Owning your own home is an important and some would say essential part of the American dream. However, once you've invested the time and hard work to save up enough to be able to finally afford your dream home, you might find that you are faced with a lot of difficult choices about the real estate where you could potentially spend the rest of your life. One of the...
By Anita Alvarez It’s almost time. Sigh. Summer is drawing to a close, like it or not. Before the leaves fall and the wind turns chilly, it’s a good idea to do some seasonal maintenance on your home. Here are some things to add to your fall “honey-do” list. Have your furnace inspected. It’s smart to have your heating system serviced before you actually...
Maintaining a home, especially an older one, can be expensive—in fact, experts say homeowners should be prepared to spend roughly 1 percent of their home’s value every year on maintenance. The good news is, you can save on maintenance by completing simple tasks yourself. According to the experts at Underwriters, Inc. these include: Cleaning the Gutters – To...
When you walk into what turns out to be your dream home, you’re blown away. It might be the color scheme or the vaulted ceilings or the massive fireplace that does it, but you’re going to notice something right away that really wows you. Every room after that will make you more and more excited. You might even be ready to make an offer after only seeing a few...
By Dixie Somers If you're looking to sell your home quickly and for full market value, don't neglect your yard. Good landscaping will show buyers that you pay attention to details and that your home is properly maintained overall. How does landscaping your yard add curb appeal and increase buyer interest? No One Likes Weeds or Brown Grass Neglecting to water your...
By Meghan Belnap One of the worst things about living in a tiny house or apartment is the lack of storage space. When your belongings are constantly underfoot, it can be quite annoying. In this modern world, people tend to accumulate items much faster than they get rid of them. This can quickly turn an already cluttered small living space into a nightmare. If you...
With the arrival of the Zika virus, it’s more important than ever for homeowners to remain vigilant when it comes to standing water on their properties. Zika is primarily spread through a type of mosquito that prefers to breed in and around water collected in man-made containers. Washington’s King County Public Health Department offers the following tips to reduce...
Simply put, designer, author and TV personality Nate Berkus says your home should tell the story of who you are and be a collection of what you love. But since each of us has a unique story to tell, that story unfolds in myriad ways. One person’s collection of cherished family photos is another person’s collection of 19th century French antiques; one person’s...
By Jonathan Deesing In 2015, the United States reached 27.4 gigawatts (GW) of solar power capacity. That’s enough power to serve 5.4 million homes, making 2015 the biggest solar year yet. The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) predicts that residential installation of solar power in the U.S. will break more records and double that capacity this year. Between...
By Susan Finch Interior design trends for 2016 include consigning your way to style, says House Beautiful. This is good news for anyone looking to give their home an end-of-summer makeover. Get rid of your old wares for something new, or pick up fall decor in all your favorite colors. Start the transition with a good cleaning and end with a backyard bash. Here’s...
