5 Home Improvements With High ROI
Whether your looking to sell soon or within the next year, spending time and money to upgrade]your home prior to it hitting the market can increase the asking price, but not all home renovations are worth the investment. Read on to find out where you can get the most...
What Happens To A Mortgage After Death?
While death is a little bit of a taboo topic, you are not the only one wondering, "What happens to my mortgage when I die?" Unfortunately, the mortgage payments don't just disappear. Truth is, this is something you need to think about in the unfortunate case that your...
How Long Do Appliances And Home Systems Last?
If you get 10 years out of a standard home appliance, you have come out ahead. As for your home systems, you can safely expect them to last about two decades. On average, here's how long you can expect most of your major appliances and home systems to last — and when...
9 Tips To Create Your Home’s Color Scheme
Having a comprehensive set of color schemes that flow throughout your house lets you bring your favorite rooms to life while creating an interesting place to live. With help from these nine tips inspired by interior designers, you can start creating your home's color...
7 DIY Fall Makeover Tips
There's something invigorating about fall and the change of seasons; it makes sense that homeowners want to bring that freshness indoors after a long, hot summer. But that doesn't mean you have to cover your dinning room table with pine cones! Here are seven more...
What Marks Millennials Buyers?
Millennial professionals have a reputation for renting in the city rather than buying their own homes. This might be the case for many millennials, but certainly not all. Half the current home buying market is under 36-years-old. So what do we know about these younger...
Now’s A Good Time for Buyers on A Budget
Now that we are past the most competitive season of home buying, home prices are beginning to drop. It's a good time for younger buyers and buyers on a budget to start their home search in earnest. Here are the numbers you need to know. The National Association of...
Get Your Home Ready for Fall
Summer is officially over, and that means that winter weather is on its way. It is important to double-check your home's structural and safety features before the first big winter storm. Here's a checklist to help you get started. Clean the Gutters. It's no one's...
5 Surprising Benefits of Buying Your Home in Autumn
As fall starts, you will probably see fewer for-sale signs around your neighborhood. If you think the change in season and the drop-off in signs are proof you missed your chance to buy this year, think again. There are a number of surprising, powerful reasons why fall...
The Green Upgrades Buyers are Looking For
The integration of "green" features is boosting property values across the country. In fact, a recent study done in California found that homes with eco-friendly features sell as much as 30% more than those without. Even if you're not considering selling quite yet,...
Ginger-Molasses Cookies
A sweet and gingery cookie is the perfect accompaniment to a fall dinner, a cup of coffee on a cool morning, or a fresh apple as an afternoon snack. Yield: about 2 1/2 dozen Ingredients 3/4 cup butter, softened 3/4 cup sugar 1 large egg 1/4 cup molasses 2 1/4 cups...
Black Bean and Pumpkin Chili
Delicious, healthy, and easy to make, this slow cooker chili recipe is great for days when you don't want to cook, but still want a rich, rewarding dinner. And don't be afraid to change up the veggies--this versatile dish will adapt to what you have in the fridge!...
How Do Changes in Interest Rates Affect You?
Since most houses are purchased with borrowed money, changes in interest rates do affect the housing market, most commonly through changes in mortgage rates. What is the Interest Rate? Interest rates are the rates at which money can be borrowed for a set period of...
Give Your Roof A Check-Up
The worst way to find out if your roof has a leak is to start to see the damage: water stains, cracks, even mold. When it comes to roofing, prevention is always better than a cure. If you have not checked up on your roof in a few years, autumn is your opportunity. You...
How To Attract Buyers
The most important part of selling your property is marketing it; you need to gather a lot of potential buyers interested in your property to find the best-suited candidate. Marketing nowadays requires multifaceted techniques. For selling a house three of the most...
10 Overlooked Storage Spaces
Ready for more storage space in your current home? Take a look at these ten under-used areas. Behind Doors. You might think there's not a lot of room back there, but consider adding shelving or coat hooks and handing flat items. This is especially useful in cleaning...
When Should I Buy A Home?
Buying a home is a huge dream for many young professionals, but many worry if the time is right. Renting is more flexible—and can even seem more affordable, though that is often a misconception. Some young people feel it is best to invest in a home only after...
How to Rent Out a Property
To successfully rent out your property, you first need to determine the rent amount. This will depend upon the market conditions and the area within which the property is located. Then you will have to determine the right way to find the best tenants for your rental...
Avoid These Common Pitfalls of First-Time Selling
Selling your home for the first time can be surprisingly time-consuming and emotionally challenging. People often make seemingly small mistakes that end up costing them a lot of aggravation and a lot of money. But with a little know-how, you can avoid many of these...
Watermelon Gazpacho
A summer twist on a classic cold soup. Perfect for warm late-summer evenings. Ingredients: 1 large tomato, pureed 1/2 serrano chile 2 cups cubed fresh watermelon 1 teaspoon red vinegar 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons minced red onion 1/2 cucumber, seeded...
Refreshing Apple Cider Vinegar Drink
Apple cider vinegar isn't usually a flavor you expect--or even want--in a refreshing summer drink. But this mix of citrus, berry, and dash of vinegar might change your mind. Ingredients: A handful of raspberries or blackberries 1-2 teaspoons of raw sugar or honey 1...
Buy First or Sell First?
All homeowners planning to move face a chicken-or-egg dilemma: Should they sell their current home first and then buy another, or buy a new home first and then sell? The answer depends on many factors, including the local market conditions both where you are selling...
7 DIY Eco-Friendly House Cleaning Products
Though many people prefer using chemical cleaners on particularly difficult messes, all-natural substitutions work just as well for daily problems. These eco-friendly cleaners are also much cheaper in the long term and better for children and pets. Here are 7 you can...
Everything You Need to Know about Adding Solar Panels to Your Home
Installing solar panels on your home saves you time and reduces your carbon footprint. But many homeowners are wary of getting started, perhaps confused by the technospeak, the regulations, or the number of installers. Here's a basic introduction to get you past that...
10 Tips for Your Bathroom Renovation
Is it time to give your bathroom a face-lift? Whether you decide to invest in a major remodeling or are just planning to make some aesthetic changes, here are ten important tips to get the updates just right. If You Are Remodeling. Add more than one way to dry out...
Leave It or Fix It?
When it is time to turn your former house over to its new owners, you might wonder just how responsible you are for its final state. How much information do you need to leave them? What about the holes in the walls from your picture frames? A good rule of thumb is to...
4 Neighborhood Signs that the Market is Good for Sellers
If you’re thinking of selling your home, but you’re not sure about neighborhood market conditions there are some quick and easy ways to learn more. These four signs are all solid indicators that your local housing market is good for sellers, and they are great...
5 Ways to Add Elegance to a Small Room
You know the room--it's smaller, and, despite some lovely features, feels more cramped and less well-organized than the rest of your house. Despite its smaller size, though, this room doesn't have to be a cluttered embarrassment. Here are five easy tips for making as...
6 Ways to Save On Your Next Move
Moving can quickly spiral into a very expensive experience, but it doesn't have to break the bank, even if you aren't interested in doing everything yourself. Here are six tips for homeowners looking to save a little money during their next move. Cut Down On Your...
8 Things You Should Leave For The New Owners
You've sold your home; congratulations! But as you're packing up your stuff or reflecting on when you moved in, you'll probably think of things you wish that you had known about the property when you moved in. Those are the things you should leave for the new owners....