6 Sneaky Ways to Make Your Home Look Expensive
If you want to convert your home’s look from average to exceptional, this Realtor.com post by Jamie Weibe tells you how. Remove mismatched decor items, store toys/magazines and organize your things to fix a cluttered appearance. Clean and re-grout tile to make it look new. Use traditional, neutral tones to freshen paint in areas […]
Create a beautiful bathroom for the ages
As people age, reduced mobility, impaired balance, failing vision and muscle weakness make them more susceptible to injuries in their home, and bathrooms are no exception. This Consumer Reports article tells how the latest design trends are helping owners upgrade their bathrooms with changes that enhance safety while retaining their beauty and avoiding an […]
Why Cleaning Window Screens Should Be Part of Your Winter Strategy
Should removing and cleaning the window screens be part of your winter maintenance routine? According to this houzz.com post, there are several benefits to be gained. Simply put, dirty mesh blocks light, heat and the view. For example, you get 30 to 40 percent more light coming in without screens on the windows. More sunshine […]
9 Bad Habits That Are Killing Your Appliances
This slide show from Bob Villa is an excellent visual representation of how NOT to treat your appliances. For example, an overloaded washing machine stresses the bearings and misaligns the drum. Overfilling the freezer can block air vents, restrict the flow of cold air and overtax the condenser. Clean spills right after using the […]
Your Complete Guide to Pest-Proofing This Fall
To prevent an onslaught of pests from occupying your house as the weather cools, simply follow the National Pest Management Association guidance presented in this post from Bob Villa. Seal cracks in the exterior envelope, especially where utility pipes enter, with silicone caulking. Fill larger gaps inside your home with steel wool. Pests avoid […]
Seven Monthly Bills Most People Have, and Seven Ways to Reduce Each Bill
In this article for The Simple Dollar, Trent Hamm targets energy, water, car, mortgage/rent, internet, insurance and cell phone/telephone payments and gives specifics on how to lower each monthly bill. Insurance costs drop if you increase your deductible. Reduce phone costs by using Skype, lowering usage and ditching the landline. Save on energy bills […]
Home Improvements – Do It Yourself Or Hire A Professional?
Completing a DIY project can be tremendously fulfilling and financially rewarding. But, bite off more than you can chew, and you might be looking at some major expenses to fix the damage or, even worse, a catastrophic incident. Before grabbing your toolbox, accomplish a quick risk-reward analysis. Then, determine if you have the skills and […]
Holiday Entertaining Made Easy
Is the whole family coming to your home for the holidays? Or perhaps you’d like to share some festive cheer with your neighbors? Whatever the reason, ’tis the season, so now’s the time to start planning. Stock Your Pantry — Get ready for hosting with a well-stocked pantry and freezer. Must-haves include quick, no-cook appetizers; basic baking […]
How Google Sunroof is Changing Homeowners' Costs
How Google Sunroof Works Employing the high-resolution aerial mapping used by Google Earth, Project Sunroof calculates the amount of sunlight reaching your roof to assess its potential for solar power. It takes a variety of factors into account including local weather conditions, shade from nearby trees and buildings and sun positions throughout the year. The […]
The Inside Scoop on the Best Season to Sell Your Home
Think you need to wait until Spring to sell your home? You may want to think again if you’re ready to sell now. In this HGTV.com post, Gavin Chen challenges conventional wisdom that the best time to sell is spring and the best time to buy is fall. Statistically, spring has the most competing […]