Buying, Selling or Building a Home

Condo Basement Leaks

Basements & Crawlspaces, Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Spring...

 I am trying to purchase a condo and during my home inspection of the home, I noticed standing water in the basement near the center of the baseme...

Can a Home Inspection Help or Hurt?

Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter...

We bought our home, new, when it was first built. We had an inspector about a month before closing. Our home will be eleven years old.  Would it b...

Attic Inspection Good Idea

Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Insulation & Ventilation, Winter...

I do home inspections in Alaska and have had several people (mostly contractors) tell me that it is an absolute no-no to open the attic access hol...

Trouble Selling a Modular Home

Buying, Selling or Building a Home...

We are having a serious problem selling our modular home.  It is not a manufactured home constructed on a metal frame, but a wood framed home that...

Top 10 Real Estate Myths Debunked

Buying, Selling or Building a Home...

With mortgage meltdowns, plummeting home prices and soaring foreclosure rates constantly in the news, it's no wonder people are wary of the housing ma...

Five Fatal Foreclosure Flaws

Buying, Selling or Building a Home...

Gazing up a tree-lined street featuring foreclosed properties, you may think there’s homeowner’s gold in them there hills.  But beware before bargain...

Seven Smart Home Improvements for Under $1000 Each

Bath Remodeling, Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Driveways, Paths & Sidewalks, Kitchen Remodeling, Lawn & Garden, Painting & Staining...

In an uncertain housing market, dropping big bucks on complex home improvement projects isn’t always the way to go. However, with a little DIY know-h...

Turn Green into Green

Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Lawn & Garden, Spring...

Homeowners with houses on the market know how challenging today’s real estate market can be. They -- and their houses need an extra edge to stand out ...

How Much House Can You Afford?

Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter...

Tips on how to understand how much you can afford when buying a home....

New Front Entry Adds Value to a Home

Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Contractors, Doors, Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter...

If you’re looking to add value to your home without spending a lot of money, consider enhancing its curb appeal with a new front door. Once you’ve sel...

Fast Sales For Slow Real Estate Markets

Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter...

In the wake of credit and housing market troubles that sent 2007 out with a whimper, up-and-coming buyers and sellers may feel tentative about the opt...

Home Improvement Safety For Pets

Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Contractors, Fall, Remodels & Additions, Tools...

Fall is a busy time for home improvement projects, many of which you’ll probably be tackling outdoors during the last blast of good weather with the r...

Shopping For Home Plans

Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Fall, Remodels & Additions, Spring, Summer, Winter...

Building a home from scratch can be an exciting but daunting endeavor, not to mention fraught with hidden expenses. It all begins with a plan, of cour...

Log Cabin Living

Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter...

Log homes have always scored big in R-value, a factor calculating energy efficiency in building materials. Log walls actually contain millions of tiny...

HOME SWEET MODULAR VACATION HOME

Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter...

Second homes for seasonal leisure are a perennially popular investment, but the cost of new builds can send hopeful vacation homeowners packing back t...

How to Hire A Moving Company

Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Summer...

As summer approaches, so does the great American moving season. More than half of all household moves are made between Memorial Day and Labor Day, and...

For Sale By Owner Tips

Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Spring...

You’ve probably heard the old saying that a lawyer who represents himself has a fool for a client.  Without proper preparation, the same can be said a...

Boosting Your Home's Bottom Line

Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Doors, Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter...

A home's exterior makes or breaks the first impression when prospective buyers see your home. If you're looking to add value to your home without spen...

Styled To Sell

Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Fall, Spring, Storage & Organization, Summer, Winter...

Home staging is the art of styling your home for the buying audience.   Industry surveys show that staged homes sell faster and at higher prices than ...

To Rent Or To Buy: The Home Improvement Question

Buying, Selling or Building a Home...

The question of whether to rent or buy can pop up more than once in life, and at any stage. Several elements enter into the complicated and very perso...

Low-maintenance Getaways

Buying, Selling or Building a Home...

Tom Kraeutler is the Home Improvement Editor for AOL.  In this column, Tom offerrs tips for selecting a low maintenace vacation home.Purchasing a sec....

Seller Disclosure Can Reduce Liability

Buying, Selling or Building a Home...

Recently, I got an assignment from a television station to do a home inspection that would be aired live across New Jersey. To do this, I needed a ho....

Arbitration Can Help After New Home Closing

Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Contractors...

When Mary and Sam decided to buy a home, they opted for new construction. "We were on a fixed budget and didn't want any unexpected repairs - W.....

Selling Your Home? Prep Pays Off!

Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Storage & Organization...

