Category: General

Six ways to stay warm more efficiently this winter

Winter is notorious for giving us a spike in energy costs, so this is a perfect time to take a closer look at our usage to see if we can reduce our household running costs before spring arrives. Heaters and coolers are the greatest energy hogs, of course.  Research suggests heating accounts for 38% of…
Read more

Six ways to make your closets feel bigger

One secret to a great property sale is the ability of owners to give the impression their home has oodles of space and storage. Homes full of furniture feel cluttered and insufficient, diminishing buyers’ willingness to purchase or devaluing the offers for the property. As well as decluttering and encouraging as much natural light as…
Read more

Six tips to help prepare your garden for spring sale season

After the prolonged cold weather that many of us have endured this winter, it’s probably hard to think about the onset of spring and the opportunities the warmer days will give us to rejuvenate our gardens. Yet, spring is just a few weeks away. Our gardens will start to burst into life, and so will…
Read more

Why Freddie Mac says we need 1.5m more homes

The state of America’s real estate market is a cornerstone in the debate about the health of America’s economy. It’s becoming an increasingly important part of the presidential election as folks weigh up how happy they feel about their own financial situation. High interest rates have weighed heavily on every borrower – that’s for sure.…
Read more

Is rural living the lifestyle for you?

For homebuyers considering a move to the suburbs or the country, here are some statistics to think about. The 1920 US Census was the first time that more than 50% of the population was classified as urban. A century later, 80% of Americans now live in urban areas. While Covid encouraged many folks to escape…
Read more

Best approach to remodeling historic homes

Historic homes, even when in disrepair, simply cannot be beaten for their “olde worlde” property charm. Remodeling them, however, can be a challenge for new owners.  Any property in an officially designated historic district – either national, state, or local – will be subject to rules and regulations laid down by local planning authorities or…
Read more

Values keep rising as more homes come onto the market

American homeowners continue to see the value of their homes rise as buyers remain poised for the beginning of interest rate reductions by the Federal Reserve. Anticipated falls in mortgage costs have yet to materialize as the Fed remains concerned about the risk of inflation due to the nation’s strong economic performance and buoyant employment…
Read more

Seven tips for exploring a better loan deal

With the Federal Reserve taking longer to reduce our mortgage costs than we had all anticipated, many smart homeowners are casting their net to find their best home loan deal. Around 350,000 Americans are coming off their five-year, fixed-rate mortgage deal this year, according to research from Ice Mortgage Technology. So, plenty of lenders are…
Read more

Winter fire danger puts focus on smoke alarms

Winter is one of the biggest seasons for household fires as residents bring out long, unused heaters and electric blankets. Every home is vulnerable to fire, of course, so it’s essential you have working smoke alarms. It’s now a legal requirement to have a detector in your home.  Not all smoke alarms operate the same…
Read more

The danger of using the wrong paint

One of the most cost-effective ways to improve your home before putting it on the market is to give it a facelift with a splash of paint. Whether you wish to improve the interior or exterior, a fresh lick of paint will work wonders. You’ll increase your curb appeal from the outside, while indoors you’ll…
Read more