By Monique Serbu More and more millennials are buying homes, representing around 45 percent of all purchase loans, and most first-time millennial home buyers are on a limited budget. While you may not be able to find the perfect home that checks every box on your “dream home” list, you can find a great starter house you can improve on or add to over time. As you...
By Ryan Tyson The wind is howling outside, and you're curled up under four blankets. "It’s freezing in here!" you mutter as you push the up button on the thermostat yet again. At times like this, you know your HVAC system isn’t working right, but you have no idea why. Here’s a little insight into what might be going on, and when it’s time to call an HVAC...
By Rachel Abraham Before you move into your new house, you may want to make upgrades. These add value to your investment, improve your home's function and allow you to express your personality. Plus, making upgrades before you move in reduces inconvenience later. Consider the following upgrades to make your new house feel like home. 1. Enhance the Kitchen Quality...
By Amalie Drury There’s something magical about watching a movie outdoors—the fresh air, the novelty of a big screen under the stars, the excitement of a group of people all laughing along to their favorite lines. And you don’t have to wait for your local park district to host a screening, either, when you create your own outdoor movie theater right in your...
By Max DesMarais If you have an aging, oil-fired heating system and are dreading the day you’ll need to replace or service your heating system, you may want to explore converting from oil to gas; heating your home with a cleaner, more fuel-efficient system will shrink your energy bill in the process. Converting from oil to gas is an increasingly common move, especially...
By Ashley Morse Achieving the ideal indoor environment involves managing quite a few elements within the home. In addition to keeping you and your family comfortable, the right indoor air system regulates circulation and can keep allergens, various pests and irritants away from you, your family and your guests. Though many homeowners want to achieve the perfect home...
If you have kids, chances are you have LEGOs lying around the house—a lot of them. You probably have truckloads plus boatloads of LEGOs either using up precious closet space or sprawling across your floors waiting for your naked foot to accidentally step on them (ouch!). If you're looking for new ways to spark your child's imagination (and keep him or her busy!),...
Editor's Note: This post was originally published on August 16, 2017. Housecall continues to share this piece due to ongoing requests and reader interest. By Charles Muotoh If you're selling your home, chances are good you're familiar with the concept of staging your home. Real estate agents recommend your home look its best to prospective buyers, and home staging...
Bringing home a puppy is exciting because he becomes a new member of the family. But, raising one is hard work, so the whole family needs to pitch in and do their part. The new puppy needs to be fed, walked, bathed and more. You’ll need to make sure each family member knows his or her job to help out. Plus, you’ll want to follow a few more tips to keep your puppy...
Choosing the right house for you and your family can be a very daunting process. One thing to note, however, is that the type, style and square footage of your abode are all secondary to location. Location is the one property feature that homeowners can never alter. You can redecorate, upgrade, and add on to homes, but their locations will always remain fixed. As...
