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Xeriscaping 101

Saving water doesn’t mean you have to give up the garden of your dreams. Want a beautiful garden that doesn’t … Continued

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5 Common Renters Insurance Questions Answered

If you’ve chosen to rent, rather than buy, know that one of the wisest decisions you can make is to invest in renters insurance. However, a recent Nationwide Insurance survey found that most renters aren’t protected from financial loss since they have not purchased renters insurance. If you’re confused about renters insurance, here’s a Q & A addressing some of the most frequently asked questions about the coverage.

an illustration of text "plan ahead for wildfires"

How to Prepare Your Home or Business for Wildfire Season

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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Home Safe Home

Protect you and your family from these common accidents While you might think your home is the safest place for … Continued

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Fun Things to Do During a Blackout

What would you do during a power outage to have fun? At one time or another, you’ll likely be caught in a blackout, so it’s important to be prepared – especially if you have kids at home. Here are some entertaining ideas.

Youth fall sports safety tips

Prevent Youth Sports Injuries this Fall With these Safety Tips

The fall sports season in full swing. Youth sports give kids an opportunity to learn teamwork, get physically fit and socialize. Regardless of what fall sports they participate in – football, soccer, cross country, volleyball and the like – injuries like sprains and strains can be all too common. What can you do to keep your young athletes safer on the field? Here are tips from the Youth Sports Safety Alliance to help protect them from sports-related injuries.

Paintbrush.

5 Quick and Easy Cosmetic Home Updates

Want a brand-new kitchen or completely renovated bathroom, but don’t feel like emptying your wallet? Sometimes, a quick touch-up or easy fix can transform a room – without costing you hundreds of dollars. Check out five easy and quick cosmetic home updates to make everyone wonder if you hired a 15-person crew.

Seattle skyline

Buying an Investment Property? Here Are 5 Cities Where Home Values Have Increased

Since the housing bubble burst in 2008, property values have been steadily recovering across the country – but some cities are recovering faster than others. According to Kiplinger.com, a few top performers have seen double-digit property value percentage increases from 2011 to 2012. The cities each have populations of more than 500,000, and could be a good place to start looking if you’re in the market for an investment property – but keep in mind that property values can fluctuate quickly, so check real estate appraisal sites like Zillow.com for up-to-date information.