Renovating your kitchen is an exciting project, but the various tasks involved can also make it a daunting one—especially for home improvement novices. While some projects can save money on the overall costs of a kitchen remodel you need to know when it’s safer to leave tasks to the professionals. Here… 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: Things you Need Vacuum… 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 →
If you’re a first time homebuyer, you might get a little queasy when the last line of your good-faith estimate comes in at several thousand dollars. And after the color returns to your face, you might also be a little more than perplexed by some of those fees. Knowing what you’re paying… read more →
Few people look forward to tax season, and when you’re a new homeowner, filing can be even more daunting. Suddenly, you have new forms to fill out and more potential for making a mistake. But taxes aren’t all bad; homeowners get more tax benefits than renters. And if you can avoid… read more →
A home that used to house tenants can be a great deal for a home buyer—they often sell for less than owner-occupied homes. But there are reasons why these homes may command less than top dollar. There are several things to weigh when considering buying a home that the owner didn’t occupy. Why Sell,… read more →
It’s been a long week, and now you’re spending your weekend house hunting, running from one open house to another. You’re tired but still hopeful as you step into yet another home, only to be greeted with a command: Take off your shoes. What gives? It might sound like a… read more →
One of the reasons to buy a home of your own is increased privacy. Many first-time home buyers find a single-family home to be out of reach, while others simply prefer condos in an urban setting. In a recent survey 65% of those surveyed said it’s important to have a… read more →
The last week of the month is always filled with a blizzard of housing data. But unlike the snow and ice that have been pelting many parts of the U.S., the housing data point to a hotter spring ahead. Last week, we saw a disappointing slowdown in completed home sales, with… read more →
If you’re planning a move, you may have an overwhelming urge to throw all your possessions into cardboard boxes tape them shut and think, “I’ll deal with this after moving!” We get it. But before you start dumping drawers into boxes willy-nilly, we implore you:Dcclutter first. There’s no better time to get rid… read more →