Thinking of Refinancing Your Mortgage? 6 Common Refinance Fees — and the Newest One to Watch for
You’ve likely seen the news: Mortgage rates are at historic lows. That bright spot means you can take advantage of interest rate changes to refinance your home loan. Refinancing could lower your monthly payments, save you money on your loan in the long run, or both. But, if you know the basics of a mortgage […]
What Is America’s Favorite Room in the House?
Whether you’re trying to up your home’s resale value or just want to upgrade for your own enjoyment, it can be hard to decide which room to renovate. The kitchen? The living room? Or maybe … the bathroom? It might sound silly, but according to our recent survey, the master bathroom is one of people’s favorite […]
10 Ideas That Green Your Home — and Your Wallet
Whether you’re starting a huge remodeling project or just giving your house a minor face lift, implementing eco-friendly home improvement strategies not only helps you go green, it saves green, too. Small green home improvements can shave off hundreds of dollars from your energy costs annually, while major ones can boost your home value by […]
The Answers to Your Most Burning Questions About a Mortgage Refinance
Picture this. You’ve been living in your first home for a few years. Since you made the purchase (congrats, by the way), your credit score has improved, you received a promotion at work, and you’ve definitely learned a thing or two about how to be responsible with your finances. You’re starting to consider refinancing your […]
How to Improve Your Home’s Efficiency – and Save on Your Utility Bills
We hear and talk a lot about changing habits to save money. It’s true that how we behave day-to-day can affect our finances. But, we can also improve the efficiency of our living space to save money on utility bills without having to change our habits. A more energy-efficient home is good for the planet, […]
Home Organization Tip: How To Organize Important Home Documents
It happens to all of us. We start searching through important documents for something specific and quickly realize we’ve managed to accumulate mounds of documents, receipts, forms, pamphlets, brochures and notes. Keeping your financial documents in order is key to simplifying your life. There are many different ways to organize important documents, however, the question […]
12 Tricks to Achieve Everyday Energy Efficiency
Did you know that in summer 2013, the average American residence was expected to be billed roughly $395 for electricity alone? (That, according to The U.S. Energy Information Administration.) The good news: There are many ways to become more energy efficient, helping you to lower your utility charges and save the environment at the same […]
Your Yard, Your Playground: Home Renovation Expert Brian Kelsey on How to Get the Most from Your Backyard
When it comes to living the good life, there’s no better time to do it than during the summer. But whether you’re planning a barbeque for your family and friends, or renovating your backyard to make it the hottest spot in your neighborhood, it’s important to keep all the relevant financial concerns in mind. After […]
Home Investment Inspiration From The International Contemporary Furniture Fair
Spending on quality furniture can pay off in years to come, according to The Wall Street Journal. In fact, the publication asserts that buying top-grade pieces can be a good investment: good furniture, along with other home design elements, can last a lifetime and increase in value. Meanwhile, if you’re planning on selling your home, […]
Home Improvement Tips to (Finally) Finish Your Kitchen
Kitchen remodeling is one of the most popular home improvement projects. In fact, 26% of respondents to our survey plan to renovate their kitchen in the next year. However, actually finishing a home improvement project can be a challenge. According to one third of all home remodel projects currently under way will be postponed for […]
