Eco-friendly Kitchen Features That Won’t Break the Bank. I’m all for eco-friendly options when remodeling or updating. Depending on the age of your home and its original construction, a small change can make a huge difference in energy consumption. Some accessories like a smart thermostat might seem like a significant initial investment, but over the… Read More
How different is your current home from the typical newly built home? Click the link below and find out using a fun interactive infographic from the Census Department. – click for HUD Interactive Infographic – Highlights of Annual 2013 Characteristics of New Housing from HUD via Housing and Urban Development Website. Of the 569,000 single-family… Read More
Whether you’re buying a home, selling a home or staying right where you are, there’s a wide range of deductions you can take. Some of them are well-known, some less so, and there are a lot of twists, so it pays to review the rules. The IRS has outlined key home deductions in Publication 530…. Read More
If you installed energy-efficient home improvements in 2014, you may be eligible for a $500 tax credit. Among the home improvements that might qualify for the tax credit: Doors Windows Insulation HVAC systems Water Heaters Roofs Skylights Biomass stoves Tax credits are valuable because they offset the tax you owe, dollar for dollar. For example,… Read More
Filing a claim can raise your homeowners insurance premiums. In some cases insurance companies can refuse to renew your policy. Use this To-Do list to make simple changes around your home that reduce your risk for some of the most common home hazards like fires, falls and water damage. Trim trees away from the house… Read More
Whether or not you need a humidifier and/or a dehumidifier often depends on where you live, but not always. Seasons, allergies and even energy conservation can play a huge role in your decision. Whole-House Dehumidifiers Whole-house dehumidifiers help control and regulate the humidity throughout your house automatically by removing moisture from the air. They tend… Read More
Smart home thermostats, connected kitchen appliances and the fitness monitors we’re all wearing offer many amazing benefits, but all those connected devices can also create privacy risks, a report from the Federal Trade Commission says. FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez predicts 2015 will be the year we start hearing about smart home hacking. “Connected devices that… Read More
