Back in 2013 when solar panel installations were beginning to take off, I wrote an article warning that deciding to go solar is not the most important decision to make. The most important decision is how you go solar: Whether to lease or to buy. What we were seeing were many problems with leased systems […]
Articles about Home Improvement
Ah, Home Improvement! Not the TV show, but real-life stuff.
Here we share stories about home improvement projects, home decor, and remodeling, along with other relevant articles to help you gain the most value to your home from your DIY projects.
No More Missing Vertical Blind Vanes!
If you have vertical blinds in your home you’re familiar with this problem. First of all, you know that the individual hanging blinds are actually called vanes right? Well, they are. So back to the problem; one day I come home and find a vane on the floor. Or maybe a vane falls on the […]
Spring Gardening and What New Homeowners Do with Their Yard
With the unseasonably warm weather, some homeowners thoughts are turning to Spring gardening. Depending on what you want to grow, it may still be too early to plant, but you can always get started on more hearty plants. Since gardening is one of the most popular hobbies in the U.S., folks of all ages enjoy spending time outdoors planting vegetables, flowers, […]
Watch Those Watts!
I recently saw the best example of why paying attention to what light bulbs you use could prevent your house from going up in smoke or worse. A tenant called and reported that he had smelled something burning when he was in the entryway of the house inside the front door. He thought the smell […]
Is Your Garage a Pathway For Burglars?
I first heard about this technique of how burglars are breaking into houses at the beginning of 2009. I wrote an article for our newsletter about it at that time. Lately, though, I’ve heard about this happening again, so I thought I would put another warning out there. I’m talking about a technique burglars use for […]
Save Water and Money with a Hot Water Recirculating Pump
Did you know there is something we do that can waste thousands of gallons of water a year? This happens over time as you turn on a hot water tap or shower or tub and wait for the hot water to get there. The water in the pipe between where it comes out and the […]
1 in 5 New Homeowners Do Home Improvement Projects Their First Year
Are you one of the 20% of new homeowners who decide to tackle one or more home improvement projects in the same year you bought your home? It could be anything from a fresh coat of paint to a full kitchen remodel. During the past year alone, new homeowners spent $18 billion on home improvement […]