A backyard can be an excellent place to let your kids and pets play and to entertain guests, but it could also be filled with hazards. One trip or a curious child or pet could lead to an accident and serious injuries, as well.
WaterPools and hot tubs may look appealing to kids, but they can be deadly. Ponds, lakes and streams can also pose a threat to your family. Even if kids only sneak outside unsupervised for a minute, they can drown, even in shallow water. If you have a pool or hot tub in y...
Automatic payments can be a smart and easy way to “set it and forget it.” The automatic withdrawals from your bank account can be set up to pay internet services, subscriptions, phone bills, credit card bills and even a mortgage.
Along with accepting payment by check, over the phone and online, many mortgage providers allow mortgage payments to be automatically withdrawn from your checking or savings account every month on the same day.
One of the best things about having your mortgage on autop...
Looking for a home so cozy you almost want to cuddle with it? The following design elements can create a comforting, warm space that you will never want to leave.
Warm colors.
Add warm colors to your walls, accents, linens window hangings and more to create a cozy vibe inside. Deep orange, rusty reds, buttery yellows and soft off-white colors can all add a “stay at home” vibe to your space.
Plush textures.
From fleecy blankets thrown over every chair, to faux-fur pillows and rugs, having tex...
If you’re always short of cabinet and counter space, it’s time to declutter your kitchen. But that’s a chore that seems to get relegated to “someday.” According to Country Living Magazine, the job may be easier if you know where to start. If you want to give yourself more kitchen space, begin by getting rid of the following:
Your plastic container collection. Most of us have far too many plastic containers haphazardly stuffed somewhere in our kitchens, including those empty deli and margarine c...
Spring is an ideal time to sell a home. It’s a well-known fact that both the number of buyers and inventory increase during the months of April, May, and June. This often means that your house could be paired against stiff competition. Here are some simple real estate tips to help your spring listing stand out!
Stay Ahead of the Home Inspection If you know that a home inspector will find something wrong with your house, it’s advantageous to get it fixed before the inspection. Potential buyers...
If you have a sign in your front yard warning burglars that you have a home alarm system in place, you could be attracting a new breed of scammer. That’s the warning from the consumer watchdogs at Consumer Reports, who say scammers look for signs of existing installations, especially older-looking signs, then strike with one of two approaches:
Fraudsters claiming to be remote access technicians from your security company tell you, they noticed glitches in your system and they want to repair it...
When it comes to major home remodeling, there is more involved than money. Your home is more than your largest investment—it’s where you and your family live. If you love your neighborhood, your school district and your commute, and you plan to stay for many years, then remodeling to improve your family’s daily life makes sense.
But unless you plan to stay for the long haul, it pays to know which renovations will add the most resale value when you sell. From the 2018 Cost vs. Value Report publ...
