Home Ownership

Home ownership is one of the most rewarding responsibilities of a person’s life. That’s why it’s so important to consistently add value and keep up with regular maintenance. Whether you’re a new owner, keeping up with your current home, or looking to sell, prioritizing tasks can be daunting. We aim to help figure out what is most impactful to your home with expert advice. We cover all types of DIY and contracted projects. Check out the articles below for a wide range of answers to common homeowner questions!

Must Read Articles About Home Ownership :

What's it Worth to You? How to Add Value to Your Home

It doesn't matter if you're about to say goodbye or you're just settling in for the long-haul: your home means something to you. That's why it's worth adding enjoyment value to your home as well as potential upgrades for a higher resale price at the end of it. Whether you want to spruce up your home to make the most of it or add to an imminent resale price, try these simple tips to create more value from your property.

A Maintained Home is a Happy Home: The Top Home Maintenance Tips Everyone Should Know

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.

Remarkable Health Benefits of Being Organized

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.

Evaluate Your House for a Deck

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.

Recent Home Ownership Articles:

Perennial Flowers: A Little Care Says ‘Encore! Encore!’ Each Year

By: Lisa Kaplan Gordon Reprinted from HouseLogic.com with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Don’t take your old garden friends — perennial flowers — for granted. A little routine love keeps these stunners growing for blooming’ ever. ROI, anyone? You don’t need a calendar if you grow perennial flowers, which return each year like clockwork. But home owners often take these Old Faithfuls for granted. We don’t divide, deadhead, or cut back like we should. Before we know it... [Read More]

6 Outdoor Projects You Can Do With Your Kids

By: John Riha Reprinted from HouseLogic.com with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Get your kids outside and spark their creativity with fun, simple home improvement projects. Plus, you’ll boost your curb appeal. If you’re looking for ways to unplug your children and get them some fresh air, try these engaging outdoor projects. You’ll introduce them to a little pride of home ownership while adding some finishing touches that’ll ramp up your home’s curb appeal. When makin... [Read More]

5 Awesomely Easy Landscaping Projects

By: Dave Toht Reprinted from HouseLogic.com with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Ramp up your curb appeal with cool landscaping projects you can easily pull off in a weekend. Project #1: Install Rigid Flower Bed Edging The setup: A crisp edge where the lawn meets the flower beds looks great and eases mowing. Opt for rigid edging — the flexible plastic stuff looks amateurish from day one. Use a charged garden hose to lay out a smooth curve. Tip: A “charged” garden ... [Read More]

Tree Falls Over Property Line: Who Pays? Who Picks Up the Pieces?

By: Ann Cochran Reprinted from HouseLogic.com with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. When a neighbor’s tree falls over your property line, yell TIMBER, then call your insurance company. Home owners policies cover tree damage caused by perils like wind and winter storms. Most policies cover hauling away tree debris if the mess is associated with house damage; some will cover cleanup even if no structures were harmed. When a Tree Falls Your neighbor is responsible when... [Read More]

Maintaining and Cleaning your Deck

A new deck is a big expense whether you build it yourself or have it built. You will want to take care of the deck to keep it looking new and as beautiful as the day it was completed. If your deck is showing signs of grime, wear and tear, it may be time to get it cleaned and re-stained. To check to see if the deck needs to have stain applied, pour some water on an area of the deck. If water beads up, the deck's stain is still in good shape. If the water does not bead up, it is time t... [Read More]

Hand holding uprooted plant with woman smiling in the background

How to Divide Plants

By: Lisa Kaplan Gordon - Reprinted from HouseLogic.com with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Make the most of your perennials by dividing and transplanting favorites that have outgrown their homes. Why divide and transplant? Plants need space to thrive. When they become too big for their garden spots, powdery mildew coats leaves, insects chow down on blooms and stems, and centers become brown. When you divide and transplant, each perennial — the new and old -- bloom... [Read More]

5 Things You Forgot to Clean in Your Bathroom

By: Lisa Kaplan Gordon - Reprinted from HouseLogic.com with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Your bathroom, one of the rooms you clean most, hides areas that rarely see a scrub brush. It’s time to tackle these 5 nasty spots you probably forgot. But we presume you or someone else regularly swishes out the toilets, wipes out the tubs and sinks, and mops your bathroom flooring. But you may be missing some critical areas. With the help of Kristi Mailloux, president of Mo... [Read More]

Cleaning Your Kitchen Appliances the Easy Way

By: Lisa Kaplan Gordon - Reprinted from HouseLogic.com with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. If Mr. Clean isn’t magically popping into your kitchen to make it sparkle, you still can get that clean satisfaction with these easy appliance cleaning tips. Your refrigerator The space behind your fridge is arguably the dirtiest couple of square feet in your house. It’s a meeting place for dust, water, and a host of other stuff that’s fallen behind the big guy. Pull out ... [Read More]

How to Mulch

By: Lisa Kaplan Gordon - Reprinted from HouseLogic.com with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Anyone can learn how to mulch and prolong the life of their landscaping. Here’s how. But you should blanket your garden beds at least twice a year -- in early spring and late fall — to retain moisture and keep down weeds. That’s why it’s so important to learn how to mulch correctly. How much is enough? If you’re a numbers geek, try this method: To determine how much mulch... [Read More]

Tips for Spring Home Maintenance

Check for loose or leaky gutters as they can lead to drainage issues that can allow water into your basement or crawl space. Downspouts should be clear of debris and drain away from the foundation. The grade around your home should be sloped away from the foundation to prevent water from pooling up and entering the home. Use compact soil to increase the grade so that water flows away from the foundation. Check any wood trim surrounding windows, doors, railings, or decks for rot. Thi... [Read More]