2019

A Septic System Inspection Should Be Done How Often?! Costs, Precautions, and More

A Septic System Inspection Should Be Done How Often?! Costs, Precautions, and MoreBy Margaret Heidenryracy A. Woodward/The Washington Post/Getty ImagesA septic system inspection is one of those home maintenance tasks that you might put off, and then put off some more. Because septics exist underground in the backyard, they are often out of sight, thus out of mind. But letting it go too many flushes...

Telltale Signs Your Septic System Is in Trouble (and You Need to Call in the Pros)

Telltale Signs Your Septic System Is in Trouble (and You Need to Call in the Pros)By Stephanie Booth Aunt_Spray/iStockAs long as you use and maintain it properly, a well-designed septic system shouldn't give you any trouble. With proper upkeep, yours can last as many as 30 years. But considering that it's underground and all, you might be wondering: How do you tell if there's a problem?Here are the signs...

How Much Do Septic Tanks Cost? The Stomach-Churning Price Revealed

How Much Do Septic Tanks Cost? The Stomach-Churning Price RevealedBy Gordon K. Hur brittak/iStockHow much do septic tanks cost? Septic tank installation costs can head up into the tens of thousands of dollars, but if you're thinking of buying or building a home in a rural area or some other place that's not connected to a public sewer system, you may just have to spend the cash. Installing your own...

Should You Prepay Your Mortgage? The Pros and Cons

Should You Prepay Your Mortgage? The Pros and ConsBy Daniel Bortz | Aug 13, 2019 aydinmutlu/iStockShould you prepay your mortgage? For some homeowners it’s a financially savvy move—but for others, beefing up their loan payments just doesn’t make sense. To help you figure out whether prepayment is right for you, here are the pros and cons cited by financial experts.Pro: You'll cut down on the...

The One Thing That Can Make or Break How People Feel About Your House

By Kelsey Ogletree | Jul 31, 2019GMVozd/iStockConsidering the time and energy homeowners put toward making their house look great (particularly if they're trying to sell), many make the critical mistake of neglecting another one of our senses that can be far more powerful: smell.Even if you’ve decorated or staged your home perfectly, if potential buyers walk in and detect an unpleasant odor, they...

Trump Administration to Take on Local Housing Barriers

By Laura Kusisto | Jun 25, 2019  Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesThe Trump administration will explore using federal programs to push local governments to soften or eliminate rules that block housing construction, an issue that has stymied officials at all levels of government for years.President Trump is expected to sign an order Tuesday creating the White House Council on Eliminating Barriers...

The Weird but Totally Natural Way You Can Kill Germs in Your Home

By Stephanie Booth | Jul 25, 2019PeopleImages/iStock; realtor.comThink about this for a second: The average house collects a staggering 40 pounds of dust each year. And let's take a moment to remember what makes up dust: Pet dander. Dead skin cells. Dust mites. Insect droppings. The surprising answer: Open your blinds.How sunshine fights germsIn a study published last year in the medical...

Sunbaked? 9 Shade Ideas for Your Porch, Backyard, and Beyond

Sunbaked? 9 Shade Ideas for Your Porch, Backyard, and BeyondBy Jennifer Kelly Geddes | Jul 26, 2019  KittisakJirasittichai/iStockWith the dog days of summer upon us, seeking relief from the blazing sun is a must—but if you lack natural shade from large trees, what then? Don't sweat it! Here are nine smart shade options for your deck, backyard, and other sunny spaces.1. Patio umbrellaPhoto by Jason...

Investors Are Buying More of the U.S. Housing Market Than Ever Before

By Laura Kusisto | Jun 21, 2019 The share of investor purchases of U.S. homes have climbed to an all-time high, a sign that rising home prices have done little to dampen demand for flipping homes or turning them into single-family rentals. Big private-equity firms, real-estate speculators and others that buy properties comprised more than 11% of U.S. home purchasers in 2018, according to data...

Home buyer, Home Seller, and For Sale By Owner Statistics

Home Buyer Statistics First-Time vs. Repeat Buyers: First-time buyers: 33% Median age of first-time buyers: 32 Median age of repeat buyers: 55 Median household income of first-time buyers: $75,000 Median household income of repeat buyers: $100,000 The typical home purchased was 1,900 square feet in size, was built in 1991, and had three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Among those who financed...

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