Spending less money on utility bills doesn’t mean you need to rush out and purchase a whole new suite of Energy Star appliances. With occasional light maintenance and good habits, you can greatly improve the energy efficiency of your large kitchen appliances—up to about $120 annually—without sacrificing convenience. Refrigerator/freezer Energy-efficiency… read more →
As the weather warms up and flowers begin to blossom, Americans with grassy yards will soon be thinking about mowing and lawn care. The National Gardening Association estimates that U.S. households spent roughly $29.5 billion on their lawns and gardens in 2013, an average of about $347 per household. Lawn… read more →
Here’s the dirty little secret about home renovations: Some of them may not pay off. Of course, the value of a renovation doesn’t depend on the resale price alone, which makes deciding whether to do one more complicated than just crunching numbers. For anyone trying to decide whether to take on… read more →
As a homeowner, the need for home repairs and restorations is ultimately inevitable. At some point, you will most likely turn to someone to make changes to your property. As a landlord or investor, referring a contractor puts your word on the line. Putting your trust into a complete stranger… read more →
New-home construction has seen consistent growth in the past three years, and sales of new homes are expected to increase by about 16 percent, or 580,000 homes, in 2014, according to Kiplingers Economic Outlooks. And as more homes are built, new architecture trends will begin to appear — slowly. Building is not… read more →
Spring is just around the corner! It is never too early to start mapping out your Spring Cleaning Routine. Here are a few tips to make your Home shine! Taking Care of Stainless Steel To keep your stainless steel bright and clean, use a light mist of wax-based aerosol spray… read more →
Buying a home can be exciting, nerve-racking and downright confusing. But with a simple checklist, you can feel comfortable with your purchase. Ask yourself these questions as you begin to make your new house into a home. Inspector Gadget Almost all homes get a general inspection before move-in. But now… read more →
There are some special tax benefits homeowners get for owning a home. Homeowners can deduct their mortgage interest, points they paid as part of the financing process and interest on any home improvement loans they take out — loans that are then used to make capital improvements or those that… read more →
If you are planning a kitchen remodel or just looking for few ways to make your kitchen more roomy, National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) shares the top five ways to make a kitchen “bigger” without adding square footage. Choose Sleek Appliances There are many high-efficiency appliances that allow people… read more →
You’ve found a great rental home in your price range and are ready to move in. But before you pack your bags and boxes and load up the moving truck, you’ll want to do a walkthrough. Essentially, it’s like running through a home safety checklist; you walk through the apartment with your… read more →