According to the US Department of Energy, the average American household paid $111.67 each month for utilities in 2017. With some research and a few DIY projects, property owners can reduce those energy costs without sacrificing comfort or convenience. Establish Energy Friendly Habits Reduce energy waste to see an immediate change in your utility payments. Before bed, walk around your home. Make sure you turn off all lights, televisions, computers, and other plugged-in devices. In the colder months, close the doors to unused spaces to save big on heating bills. Dial down the heat before bed. … [Read more...]
Real Estate Investing 101: Identify Your Investing Style
Are you just starting on your real estate investing journey? Many newcomers are surprised to learn that there's more to making money on the real estate market than buying and selling. These are some of the most popular strategies real estate investors use to create profits. Which one is right for you? Buy And Hold Buy and hold investors play the market like stocks. They buy properties when prices are low, then hold them until values are high. During the holding period, some investors choose to offer their properties as rentals. Apartment buildings are also a popular option for buy and hold … [Read more...]
Down Payment Money Saving Mistakes
Are you saving up money for a down payment? Saving money to put down on a home is always a smart idea, but there are right ways and wrong ways to go about it. Understanding how to best save for a down payment will go a long way toward ensuring you're ready when you finally find the house of your dreams. Here are four down payment money saving mistakes to avoid. 1. Not Saving Enough It's very admirable to have a goal of saving exactly 20% for a down payment. However, this is a common mistake new home buyers make. First of all, consider loan programs that allow for a lower down payment. In … [Read more...]
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint with These DIY Home Projects
Your carbon footprint is the measure of your impact on the earth's natural resources. This number describes the amount of fossil fuel it takes to support your lifestyle. In the United States, each person produces an average of 19.78 tons of carbon dioxide every year. A high carbon footprint means your daily habits are a quickening drain on our finite resources. Homeowners can use these DIY projects to reduce the effect of their lifestyle on the environment. Try Solar Solutions A residential solar system gathers photo-voltaic energy from the sun and converts it into usable electrical … [Read more...]
14 Remodeling Projects That Increase the Value of Your Home
Your home is likely your largest investment. Beyond repairs and regular maintenance to keep it clean, comfortable, and safe, there are a number of projects that can increase the resale value of your property. These renovations top the list of changes you can make that positively impact your home's value. Kitchen With the right strategy, your kitchen remodel could return up to 92.9% of your construction investment. The trick is to not overdo it. You don't need to gut and rebuild the entire room. Instead, make strategic upgrades that increase the comfort and usability of the room. Paint wooden … [Read more...]
