Here’s our guide to improving, maintaining, and enjoying your house. With information on everything from home technology and reducing energy costs to outdoor living and working from home, these articles will help you care for your house and get the most out of living there.
Before you pick up that paintbrush or roller, do yourself a favor and study up on the types of paint, the materials you’ll need to do a good job and the techniques required to make your painted surfaces look like you hired a pro. Types of paint. Paint falls into two basic types: water-based and… Read more »
Thanks to the internet, finding crime statistics is easier than ever. That’s good news for wary homebuyers who want to make sure they’re moving to a relatively safe area. It’s also a comfort to current homeowners who want to keep tabs on what’s going on in their neighborhood. Here’s a quick primer on how to… Read more »
Sure, pools and trampolines are fun. But homeowners who choose to put them in their backyards also face greater responsibility and a much larger homeowners insurance bill. It’s best to weigh the pros and cons before making such a purchase. Swimming pools. The insurance covering damage to an in-ground pool is treated differently in different… Read more »
If you’re talking about a potential home renovation project, it’s important to know if the money you put into the project will translate into more money down the road when, or if, you sell your house. Some projects will pay off handsomely while others will not. And, sometimes, it’s how you do the project that… Read more »
There’s little doubt why fireplaces are such a popular feature in homes. They conjure up thoughts of a warm and cozy home on a chilly night. But what is the best choice of a fireplace? Should you go with a classic wood-burning hearth? Or do you prefer the cleaner, more modern gas logs? What about… Read more »
For many, working from home sounds romantic. For those who actually work from home, working from home has its romantic moments, but it also has its challenges. There are those mornings when the bed feels way more comfortable than the home office. But designing an ideal home office helps these professionals get out of bed… Read more »
Most people know about the more obvious home safety measures, such as having working smoke detectors. But there are plenty of safety issues you may have overlooked. Here’s a handy guide for you. Have your heating system serviced annually. With age, the heat exchanger in your furnace may crack, allowing carbon monoxide, a deadly odorless… Read more »
A kitchen makeover is probably the most beneficial renovation for a house. Most people don’t think twice about replacing counters, but the cabinets can involve a more complex decision. You basically have three choices: Replace, refinish or paint. Here’s how to decide. Assess what you have. Take a good look at your cabinets, their condition… Read more »
Whether you are building a new house or updating an existing one, beautiful floors are fundamental for a warm, inviting home. Over the years, flooring choices have expanded dramatically, making the process a little overwhelming. Here’s a helpful guide. Wood flooring. We’ll start with arguably the best value and the most popular category. Over the… Read more »
How do you go about picking the best paint for your home project? Choosing the right color is a good first step but the type of paint you use and the sheen are also crucial to a successful project. Let’s get started. Latex paints are a water-based, consumer-friendly option. They are easy to apply and… Read more »
Buying a refrigerator is a significant investment. With all the options available, shopping for a new one can be overwhelming. We’ve compiled a list of the most important factors to consider when selecting a refrigerator that you’ll be happy with for years to come. Styles Modern fridges come in a variety of layouts. The most… Read more »
If your home has older windows, should you replace them with new, more energy efficient ones? Here’s a quick guide to the pros and cons. First, do you need new windows? If your home has single-pane glass windows, you might want to consider energy-efficient windows that will provide moderation from summer heat and winter cold…. Read more »
Great kitchen countertops are a key ingredient in a top-notch kitchen that is both warm and inviting, yet also functional. Here’s a quick guide to the most common material types, their strengths and weaknesses. The current king: Granite. For the last fifteen years, granite has dominated the kitchen counter market. It is a tough, durable… Read more »
As a homeowner, it’s far better to keep up with routine maintenance than spend big bucks down the road on repairs and replacements. Here’s a handy guide to key maintenance issues and how often they should be completed. Monthly maintenance. Change the filters to your heating and air intake ducts, unless you own a systems… Read more »
If you have a new baby in the house, it’s time to start thinking about childproofing your home. Babies become mobile sooner than you think and it is up to you to keep them safe from household perils. Check online or at a home-improvement or baby supply store for a wide selection of latches, gates,… Read more »
Gone are the days when big-ticket home appliances lasted for decades. With some exceptions, the life span for most appliances is ten years or less. All the more reason to do your homework as a prospective buyer and check the age and condition of the appliances in any home you’re seriously considering. Here are a… Read more »
If you buy a home built before 1978, there’s a possibility asbestos may lurk in the building materials. Houses built from the 1800s through the early 1950s used asbestos extensively before the material was phased out. Should you be concerned? What is it and why is it dangerous? Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that… Read more »
As a homeowner, you may be interested in learning more about solar power — the pros and cons. It could save you money and help conserve precious resources at the same time, but what about those up-front costs? Here’s a basic tutorial. A short solar power primer. While there are two primary types of solar… Read more »
Homeowners in a rural setting typically pump their water from wells and remove their household waste with a septic system. While pumping water is an easy concept to grasp, many potential home buyers have little knowledge about septic systems, how they work and what it takes to maintain one. Here’s a primer. Waste water. In… Read more »
Buying a home is a thrilling experience, yet it also can be sobering — especially if you’re moving in without all the furnishings you need. Here are several tips on how to make your new house a cozy home without breaking the bank. Don’t be in a rush. If you are moving into a bigger… Read more »
