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 →
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 →
Despite your best efforts at cleanliness, your carpet will eventually become the victim of drops, spills, accidents and whatever’s on the bottom of your shoes. To learn how professionals handle problem areas and keep carpets looking new, read these 10 tips. Blot Stains, Don’t Rub Dab stains with a cleaning… read more →
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 →
Do you want to pay an extra one or two months’ rent? Of course not!. But your security deposit probably represents one to two month’s rent, and countless renters never see that money again. Here are six tips to avoid losing thousands to lost security deposits. Take Photos or Video… read more →
No for-sale house is ever perfect. But some houses are in better shape and consequently easier to sell than others. If yours isn’t one of the stars, but you still need to sell it for the highest possibly price, it’s going to take more than low mortgage rates to attract a… read more →
The American dream is all about homeownership, right? Actually, the real American dream seems to be about homeownership in a hugely impressive house with all the bells and whistles that’s all decked out and done to the nines and allows you to the keep up with the Joneses. But while… read more →
The tight housing market has sparked the return of bidding wars and desperate buyers in certain cities and towns. While you may need to act fast to land your dream home, haste will make waste if you end up with a money pit. With that, here are five key warning… read more →
There is no flawless house. Each home, even a new one, has some issues. The trick is in spotting the really big ones before you sign on the dotted line. People get emotionally attached to a house before they understand what the issues are with it.Subtle signs such as tiny insect… read more →
They say love is blind. However, when it comes to your home this is not acceptable when trying to sell. Just because you love it, does not mean every potential buyer will too. With that being said, it is crucial to appeal to buyers and start thinking like one. Many… read more →