Remodel

Buying life insurance can seem like a difficult and expensive endeavor if you haven’t done it before. Both can be overcome if you have a good insurance agent. Here are nine ways to save on life insurance, all of which you should ask your agent about: Don’t smoke: Smokers are more...

Enjoying a meal with family and friends on a deck is the perfect way to relax. Depending on where you live and the choices you make, a deck could significantly add to your home’s value. It could also raise some costs while you live in your house. Here are things...

Labor Day: What it Means Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of...

Have you been getting worn down lately? If you’ve been feeling overly tired, lacking in motivation and generally ill-at-ease, it could be the early signs of work burnout. In today’s career-focused world, it can feel impossible to take a step back from your job, even after you leave the office...

You don’t have to be a pro to tackle every home fix-it problem that arises. Home repair expert Bob Vila offers simple fixes for three very common household issues: Unclogging a toilet. Sooner or later, every homeowner faces a clogged toilet. Be prepared by having a toilet plunger on hand. When...

It’s summer—when the sun sets later and patio furniture is on sale! Now’s the time to dress up your backyard and host your friends to a cool summer evening. Never fear if you’re new to entertaining, experienced party planners say. Throwing a party that’s fun, festive and filled with food...

A home provides many tax benefits, literally from the time you buy to the time you sell. The mortgage interest paid on a home loan up to $750,000 for a primary residence or second home is tax deductible every year, as is the local property tax. Other mortgage costs—including late-payment...

If you’re looking at hiring a home inspector to get to the bottom of your dream home (literally), congratulations! This probably means your offer has been accepted. A home inspector’s findings will often make or a break a purchase decision, so it’s crucial that you work with someone who is...

In today’s day and age, choosing the right lighting for your space can be an overwhelming proposition. But it doesn’t have to be. Here are three out-of-the-box ideas you can—and should—put into play. Light unexpected spaces. There’s no need to settle for simple overhead lighting. Up ambiance and interest in a...

If you’ve been thinking about buying a second home, now is a good time to take the leap. Mortgage rates are still historically low. But there are some vital things to do before you start shopping. Follow these steps to make buying a second home a smooth process: The best...

Today’s Ask the Expert column features Dan Steward, president of Pillar To Post Home Inspectors. Q: Should sellers get a home inspection to help the mortgage process along? A: If you’re a seller, it behooves you to get your own home inspection prior to putting your house on the market. But why...

Ugh. Moving, right? Packing, coordinating, updating contacts and everything that goes along with it is time consuming in itself. Managing to squeeze it all in when you have a full-time job or kids to take care of? Sometimes it seems impossible! The trick is to plan ahead and reframe your...