When furnishing a home, nothing is meant to last forever. While the quality of your sofa or mattress may make it a more enjoyable investment, over time it's bound to wear down from normal use. To help plan for those replacements, use this lifespan of common household appliances as a guide. Created by Choice Home Warranty, it includes small kitchen appliances like...
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, more than 2,385 Americans died from residential fires in 2012. In addition, over 20,000 people are poisoned by carbon monoxide each year and an unknown number of Americans become ill from toxic molds, often without a diagnosis. Fortunately many of these types of disasters are preventable if homeowners take simple precautions....
Making a few small changes, especially outdoors, can do much more than make your home a better backdrop for family portraits. In fact, when done correctly, an outdoor renovation project can deliver a feature you love and increase the value of your home. This infographic from Williams Ski & Patio shows which outdoor renovations will yield the highest return on...
Based on data from the OECD Better Life Index, homeownership in the U.S. can lead to higher levels of subjective well-being. Translation: homeownership is linked to happiness. The Better Life Index gauges worldwide development, zeroing in on quality of life indicators that affect global progress – housing, jobs, civic engagement, health and safety, to name a few....
If you’re like me, thoughts of putting your home on the market and moving up, down or out of dodge all together periodically float through your mind. These days, there’s extra incentive given the inventory shortage in most regions of the country—some areas are even experiencing bidding wars. “After back-to-back years of a robust housing recovery, we are continuing...
When it comes to the World Wide Web, there’s one rule of thumb you can’t afford to ignore: Just because it’s on the Internet, doesn’t mean it’s true. Take your next door neighbors who were duped into renting a cute little two-bedroom apartment, with all the bells and whistles, who learned that the home didn’t even exist—once the moving van was packed...
Retirement goals have shifted for many since the recession, with one major asset hanging in the balance – housing. Though a burgeoning segment of boomers plan to “age in place” in their current homes, more than half will look to downsize, either by purchasing a smaller home or purchasing a home of equal size with reduced expenses, according to the Demand Institute’s...
Whether you’ve got a litter of kids or baby’s on the way, childproofing your home is a preventative measure no family should go without. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends a number of safeguards to make your home an environment free from hazards. Here are five of those steps to maximize safety at home. Window Guards – Open or unlocked windows...
This post was contributed by Terri Engels A large emphasis on upping the value and desirability for a rental property falls under the category of home improvement. The home improvements that pay off include new bathrooms, kitchens, elaborate sound systems, wine cellars and other various bells and whistles. There is no denying that these types of upgrades will certainly...
It’s no secret that color is crucial when marketing a product. In fact, consumers come to a subconscious conclusion about a product within 90 seconds of viewing, and much of that judgment (62-90 percent) is based solely on color, according to the Institute for Color Research. Retailers apply these findings every day (think red sale signs) to encourage consumers...
