Considering a pool, spa or hot tub? What you should know before you hire a contractor

Does your dream backyard include a lush lawn, lovely landscaping and - at the heart of the action - a pool, spa or hot tub? If so, you're not alone, and this might be your year to turn that dream into reality. Read More

Adding or upgrading a deck can transform your backyard into an oasis

A home is a place of comfort and relaxation. Many homeowners are now taking to the outdoors and making this space an extension of the dream home they've always wanted. One way to transform a house into a dream home is by utilizing the outdoor space with the addition of a new deck or improvements to an existing deck. A deck creates the perfect backyard oasis to escape the stresses of a busy lifestyle, to enjoy the outdoors, grill out, have a party or simply relax. With a deck, a couple can celebrate with friends, children can play outside and parents can retire in comfort. Read More

Avoiding five mistakes that even good homeowners make

Have you ever accidentally left a candle burning unattended? Or left home without turning on the security system? You probably made a mental note to yourself to not do it again, but otherwise didn't think much about it. But next time, you might not get so lucky. A simple "uh oh" could lead to thousands of dollars in damage to your home. Here are five tips to avoid common homeowner mistake. Read More

The new real estate reality: To buy or not to buy?

Long gone are the days when Americans assumed home ownership could only have a positive impact on their finances, and that renting was equivalent to throwing money away. While the decision to rent or buy will depend on your personal circumstances, when you're considering the question some facts are universal. Read More

Spring home improvements that pay off big

It's beautiful outside and the last thing you want to do is spend all of your spare time working on your home when you could be playing or spending time with loved ones. So what home improvement projects offer the biggest bang for your buck, saving you both time and money down the road? Read More

Five renovations to make an even bigger splash with your backyard pool

If you added a pool to your home in the past few years, or moved into a house with an existing pool, you may wonder what more you can do to enhance the value and enjoyment your pool brings to your home and family. You may even think there's not much you can do beyond keeping it clean and well maintained. Fortunately, some simple upgrades and renovations can help you enjoy your investment even more. Read More

How to know which homes for sale will appreciate the fastest

Protecting your financial information from natural disasters

Disaster preparedness has become more common as a result of the increasing number of floods, tornadoes, wildfires and hurricanes in recent years. According to FEMA's website, there were 99 major disasters declared in 2011 alone. One area of disaster planning too often minimized or overlooked is financial data. Read More

How to brand your business and position it for success

For small businesses, having a well-established brand with a loyal customer base is critical to both immediate and long-term success. While investing money in brand developing tools may be costly, building a suite of business cards, postcards, signs, banners, brochures and other products that give your business a professional look can be easily and inexpensively accomplished. When your brand acts as your identity, anything you can do to increase public awareness will only help your company. Read More

Newlyweds: Tips for moving into your first real home

The wedding's over, the thank yous are sent and the top cake tier is in the freezer, waiting for your first anniversary celebration. Now you and your new spouse are starting to act on the plans you've made for your life together, and are ready to take that big step in moving into your first real home. Read More

Essential insurance you can't live without

Cutting back on vacations and entertainment is a wise move to help ride out a recovering economy, but don't be tempted to forego car and homeowners insurance to make ends meet. Here are tips on which insurance protections you can't do without. Read More

How to green your outdoor living space

With the housing market still in recovery, many American homeowners are choosing to stay put and renovate. Whether you're updating the home you love or preparing your house for resale when the market finally turns around, your outdoor living space is a great place to start. Read More

Economical and eco-friendly: Sustainable solutions to help you save

Green consumers are no longer a niche group; today, they're everyday individuals who are willing to go the extra mile to save the planet - provided they receive a bit of return on their investment. Read More

Planning your new kitchen - renew or redo?

Whether you're in it for the investment, or just to freshen up the space in your home where people spend the most time, a new kitchen look could be a fun, impactful improvement to your house. Read More

Bathroom remodeling ideas that add style and space

Now, more than ever, homeowners are adding to the value and comfort of their homes by renovating bathrooms into private retreats with luxurious touches that rival those of an upscale spa or resort. Read More

Three things to consider before purchasing your first home

Buying your first home will likely be one of the most exciting and scary times of your life. Beyond the basic considerations - location, number of bathrooms, ranch style vs. multilevel - there are a number of important financial factors to determine before deciding which house is right for you. Read More

Connect on your patio or porch, enjoy the new view

With temperatures on the rise, it's time to get outside to relax with family and friends. Today's homeowners want their outdoor spaces to be an extension of their homes, with 80 percent saying a patio or front porch are "must haves," according to a survey of residential architects by the National Association of Home Builders. Read More

