Replace lightbulbs. The typical American household spends 5 to 10 percent of its energy budget on lighting alone, according to the DOE. Replace incandescent lightbulbs with LEDs, which on average are 85 percent more energy-efficient. You can shave $100 a year on your energy costs by making the switch.Unplug. Leaving cellphones, TVs, computers, and other electronic devices plugged in can continue to pull power from the grid. That can add up over
Fifty-eight percent of homeowners plan to spend money on home improvement projects this year, according to a recent survey by LightStream Home Improvement, a national online lending division of SunTrust Banks Inc.Outdoor improvements, including decks, patios, and landscaping, remained highest on owners’ to-do lists for the fifth consecutive year. Interior renovations also are popular: Nearly a third of homeowners say they plan to remodel a bath
Investors can see big returns on real estate, but the most successful tend to have a strong understanding of how to evaluate their options before purchasing. Forbes.com recently highlighted some winning strategies for profitable real estate investing: Focus on potential income, not personal like and dislikes. Purchasing an investment property is different than buying residential real estate. Investments need to center on the numbers—the combin
For those who hope to put their home on the market, a few of the latest decor trends may best be avoided to prevent turning off buyers. Realtor.com® recently highlighted a few, including:1. WallpaperBold wallpaper with bright colors and geometric shapes has been a popular trend lately, particularly in smaller bathrooms. “It’s better to not overdo it with bold, bright patterns, even though these may be in style for now, particularly for wallp
Find the weak spots. Conduct a safety audit on your properties to find the most susceptible points of entry. In-window air conditioning units, fire escapes, and dark entryways are all common entry points for burglars, according to Ooma. Motion sensor alarms are one option for securing these areas. Secure ground level windows and patio doors. A simple yet effective way to add peace of mind is to make sure there’s a security bar or metal
Forty-eight percent of the country has recently been covered in snow, according to the National Weather Service. If the cloudy skies and muted winter landscape have your listing looking ho-hum, try some greenery to get potential buyers thinking about spring.According to a Harvard University study, seeing flowers first thing in the morning provides people with a boost of energy. Flowers can be used as a design tool to inspire emotion and connect
Following last year's Experian data breach, many people froze their accounts to safeguard them from potential identity thefts. But with the spring homebuying season on the horizon, don’t forget to remind potential home shoppers that they may face some hassles getting approved for a mortgage if they don’t remember to unfreeze their credit first.Lenders tend to pull reports from the three main credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnionâ
How long does it take your website to load on a mobile device? Google recently announced that starting in July, page speed from mobile devices will be a factor in its search rankings.Google says the update will likely only impact the slowest sites on the web. About 70 percent of websites take about 7 seconds to load on a mobile device, according to Google’s research from 2017. But users often expect it to load within 2 or 3 seconds.Use Goo
A space can have an instant effect on your mood. How can you make sure a home gives off positive energy and style? A recent article at The New York Times shares tips from designers on creating a home that supports a person’s well-being. Some of these tips could also apply to creating a more welcoming vibe in the staging of properties.Embrace the two-foot rule.Justina Blakeney, author of The New Bohemians Handbook: Come Home to Good Vibes,Â
The traditional black-and-white business card is dying out in some professions, but salespeople and marketers are reinventing their look to keep others intrigued.The Wall Street Journal reports an increase in the do-it-yourself business card, marked by unusual designs and materials. Business cards are being made of everything from metal to plastic and even wood. Some are larger than your traditional business card, while others are much tinier to
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