T H E  B L O G

By following these five essential steps—talking to neighbors, checking regulations, knowing your limits, lining up trusted pros, and setting aside a reserve fund—you’ll be well-prepared to tackle your home renovation project confidently and avoid costly surprises.

Thinking about selling your home? Ready to tackle some projects yourself? What home improvements make the most "cents"? Here are five home improvements that will add the most value to your home.   1. Create Curb Appeal.  We've all heard it. First impressions are lasting impressions, so up your curb

Explore popular roofing materials along with their costs, durability, and style options to find the perfect fit for your home.

How many times have you heard people agonizing over the style, material and color of their front door? Is red still in? Is yellow the new color? While a home’s decorative front doors attract most of the attention, garage doors are often ignored. Afterall, they're "just garage doors." These days, how

Now that we've turned the clocks back and winter is just around the corner, it's a great time to think about painting rooms in your house! Paint can give your home a personality - or make a room more relaxing. Experts say different shades of the same color, such as a tone-on-tone look of creams and

Equipping your house with smart technology for lighting, HVAC and electronic appliances has not only become a trend in recent years, it makes life more convenient and provides energy efficiency. Here are some tips on how to begin making your home smarter. Add smart LED bulbs to lamps and light socke

The kids are back in school and thoughts of fall foliage and pumpkin spice are in the air! Are you thinking of taking a trip? While you're away, your empty home can attract unwelcome attention. Here are a few ways you can protect your home while you travel: Make it look like someone is home One of t

For many homebuyers, the quality of the local school district is often a primary concern, regardless of whether they have children or not. Why, you may ask? The school district impacts not only the education of the residents but also the value of the homes in that district. When it comes to buyers w

Kitchen appliances make your space function, but what happens if you need to replace them? How do you choose the best appliances for your kitchen? Here's a look at how to choose the major appliances for your kitchen.  Stove and oven There are many options for stoves and ovens. Some designs split the

Kitchens are one of the most essential spaces in a home, but a poorly lit kitchen can be a big turn-off for potential buyers. A dark kitchen is not only unattractive but also makes it difficult to cook and work efficiently. Fortunately, there are several ways to increase light in a dark kitchen. In

Is a messy house getting to you? Do you need to get clutter under control before a summertime celebration or milestone event hosted in your home? Here are a few things you can do to reduce the chaos in your home and your life caused by too much clutter! A Place for Everything The best way to tame cl

Pools are wonderful for relaxing sun and fun, right at home, but the energy costs that come along with your backyard oasis can really add up. Luckily, there are steps you can take to help lower those summertime energy bills. Here are some cool pool tips for saving energy. Pool Pumps: Inefficient, si

As homeowners, we are always looking for ways to save money. One way to do this is by reducing our energy costs. Many of us are unaware of the amount of energy our household appliances consume. One of the things you can do to save on energy costs is to use energy-efficient light bulbs. LED light bul

Bathrooms have become our places of sanctuary, a respite at the end of a long day or stressful week. If you're contemplating remodeling your bathroom, be sure to avoid making some common mistakes. You want your new bathroom to be relaxing, not a source of anxiety. Here are things to think about when

It's a sure sign that winter is over when you see trees budding and flowers blooming. This magic of nature also means you must plan the next steps in your garden maintenance. What do you need to do to make your garden healthy this spring? Make necessary repairs to hardscaping Hardscaping refers to a

Should I Buy a Home This Year? Today’s cooling housing market, the rise in mortgage rates, and mounting economic concerns have some people questioning: should I still buy a home this year? While it’s true this year has unique challenges for homebuyers, it’s important to factor the long-term benefits

Did you know that if you own a home, your net worth likely just got a big boost thanks to rising home equity. Equity is the current value of your home minus what you owe on the loan.  Based on recent home price appreciation, you’re building equity far faster than you may expect.  Here's how: Because

Are you ready to make a move and take advantage of today's sellers' market? With many homes continuing to get multiple offers, this could be the time to get the price and terms you’re looking for on your home sale. It's important to have an expert on your side to ensure you make all the right moves,

What is PMI? It is Private Mortgage Insurance, and it may be your savior when it comes to buying a home in this market. With home prices at the highest levels ever, and limited inventory to choose from, competition for affordable homes is fierce - especially with recent mortgage rate increases reduc

Are inflation's prices causing you concern over your budget? Here are some tips from Nerdwallet to help keep your budget in check - and in the black. - Reduce discretional, non-essential spending.  If you're able to postpone weekend travel and skip a few drive-through meals and pricey coffees, you'l