Before: Plain Jane With overgrown landscaping and a disappear-into-the-background white paint color, this California bungalow was generally considered one of the least attractive homes on the block. Narrow, winding stairs and an overgrown trumpet vine and small tree that block the front door add to the home’s uncared-for look. After: Colorful Cottage To make the…

The price of any item (including residential real estate) is determined by ‘supply and demand’. If many people are looking to buy an item and the supply of that item is limited, the price of that item increases. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the supply of homes for sale dramatically increases every spring. As an…

A kitchen is often described as the heart and soul of the home, and for good reason. This is an area that is often used for family gatherings, for entertaining friends and for everyday living. You may begin mornings talking to your family in the kitchen about plans for the day, and you may end…

Keeping your pantry organized can help turn your kitchen into a more functional, efficient space. Set an energetic mood in your kitchen with a lively color in your pantry. Wire baskets can be used for easy access to potatoes and other long-lasting produce. An attractive, well-organized pantry space can serve double duty as both storage…

As the temperature in many areas of the country starts to cool down, you might think that the housing market will do the same. This couldn’t be further from the truth! Here are 4 reasons you should consider buying your dream home this winter instead of waiting for spring! 1. Prices Will Continue to Rise…

Looking for some great ideas for your home? How about a voice-activated assistant that will give you a weather update while you pour coffee into a preheated mug from a warming drawer? Not your style? No worries — there’s something for everyone in this preview of 2017 design trends. 1. Satin brass. Brass finishes have…

If you want to add a bathroom in your home but have a limited budget, head for the basement.  “A bath can be put in the basement without adding square footage to the exterior footprint of the home,” says Fred Freer, owner of Four Square Restorations Inc. “Adding a bath with a new foundation and…

Today, many real estate conversations center on housing prices and where they may be headed. That is why we like the Home Price Expectation Survey. Every quarter, Pulsenomics surveys a nationwide panel of over one hundred economists, real estate experts, and investment & market strategists about where they believe prices are headed over the next…

In this video, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva demonstrates a fast, no-fuss way to tile a kitchen backsplash. Steps: 1. Snap a chalk line onto the backsplash wall 5½ inches above the countertop. 2. Use a utility knife and steel-rule straightedge to cut five ⅜-inch-wide strips of tile adhesive. Notch the adhesive strips,…

If you’re a do-it-yourselfer on a tight timeline, spice up your routine with one of these easy projects — perfect for the weekend! Make a Bar Cart From a Bookshelf Bar carts add great storage and make entertaining a breeze. Now you can create your own out of an old bookshelf with a few simple…