Actor Max Baer Jr., who played Jethro on "The Beverly Hillbillies" was born on this day in 1937. Local property values dipped when he and the Clampett clan moved to Beverly Hills. This was due to a series of home un-improvements, like a shed out front for Jed's tractor, a 55-gallon kettle for Granny's fixins, a corral for Elly May's goat and critters swimming in the cement pond. Jed soon met building inspectors and trouble, and, besides neighbors, was fighting City Hall. Before starting any project it pays to know if it requires city approval. In some towns even small changes need an OK, and the bigger the job the more likely it will. If you hire a contractor who says he's "licensed," be sure it's for the type of work he's doing -- (a licensed plumber shouldn't be doing electrical). Before committing to any work, get everything in writing -- including a finish date and penalty fee if it goes over. Otherwise, as Jed Clampett did, you'll be feuding and fussing and fighting and shooting up the place. And that's the On The House tip for today.