Bill Loden, president of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), has been inspecting homes for the past 20 years. But he says some home headaches simply don’t reveal themselves during a standard inspection – and some are outside an inspector’s scope. “There are things homeowners think we can do, but we can’t,” he explained. “And honestly,
You’re excited because you just found the perfect home. The neighborhood is great, the house is charming and the price is right. But if you’re a first-time home buyer, you might find out that the price is pretty far from perfect. If you’re shopping for your first home, prepare for additional – and often unexpected – home-buying
Sometime about now in mid-summer we begin asking ourselves, “Why do things seem to be out of control? I planned on organizing my photos, painting that cute dresser I picked up at the yard sale last fall, and waking up without an alarm clock on Fridays. None of it has happened!” This scenario is all too common
You don’t need to stay in a hotel and play tourist to have a proper staycation. Look no further than your own home for a staycay dreams are made of. Make no mistake, an at-home staycation doesn’t just mean a lazy weekend on the couch. Turn your humble abode into a resort made for relaxation with
Besides shipping your household items, most moving companies offer additional services for an extra charge. These services are not automatically included in the moving estimate – you have to specify which of them (if any) you need. And it’s not always a matter of choice. Often, the circumstances of your move will necessitate a specific service, such
Summer will be here before you know it, and you know what that means: Heat, hornets and yard work. If you’re starting to miss spring already, fear not. Here are some quick projects to make your home and garden more comfortable and cost-effective this summer. Inside the house Service the air conditioning. Nothing can ruin
Whether you’re dealing with California droughts, Midwest heat waves or Deep South downpours, summer can be a tricky time to garden. Here’s what you need to know before leaving air-conditioned comforts for a steamy backyard jungle. DON’T: Plant cool-season vegetables Generally speaking, it’s a bad idea to attempt veggies like peas, lettuce, carrots and radishes
Designing and growing your own container garden is a lot easier than you think. It’s amazing how much you can accomplish with a well-chosen combo of pots and plants, from jazzing up your patio to growing herbs and vegetables in small spaces. Finding inspiration Once you’ve figured out what you want from your container garden, it’s time to
Your home reflects who you are, and you’re way more than a selection of tasteful paint and furniture. Why not celebrate your passions by incorporating them into your decorating? When your talents, skills, and hobbies are on display as a natural part of your decor, you feel more inspired and more at home. You don’t
Summer may be lazy and hazy, but in many areas of the country, it’s also a time of sweating and sweltering in scorching temperatures. To cope, homeowners employ a variety of methods to ensure a steady supply of cool, fresh air. These cooling solutions include a wide variety of fans and in-home ventilation systems, as