Jill Lansing Realtor, HomeSmart Realty Group

Seller Remorse If you've ever moved out of a home that you've lived in for some time, you know how hard it is to say goodbye. That one last tour of the house where you soak up all the memories that were created in each room, saying goodbye to neighbors and realizing you'll never step foot in the home again is enou...

The Brag Book If you're proud of your house, why not brag about it to potential buyers? Sure, nobody wants the seller hanging around during open houses and showings, but that doesn't mean you can't be heard. We think a brag book is the ideal way to let buyers know just exactly what is so great about your home. It...

Redecorate the Kitchen on a Shoestring Budget Redecorate the Kitchen on a Shoestring Even if you aren't planning on selling your home in the near future, updating your kitchen can make the whole house feel like new. Now, we aren't recommending a complete remodel (unless of course you have the budget for that), but freshening it up will not only...

Alternatives to Granite Countertops Wouldn't it be nice to have a dollar for every real estate listing that touts 'granite countertops' as the end-all, be-all of kitchen work surfaces? The truth is, the popularity of granite kitchen countertops is ebbing, shifting toward materials that are sturdy yet stylish. While we...

Dealing with Wet Basements One of the top home inspection concerns, according to buyers, is evidence of water damage. Yet, more than 60 percent of homes with a basement have leaks. Evidence of a Leak The most common evidence of a moisture problem in your basement is the appearance or odor of mold. Sometimes mold is hidden and...

The Modern Baby Nursery If you hope to begin your family in your new home, or even in your current home, you'll no doubt cast an eye toward which room will serve as a nursery. I thought it might be fun to take a look at how other couples are designing and decorating theirs. No More Pastels 'Gone are the pink-or-blue color....

Update your Bathroom this Weekend Update Your Bathroom this Weekend It's a well-known fact that attractive, functional bathrooms help sell homes. If yours can use some updates but you don't have room in the budget to hire a professional, we have some tips for you. Not only are these fixes inexpensive but you can complete them over t...

Is your Vegetable Garden ready for Winter Hey, we're pretty tuckered out when the summer and fall vegetable gardening season wraps up. Yet, if we want to have the same success next season, we still have work to do. Just a few gardening chores now can make all the difference when planting time rolls around next year. Out with the Old It's...

Get Your Home Ready for Spring It may not feel like it right now but before we know it, spring will be here. You remember spring, right? That time of year when the weather begins to warm and we're blessed with lots of sunlight – the better to see the toll a harsh winter takes on a house. Like Punxsutawney Phil emerging on Groun...

How is Your HVAC System? Checking the heating and cooling system is one of the most important parts of routine home maintenance and one that many homeowners pay little attention to. Once they learn, however, that the price of a new system could set them back between $5,000 and $7,000 their interest in maintaining it increas...

Prepare your Irrigation System for Winter Although the weather outside isn't frightful – yet – it soon will be. Are you ready for another winter? More important, is your home ready? Let's take a look at the important steps to take to winterize your outdoor water supply and irrigation systems to avoid breaks and leaks over the winter. .....

Spring Cleaning in the Container Garden You don't need a big yard to enjoy gardening; even a small patio can be transformed into a colorful oasis. Container gardening isn't quite the same (care of the plants is a bit more challenging for one thing), but a container garden or patio can be just as attractive as those grown in the dirt. You....