Thinking about refinancing? Before you do, put some time and effort — and some money too — into sprucing up. For anyone selling a home, sprucing up is a no-brainer. Repairs, upgrades, painting and landscaping can raise the sales price. But homeowners who are staying put and refinancing often don’t… read more →
Around Valentine’s Day, as you’re debating how best to make your loved one feel special, don’t forget the other love in your life, one you may be neglecting a bit too frequently—your house! Don’t let February pass without showing some love for the roof over your head. Here are ten… read more →
So, you’ve got it bad for “the one” — you know, the one that keeps you awake at night fantasizing about the day when you can be together. Wait a second. We aren’t talking about that one — we’re referring to a different kind of love affair: a “home crush.”… read more →
Even in these days of economic uncertainty, we’d all like some luxuries in our lives. Sure, a home addition or kitchen renovation would be nice, but there are plenty of low-cost changes you can make to upgrade your home without spending a small fortune. Adding in little touches here and… read more →
Your home may be your castle, but you don’t have to pay a king’s ransom to keep it warm. Here are 6 things you should know about heating your house. Baby, its Cold Outside Sitting in your overcoat with the thermostat at 78 degrees? You could have a problem. If you… read more →
Starting Jan. 1, manufacturers will stop making 60- and 40-watt incandescent light bulbs to comply with new federal energy-efficiency laws. Yet one manufacturer claims only 40 percent of people it surveyed are aware of the changes. With new light-bulb rules taking effect Jan. 1, should you choose halogens, CFL-halogen hybrids or LEDs… read more →
With the real estate market heating up, it appears that American homeowners are ready to start remodeling again. After years of decline, home-improvement spending increased 9% last year and will probably turn out to have surged by the double digits this year, according to studies. Planning to get in on… read more →
Selling your home is a real art form these days. The marketing! The staging! Yet there’s one thing that you, Joe or Sally Homeowner, often forget: Would-be buyers don’t care how much you love your pets. And they’re not interested in seeing — or smelling — evidence of Fido or… read more →
Two long-held notions about baby nurseries are being thrown out with the bath water: 1. The baby’s space is confined to a single room. 2. The baby’s room is all about the baby. With multiple kids and busy careers, new moms and dads are letting the baby take over the… read more →
Each decade has had its share of questionable home design, from the extensive wood paneling and Harvest Gold appliances of the 1970s to the next decade’s overuse of glass blocks, vertical blinds and country-style decor. Some of these serve as powerful buyer-repellant; others just ding the price, as people figure… read more →