Making a few small changes, especially outdoors, can do much more than make your home a better backdrop for family portraits. In fact, when done correctly, an outdoor renovation project can deliver a feature you love and increase the value of your home. This infographic from Williams Ski & Patio shows which outdoor renovations will yield the highest return on...
Based on data from the OECD Better Life Index, homeownership in the U.S. can lead to higher levels of subjective well-being. Translation: homeownership is linked to happiness. The Better Life Index gauges worldwide development, zeroing in on quality of life indicators that affect global progress – housing, jobs, civic engagement, health and safety, to name a few....
If you’re like me, thoughts of putting your home on the market and moving up, down or out of dodge all together periodically float through your mind. These days, there’s extra incentive given the inventory shortage in most regions of the country—some areas are even experiencing bidding wars. “After back-to-back years of a robust housing recovery, we are continuing...
When it comes to the World Wide Web, there’s one rule of thumb you can’t afford to ignore: Just because it’s on the Internet, doesn’t mean it’s true. Take your next door neighbors who were duped into renting a cute little two-bedroom apartment, with all the bells and whistles, who learned that the home didn’t even exist—once the moving van was packed...
Retirement goals have shifted for many since the recession, with one major asset hanging in the balance – housing. Though a burgeoning segment of boomers plan to “age in place” in their current homes, more than half will look to downsize, either by purchasing a smaller home or purchasing a home of equal size with reduced expenses, according to the Demand Institute’s...
Whether you’ve got a litter of kids or baby’s on the way, childproofing your home is a preventative measure no family should go without. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends a number of safeguards to make your home an environment free from hazards. Here are five of those steps to maximize safety at home. Window Guards – Open or unlocked windows...
This post was contributed by Terri Engels A large emphasis on upping the value and desirability for a rental property falls under the category of home improvement. The home improvements that pay off include new bathrooms, kitchens, elaborate sound systems, wine cellars and other various bells and whistles. There is no denying that these types of upgrades will certainly...
It’s no secret that color is crucial when marketing a product. In fact, consumers come to a subconscious conclusion about a product within 90 seconds of viewing, and much of that judgment (62-90 percent) is based solely on color, according to the Institute for Color Research. Retailers apply these findings every day (think red sale signs) to encourage consumers...
Unless you hire a crew for upkeep, your responsibilities as a homeowner likely include some form of landscape maintenance. Did you know that a large portion of household water usage goes directly to maintaining a landscape? Enter the xeriscape. Xeriscapes require just a fraction of the water you’d generally use to keep your landscape lush. A University of Georgia...
Grab your gold, put on your green, hope for luck and head to one of these ZIP codes to find a pub. In the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day, RealtyTrac® partnered with enterprise data and analytics company Acxiom® to uncover ZIP codes throughout the United States where a pub is just a leap away. If you are heading out to a pub this St. Paddy’s day, RealtyTrac...
