Going green feels good, which is why we recycle cans and fill up reusable water bottles. Still, much bigger and pricier waste might be sailing right out your doors and windows if the home you’re in (or hope to buy) isn’t energy-efficient. Truth is, old houses are notoriously expensive to heat and cool, but even […]
Have you ever wondered, “Do I need a Realtor for new construction?” After all, when you’re house hunting, the allure of new construction is undeniable. You get to be the first to live in the pristine home—one untouched by grimy hands or muddy shoes. It’s full of brand-new appliances and the finishes and treatments that […]
When standup comedian Nathan Brannon moved into his newly purchased home in rural Washington state, it seemed the joke was on him: The previous owner had left the pegboard on the garage wall, but had taken all the pegs. “When I first saw the pegs were missing, I was super confused; I mean, what are you going […]
Veterans, service members, and their families believe in homeownership. In fact, the homeownership rate among veterans far outpaces that of civilians. But the financial toll of military service can make it tough for some veterans to get a financial foothold, let alone land a home loan. The good news is those who serve have access […]
Renovating a home is no piece of cake. Renovating during an unending pandemic? That’s another challenge entirely. Tradespeople are overbooked. Supply chain shortages abound. But you can get the job done—especially if you know the new rules of the road. If you’ve been thinking of tackling a home improvement project in the near future, keep […]
Two years ago, we painted a major living area in our home—a large, open-concept space that contains our family room and kitchen, with high ceilings and lots of natural light. We took it from a garish mustard yellow to white. The room now looks so light, so bright, so green. How could this be? It turns […]
Are you a borrower with a down payment wondering how to shop for a mortgage? We know: Looking for loan products is not exactly what most people would think of as a fun shopping project. Still, your ability to sniff out a great mortgage rate is crucial to your financial well-being as a future homeowner, because the decision you […]
One of the most exciting aspects of a kitchen remodel is choosing your fridge, stove, and other appliances. After all, this is where tech and style combine into sleek, sexy packages that can make even takeout veterans drool! That’s why we’ll take you through choosing the appliances your new kitchen needs, and the questions that’ll […]
Learning how to clean a kitchen might not seem like rocket science, but it’s definitely a lost art—something previous generations of homemakers obsessed over. We’re not saying you should remain tethered to a mop and bucket, but given the heavy foot traffic this area gets—not to mention all the food passing through—learning the right way to keep dirt, grime, and germs at […]
If you’re thinking of buying a home in today’s market, you need to be prepared for the possibility of an appraisal gap. So what is an appraisal gap? An appraisal gap is when a home’s appraised value is lower than the purchase price the buyer has offered to pay. Appraisal gaps are becoming increasingly common […]