Did you know that one home is broken into every 14.6 seconds? Home break-ins may be more common than you think, but taking certain precautions can greatly reduce your risk of a burglary attempt. The infographic below shows a few surprising stats about break-ins and prevention tips that can help you protect what’s important to you.
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You recently sent your last child off to college and now you’re an empty nester. Or maybe you’ve decided to sell your home and move to a smaller house because you don’t need so much space. Perhaps you’re tired of paying thousands of dollars in utility bills every year and would gladly trade a bigger...
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There’s a lot of conflicting advice about how to stage a home, and the details often vary with the home and the neighborhood. Talk with your realtor about local trends and buyers’ expectations, and then stage your home with those preferences in mind. “A realtor can see your home through buyer’s eyes and can provide...
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More people are paying attention to what goes into their food, even their healthy vegetables. They see the advantage of buying food that is locally grown because it tastes better, picked at the best moment of flavor. So what could be more local than growing your favorite vegetables on your sunny porch? If you don’t...
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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]
You may be ready to give your new puppy lots of love and attention, but how ready is your home? Puppy proofing a house is like baby proofing. And like babies, puppies are inquisitive explorers ready to get into whatever they can without a second thought. Use this puppy-proofing guide to help keep your furry...
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Ever get the urge to freshen up your humble abode? Whether it’s new paint in the living room or trendy front yard landscaping, you can never get enough of those DIY projects. While do-it-yourself seems more fun and less expensive, it’s not always the best option. Let’s explore which home renovation projects are safe to...
Read more about Home Renovation Rundown: DIY vs. Contractor
You’ve searched long and hard for your dream home. It has everything you want – and you can envision your family there. Everything seems to be fine, but are there hidden problems? We’ve compiled a list of commonly overlooked problems from U.S. News and Trulia to help guide your decision. Remember, finding underlying issues early...
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We’re kicking off our Fire Prevention Week 2014 series with tips on how to protect your home and what’s in it. Think of each room as a separate entity with its own set of rules. Begin in the bedroom The U.S. Fire Administration estimates 600 Americans die in fires that start in bedrooms. Let’s start...
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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.
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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:
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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
Read more about Up in Smoke – Part 1: How to Avoid 5 Common Home Fire Hazards
Speak with your tax preparer to find out which of these changes are best for you. Given the state of the housing market, you might think the saying “There’s value in real estate” doesn’t mean as much as it used to. But there could be money in your house—in the form of potential tax savings....
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Be sure to light your home the right way. Electric lights are such a fixture of our everyday lives that we really don’t give them much thought. But every year, more than 28,000 residential electrical fires cause an estimated $1 billion in damage, according to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA). So those simple lighting projects...
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