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By Kris Holland Next to building a patio, one of the most popular backyard projects for many homeowners is growing their own vegetable garden. As more people are making conscious decisions to eat healthier, it's come as no surprise that at-home vegetable gardens are growing in popularity. A fully-functioning garden that houses a variety of different fruits and vegetables...

Posted on Apr 4 2018 - 11:15am by Housecall
Comments Off on Getting Ready to Downsize? Factors to Consider

By Nancy Kupka, Ph.D., RN As you age, you may decide that less is more. When you downsize your home, there can be less to pay for, less to take care of and less to worry about. Although the decision sounds simple, there is a lot to consider before you put your current home on the market. Finances Depending on where you live and where you intend to live, it may not...

Posted on Mar 29 2018 - 3:15pm by Housecall
Comments Off on Relocating: What Renters Look for in a New Neighborhood

By Ashley Lipman Nowadays, we're seeing larger cities—like Los Angeles, Calif., and Washington, D.C.—take a backseat to smaller up-and-comers, such as Omaha, Neb., and Dallas, Texas. From 2011 to 2016, Dallas' GDP rose a whopping 26.6 percent, and Omaha consistently has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the U.S. But no matter which city renters are looking...

Posted on Mar 26 2018 - 11:11am by Liz Dominguez
Comments Off on Submitting Creative Bids During the Spring Market Frenzy

It's that time of year again. The spring market is in full swing and crowds of buyers are fighting over their dream house—or at least the closest thing to it, considering this year's nationwide inventory shortage isn't leaving many options. So, what does that mean? For the most part, higher prices, more competition and a whole lot of bids. Listings in good condition...

While most U.S. homebuyers are looking for Craftsman-style homes or Capes as their primary residence, when it comes to purchasing a second home or vacation property, styles radically change to match the relaxing and exotic feel of highly sought-after vacation spots. A new report by Point2Homes uses Google search data to determine where U.S. residents are looking...

Posted on Mar 14 2018 - 11:47am by Housecall
Comments Off on How to Lower Your Oil Heating Costs

By Megan Wild Even though it'll soon be spring, you should still consider how to lower your oil heating costs. A modest home of roughly 2,500 square feet burns up to five gallons of oil daily. The more you can decrease the oil you burn, the less you'll pay. Lower costs can be achieved with better management of your oil usage and your furnace and oil consumption. Here...

Posted on Mar 8 2018 - 11:43am by Liz Dominguez
Comments Off on Trulia Report: Are Colonial Homes on Their Way Out?

Home styles run the gamut from traditional Colonial to Mid-Century Modern. But which is the most popular? Craftsman homes, according to a recent Harris Poll conducted for Trulia that surveyed over 2,000 Americans over the age of 18. The winner was voted in by 43 percent of respondents, with ranch-style homes as the runner-up at 41 percent, followed by Colonials at...

Posted on Mar 7 2018 - 1:50pm by Housecall
Comments Off on Spring Maintenance Tasks for Your Rental Property

By Brentnie Daggett
In some locations across the country, March snowfalls are breaking records, so it's strange to already be talking about spring. But the "spring forward" time change and the Spring equinox remind us that the flowers will start blooming soon! This seasonal change means more than just fresh rain, new flowers and renewal. As a property owner,...

Posted on Feb 14 2018 - 4:41pm by Jameson Doris
Comments Off on Fall in Love With Your Home Again

As with new relationships, there's always going to be a honeymoon period between homebuyers and their new home. Those feelings can soon fade, however, especially if certain things aren't maintained and taken care of as they should be. It's Valentine's Day, so there's no better time to discuss how to fall back in love with your home! As with all good things, these...

Posted on Feb 9 2018 - 4:22pm by Housecall
Comments Off on 4 Steps to Take Before a Home Showing

By Hannah Whittenly Buyers want to know exactly what they're getting when purchasing a home. As it's a major investment, all potential homebuyers will want to inspect your entire property while keeping an eye out for any signs of damage. What can you do to make sure your home is ready for public scrutiny? Here's what you need to know: Thoroughly Clean the Home Before...