House flipping has become a lucrative market for many. And with number of shows dedicated to these endeavors, you may be interested in what it takes to flip a property. But first, what does it mean to flip a house? What is ‘Flipping Houses’? House flipping is an investment strategy in the real estate market....
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According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (known as HUD)[1], the difference between manufactured, modular, and mobile homes all comes down to differences in construction and safety. Manufactured and mobile homes must be built according to HUD’s building codes while modular homes must follow local, state, and/or regional building codes. Mobile, manufactured,...
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You don’t have to live near a canyon or forest for your property to be threatened by wildfire. Nearly 1/3 of U.S. homes are in wildfire-prone areas, according to the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS). The impact of a wildfire can be tragic and expensive. For instance, the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Department of the Interior spend a staggering $3.5 billion a year combating the fires. Key to lessening the damage to homes and businesses is knowledge and preparation.
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Are you ready to buy a home? If so, you have a lot of options — one of which is a prefab home. A prefab home, or a prefabricated home, is a house that’s built in sections at a factory and assembled once its components are delivered to your property. There are a lot of...
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Are you prepared for hurricane season? In an average season, about 18 named storms occur. Of those storms, 3 are typically major hurricanes and another 6 vary in intensity, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).[1] The time to prepare for a hurricane is before it hits. By knowing how to prepare for...
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Get a Life Insurance Quote The prospect of a new home is exciting. Packing up and moving your stuff – not so much. We asked Sarah Roussos-Karakaian, whose New York company We OrgaNYze specializes in packing and unpacking for residential moves, to help us design the perfect stress-free move. “The biggest mistake people make when...
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Are you renovating your home? Whether you do it yourself or hire a professional, make sure you do it right the first time. Home projects can take a big bite out of your budget and your time if they’re not done properly. Here are some of the most common home renovations mistakes to avoid: 1....
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Simple fixes and smart thinking can ensure a safe environment for seniors. Stairs are the most obvious barrier to seniors hoping to stay in their homes as long as possible. But lighting, bath and kitchen design as well as access to home systems all require a top-to-bottom rethinking to ensure the elderly can manage the...
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Thinking of purchasing an RV trip for your next vacation? Before you hit the road, make sure you know which type of RV is right for your lifestyle – and your budget. Read on for the lowdown on the different RV types on the market. What are the different types of RVs? RVs are divided into...
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As parents get older, they often include their adult children in deciding what type of housing they should consider. One of today’s trends is the rise of mother-in-law suites, which can also be called granny suites, granny pods and granny flats. These separate-but-connected spaces provide a way for adult children and their aging parents to...
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Homeowners looking to get the best price for their home are learning that if you want to sell quickly and score big profits, you need to remove clutter and make the place look inviting, not lived in. Staging your home can help you sell it faster and possibly bring you more money, say many real...
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Looking for a perfect family getaway at a budget-friendly price? You do have options beyond the staycation or the grandparents’ house for a getaway. With a little creativity and planning, you can cut vacation costs without missing out on any of the fun. Here’s some ideas for planning a family vacation on a budget. 1. Signup...
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Raleigh, the tidy, oak-studded capital of North Carolina, is on the Piedmont plateau in the north-central part of the state, between the Appalachians and the Atlantic Coast – the prosperous heart of the state. It is one of the three cities comprising the zone that’s known as the Research Triangle, a name referring to the...
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Termites can be stealthy and they can show up anywhere. Particularly in warmer climates these insects can be an issue, cautions Brian T. Forschler, PhD, professor of entomology, University of Georgia, Athens. “I’ve lived in the South for 30 years, and I’ve heard many in the Southern states say, ‘There are two kinds of houses...
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The rising popularity of smartphones is playing a role in the growth of home security systems. Now, security systems don’t just trip an alarm if an intruder comes through the door anymore, they enable homeowners to watch live streaming video of their homes, turn on lights and disarm the system – all from their smartphones....
Read more about 5 Digital Trends That Are Dominating Home Security [Infographic]