Do I Need a Building Permit for a Safe Room?

Paperwork might be the downfall of humanity. Before you can even break ground on a renovation project, you must go through the proper governmental channels. New projects will almost always require a building permit. Foregoing the annoying, but necessary trip to your town’s building permit office can lead to even bigger headaches. Even constructing a…

Why is Israel Attacking Gaza?

This is a touchy topic. Everyone has an opinion on the latest Middle East conflict. “Should we support Israel? What about the innocent civilians stuck in Gaza? Shouldn’t we rescue them?” Unfortunately, there’s no easy answers here. It’s hard not to politicize the bloodshed taking place in southern Israel. We, by no means, claim to…

How To Add Value to Your Airbnb

Need a place to stay on vacation without crashing with annoying in-laws? Airbnb removes the hassle of pricey hotel stays with a home-away-from-home feeling. Getting cozy without the crowd shouldn’t come at a premium. Instead of dishing out thousands for an upscale condo or cabin, vacationers can get first-class treatment and homeowners can create passive…

Life’s no ‘Beech’ When it Comes to Tornadoes

From the mountains to the sea, there’s no reprieve in North Carolina for dangerous tornadoes. Two weeks ago, the National Weather Service confirmed that an EF1 tornado, packing windspeeds in excess of 100 miles per hour, touched down along the sky-reaching peaks of Beech Mountain. Known for its views of unparalleled serenity, as well as…

Can Tornadoes Happen in the Mountains?

Ever heard of a mountain tornado? While extremely rare, mountain tornadoes can be silent killers in the ancient hills. Towering peaks and lush evergreen forests make it nearly impossible to spot spinning cyclones lurking beyond the next ridge. Unlike their storm weary brethren of the Deep South, folks living in the Appalachian Mountains don’t rank…

What To Consider When Remodeling Your Home

Thinking about remodeling your home? Every year, millions of Americans unfurl their toolbelts and head to the closest hardware store to learn the ins and outs of home improvement. Home renovation is part of the American spirit. We are a DIY nation. Why shell out thousands of dollars to a nitpicking contractor when you can…

Mobile Home Tornado Shelters

Mobile homes are the last place you want to be during a tornado. With timing of the essence, thousands of tornado victims have little choice but to stay put in their mobile home to ride out the storm’s wrath. High sheering winds will easily toss around premanufactured homes with ease. The leftover carnage from a…

North Carolina Tornado Shelters

When it comes to climate and fluctuating weather patterns, North Carolina is a diverse state. While snowstorms rage in the mountains to the west, stifling heat and humidity can engross the Piedmont and coastal plains. North Carolina will even experience the occasional hurricane as the tropics heat up in July. There’s an old prevailing saying…