Real Estate News

5 Steps to a More Organized Home for Back to School

As if summer isn’t crazy enough, the transition to school can make home life even busier and messier. Schedules are a mix of school activities and the last-hurrah-of-summer, and the house is strewn with important school papers and wet beach towels. Here are a few tips to help you organize the chaos this year. Clean the

Countdown to Moving: 3 Steps to Get Prepared

Properly preparing for any move – whether big or small – is essential for a successful, low(er) stress moving experience. Assessing everything in and outside your home that you want to take along – and figuring out exactly how you’ll actually get everything on your list into your new space – is essential when preparing to

5 Stops on Your Home-Buying Journey

Thinking about looking for a new home? Twenty years ago, your first step would have been pulling out the Sunday newspaper and making a list of open houses to attend. Today, however, it’s likely you’ll spend weeks – maybe even months – looking at listings online or on your mobile device before you step foot in a listed home

What’s a Hurricane Deductible, and Do You Have One?

By Arthur Murray When a hurricane damages your home, you may be looking at serious repairs. But don’t assume your homeowners insurance will cover it. Are you covered under home insurance? The answer in part depends on the cause of the damage. Standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flooding; you’ll need a separate flood insurance policy for

Hurricane Insurance: What Homeowners and Renters Should Know

By Samantha Alexander Peak hurricane season runs from mid-August to late October, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. As a homeowner or renter, you may wonder, “Do I have enough insurance protection to withstand a potential hurricane?” Unfortunately, you might not want to hear the answer. If you’re a homeowner Like any responsible homeowner,

How to Plan an Outdoor Movie Night

In the height of summer your backyard or porch is headquarters for family time and date night alike. Combine both and cue up a movie on your DIY movie screen for a staycation highlight or fun gathering with the neighbors. A bedsheet or table cloth affixed to a fence or wall plays projection screen, and your

3 Secrets to Keeping Calm When Your Home is Chaos

Somehow it just happens. You say “yes” before you really even think it through. Suddenly, in the blink of an eye, your home is up for sale, or the construction team is knocking at the door for the kitchen remodel, or a nephew, aging parent, sibling, or adult child is moving into the spare guest room. How do you manage

9 Budget-Friendly Staycation Ideas for Families

Disneyland, the beach, camping, Grandma’s … just a few of the many places your kids would nominate as a vacation destination this summer. But staying home? B-O-R-I-N-G. So, how do you sell a staycation to your little rascals? Oh, and not spend a ton of money? Fill it with fun and adventure. Look for activities that

Before & After: Shabby Shed Turned Pretty Screened Porch

Many homes have an old, weathered shed in the backyard that’s been sitting there for years. While some homeowners’ vision might be to tear down the eyesore, one South Carolina couple decided to rehab their old shed into the screened porch of their dreams. That old shed out back When the couple moved into their newly renovated

Leaving the Nest: College Students and Renters Insurance

By Shannon Ireland College students live for summer. They get a much-needed break from reading dense textbooks and studying for exam after exam. However, after months spent at home with Mom and Dad, they’re typically ready to head back to campus and regain their freedom when the fall semester rolls around. Back-to-school shopping typically includes new