When it comes to home maintenance, you should abide by the one to four percent rule. This rule states you should spend between one and four percent of your home’s value each year on repairs and maintenance. You may wonder what type of repairs you should focus on to keep your home well maintained. This can vary based on the house, it’s age and other factors, and there are some general guidelines you can use. Regardless of if you build or buy, keeping your home properly maintained is a must.

Of course, too many things lying around has clear health hazards, such as tripping over toys in the middle of the night. Nevertheless, clutter causes many internal problems which – although less obvious than the Lego maze strewn across your family room floor – are quite impactful on your life. Read on to learn five reasons why getting organized is vital to your overall well-being.

In the summertime when the living is easy, there’s nothing quite like a deck for cooking out, entertaining, or simply relaxing. In addition to boosting outdoor living space, a deck can be an asset when you sell your home. Planning a successful deck requires careful consideration of your site, your budget, and the features you should — or shouldn’t — include. Here are some planning priorities to bear in mind.