Do you need to put down 20 percent to buy a house? Not necessarily. In fact, most buyers make lower down payments. But putting down 20 percent or more does come with major perks. A mortgage lender would consider you more financially stable and less risky. That means you wouldnt need to pay for private […]

When you move into a new house, there are numerous things youll want to do early on to get your house in live-in shape, and one thing you should think about early is setting up the surround sound system in your new home. Techies love this sort of stuff, but not everyone is adept at […]

Here are four reasons to consider adding smart home technology to your space… Energy Efficiency Smart thermostats regulate themselves and reduce the energy required to heat and cool your home. Security See whos ringing the doorbell via live video stream and control your door locks from anywhere using your cellphone. Convenience Smart home technology gives […]

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A good-looking houseplant adds pizzazz to your home. It can also be the next best thing to a live-in housekeeper, says John VanZile, author of Houseplants for A Healthy Home, out in May. Thats because a number of houseplants contain properties that help rid the air around you of various chemicals and parasites. In fact, […]

Create the ideal outdoor kitchen by paying attention to these characteristics… Figure Out the Features The grill is the star, but a stove top, sink and refrigerator add tons of convenience. Seating Matters Consider two seating areas: one for casual hangouts and another for al fresco dinners. Put a Roof Over It Extend the roof […]

Here are a few tips for designing the perfect space for your little ones… Fun Meets Function Dont want toys and trinkets on the floor? Look for furniture that can double as storage. Foster Creativity A designated space for arts and crafts is an excellent way to foster your childs creativity. Keep It Open By […]

If youve ever noticed a rise in interest rates in the news or saw your credit card bill get a little higher, theres one federal agency that you can look to: the Federal Reserve Board. When the Fed raises interest rates, most borrowers with car and home loans wont see their rates change because theyve […]

Published with permission from RISMedia.

These days, we’ve all got busy schedules. From work to family and social commitments, it can be hard to fit in everything. Here’s where time management can help. Consider the following tips to tick more off your to-do list, daily. Time block. Time blocking is one of the No. 1 metrics of successful time management, […]