As the spring real estate season swings into gear, experts predict a banner year for home sales.  According to the National Association of Realtors (....

Moving Season Gears Up

Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Contractors, Miscellaneous...

The average American will move 12 times in a lifetime and more than half of all moves are made between Memorial Day and Labor Day. But if you're one.....

Do It Yourself Packing Tips

Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Miscellaneous...

If you want to save some money, moving yourself is always an option.  Besides having plenty of friends and family on hand to help pack, load, and unl....

Choose Agent Carefully Before Buying House

Buying, Selling or Building a Home...

Imagine you're in a supermarket by a large barrel of apples with a sign that says Pick One - 6 Cents. Some of the apples are sweet, others are sour,.....

Home Inspection Survival

Buying, Selling or Building a Home...

It’s like a scene from a reality television show.  Strangers arrive at your front door and dive into every nook and cranny of your personal space.  F....

High Tech House Framing

Buying, Selling or Building a Home...

if you’re building a new home, there’s one “key” to it’s longevity and appearance.  The frame of a house provides support and a base for outer layers....

First Impressions Count

Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Lawn & Garden...

If you are planning on selling your home anytime soon, curb appeal is one of the most important thing to consider. Experts agree that the best way to....

When To Call A House Inspector

Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Contractors...

When buying a new home, the first “third” party you should call is a home inspector. When buying - or selling - a home, a professional inspector prov....

Good Drainage Calls For Higher Ground

Buying, Selling or Building a Home...

When searching for the perfect site to build your new home, there are four things to consider…location, location, location…and drainage. Proper drain....

Be Fully Apprised For Appraisal

Buying, Selling or Building a Home...

Want to be fully “apprised” when the appraiser comes to your house? Before the appraiser rings your doorbell, have these documents on hand - A copy o....

Modular Homes

Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Structure...

Building a new home can be a lot of work.  But one type of new home can save you time and headaches throughout this complicated project.  It’s called....

Move Or Improve?

Buying, Selling or Building a Home...

Debating whether to move or improve? Here are some important financial factors to consider. It’s all based on costs and trade-offs. Remodeling can....

Improvement Value Vs. Appraisal

Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Energy Savings, Flooring, Insulation & Ventilation, Roofing...

Believe it or not, not all home improvements “add up.”  Here’s how to decide which improvements will make you money, and which ones will waste it.  W....

Buying 2nd Home

Buying, Selling or Building a Home...

Thinking about a second home?  Here’s some “house rules” to follow.  Buying a second home can be a smart investment, but it should work for your life....

Move Or Improve?

Buying, Selling or Building a Home...

Debating whether to move or improve?...

Ease the Financial Squeeze - 9/21 Money Pit e-Newsletter

Bath Remodeling, Bugs, Pests & Rodents, Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Cleaning, Contractors, Fall, Kitchen Remodeling, Lighting, Plumbing...

Soaring energy prices, brutal insurance rates, variable rate loans that go nowhere but up – these are tough times for homeowners. It’s gotten so bad ...

Curb Appeal Matters - 8/10 Money Pit e-Newsletter

Basements & Crawlspaces, Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Kitchen Remodeling, Lawn & Garden, Walls & Ceilings...

Americans love their lawns and yards. Last year, they spent nearly $45 billion on professional lawn and garden services for their outdoor spaces, mak...

Home Inspection How-to 6/22 Money Pit e-Newsletter

Air Conditioning, Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Contractors, Faucets, Kitchen Remodeling...

You’ve finally got an offer on your house. The only thing that stands in the way of closing the deal is the home inspection. But if the inspector fi...

Avoid Moving Mayhem - 7/6 Money Pit e-Newsletter

Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Decks & Porches, Kitchen Remodeling, Outdoor Structures, Patio...

July means school is out, beaches and lakes get crowded and lots of homeowners start to pack up and move out. More than half of all household moves a...

Your Money Pit e-Newsletter for August 4th

Air Conditioning, Bugs, Pests & Rodents, Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Product Recomendations, Safety...

Summer is great for getting together with friends and family. Just make sure that uninvited visitors don’t crash the party. We’re talking about summ...

Your Money Pit e-Newsletter for June 30th

Basements & Crawlspaces, Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Cleaning, Decorating & Design, Energy Savings, Foundation, Outdoor Structures, Product Recomendations, Safety, Storm Proofing...

Happy Birthday to Us! This Fourth of July, the United States will celebrate birthday number 230. That’s more than two centuries of freedom. Among t...

Your Money Pit e-Newsletter for March 24th

Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Plumbing, Product Recomendations, Tools...

A super snooper is not someone you necessarily want around, unless you're in the process of buying or selling a home. Then you need a very good house...

