Thinking of Buying an Older Home? Here Are Some Things to Keep in Mind When searching for the next house to call home, there's a lot to consider. Opening your home search to older constructions can increase your options, however older homes may be harboring issues beneath the surface. Here are some things to consider (and have inspected) when purchasing an older home. Foundation and Structural Issues Due to their age, older homes should be inspected thoroughly for foundati

2019's Hottest Home Decor By Barbara Pronin Comfort is trending for 2019, a consensus of home decorators agree, with more people seeking warm colors, intimate spaces and a casual but sophisticated lifestyle. Designers looking to pair physical coziness with emotional comfort forecast seven decor trends: Scaled down furnishings - After years of favoring large furniture and open spaces, consumers are aiming for a ‘nesting’ environment and choosing smaller pieces arranged in m

Four Easy Ways to Harness Solar Power at Home The price of solar technologies has dropped in recent years. Is now the time to hop on the bandwagon? Even if you're not fully convinced, there are small steps you can take today to reduce your environmental footprint and save money through solar. 1) Solar lighting. Eliminate the need for extension cords or pricey landscape lighting installations by opting for solar lights outdoors. In addition to smaller pathway lights, you can f

Do You Have Home Improvement Envy? You’re Not Alone​ Have you found yourself longingly peering into the yard next door to check out their new water feature only to start drawing up the blueprints for your own a week later? If you answered yes, turns out you’re just one of the many who experience jealousy—and a little competitive drive—over others’ home improvement projects. In fact, a recent survey from The Home Depot conducted by Wakefield Research not only revealed what

How to care for your garden and yard in every season. A garden can help you save money on groceries, while beautiful flower beds can add value to your home. Here are a few tips for maintaining your yard year-round. Spring Now is the time to sow seeds and take care to prevent a late-spring frost from killing your plants. Divide and plant any leftover fall perennials. Plant vegetables that turn over quickly, so you can get more than one crop over the summer. Aerate and fertil

...Start Saving! Replace traditional light bulbs with compact fluorescents Opt for desk or reading lamps to avoid unnecessarily lighting an entire room Raise the thermostat on your air conditioner by 10 percent when you leave for the day. Use an ice tray. Automatic ice makers increase a refrigerator's energy consumption by 14-20 percent. Clean the coils on your refrigerator. If you need a recommendation for local professionals who can increase your home's energy efficiency, w

Small projects with a big impact on your home. Even if you don't have the funds or the energy for a big improvement project or remodel, small changes can make your home a more enjoyable place to live, increase its value, and help you command the best possible price when you sell. Exchange light fixtures for ceiling fans. A stylish new ceiling fan instantly updates a room and can add value to your home. Choose fans that create a rustic vintage look or add a cool island vibe to

Owning a home has great financial benefits, yet many continue to rent! Today, let’s look at the financial reasons why owning a home of your own has been a part of the American Dream for as long as America has existed. Realtor.com recently reported that: “Buying remains the more attractive option in the long term – that remains the American dream, and it’s true in many markets where renting has become really the shortsighted option… as people get more savings in their pockets,

Your step-by-step guide to regular home maintenance. Regular maintenance is an important contributor to the value of your home. The following steps will help you create an actionable maintenance calendar, so you feel confident your home is being cared for and kept in the best condition possible. 1. Make a list of what needs regular maintenance. Walk through the house and yard and jot it all down on a list. Write down small things like weeding the garden beds and big things li

Have you fallen out of love with your home? Here are six ways to rekindle the romance: 1. Play musical chairs Rearrange the furniture. 2. Let it grow Potted plants add appeal with little maintenance. 3. Less is more Ditching clutter relieves stress. 4. Do a deep clean Scrub those baseboards, and clean those windows. 5. Make a list Decide what needs improving and prioritize your projects. 6. Give a room a mini-makeover Add new hardware to your cabinets, or pick up

"Over the river and through the woods, to grandmother's house we go ..." Or maybe for your family, holidays signify a cruise to tropical destinations or a chance to hit the slopes at a ski resort. Wherever you're heading this holiday season, keep your home safe in your absence with these three simple tips: 1. Keep the lights on. Pick up a few inexpensive light timers. By programming different lamps or light fixtures to come on at different times, you can create the illus

A brighter home can help to create a more spacious appearance and potentially contribute to a higher resale value if you should ever put your home on the market. Here are a few easy ways to brighten up your home and let the sun shine in: Keep your windows sparkling. Deep-clean your windows and screens to make sure sunlight is able to find its way in. After removing any dust and debris from the window, spray a mixture of vinegar and water and allow it to soak in. Wipe clean wi

Know your risk What An earthquake is the sudden, rapid shaking of the earth, caused by the breaking and shifting of subterranean rock as it releases strain that has accumulated over a long time. Initial mild shaking may strengthen and become extremely violent within seconds. Additional earthquakes, called aftershocks, may follow the initial earthquake. Most are smaller than the initial earthquake but larger magnitude aftershocks also occur. Earthquakes may cause household it