The amount of work you put into selling your home can greatly affect its final sale price. While not all efforts will pay off, there are a number of things you can do that will significantly increase how much your home sells for. Here are some of the best tricks industry insiders use to maximize how much homes sell for. Price It Low to Sell It High Pricing your house low seems counterintuitive,...

The impulse is all-too-human: you spot a leak you suspect is coming from your roof and you're eager to investigate. If you can't make a diagnosis from a second-floor window – without getting up on your roof – ask yourself: Am I really confident about doing this or should I call a roofing contractor to investigate instead? If your gut instinct says you're out of your element, heed that instinct...

The outside of your home is a reflection of the inside. If there are weeds or overgrown grass taking over your yard, it’s easy to think the inside of your house is also messy and unkempt. With the importance of good landscaping to maintain your house’s curb appeal and functionality of your backyard, here are five landscaping tips for your home: Trim trees and other plants Are the shrubs in your...

You don't have to guard your wallet to implement organizational tools for your kitchen. All you need is to set aside some time and this second set of tricks to have the efficiency your kitchen has been waiting for. Consider: Coordinate a weekly “refrigerator clean-out day” with garbage day. Roll the garbage can to your refrigerator on garbage day and pitch spoiled (or spoiling) food. You will...

Did you know the air inside your home can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air? It’s true, and the main culprit is indoor air pollutants. Since most of us spend about 90% of our time indoors, it’s easy to see that protecting indoor air quality is an important consideration for your home. There are steps you can take to decorate and maintain your home year round while improving your...

Swimming pools are a great way to improve your outdoor space and entertain friends and family. For many of us, those friends and family members often include pets. If you're planning on having animals near your pool, be sure to consider these safety precautions. Keeping the Pool Clean While you may want to let your dog jump in the pool and go for a swim, be sure to keep your guests in mind. When...

While most consider the kitchen to be the heart of the home, it may be more aptly described as the nerve center. Serving a number of important functions from meal preparation to gathering space. This multipurpose room is easily one of the most used in any home and one where the decor, ambiance, and level of organization can set the tone from the rest of your living area. The right window shades...

Begin by making some basic but important tweaks before turning to the fundamentals and moving to hangars, shoes and accessories. Then, if you're feeling ambitious, finesse the details with some impressive finishing touches. Begin with the basics Place a step stool in your closet. You'll be more likely to store – and retrieve – items up high with this one important commodity at your disposal. Put...

There is no doubt that a built-in pool will require diligence and commitment on your part. But with practice, these five simple maintenance steps can become as routine as checking the weather forecast before you “suit up” and take the plunge in that beckoning blue water. Consider: Skim your pool's surface at least twice a week with a hand skimmer or leaf skimmer – long-handed tools allow you to...