Your Money Pit e-Newsletter for March 3rd

Basements & Crawlspaces, Bath Remodeling, Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Electrical, Kitchen Remodeling, Product Recomendations, Remodels & Additions...

As the spring real estate season swings into gear, experts predict a banner year for home sales. According to the National Association of Realtors, i...

Your Money Pit e-Newsletter for February 24th

Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Cleaning, Product Recomendations, Safety, Tools...

Half a million Americans bought a second home last year. Most say they purchased their home as true vacation home, not a future place to retire. But ...

Your Money Pit e-Newsletter for February 10th

Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Cleaning, Decorating & Design, Energy Savings, Product Recomendations, Safety...

If you and your sweetheart can't agree on a design scheme for your home, you're not alone. Venus and Mars rarely have the same tastes when it comes t...

Your Money Pit e-Newsletter for October 14th

Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Energy Savings, Foundation, Product Recomendations, Roofing, Safety, Storm Proofing...

Each year around this time, schools, communities and businesses pay special attention to fire safety. But keeping safe from fires is a year round pro...

Your Money Pit e-Newsletter for May 6th

Appliances, Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Decorating & Design, Energy Savings, Flooring, Lawn & Garden, Safety...

This week we celebrate Mother's Day with some eye-opening trends in home improvement. Did you know that one in three women takes on improvement projec...

Your Money Pit e-Newsletter for April 22nd

Bath Remodeling, Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Decorating & Design, Flooring, Insulation & Ventilation, Product Recomendations, Wood Stoves & Fireplaces...

If springtime has you thinking of making major changes in your home, don't grab that sledgehammer just yet. A little redecorating around the house ca...

Your Money Pit e-Newsletter for April 29th

Air Conditioning, Appliances, Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Decorating & Design, Energy Savings, Flooring, Lawn & Garden, Roofing, Storm Proofing...

You go, girl! It turns out women are the power consumers. While most of us have known all along that women love to shop ‘til they drop, it’s what th...

Newsletter dated 03-26-2005

Bath Remodeling, Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Decorating & Design, Electrical, Miscellaneous...

Spring is definitely in the air, and it's the time of year most people put their house on the market or start shopping around for a home -- or both. ...

Transcript For March 3, 2007, Hour 2

Basements & Crawlspaces, Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Doors, Flooring, Foundation, Furniture Refinishing & Repair, Heating, Kitchen Remodeling, Plumbing, Siding...

Transcript For February 24, 2007, Hour 2

Appliances, Basements & Crawlspaces, Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Cleaning, Electrical, Insulation & Ventilation, Remodels & Additions, Roofing, Toilet...

Transcript For January 20, 2007, Hour 1

Bath Remodeling, Bugs, Pests & Rodents, Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Cleaning, Flooring, Garage, Home Security, Insulation & Ventilation, Plumbing...

Transcript For December 2, 2006, Hour 2

Basements & Crawlspaces, Bugs, Pests & Rodents, Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Cleaning, Flooring, Insulation & Ventilation, Kitchen Remodeling, Painting & Staining, Roofing, Windows & Skylights...

Transcript For November 11, 2006, Hour 2

Bugs, Pests & Rodents, Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Flooring, Insulation & Ventilation, Mold, Plumbing, Siding, Toilet, Tub & Shower...

Transcript For October 7, 2006, Hour 2

Bugs, Pests & Rodents, Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Decks & Porches, Energy Savings, Flooring, Foundation, Insulation & Ventilation, Roofing, Windows & Skylights...

Transcript For July 29, 2006, Hour 2

Appliances, Basements & Crawlspaces, Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Decks & Porches, Flooring, Furniture Refinishing & Repair, Kitchen Remodeling, Lighting, Painting & Staining, Product Recomendations, Walls & Ceilings...

Transcript For May 20, 2006, Hour 1

Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Doors, Energy Savings, Garage, Kitchen Remodeling, Plumbing, Tools...

Transcript For May 20, 2006, Hour 2

Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Decorating & Design, Remodels & Additions, Roofing, Tub & Shower...

Transcript For March 18, 2006, Hour 1

Appliances, Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Decorating & Design, Heating, Insulation & Ventilation, Roofing, Walls & Ceilings, Windows & Skylights...

Transcript For March 4, 2006, Hour 1

Bugs, Pests & Rodents, Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Cleaning, Decks & Porches, Energy Savings, Insulation & Ventilation, Lighting, Painting & Staining, Plumbing...

Transcript For February 11, 2006, Hour 2

Air Conditioning, Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Cleaning, Doors, Flooring, Foundation, Heating, Plumbing, Wood Stoves & Fireplaces...