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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.

Leaving home.

Nationwide Survey Reveals Common Mistakes that Could Invite Home Burglaries

At Nationwide, being “On Your Side” isn’t just about recovering from tragedies – it’s about preventing them. That’s why we conducted a survey* of homeowners to find out how protected Americans are against home burglary. Some of the results are surprising, but the good news is there are easy ways to improve the security of most homes.

Home at dusk.

Home Burglary Quiz: How Much Do You Know?

According to Nationwide Insurance Claims Data and FBI statistics, home theft is most common in the summer months when the temperatures rise. A recent survey* commissioned by Nationwide reveals that, while a majority of homeowners (79 percent) have at least one common theft-prevention measure (e.g., alarm system, deadbolt), three in 10 (30 percent) do not use any, potentially putting their loved ones and belongings at unnecessary risk during a heightened burglary season. Are you prepared in case you experience a home theft? See how you stack up against our recent survey and test your security smarts about home theft below.

tornado damage

Record-Breaking Tornadoes in U.S. History

Hollywood tornadoes may whisk you away to the magical land of Oz, but real life twisters can destroy an entire neighborhood in minutes.

Here are some of the largest, fastest and most destructive tornadoes in United States history.

Dark house.

How to Protect Your Home From the Dangers of Radon [Video]

Add this to list of invisible things that are bad for you: radon gas.

Radon is an odorless, invisible, radioactive gas that can cause serious health problems. Check out this video from New Jersey Water Testing on the dangers of radon, and how it gets into your home:

a man holding a box

6 Yard Sale Tips

1. Got too much stuff? Get rid of it—and generate some cash in the process Spring cleaning often leads to … Continued

heating ducts

A Microscopic Look at What’s Hiding in Your Heating Ducts

Do your allergies flare up when you switch on your central air or heat? You’re not alone. Turning on the air conditioning or furnace when the weather changes stirs up all kinds of allergens, and circulates them throughout the house. Take a look at what may be lurking in your vents, and learn what you can do to clean up the air in your home.

fire hazards

Up in Smoke – Part 1: How to Avoid 5 Common Home Fire Hazards

Fire prevention in the home is something we all need a refresher on from time to time. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 85 percent of fire deaths happen in the home, and those household fires are responsible for billions of dollars in property damages each year. The good news is that nearly all home fires are preventable by watching out for a few common fire hazards

yellow annual flower

Plant annuals to add color to your yard this summer

Do you want to color your world, or at least your garden? If so, annuals are the way to go. It’s not too late to get transplants into the ground, although the sooner you plant them the better they’ll blossom.