Living

Living Simple Ways to Conserve Energy at Home Whether you want to use less energy to reduce your carbon footprint or your monthly costs, there are plenty of easy ways to conserve the electricity and natural gas you’re using in your home. Energy conservation can be as simple as closing your curtains, changing a light bulb, turning down your thermostat, or closing the […]
Living 9 Options to Remove, Hide or Play Down a Popcorn Ceiling Don’t love your popcorn ceiling? You’re not the only one stuck with some unwanted stucco overhead. There are many options for moving on from it, but not all of them are equally effective—or equally easy. To help you decide how to address your popcorn problem, here are some top ways to remove, cover or distract […]
Buying What to Do After Moving Into a New Home Nothing beats the feeling of buying a new home. You’ve worked hard with your agent to find the right home for you, you’ve worked with the seller to finalize the deal, and you’ve signed all the paperwork to transfer ownership. Congratulations! Everything has led to securing your new home, so now that you’re officially moving, what […]
Living How to Design Small Spaces at Home The truth is, the average size of apartments in the U.S. is shrinking, and studio and one-bedroom apartments are becoming more prevalent (rentcafe.com). This means knowing how to design for small spaces has never been more important. Whether you’re not quite ready to purchase a home or you’re looking to downsize, the creative possibilities are […]
Living How to Reduce Your Interest Rate: Mortgage Buydowns When mortgage rates are up, prospective buyers can often feel like they’re at a disadvantage as they go about securing a home loan. Fortunately, there are ways to lower your interest rate to make your monthly mortgage payments more affordable. What are mortgage buydowns? A mortgage rate buydown is a form of financing that allows you […]
Living Your Guide to Going Solar To reduce your carbon footprint, increase your household’s sustainability, and add value to your property, solar power may be right for you. Understanding how solar works and how to maximize its benefits are key first steps in your journey to becoming a solar energy-producing household. How does solar power work? The technology that turns your house […]
Living Managing Your Investment Property: DIY vs Hiring a Professional Owning real estate is an efficient and productive addition to your investment portfolio. For an investment property that you don’t plan to live in, whether it’s your second home or you’ve done this a few times before, you’re faced with decisions about how to best use that investment for your goals. Some investors will remodel their new property and […]
Living 5 Green Upgrades that Increase Your Home Value Selling a home begins with understanding how much it’s worth. After an initial assessment, you may want to make some updates to increase the value of your property. There are several ways to do that, including boosting your curb appeal or making renovations with significant ROI potential. As you research potential projects, keep in mind that making your […]
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Living What is a Rambler House? The distinct rambler architectural style is known by several names: rambler, ranch house, California ranch, and more. Whatever you call it, it has played an important role in the evolution of the American home. From its spacious interior to its welcoming layout, these homes are tailor-made for a comfortable home life. History of the Rambler House It […]
Living Home Security and Safety for the Holidays The holidays bring joy and peace, but they can also bring package thieves, fire hazards, and the inevitable injury from trying to get the last decoration on top of the tree. From tried-and-true security methods to basic safety best practices, taking the appropriate precautionary measures will help keep your home and your loved ones safe […]
Living What is Gothic Revival Architecture? If you’ve ever seen a home like the one in the photo above, certain words like “romantic” or “medieval” may have come to mind. The architectural style shown here is Gothic Revival, a unique branch of design that grew popular in the mid-19th century. Though it fell out of fashion shortly thereafter, this signature architectural style […]
Living Designing Your Rental To Feel Like Home When you own your living space, it’s natural to feel attached to every square inch. But for renters, creating that sense of ownership is a unique challenge. Whatever limitations you face as a renter in how you’re able to make alterations, it’s no less important to your home life for your space to convey a […]
Buying Understanding the Value of Your Home: Market Value vs. Assessed Value and More The math of a home sale is relatively straightforward. Sellers list their home at a certain price, a buyer makes an offer, and eventually the two parties reach a final, agreed-upon price. However, between these two points in the selling process, there are several other figures that go into to setting a home’s value that […]
Living High ROI Remodeling Projects to Increase Home Value This blog post contains excerpts of the “Remodeling 2022 Cost vs. Value Report” (costvsvalue.com).1 As you prepare to sell your home, one of the major considerations you may face is whether to remodel, and if so, how to allocate your remodeling budget. Remodeling can help differentiate your home from competing listings in your area, but this […]
Living How to Plant an Herb Garden Homeowners are always seeking ways to breathe new life into the spaces in their homes. Using nature to achieve this transformation is beneficial in several ways. Planting an herb garden not only helps to make your kitchen feel fresh and sustainable, but it can make your food taste better, too. Here are some tips for […]
Living Landscaping Tips That Can Increase Your Home’s Value When you own a home, there’s a natural desire to invest in landscaping projects that help beautify your yard. But for those who are preparing to sell, the emphasis should be on specific projects that boost your home’s curb appeal and add to its value. The following landscaping tips can help you position your home to […]
Buying Renting vs Buying: Which is better for you? Deciding whether to rent or buy can be a difficult decision, but with the right analysis, you can determine which is best for you. Knowing whether it’s the right time to rent or buy depends on your buying power, what you’re looking for in a home, your local market conditions, your plans for you and your household, […]
Living Gas Appliances vs. Electric Appliances Appliances are broken down into two main categories: gas- and electric-powered. You may be more familiar with one or the other based on personal experience, but when it comes time to choose appliances for your home, you’ll likely be weighing a variety of factors including the conversion costs, operation costs, safety, sustainability, and more. The […]
Living Should I Remodel or Sell My Home As Is? Homeowners who are preparing to sell are often faced with a dilemma about whether to remodel or sell their home in its current state. Each approach has its respective advantages and disadvantages. If you decide to remodel your home, it will likely sell for more; but the increased selling price will come at the cost […]
Living Colorful Modern Design Trends for Your Home Designing your home can feel like trying to put together a puzzle. While neutrals can help create consistency and set a calming tone in your home, color is often the missing puzzle piece that ties everything together and gives your home the life you’re looking for. Certain color combinations can create a sense of timelessness while others […]