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How can you save money on big-ticket home purchases? Hint: Look for the blue “Energy Star” label on products.

What Every Consumer Should Know About ‘Energy Star’ We’ve all seen the blue Energy Star logos on appliances, windows and even electronics, but what do they mean? Origins and purpose. The Energy Star program was launched in 1992 as a joint program of the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. Energy Star encourages develo...

Relaxing on a deck or patio is nice. Add a pergola, and you’ve got it made in the shade.

Pergolas: The Perfect Spot for Relaxing Outdoors It’s hard to beat relaxing on your deck or patio in the backyard, but it can be even better with a pergola overhead providing shade and decorative appeal. Pergola’s benefits. A stained deck or patio looks even better with an accenting pergola overhead. Many pergolas have a series of timbers with...

Looking for a quick and easy fix to your credit report? Sorry, but there is none. Try these 10 tips to repair bad credit.

10 Ways to Help Repair Your Credit History Do you have bad credit? While legitimate credit repair services can help improve your credit scores, you can do the work yourself and save money. Here’s how. Pull your credit report at www.annualcreditreport.com. It’s free. Each credit reporting agency, Experian, Equifax and Transunion, will hav...

Memorial Day, which honors America’s fallen soldiers, was long known by another name. What was Memorial Day called before 1967?

Memorial Day: Honoring Fallen Heroes No consensus exists on when and where Memorial Day in America began, but the custom of decorating the graves of America’s Civil War dead became so widespread by 1868 that May 30 became known as Decoration Day. In 1967, it became officially known as Memorial Day. In 1968, Congress moved the day fro...

The unthinkable has happened: A storm has badly damaged your home. Here’s how to navigate the storm’s aftermath.

When a Storm Damages Your Home If your home is significantly damaged by a storm, you will likely feel overwhelmed and confused just when you are faced with making several major repair decisions. Take a deep breath and let us walk you through the mess.

Glass-front cabinets and open shelving are gaining popularity in kitchen design. Will they work in your busy kitchen?

Newest Kitchen Trends May Surprise You Check out the pros and cons of the new kitchen trends before deciding on your a new design for your family gathering space.

When shopping for a house, hire a pro. Here’s 7 reasons why you’ll be glad you did.

7 Reasons Why Using a Real Estate Agent Makes Shopping Easier Whether buying a new house or an existing one, buyers typically feel more at ease having a real estate agent working on their behalf. It’s their job to make things go smoothly. Here’s how. Knowledge of builders. Real estate agents don’t just work with resale homes. Agents know the builders in ...

If housing prices are climbing, the equity in your home is appreciating. Here’s how to put that growth to work.

Growing and Using Your Home Equity The housing market continues to improve nationally. Industry forecasters expect demand to push home prices higher, even as mortgage interest rates rise. If you already own a home, you’ve got an asset with intrinsic value that is likely appreciating. Here’s how you can put your home’s equity to...

Reducing to a smaller house and decluttering a lifetime of possessions may seem terrifying. Here’s a step-by-step plan toward freedom from stuff.

Simple Steps to Empty Nester Downsizing If your children are grown, it might be the perfect time to declutter decades worth of possessions and downsize the family home. Let’s take a look at how to get the job done with the least amount of tears shed. Choosing a house. Once you’ve decided to move, ask yourself a few questions about the...

Disasters strike without warning. Be prepared with these ten essential home emergency items.

A Checklist: Being Prepared for Home Emergencies Hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes strike indiscriminately, which means every homeowner should be prepared for life-threatening emergencies. Here are ten essential items to have on hand. A source of power. A generator will keep your refrigerator working to preserve food, and provide ligh...