Free storage for fire victims, higher heating costs and ugly houses

December 1, 2008 | 3:41 pm

In a variation of the good, the bad and the ugly, here are some signs of the times that accumulated in my inbox last week:

--L.A.-based NorthStar Moving Corp. is offering fire victims free storage for three months at its 107,000-square-foot storage facility. Residents of fire-affected areas can contact NorthStar at (800) ASK-PROS.

--Although energy cost projections have come down, the Alliance to Save Energy says consumers can expect to pay more to heat their homes this year than last. Natural gas will be up 4% from last year, and electric heat users can expect to pay 10% more than last winter. But not everyone will pay more. Heating oil will be down 13% and propane down 8% from last winter, according to the Washington, D.C.-based Alliance, which offers energy saving tips at its website.

--HomeVestors of America, the Dallas-based franchiser with the slogan "We Buy Ugly Houses," says it's expanding to California. Franchises cost $49,500, and operators must open an office and be a full-time real estate investor. "Associate" franchises cost $12,000, and operators can work from home part-time.

Looks like the firm sees gold in these hills. They follow the old "buy low, rehab and hope to sell high(er)" approach. That last part may prove pretty tricky.

--Lauren Beale

Thoughts? Comments?

Photo: Keep the filter clean and inspect the furnace interior once a year. Credit: Gary Abrams

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Free storage for fire victims, higher heating costs and ugly houses