AM

Don't think we forgot that July is National Grilling Month because we didn't. But tending a grill on a hot day isn't everyone's idea of fun so we've been busy seeking cooler and quicker ways to cook without baking. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to make a good meal without standing in the sun or firing up your full-sized range and heating up...Read More

Cash for appliances: California trying to give away $20 million

7/29/2010 4:15 PM

As expected, the California Energy Commission voted to kickstart its stalled cash for appliance program by adding four more product categories. The state still has two-thirds of the original $32 million remaining. Rebates for energy-efficient dishwashers ($100), freezers ($50), water heaters ($100 to $750, depending on type) and heating, ventilatin...Read More

Kermit was wrong—it is easy being green

7/29/2010 2:54 PM

Grass-fed beef, palm-leave plates and compostable forks may be a greener alternative to the fatty burgers and plastic plates you grew up with. But the Wall Street Journal’s “In Search of the Green Cookout” points out that such eco-friendly alfresco dining can easily pull twice as much green from your wallet. That's not the case with every product. ...Read More

This New House promises brave new look at nation's homes

7/29/2010 1:39 PM

If you’re into energy efficiency and “smart” building design, you might want to check out the premier of This New House, tonight at 8 p.m. on the DIY Network. Co-hosted by This Old House’s Kevin O’Connor and DIY Network alum Amy Matthews, the series looks at the latest energy-saving building materials, techniques, and gadgetry. “This Old House forg...Read More

Buzzword: Micro-lot beans

7/28/2010 3:34 PM

What it means: A small quantity of highly selected green coffee beans. Micro-lot beans are usually the very best quality the farmer or cooperative can produce. Why the caffeine buzz? When your bag of beans is labeled with the latitude, longitude, and elevation of the area where it was grown, it’s time to wake up (and smell the coffee). A traditiona...Read More

Appliance shipments surge behind summer heat

7/28/2010 3:07 PM

Year-over-year shipments of appliances rose nearly 10 percent in June, according to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM). The home-comfort category saw the biggest increase, with shipments of dehumidifiers up 66 percent and room air conditioners up 44 percent. We have reviews of both air conditioners and dehumidifiers including bu...Read More

A new home for HomeStar

7/28/2010 2:37 PM

The $5 billion “cash for caulkers” program, which would give rebates to homeowners who make their residences more energy efficient, was initially going to be part of the small business legislation that’s before the Senate this week. When that deal came undone, we heard whispers in Washington that HomeStar might not make it at all. But yesterday, th...Read More