Rumors are spiraling like crazy over Apple's impending iPhone 6 announcement next week. Will it have a better camera? Larger screen? Improved Siri functionality? Water-proof? Solve world hunger? (OK, maybe not that last one...) As we get closer and closer to welcoming a newer and more improved iPhone, it's always great to take a look back and see how far we've come. This...
With the market making a comeback, and more millennials leading the way in the house hunt, we are seeing a shift in personal values making an impact on the future of housing. According to the National Association of REALTORS®, first-time buyers accounted for 29 percent of purchases last year, and these first-time buyers are not honeymooners or the bleary-eyed new...
This week’s #TBT is Grandma Maxine’s wallpaper collection. Yes, my dear grandmother really collected wallpaper. And not just swatches or scraps here and there – I mean rolls and rolls of the stuff. Occasionally she’d scrapbook with it, but for the most part, it remained untouched. Until, that is, she gave them to me. I’m not a designer, nor a wallpaper installer....
In not so surprising news, the concept of homeownership consumes much of my day. I read numerous tips for this and advice for that, scan lists of do’s and don’ts, and peruse real estate blogs on a daily basis. I’ll admit, I haven’t crammed everything into my brain, but I have made mental notes of things that I think may affect me. And, I’ve locked away enough...
Looking for a new home can be a pretty exciting task. With that much money on the line, it's worthwhile to read up on the process before you set out. Unnecessary mistakes can and should be avoided while trying to get the best deal for your money. As a first-time homebuyer, proper guidance from seasoned professionals can make all the difference. Here are a few tips...
Summer is still alive and kicking, and for most regions of the country that means plenty more of hours poolside lounging. So I will revisit the often discussed subject of safety - specifically, preventing household tragedies involving children and pools. Kids Health - a project of The Nemours Foundation - provides a comprehensive punchlist to help maintain a kid-safe...
Living in an apartment community certainly has its perks (i.e., not having to fix things when they break), but one thing I truly miss is having a backyard that I can enjoy—whenever and however I want to. While a quick look out the window may be enough to send you over the edge—Does the grass need cutting? Do the weeds need pulling? Have the flowers all wilted?...
Pools are make-or-break features for homebuyers – they’re either at the top of dream home wish lists or a deterrent for buyers who shudder at the thought of another maintenance project. Even if the buyer doesn’t necessarily want a pool, there is a way to persuade them otherwise, and that’s through staging. They key is to create a space that's an extension...
Today’s post is the last in my green living series, designed to appeal to everyone on the spectrum of our planet’s well-wishers: preservationists, conservationists, and activists. This final blog aims to give activists, or eco-superheroes, ideas for ramping up their green agendas. If you’re passionate about the environment and want a complete green overhaul,...
The passing of a loved one is both devastating and trying. It presents the time to mourn and celebrate the person's life, to gather with family and friends, and to organize any assets that have been left behind. A significant factor of this involves the home, where the real estate of a deceased individual gets passed on to an heir. However, in addition to the property...
