Deep fried turkey has become a very popular main dish for Thanksgiving dinner. Deep-frying has even been hailed by some celebrity chefs as one of the best ways to prepare a turkey.

There are two primary reasons to deep fry a turkey. The first is that deep-frying creates a crisp skin on the outside, but the inside stays moist. This is a feat that many cooks find it difficult to accomplish in the over. Deep-frying your turkey is also faster than roasting. A large turkey that would take three or four hours to roast in the oven can be deep fried in about 45 minutes.

But, before you decide that a deep fried turkey is going to be your Thanksgiving main course, there are some things you should know. Deep-frying a turkey is dangerous, and it’s important to take precautions before you start the process. Every single Thanksgiving in the US, someone manages to burn their house down with a deep fried turkey gone terribly wrong.

1. You need a turkey fryer. Nothing you currently have will do the job.
2. Fry the turkey outside; not in the house or garage. If you have a fire, it will be much easier to contain outside.
3. Don’t overfill the fryer with oil. You don’t want the hot oil to spill out when you add the turkey.
4. Be sure the turkey is dry to the touch when you submerge it into the hot oil. A wet turkey will cause the hot oil to splatter.
5. Fry your turkey at no higher than 350°F. At 375°F, the oil can ignite.
6. Be sure to have items nearby to contain a grease fire quickly, should one ignite. A fire extinguisher or large container of baking soda is a good idea.

When you’re building a new home, you’re likely looking to save money in every way possible. But, don’t make the mistake of trying to save money by foregoing the house wrap on your home. What saves you a little now may cost you a bundle in the future.

House wrap is a perfect way to prevent moisture intrusion in your home. When moisture gets trapped within studs or cavity walls, mold and rot can set in. This moisture will also cause your insulation to lose its R-value, meaning that you’re no longer getting proper benefit from the installation you’ve installed.

Mold and rot are two of the most costly and dangerous problems you can have in your home. The cost of using house wrap is far less expensive than the cost to repair rotted boards or mitigate mold. And, because the mold and rot that you may suffer because of failure to use house wrap will happen in unseen spots in your home, so you may not know that they exist until lots of damage is done.

So, talk to your builder about house wrap. He may be able to help you find other ways for you to lower your building costs, and he may be able to help you find a great deal on the wrap itself. But, regardless, this is not an area where you want to pinch pennies.

The single most important choice you make when building a new home is choosing the right builder. After all, it is this builder who has your brand new home under his control and he can make your new home a dream or a nightmare. Here are three tips for choosing the right builder.

1. Take a look at other homes he has built – Be sure to visit other homes he has built, making sure both to look at the work and to talk to the homeowners to see how happy they are with the end result as well as how happy they were with the process of building. You can learn a lot from homeowners who have already been through the process with the building.

2. Pay attention to how he conducts business- When you have an appointment with him, does he show up on time? Does he deliver estimates when promised? Does he call you to inform you of delays? When you meet with him, is he prepared for the meeting? Is he willing to provide detailed estimates and designs? If you have to keep calling a potential builder or you have to keep asking for things you need, move on. If a builder acts this way before you’ve signed a contract, it’s sure to get worse afterward.

3. Read the fine print – Your builder should provide detailed quotes, including materials and a schedule for your project. If a builder hesitates to provide this information or won’t commit to a begin or end date for the project, he’s probably someone you want to avoid. Read your potential builder’s contract thoroughly so that you understand exactly what he is – and is not- promising.

We’re all aware that these are tough times for home sellers. The market is saturated with homes for sale, many of them at rock bottom prices. Traditional home sellers are competing with foreclosures and bank owned properties, so they may not be able to put a lot of money into getting their home ready for sale, if they want to be able to set a competitive price.

Many home stagers focus on outdoor touches in the spring, which is traditionally the most popular time to sell a home. But, don’t forget that fall is a great time for outdoor touches, too. Staging your home beautifully from the outside is a great way to make your home memorable in the minds of buyers. And, there are plenty of ways to make your home look fall fabulous without spending a lot of cash.

Start by making sure everything is clean. Pressure wash the house and driveway. Ensure that windows are sparkling. If your front door looks weathered or worn, give it a new coat of paint or stain. And, be certain that it doesn’t squeak or stick when opened.

Be certain to pull out any spent summer annuals right now. Those petunias are usually looking pretty ragged by September, so it’s a good time to replace them with fall flowers like mums or pansies.

Create a beautiful fall scene on your front porch with pumpkins, hay bales and potted mums. If you choose items that are more geared toward autumn, themes rather than Halloween themes, you’ll be able to leave them in place through Thanksgiving.

These few simple steps can make your house look gorgeous for fall without costing a fortune. It’s a simple way to ensure that your house is one potential buyers will remember.