Contributed by Rick Ryan Editor's Note: This post was originally published on August 4, 2015. Housecall continues to share this piece due to ongoing requests and reader interest. Landscaping is one of the most important ways to increase your property’s value quickly. In fact, a gorgeous landscape design can increase the value of your home by at least 5...
Contributed by James White, homeyimprovements.com Pallets and crates have long been used for packing and shipping, but lately they’ve become the face of a new generation of DIY. They can be repurposed in a number of different, surprising ways that not only are useful, but also quite stylish. Explore these crate and pallet uses for your home. Coffee Table Use a wooden...
Contributed by Kristin Belt If you’re like a lot of homeowners today, you might be tempted to chalk decorating choices up to personal preference and think they have little to do with home value — but this is a mistake. Whether or not you’re planning to sell your home soon, here’s what you need to know: the right decorating choices not only make your home...
Contributed by Shahar Giladi All you have to do is count the number of driveways with a hybrid vehicle, and you can see at a glance that Americans are embracing the eco-friendly lifestyle. However, a Prius in front of the house is just the beginning. More and more homeowners are opting for sustainable features in the home as well. Eco-friendly amenities often add...
Looking to upgrade your patio this summer? Consider the following DIY upgrades and come June, you'll be sipping mimosas on your newly pimped out patio. Pizza oven. Make a summer tradition with Friday night pizzas, courtesy of your new outdoor pizza oven. You can purchase one ready to go, or for you weekend warriors, go the DIY route. Fresh lighting. Nothing...
Contributed by Patricia Bonacorda It’s easy to ignore your plumbing when taking care of other household responsibilities. Here are some easy tips to help make sure your plumbing continues to work reliably throughout the coming months: Water Heaters This will be a good opportunity to make sure your water heater is working properly so that you don’t run the risk...
Summer is hot, and if your home isn’t prepared for the warmer weather, your utility bills can increase significantly. Rather than spending a fortune over the next few months, why not take steps to prepare your home and make it more efficient? Here are some steps to help:
#1 Find and fix air leak
To prevent your air conditioning bill from skyrocketing this...
Spring has nearly sprung, and the change of season means one thing for homeowners: maintenance. This year, introduce eco-friendliness to your spring maintenance routine. Many of the green fixes below require just one or two more steps in projects likely already on the docket. 1. Aerated Interior There’s no better sign that spring has arrived than opening your...
In today’s real estate market, curb appeal is about more than neighborhood drive-bys and official home showings. That’s because, if there’s one thing you can bet about today’s potential homebuyer, it’s that he or she is searching online. Thanks to a bevvy of easy-access real estate websites, it’s simpler than ever for anyone with a computer and an Internet...
When you own a home, it seems like there is almost always something you would like to do to make it more comfortable, attractive, or eco-friendly. But, home remodeling experts tell us, if you plan to sell your home at some point, put your time and effort into one of more of these renovations proven to pay you back because they increase the value of the property: ...
