Archive for the ‘Home Improvement’ Category

by Thom Fox   One of the true benefits of being a first-time homeowner is the ability to transform your house into a home. The care that you put into personalizing your home will be felt in the memories that the years will yield. While many little touches will be relatively easy to incorporate, there may be larger projects that you’d like to undertake ... Full story

You’ve moved into your new home--new to you anyway--and now you want to change it. Thus begins the process of furnishing, decorating, and making renovations. According to the National Association of Home Builders, most home buyers invest in some type of fix-up, renovation, or upgrade within the first year of ownership. The amount invested varies and depends on whether it’s a new ... Full story

You’ve heard about electric restructuring in the news. You’ve seen changes in your electric bill, but sometimes it’s hard to understand what’s going on with our electric bills and electric companies, because there have been a lot of changes in the last few years. We depend on electricity in our homes and businesses for lighting, heating, cooling, running appliances, and, of course, all ... Full story

by Chuck Oakes Welcome to the world of the homeowner! Perhaps you are fortunate to build your new place, or like most people, have moved into an older place. Either way, you might explore ways, gadgets, gizmos, and devices to enhance the quality of life in your new space.  Two words of wisdom came from my real estate agent: “Think resale!” Although it’s natural ... Full story

by M. Lynch Warmer weather is here, and with it comes a list of home improvement projects to tackle before winter returns. If you are considering whether to replace your windows, here is some valuable information and potential financial help. Do You Need New Windows? Do you really need new windows? To know for sure, evaluate the condition of your windows. If you have single-pane ... Full story

  by Ron and Bonnie Smith Interior decorating can be the most challenging part of a new home purchase for anyone, not just a first-time home buyer. Ultimately, you will want the interior of your home to reflect your individual style and taste as well as retain and increase its value. For the best advice, seek professional help from an interior designer or design consultant. ... Full story

  Fix up your home, save money, and save the planet all at the same time One of the first things you want to do as a new homeowner is begin making your home your own. Putting your personal stamp on your new place is a way of declaring victory and a celebration for the memories that you‘ll share as the house becomes a home. But taking ... Full story

Buying a multifamily house was intimidating, to say the least, because I am a woman. Once I decided to buy a multifamily, my biggest fear was what to do when something breaks. What about general maintenance and upkeep? I had already decided to take the plunge and buy a multi, so there was no going back. I had to face my fear.   Even though the multi ... Full story

Home safety has been in the spotlight for some time now. People are living longer and choosing to stay in their homes, and often homeowners have their elderly or disabled relatives or friends move in or visit. Even if you never have an older person visit, you can follow these tips to provide a safe environment for your family and all visitors. A few minor ... Full story

  10 simple precautions to keep your decks safe You are legally responsible for the safety of guests on your property, so inspect your deck regularly as part of your yard maintenance routine. Make sure the deck is well secured to the foundation of your home and that proper flashing is installed around the ledger board. The diagram shows how to check for other common deck hazards ... Full story