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 →
Spring is prime time selling season for many communities. Keep up with the competition and increase your home’s value by taking on these 5 simple home improvement projects. New Front Door Let your front door be the beacon welcoming prospective home buyers. Walking up to a bright and inviting front entrance will make… read more →
Sellers often don’t want the hassle associated with long-term landscaping projects to get it just right for buyers. It’s more about the quick and effective solutions that help their homes look appealing from the curbside. To narrow down the many projects out there, we’ve provided sellers with our short, simple… 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 →
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 →
With spring on the horizon, it’s time to get the home exterior straightened up for real estate showings. What’s your plan for increasing curb appeal? Did you know it’s not only about the lawn? Curb appeal actually involves everything from the yard to the front door to the siding. Here… read more →
The appraiser is due in an hour. The beds are unmade, breakfast dishes in the sink and toys scattered about the playroom. Would she care? After all, lowball appraisals can kill deals. They can also kill a refinancing application. If an appraisal comes in too low, it’s not worth… read more →