Real Estate News

It might not be sexy, and it might not be first on your to-do list — but give the garage a little TLC, and you’ll be surprised at how good it feels. Whether it’s a true garage (originally meant for a four-wheel vehicle) that is attached to your house, or a garden shed, the reality [...]

Q. We have had some power outages, so I am considering getting a backup generator. What are the best types to get to power the entire house? Can I run it continuously to lower my electric bills? A. With most families dependent on electricity for almost every activity these days, backup generators are becoming more [...]

Q. You recently wrote that consumers can get a free copy of their credit report every year from each of the three big national credit bureaus. Do they have to give me a free copy of my overall credit score, too? A. No — at least, not yet. Many consumers don’t understand the difference between [...]

Q. We are doing a quick kitchen makeover and would like your advice about decorating the backsplash area to give the space some character. Are glass tiles going to get dated? We may be transferred in a year or so and are hoping to make a few upgrades that will help us sell. A. Decorating [...]

Q. We moved into a community three years ago where most of the homes are on odd-shaped lots. Our neighbor, who bought his house about 20 years ago, is trying to refinance, but the bank ordered that he first get a full-blown survey of his property to establish the legal boundary lines between his home [...]

This week’s column was written by Courtney Craig, an Atlanta-based writer and editor. Craig believes no effort is too small when it comes to green living, which she tries to keep in mind while renovating her recently purchased first home. Is hydrogen peroxide a non-toxic weapon in your green cleaning arsenal? It should be! Hydrogen [...]

Q. A long time ago, you wrote a column about how to make the transition from one house to another easier on pets. We wish we had kept that story, because now we are getting ready to move to another home with our three cats and two poodles. Can you repeat that advice? A. I’ll [...]

A child’s room is truly his or her castle. In this space, the beginnings of learning evolve — what is experienced through all the senses will most likely be seen, smelled and felt here. Parents think long and hard about what furniture to buy, how to decorate, what toys, books, puzzles and stuffed playmates will [...]

Q. Our local home-improvement store has been running advertisements for “standard composters,” as well as “compost tumblers.” Is there a difference? A. Yes, there’s a big difference. And you have asked a timely question, because April 22 was Earth Day, when nations around the world hold various events to demonstrate their support for environmental protection. [...]

Q. I have a large living room and would like to create an accent wall. What is the purpose of an accent wall and how do I decide which wall? A. An accent wall is also known as a focal, or feature, wall. When you enter the room, your eye will be drawn to it [...]