From Ikea product hacks to painting kitchen cabinets and refinishing countertops, Americans are absolutely hooked on the DIY craze. There are some things, however, that only a pro should tackle and that includes determining a home’s current market value. In fact, a National Association of Realtors’ survey of for-sale-by-owners found that determining an accurate price for their home was the…

Sure, books aren’t exactly selling like the Instapot (2018’s hottest selling product on Amazon’s Prime Day in the U.S.), but if you’re of the opinion that something isn’t worth reading unless you can hold it in your hand, read on. Even if you consume your literature on Kindle, shelves holding books are an asset to your décor – especially if…

Moving is bad enough, but moving in wet, muddy, sloppy weather should be illegal. Alas, it’s not, and if you have no choice but to move during winter, do yourself a favor and hire professional movers. If that’s not possible, pay heed to 5 of the most important tips from the pros. 1. What will you do with pets and…

Have you ever stocked up on groceries for a week’s worth of recipes and then forgot which of them you’d intended to follow? If you owned an LG InstaView ThinQ Refrigerator, it would’ve reminded you. This smart ‘fridge was but one of the many home tech creations on view at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Some of…

After the boring stuff is out of the way – the loan application process, choosing a lender and then hiring a real estate agent, it’s time to go shopping, the truly fun part of buying a home. Have you started your wish list yet? The first section should be all about location – where you want to live, right down…

Pretend, for a moment, that it’s spring (yes, it will come). Although snow is still deep, temperatures are rising. What happens? The snow will melt, sometimes rapidly, creating lots and lots of flowing water. Add a spring rainstorm to the scenario and you may be facing a serious problem. Where will all this water go? Since the earth is still…

Whoever coined the phrase “Bridezilla” must’ve been referring to the bride (or groom) who was juggling wedding planning with homebuying. Believe it or not, many couples avoid the chicken and egg scenario (what comes first, the wedding or the house?) and decide to do both processes simultaneously. It sounds crazy, but if you have a system and some professional guidance, …

 Winter brings images of getting cozy in front of a crackling fire. Whether your image also includes a steaming cup of cocoa or a glass of crisp Chardonnay, it’s definitely something to look forward to. A house fire most likely doesn’t factor into your dreams of hearthside dreams. But the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) lists fireplaces as one of…