Essential Elements of a Gracious Front Porch and Entry

Front PorchGuest Blogger: Kerrie Kelly, ASID

As an interior designer, it’s hard to beat the fun and satisfaction of a front porch and entry makeover. Nothing delivers more instant curb appeal, and you can achieve real charm on a large or small budget. Whether you spend a little or spend a lot, my colleagues in the real estate world all insist that this is one of the best returns on investment that homeowners get when prepping their home for market. But don’t wait until you’re ready to sell!

The time and effort you put into overhauling the approach to your home is returned to you every time you walk up. This is a great time to start planning that makeover. Check out my favorite simple and affordable upgrades, and when the sun comes back out, you’ll be amazed how much you can change your home in a weekend! First, consider what role your porch plays as an entry point. Does it have potential Read More

How to Manage Your Household Budget Like a Business

household budgetsGuest Blogger: AJ Smith

Keeping a household budget seems pretty straightforward — so why do we have so much trouble sticking to it? One trick you can try to help is to think of yourself as a business. Businesses have expenses and money coming in and focus on that bottom line. They also can use profits to re-invest in making the business better. Check out the following tips to try budgeting like a business. Read More

6 Tips for Renting Out Your Home

renting

Guest Blogger: AJ Smith

As the housing market continues to recover, you may hear about renting mavens that capitalize on the increasing rental market. Renting can be a great way to make some extra income, but it’s important to consider the appropriate preparations before you get on board. If you are thinking about renting out your home, here are some tips to consider.

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How to Choose the Best Outdoor Furniture for Winter

Winter Weather Maryland- Outdoor FurnitureJust because the temperatures are dropping doesn’t mean you have to stop using your home’s outdoor space. These cooler winter months can actually bring ample opportunities for getting outside and spending time with loved ones. In winter, as throughout the rest of the year, you need outdoor furniture that can withstand precipitation and changing temperatures. With that in mind, Read More

Home Maintenance Tip: Check Air Ducts In The Attic

Check Air DuctsGetting the air heat delivered via your HVAC (Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning) systems to your actual living spaces involves several parts of a HVAC system. One part is the large rectangular duct work in your attic that helps to deliver hot or cold air. This is one part of your HVAC system. Sometimes the air that gets forced through these ducts can leak out through loose or broken connections. This is a great time to conduct home maintenance and check to make sure no air is leaking from this duct work. If it is, you are wasting money as the hot or cold air is not being delivered to the living areas of your home and Read More