Category Archives: Family Home

6 Home Styling Tips This Holiday Season

A living room transformed by holiday decorating.

When the seasons begin to transition from fall to winter, you know it’s time to dress the entire home into something more toasty and comfy. While a holiday makeover sounds like it’s a lot of work to pull off in a very short amount of time, it doesn’t have to be stressful.

You don’t have to make it perfect and you can always decorate on a budget. What’s important is that you capture the holiday spirit the way you know how.

That said, here are six tips to help you get started if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed about making your home merry and bright this holiday season.

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How to Save Energy in Winter

a home with a scarf, showing how it's important to save energy in winter

Dark and dreary winters can often lead to higher energy costs as families try to make their living environments more enjoyable. Common culprits include lights flipped on all day to accommodate fewer daylight hours and increased use of the heater, thanks to freezing temperatures. Energy expenses also build up with seemingly small gestures like humidifiers, running taps, and hot water heater usage as you try to find the perfect way to defrost when winter blues take hold. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to lower your energy costs, which means big winter savings.

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Selling an Inherited Home

A for sale sign in front of an inherited house.

Selling an inherited house is challenging on many levels. The first is the emotional impact of dealing with the death of a loved one. Then there’s paperwork, legal responsibilities, and financial considerations to take into account. That’s why we compiled this guide to help you with the process of selling an inherited house.

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Stove Shopping: Gas vs. Electric

A kitchen with a new stove next to blue cabinets.

As any homeowner will tell you, there’s more to a home than meets the eye. One decision on the horizon is choosing between gas and electric. If appliance choices have got you feeling the heat, know that it’s easier than you think. Here are a few pointers on choosing the right stove for your needs.

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How to Make Home a Safer Place When Living with Kids

A family with two young children happy and safe in the home.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that about 9.2 million children have to visit the emergency department for an unintentional injury each year. Unfortunately, the CDC also states that injuries are the leading cause of death for children in the US and Canada, too.

Children are curious, easily distracted, and more prone to injury than adults are. So, it’s important to take extra precautions to keep them safe, even in the home.

Thankfully, most of the accidents mentioned in the CDC’s research are preventable with the right approaches to safety. Here’s what you need to know to minimize risks and make your home a safe and hazard-free space for kids.

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Buying a Condo vs. Buying a House: Key Differences

a condo building next to a single family home, representing buying a condo vs. buying a house

Buying your first home is an exciting time. You’ve decided to step out of the comfort of renting or staying somewhere rent-free and step into a place you can truly call your own. But if you’re not interested in a large space, is owning a condo the same thing as owning a house?

Both options have their benefits and drawbacks, but it ultimately comes down to what you value in a home. You must choose which option fits you correctly, or you might find yourself thinking the grass is greener on your neighbor’s lawn.

We’ll walk you through the process and differences of buying a condo vs. buying a house.

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How to Resuscitate Your Bank Account After Buying a Home

A piggy bank symbolizing the need to boost your bank account after buying a home.

Buying property is a huge investment, and it often comes with additional, unplanned expenses. If you’re not careful, you can find yourself in a less than desirable financial position. Before you realize it, your budget is forgotten, you’ve spent money on all sorts of things you’d never imagined needing, and you’re feeling somewhat out of pocket. For this reason, it’s important to know how to balance homeownership and breathe new life into your bank balance. To help you out, we’ve compiled eight handy tips to boost your bank account.

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Air Conditioning 101: Tips, Tricks, and Hacks You Should Know

Woman enjoying the AC in her living room.
Keeping your AC running efficiently will help you stay cool all summer.

During the scorching summer months, it’s hard to imagine life without your trusted air conditioning unit. However, as the degrees drop inside your home, your electric bill can also head in the opposite direction. When faced with skyrocketing bills, it is tempting to give up your AC or live much more warmly from day-to-day.

Fortunately, there are ways you can stay cool during summer without spending a fortune. Beat the summer heat, save money, and keep your air conditioning unit in peak shape by keeping the following AC tricks, tips, and hacks in mind:

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6 Roof Types to Consider for Your Home Upgrade

The top of a terracotta colored home
There are several roof styles to consider when upgrading the exterior of your home.

The roof of our house protects us from the harshest elements, but it does so much more than that.

For instance, the shape of our roof contributes significantly to our home’s overall look and style.

In some cases, the roof type you choose dictates whether you can have an attic, loft, or any additional living space.

Your roof can also play a role in making your home more energy-efficient and more resilient to specific weather conditions.

When the time to upgrade your home comes and your roof is a priority, you will need the services of a skilled, experienced, and licensed roofer with the right roofing insurance coverage. With a roofing contractor’s help, you can pick a new roof type that will be perfect for your home. There is no shortage of roof types to consider for your home upgrade. Read on for some of them.

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