RISMedia is goin’ Hollywood in this month’s Reader Rewards contest! Each year, the Academy Awards recognizes the who’s who in showbiz, and this year’s nominees are no exception. With the star-studded event just around the corner, we want to know: Which Oscar nominee would you want to help buy or sell a home? All participants will be entered into a drawing...

Posted on Feb 9 2015 - 4:29am by Suzanne De Vita
Comments Off on Don’t Suffer Homebuying Heartbreak This Valentine’s Day

Just when you thought you’d gotten out of those awkward conversations with relatives over the holidays, Valentine’s Day rolls around. And like finding your perfect match, searching for the perfect home can stir up a mix of emotions. According to a recent survey, home buyers visit an average of 10 homes before purchasing “the one.” Sounds a lot like dating,...

When you own a home, it seems like there is almost always something you would like to do to make it more comfortable, attractive, or eco-friendly. But, home remodeling experts tell us, if you plan to sell your home at some point, put your time and effort into one of more of these renovations proven to pay you back because they increase the value of the property: ...

Contributed by James White, homeyimprovements.com                     Here’s a startling statistic: a burglary occurs every 15 seconds. Though not all of us have the time or ingenuity to pull off a Home Alone and set elaborate traps and hook up ziplines to our tree houses, here are seven ways to burglar proof your...

This blog was contributed by Vicki Clary, marketing director of Curtis Homes. It’s a new year and that means new opportunities,  particularly in the realm of home design trends. What will be the hot choices in 2015? What can we expect to see popping up in design magazines and blogs over the next 12 months? While only time will tell, here’s a look at some of the...

Furnaces are often uncomplicated and relatively easy to keep up. The purpose of systematic maintenance is effective operation. Whatever kind of furnace is heating the house, there are several steps to take to preserve its prime operating condition.

Three Components of Heating System
When a heating system does not work correctly, one of the three...

Posted on Jan 28 2015 - 4:22pm by Suzanne De Vita
Comments Off on The New Age of Home Character

Let's face it: 'character' isn't usually the first word that comes to mind when shopping for new construction. Born out of the pre-recession economy, homes in the cookie cutter neighborhood often lack what's traditionally defined as character - a storied history, perhaps, or distinctive interior features. As builders steered their efforts toward mass production,...

Many years ago when I started my career in real estate, I was taught to work my "sphere of influence" to guarantee success. That advice nearly cost me my business, as it never produced the results that I needed. I decided to focus my lead generation efforts online and within a few months I was doing better than ever. If the traditional method of using your "sphere...

Bathroom remodeling is an extensive process involving many parts. If you miss a piece, there’s a good chance your project is going to head south, requiring you to spend more money than you’d intended on parts and repairs. It’s important to consult with a bathroom remodeling contractor before you begin your project to make sure you’re covering all the bases...

Even though it’s the middle of the winter season, before you know it, spring will be here. Historically in most real estate markets, the spring is when it really begins to heat up. The spring real estate market generally yields the highest prices for those selling their home. This is only possible though if the proper preparations are taken before spring is upon...