Choose a certified installer to create curb appeal with confidence

Looking for a way to improve the curb appeal of your home? Re-siding your home with vinyl siding is a great investment because it never needs painting to maintain its beauty and durability. Once you've made the decision to re-side your home with vinyl siding, however, you need a qualified contractor to install it properly to ensure long-lasting curb appeal. Read More

Small-scale renovation projects continue to provide the best return for homeowners

Even as spring approaches, the residential real estate market continues to be rough on American homeowners more than three years after the start of the nationwide housing crisis. Although sales of existing homes are up slightly from 2010 levels, the median home price is still down throughout most of the country, according to the National Association of Realtors. This means that many homeowners are continuing to sit tight and are looking for ways to make their current houses work for them just a little bit longer, until the real estate market improves. Read More

Online options make finding affordable apartments easier than ever

Renting is on the rise in America. Vacancy rates are falling across the country, and increased competition for the best units has many would-be renters turning to the Internet for help finding affordable apartments. Searching for listings isn't the only way in which renters are using the Internet to make finding an apartment easier. From using Google Maps to pinpoint the exact location of apartments to completing rental applications online, the Internet can help streamline your search for affordable apartments. Read More

How to turn must-do home improvements into things of beauty

When it comes to home improvement, you can spend money in two basic ways: on things that make your home look better and things that make it function better. When "want to" and "have to" meet, they create the opportunity to make a smart buying decision - and choose an upgrade that will look good and improve the livability of your home. The key to making smart home improvement decisions is to recognize these opportunities and take full advantage of them. Read More

Make your home stand out with new exterior trim

With the housing market showing its first signs of improvement in years, many homeowners hope to attract interested buyers this summer. Replacing old or damaged exterior trim is a great way to freshen up your home today and make it stand out among others tomorrow. Here's what you need to know to make the job easy. Read More

How your credit score can impact the purchase of a home

Purchasing a home can be the most rewarding - and also the most frustrating - financial transaction of your life. Especially today, when the news is filled with stories about the great market conditions for buyers. One aspect of the home buying process that's often overlooked is the extra cost that interest from a home loan adds to the total price of the home. Read More

Planning spring home improvements? How to find the right contractor

You've got a list of spring home improvements to do, a vision for getting them done, and you even have a budget. Now all you need is someone to do the work; it's time to hire a contractor. Yet even the best-laid home improvement plans can go awry if you hire the wrong person or company to do the job. Fortunately, with a few simple steps, you can help ensure you choose the right contractor. Read More

Why you don't have to think twice about boarding an elevator

For people who live or work in multi-story buildings, elevators are an integral part of our everyday lives. A century of innovation and popularization has opened previously unimagined possibilities for human transportation and revolutionized building design capabilities. Originally intended to carry freight in low-rise factories, mines and warehouses, the technological advances seen in today's elevators were once inconceivable. Now technologies exist that identify passengers and direct them to an elevator to help them quickly reach their destination. As elevator technology evolves to meet ever-taller buildings, demand for improved safety and performance remains in lock-step. Read More

Protect large investments with small home fixes

Faced with mounting financial pressure, consumers are forced to make smarter in buying decisions, especially for major investments. Big investments homeowners need to protect include their house and property. From simple preparations like servicing your heating and cooling system to protecting yourself against unexpected emergency repairs, you can take steps to safeguard your home now and avoid costly repairs later. Read More

Want to sell your home fast? Tips for helping your home stand out in a buyers' market

If you have decided to sell your home, that last thing you want is for it to sit on the market for a long time. Taking some home improvement steps before listing can make your house more attractive to potential buyers and put you in a better position to sell quickly. So what do you need to do to ensure that listing your house floods your real estate agent's office with showing requests? Read More

Choose the right homeowner's insurance for your lifestyle

Are you a first-time home buyer? An established homeowner? An empty nester? Whatever stage of life you're in, it pays to make sure you have the right insurance - and you're not paying for coverage you don't need. Read More

Selling or staying put, 'daylighting' improvements pay off for homeowners

"Daylighting" improvements that boost your home's brightness and energy efficiency offer substantial return on investment for both home sellers and those who will be staying in their homes for the foreseeable future. Read More

Small, quick repairs have a big impact on your home's curb appeal - and value

As the weather continues to warm, you might be thinking about some of the home improvement projects you put on the back burner during the winter. It's the perfect time to think about a few small projects that can greatly enhance your home's curb appeal. Read More

Real estate: Tips on buying and financing your first home

For many younger Americans, the dream of owning their first home is alive and well. But for others, it's still an elusive dream. Whether you're ready now or will be down the road, buying your first home takes preparation. Here are some tips on how to get started. Read More