When it’s summertime, homeowners are usually too distracted by the lure of beaches and festivals to focus on home improvement projects. By the time the fall season arrives, there’s usually a long list of things to do. When it’s summertime, homeowners are usually too distracted by the lure of beaches and festivals to focus on home improvement projects. By the time the fall season arrives, there’s usually a long list of things that you want to do at your home. The pressure to f

Make your move less stressful by taking these steps to protect yourself and your belongings From horror stories of lost, stolen and broken items to surprise charges tacked on to an already high bill, moving is not for the faint of heart. And after recently pitching in to help my mom through a downsizing and a big move, I’ve learned a few things about working with professional movers. If you have a move coming up, read on for eight tips to help your move go smoothly. 1. Take t

From efficient plants to water-smart landscaping, your lawn can certainly do its part to improve water efficiency. Ready for a shock? The average US household guzzles down 320 gallons of water a day—that’s about nine full bath tubs’ worth of liquid! And about 30 percent of that gets dumped out straight on the lawn. Conventional water sprinklers are so inefficient that about half of all the water they use is totally wasted. No wonder we’re witnessing record-level droughts. Tho

Upgrading your home with smart devices no longer an option — it’s a must. It’s official: smart home upgrades are HOT. A 2016 survey cited in the Washington Post says that 65 percent of buyers, especially millennials, are willing to spend more on homes that are equipped with smart devices. Moreover, today’s definition of a move-in ready home has shifted. It’s not just about fresh paint and refinished hardwood floors anymore. An increasing amount of buyers don’t consider a prop

Fertilizing infuses vital nutrients and mulching adds essential natural elements back to the soil. With all of the available products and techniques available, it can be hard to know where to start when it comes to fertilizing and mulching. Fertilizing infuses vital nutrients to the lawn while mulching adds essential natural elements back to the soil. Check out the following guide to fertilizing and mulching, and learn the important techniques to cultivate an upstanding yard.

Your home’s equity can represent a source of funds you can draw from repeatedly. Learn about the advantages and considerations of a HELOC. A HELOC can make accessing funds you need on an ongoing basis quick and easy. Life has a way of throwing you curveballs that can cost money, perhaps quite a bit of it. Scrambling to come up with the cash to cover these sudden expenses can take time you may not have, and can add more anxiety to what may already be a stressful situation. A h

Staging a house can help it sell for more—and faster. Here's how to make yours look its best. Staging a house helps buyers imagine themselves living in it. If you want to sell your home faster, staging is a clever way to do it. Staging a house allows you to present it in its best light, encouraging prospective buyers to imagine themselves living there. It helps you shine in competitive markets, as homebuyers are becoming accustomed to seeing staged homes—in person, on home de

Why should you consider upgrading to this increasingly prevalent technology? Let’s explore a few reasons. Today’s smartphones go a tremendously long way in making some of life’s responsibilities easier to manage. Their ability to interact with home automation tools has contributed significantly to the rise of Smart Home technology. By making the move to this increasingly innovative tech, homeowners can reap significant benefits. It’s not unusual to come across listings these

Your home is a great source of pride. By implementing these tactics, you can call it all yours even sooner. Your loan term might be fixed, but it doesn’t have to dictate when you’ll be mortgage-free. Find out how to speed up the process. A lot can happen in 30 years. Kids become adults, jobs change, and life goals are accomplished and reset. Change during such a lengthy period is inevitable. But if you’re a homeowner, there’s one thing that won’t change: Your obligation to ma

There are some obvious costs involved in a home purchase, but there could be some hidden costs you were unaware of. Find out some of the frequently overlooked costs involved with buying a home. A house is a major investment. For many people, it’s the most expensive purchase they will ever make. And for those who forget to consider the assortment of additional expenses and costs of buying a home, this often turns out to be more pricey than they may expect. Discover the true co