Looking to woo and win potential buyers? The little things make all the difference. Planning to sell your house this year? Don’t be overwhelmed by all the details involved in preparing it to go on the market. Set aside a couple of weekends to do the work, and follow these three simple steps. Then, be ready to make a great impression on potential buyers and cinch the deal. Step 1: Clean and declutter It may sound obvious, but the importance of cleaning and decluttering canno...
Chandeliers are one of the most popular choices for homeowners when it comes to statement lighting, and rightly so! They add opulence and elegance to any space, transforming the room and lending a soft, shimmery feel to any design. When considering installing a chandelier, there are several questions to ask yourself:
Who is doing the installation? Should I hire a pro? If I don’t hire a pro, how should I go about installing it myself? Which styles are the most...t’s tax season again, and if you bought a new home in 2016, you want to be sure you don’t miss out on one of the numerous tax deductions you could be eligible for. Even if you aren’t a new homeowner, there could be some deductions you might not be aware of that can help you maximize your tax refund.
We spoke with Mark Luscombe, principal analyst at Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting. He reviewed some of the tax deductions home owners should be aware of as they begin working on their tax returns.
Don’t you just love escaping the icy cold of winter and getting cozy in your house? Surprise! So do rodents and other pests. While you might think summer would be peak pest season, it turns out that creepy, crawly creatures seek shelter from the elements in winter, just like us.
According to the National Pest Management Association, mice and rats invade about 21 million homes each winter, and they can squeeze in an opening the size of—get this—a dime. And that’s...So you’ve decided you’re ready to purchase a home. But is your credit where it needs to be? If not, then you’ll want to start working to improve it, as your credit helps determine the loans for which you may qualify and your monthly loan payments.
We spoke with Joe Parsons, branch manager of Caliber Home Loans in Dublin, California, for some tips on preparing your credit for homebuying season, which is just weeks away.
Know Your Starting Point
“The first place to start is to see what your cr...
Kitchen walls painted black or inky cabinets are ever more popular, but how about the other watery room in your home? Could you give your bathroom a black revamp? Let these dark and lovely schemes inspire you.
1. Go grand
Dark colors can work well in period properties. A moody paint job gives a small and dark Victorian living room a cozy boost, while a room as airy and tall as this one loses no light at all. The trick to...
If you have to spray your yard with pesticides or weed deterrents, allow the pesticides to completely dry before letting your pet back into the treated area. Keep your fertilizer use to a minimum, and verify that your preferred type won’t harm your pet. Use organic yard treatments whenever possible. For example, an all-natural mixture of water and cayenne pepper sprayed on vegetables in a garden can keep pests at bay while protecting the yields of home owners with green thumbs. Store yard equipm...
