Homeownership Articles
Sharing articles with clients and customers on all aspects of homeownership, buying and selling.
Extend the Outdoor Living Season
Make an outdoor living area comfy long after the sun sets or the leaves turn with outdoor lighting, a patio heater, and a glowing firepit or portable fireplace.
Think Your AC Won’t Make it Through the Summer? We’ve Got the Fixes
s your AC making ominous noises? Maybe it sounds fine but isn’t cooling. Here’s a list of common air conditioning warning signs and their likely causes and fixes.
Which Way Should Your Ceiling Fan Turn in Summer? The Cool Way!
Make sure your ceiling fans rotate in the correct direction to cool you in summer.
Quick Ways to Make Some Shade, But Don’t Forget: Trees Are Best
If you prefer a drier cool, read on to find some quick ways to make some shade. Plus, get some tips on getting shade with some quick-growing trees.
5 Deck Makeover Projects Under $300
Want to upgrade your deck but watching your budget? Here are 5 easy deck makeover ideas, many well under $300.
Patio Shade Ideas Under $300
During the heat of summer patio shades are a must, but there’s no reason to get burned on price; you’ll find plenty of low-cost shade-giving options to cool your tootsies.
Your Guide to Choosing Patio Stones
With so many patio stones on the market, it can be hard to choose. So we’ve done the research to help you make the right choice for your home.
7 Alternatives to a Reverse Mortgage
If you’re 62 or older, a reverse mortgage lets you keep your house and receive a lump sum or monthly payments that you don’t have to pay back until you move out or pass away.
Want to Complain About Your Lousy Mortgage Closing?
Think it took a long time to close your last purchase or refi mortgage? How about more than seven hours? That’s what happened to a couple of folks I know in Texas, and theirs is just one of many stories I’ve heard about things, ranging from interest rates that rise to mysterious appearance of random fees, that go way wrong at settlements.
Getting the Most Out of Your Remodeling Dollars in 2014
If you’re also dreaming about your next home improvement, these ideas can help you balance the impulsive and emotional with the long-term value-adds of remodeling.
Do Organic Home Remedies for Lawn Care Work?
We might love the idea of maintaining our lawns with non-toxic pantry products — soda, vinegar, and dish detergent — that help keep pesticides and other chemicals out of the environment while saving us a little money.
Did You Know Dirty Light Bulbs Waste Energy?
Granted, cleaning light fixtures is a hassle that requires a stepladder and a steady hand. But it’s a necessary spring-cleaning chore that freshens your home and gives you the light you’re paying for.
8 Cleaning Tips and Tricks to Keep Things Cleaner Longer
Giving your home that fresh feeling takes some elbow grease, but these ideas make it easier to fight those dirty jobs faster and keep it cleaner longer.
9 Easy Mistakes Homeowners Make on Their Taxes
As you calculate your tax returns, be careful not to commit any of these nine home-related tax mistakes, which tax pros say are especially common and can cost you money or draw the IRS to your doorstep.
10 Tips for Saving Energy in the Laundry Room
Most laundry room expenses come from heating water for washing and heating air for drying. But these costs aren’t set in stone, and you can save money by following these energy-reducing tips.