Finding an apartment is easy but what about after you move in? There are roommates to deal with, neighborhoods to explore and people to meet. Start by using the right renter technology to make your life streamlined and enjoyable. Here are 5 new apps that can help make your renting experience… read more →
In the long run, buying a home can often be cheaper than renting. But until you see the payoff, your wallet may feel some pain. And it all starts with the down payment. (Plus, to avoid private mortgage insurance on a conventional loan, you’ll need to put 20% of the purchase price down… read more →
Homes cost money. Not just the mortgage and the taxes, or even the down payment, but all the myriad things—from the heating to the gutters—that sap your savings. Aside from careful money management, how can you reduce your daily home expenses? Think Big Your biggest regular expense is likely your mortgage. You may be able to… read more →
Not all tenants are created equal. Some pay the rent on time, others don’t. Some are high-maintenance, others aren’t. And some are just more trouble than they’re worth. Which brings up the unenviable question: How do you know when it’s time to say “happy trails” to a problem renter? Rules… read more →
Night of the Living Zoo October 30, 2015, 6:30-10 p.m. National Zoo, Washington DC. The Halloween event features bone-chilling and mind-boggling performance art including palm readers, fire eaters, talking bats, and illusionists. Nightmare on M Street October 31, 2015, 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets sold in advance (sometimes sell… read more →
Believe in it or not, there are plenty of bad—and good—omens woven into our culture. Whether you’re facing seven years’ bad luck from that broken mirror or carrying around a rabbit’s foot in the hopes of turning your luck around, omens are all around us—even in real estate. If you’re… read more →
Rent prices continue to rise as new renters flood the market. If you’re a renter, this brutal arithmetic adds up to less pocket money and fewer rental options. And while the rental crunch is real, it doesn’t mean you should rush into your next apartment. When you hunt for your next rental, take… read more →
Preparing walls for painting is the most difficult part of the painting process. If you don’t put in the time to scrape, patch, sand, and prime the walls, your finished project will show it. To get beautiful, glass-smooth walls and baseboards, follow these simple preparation tips. How to Prep Walls… read more →
It can be hard to sell a house if it has a reputation for being haunted or if someone is known to have died in the house. If the death occurred within the last three years, then the homeowner is legally obliged to disclose this fact before he sells the house.… read more →
Home improvement projects can cost a ton of money—but if you pick the right one, you could make your money back, the latest edition of an annual survey found. The cost of labor and materials can vary, as can the perceived return on investment, but these five remodeling projects with a midrange… read more →