help with home repairs

[chughes1982]

i am a single mother with three small children i recently moved back into my parents house after my father past away in may of this year my mother past away in may of 07 and the house is in desperate need of repair could someone please send me a email about assistance on getting the house fix chughes1982@yahoo.com thank you

[TNShannon]

There are a few options, but where you are in the world makes a big difference. Some states have programs that award grants to fix up homes, but others don't have anything like that. Habitat for Humanity has a program that helps out, I believe, and I don't think it matters where you live. You could always give them a call.

Local churches usually have missionaries who feel it is their duty to help in cases like this...a friend of mine in Kentucky got help from a local church who spent their entire spring break week on fixing up their house. They did a GREAT job and all they asked was that my friend visit their church from time to time.

If you can afford to pay a little, try craigslist. I've found several good handymen on craigslist who did fantastic work. If it's a matter of needing supplies and tools, sometimes Lowe's and Home Depot will offer a deep discount for what you need -- and in some cases, the stores will go even further to help you out.

Remember those Home Depot commercials where the delivery truck is going one way, but there is a tornado down the other road, and the truck suddenly flips the blinker and goes toward the tornado instead? The cool thing about stores like Lowe's and Home Depot is that it's TRUE -- but they don't advertise it that much. Talk to the manager about what you need and see what happens. It can't hurt to ask, right?

I hope some of this helps? Tell us how it goes!