Sure, you know that having bad credit can mean paying more for a car loan or a mortgage. You know that it means you can pay more to use your credit cards. But did you know that people with bad credit also pay more for their car insurance and sometimes… 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 →
Is the grass greener on the other side? Get out into the yard now and heed these 5 tips for greener grass. Your lawn could make your neighbors green with envy. Overseed Your Lawn By seeding your lawn regularly, you’ll help your grass edge out competing weeds. To give the… 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 →
When choosing a contractor to head up your remodel, these simple steps can mean the difference between complete confidence and sleepless nights. Remember that when you’re hiring a remodeler, you are buying a service and not a product. Quality of service will determine the quality of the finished project. Here… read more →
Buying a home with a mortgage comes with plenty of strings attached, aside from just interest and principal. While you’ll have a general sense as to what your monthly mortgage payment will be, this complacency likely prevents you from reading over the specifics of your mortgage statement. By simply writing… read more →
In housing, it takes two to tango. Buyers have known for some time that low prices and low interest rates make it a good time to shop for a home, and now sellers are getting on the bandwagon. That could help solve the low-inventory problem that has dogged the market.… read more →
The garage door is the single largest moving part in your home, and should be inspected and maintained every year. Whether you have a belt-drive, chain-drive, or screw-drive opening system, maintenance issues and steps to lubricate garage door tracks are virtually the same. • Inspect the tracks to make sure there… read more →
There are some maintenance and repair issues that homeowners just hate to deal with — either because they take time, or cost money, or just don’t seem, well, urgent. But some of these problems can become ticking time bombs, poised to explode if they’re not defused early, when they are more like… read more →
As the spring real estate market ramps up, more homes go on the market. Great interior appeal partially relies on a spic-and-span look. So which areas need to stand out during a walk-through? To give prospective sellers ideas on what needs to be on their spring-cleaning checklists, here are some… read more →