Lowe’s Black Friday 2026: The Tools I’d Buy If I Were Starting Over
The five tools I would buy first if I were building my toolbox from zero, all on sale for Lowe’s Black Friday 2026, plus bathroom deals and gifts for the DIYer under $50.
DIY vs Contractor: What 29 Projects Were Worth When We Sold Our House
We spent about $23,000 renovating our house ourselves. A contractor would have charged about $100,000. Here is what that difference meant when we sold, with every number.
The Paperwork Checks That Decide Whether an Akiya Is Buyable
Some akiya cannot legally be rebuilt, some are not registered, and some are in a zone where you can never run a business. None of that shows up when you walk the house.
What You Can and Cannot Legally DIY in Japan (A Renovator’s Guide)
You can do most of a Japanese house renovation yourself. Electrical, water, and gas are licensed work, and the permit rules changed in April 2025. Here is the honest line between what is yours and what is not.
How to Make a No-Sew Fleece Blanket (3 Easy Ways)
Three ways to tie a no-sew fleece blanket, plus exactly how much fleece to buy for five sizes, from a lovey to a twin.
The Fees Nobody Mentions When You Buy an Akiya in Japan
On a ¥1,000,000 akiya, the fees can run to 54% of the purchase price. Here is every cost nobody mentions, what it runs, and when it lands on your doormat.
How to Build a DIY Halloween Graveyard Fence from PVC Pipe
Build a DIY Halloween graveyard fence from PVC pipe and 1×2 boards. Six 8 foot panels, exact picket heights and spacing, and a zero waste cut plan.
Can Foreigners Buy Property in Japan? (Yes, and No, It Does Not Get You a Visa)
Yes, foreigners can buy property in Japan with no restrictions at all. Owning it, though, gives you zero right to live there. Here is what is actually true.
22 Questions to Ask a Realtor Before You List Your House
The 22 questions my realtor brother asked 15 agents before we sold our house, grouped by pricing, track record, marketing, and the contract.
What to Fix Before Selling a House: My Realtor’s 7 Rules
My realtor walked our house before we listed and gave us seven things to fix. The full list, what he told me not to touch, and the order to do it in.