Steve Boriss

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Let’s play a word association game. I say “landlord,” and you say… “passive income”? Or do you say “3 AM phone call about a leaking toilet”? If you leaned toward the latter, you’re not alone. Many rental property owners view maintenance as a necessary evil—a black hole where profit goes to die. But what if … Read more

Let’s be honest: home maintenance isn’t exactly a thrill ride. It ranks somewhere between organizing your sock drawer and watching paint dry on the excitement meter. But what if I told you that a simple, unassuming tool could save you thousands of dollars, prevent countless headaches, and make you feel like a domestic superhero? No, … Read more

There’s a certain siren song to a DIY project. It starts with an innocent YouTube video—a five-minute tutorial set to upbeat music where a perfectly clean person effortlessly transforms their space. Three hours later, you’re in the hardware store, holding two different kinds of wall anchors and questioning every life decision that led you to … Read more

Congratulations, homeowner! You’ve survived the mortgage paperwork, the nerve-wracking negotiation, and the sheer chaos of packing. You’ve crossed the threshold, dropped that heavy box labeled “Misc. Crap” on the floor, and are now standing in your beautiful, empty new home. The silence is deafening, and the possibilities are endless. But before you start dreaming about … Read more

We all know what carpenters do. And plumbers. And electricians. But what’s with this guy known as a “handyman”? If he’s supposed to be someone who works with his hands, it’s not like these other folks work with their feet. So your humble correspondent went to the Internet to find out where this strange word … Read more

Selling your home? Before you start dreaming about that gourmet kitchen remodel or spa bathroom addition, here’s a reality check: buyers aren’t looking for perfection—they’re looking for potential. And nothing kills potential faster than a long list of tiny defects that whisper, “This house needs work.”  The good news? You don’t need a six-figure renovation … Read more

As someone who spends – I dunno – maybe half my waking hours with my head poking into places like broken toilets, your humble correspondent doesn’t think very often about the meaning of life. But recently, there I was floating through the “It’s a Small World” ride in Disneyland with our granddaughter, and suddenly it all … Read more

Let’s be honest—most of us want to be eco-warriors, but between work, life, and remembering to take out the recycling, “saving the planet” often falls somewhere below “organize the junk drawer” on our to-do lists. But what if going green was as simple as fixing a few annoying things around your house?  Turns out, those … Read more

Winter in St. Louis doesn’t just bring cozy nights by the fireplace—it also delivers icy drafts, skyrocketing heating bills, and the occasional existential crisis when your pipes start making suspicious noises. The good news? You don’t need a full-home renovation to keep Old Man Winter at bay. A few small, strategic repairs can make all … Read more