Tina Gannon

Don’t get left behind by the lightning speed of TV technology. Here’s a quick update on what’s new and different.

Television Technology: Getting Better All the Time Advances in television technology move so quickly these days that it’s hard to keep up with what’s truly the latest and greatest. And why does it seem like you need to learn a new language just to discuss TV features? Whether you’re in the market for a new television or just want to learn the ...

Dick and Rick Hoyt are a father and son who have earned accolades for amazing achievements together. Any idea why have they become famous?

Father's Day: In Honor of Dad This father and son team has competed in thousands of marathons and triathlons. Born in 1962, son Rick has cerebral palsy, and his dad pushes him in a special wheelchair, carries him on a special bicycle and pulls him in a small boat as he swims.

What exactly is a certificate of occupancy? Here’s what every property owner needs to know.

What is a Certificate of Occupancy? A certificate of occupancy, or CO as it’s oftentimes called, is an essential document that no property owner should be without. The certificate describes the type of property and its intended use. It specifies the property as residential, commercial, business or multi-dwelling. In addition, the CO...

If the thought of stripping that old wallpaper fills you with dread, fear not! Here’s a step-by-step guide.

9 Steps to Removing that Ugly Wallpaper It’s dated, ugly and needs to go. When the wallpaper in your home has seen better days, what’s the best way to tackle this messy job and keep your sanity? Check out this nine-step guide to a new look. Don’t skip the prep work. Remove all pictures, nails and screws from the wall to be […]

You pay your utility bills every month, but do you understand what they say?

Check the Fine Print on Utility Bills The next time the monthly utility bills arrive, resist the urge to blindly write a check or schedule a payment. Take the time for a more in-depth examination. You just might find a way to trim the bill. Understanding your electric bill. Using a fixed rate, the power company charges a set rate of x [...

Does your bathroom need a redo? Relax and soak up the latest in spa-like pampering.

The Latest and Greatest in Bathtub Design Bathtubs may have taken a temporary backseat to luxurious showers in home style trends, but the latest tubs offer plenty of advances in design and technology of their own. And don’t forget, in a home with multiple bathrooms, at least one should offer a tub — if only for the kids and the family d...

Looking for a quick and easy fix to your credit report? Sorry, but there is none. Try these 10 tips to repair bad credit.

10 Ways to Help Repair Your Credit History Do you have bad credit? While legitimate credit repair services can help improve your credit scores, you can do the work yourself and save money. Here’s how. Pull your credit report at www.annualcreditreport.com. It’s free. Each credit reporting agency, Experian, Equifax and Transunion, will hav...

Don’t let the details of moving overwhelm you. Here’s a handy checklist to keep you from making expensive errors.

Four Costly Mistakes to Avoid When Moving Selling a home and moving is expensive. No need to further add to your expenses by making costly mistakes. Here’s a handy checklist to keep you from incurring extra costs. Talk to your bank. Let a representative know you’re moving and make sure you’ve canceled any automatic payments on your ol...

You regularly pay for homeowners insurance and wonder if you’ll ever even need it. Find out how to lower your rates while still maintaining good coverage.

Homeowners Insurance: Risks Versus Costs You never want to skimp on homeowners insurance, but there are ways to save money on those premiums without putting you or your home at risk. Here’s a handy guide to getting excellent coverage at a reasonable price. Your credit score. In most states insurance companies use customer credit scores a...

Sixty percent of coffee drinkers report that they can’t start the day without a cup of Joe. Start your morning off right with the perfect coffee maker.

Let’s Go Shopping for a Coffee Maker If you start your day with coffee, buying a new coffee maker is a major decision. With so many options, finding the best one to suit your needs can be tricky. Here’s what you need to know before you shop. Drip coffee makers brews larger quantities (4 to 12 cups) of coffee, so it’s a […]

When shopping for a house, hire a pro. Here’s 7 reasons why you’ll be glad you did.

7 Reasons Why Using a Real Estate Agent Makes Shopping Easier Whether buying a new house or an existing one, buyers typically feel more at ease having a real estate agent working on their behalf. It’s their job to make things go smoothly. Here’s how. Knowledge of builders. Real estate agents don’t just work with resale homes. Agents know the builders in ...

After the buyer’s inspection, what items should be repaired and what should be left to the buyer? Here’s a guide.

Home Repairs: How to Negotiate to Close a Deal Home repair issues that show up on an inspection report are up for negotiation. It’s up to the buyers and sellers to hammer out an agreement on who pays for what. Here’s a guide. The inspector is your friend. Sellers often dread the inspection report, fearing it may reveal a major issue that cou...

Reducing to a smaller house and decluttering a lifetime of possessions may seem terrifying. Here’s a step-by-step plan toward freedom from stuff.

Simple Steps to Empty Nester Downsizing If your children are grown, it might be the perfect time to declutter decades worth of possessions and downsize the family home. Let’s take a look at how to get the job done with the least amount of tears shed. Choosing a house. Once you’ve decided to move, ask yourself a few questions about the...

Memorial Day, which honors America’s fallen soldiers, was long known by another name. What was Memorial Day called before 1967?

Memorial Day: Honoring Fallen Heroes No consensus exists on when and where Memorial Day in America began, but the custom of decorating the graves of America’s Civil War dead became so widespread by 1868 that May 30 became known as Decoration Day. In 1967, it became officially known as Memorial Day. In 1968, Congress moved the day fro...

What’s a lease-purchase option and is it right for you? Here are the pros and cons for buyers and sellers.

What You Need to Know About Lease Purchase Options What exactly is a lease-purchase option and how does it work? It’s a different breed of real estate transaction with pros and cons for both buyers and sellers. How a lease-purchase option works. Lease-purchase or “rent to own” deals are more prevalent in a soft real estate market or so-called ...

Squirrels and raccoons may be cute in the wild, but not in your attic. Here’s a quick guide on what to do and who to call.

Removing Wild Animals from Your Home When wild animals take up residence in your attic or walls, it’s usually a female looking for a safe, warm spot to tend to a litter. Unfortunately, these creatures are destructive and may carry diseases. Squirrels are the No. 1 type of invasive animal in the attic. Homeowners typically will hear t...

When an aging loved one begins to need daily help, a move to an assisted living facility may be the answer. Here’s a brief overview for family members.

Assisted Living Facilities Provide Extra Help for Seniors When seniors first show signs of needing help with medical and daily personal care, it’s time to consider moving to a community that provides what’s known as assisted living. When you need a hand. Once capable of living alone, seniors who begin having health issues may find they need a little ex...

From deck to screen-in porch, here’s what it takes to make your outdoor living dreams come true.

Should You Screen In Your Deck? A deck can be a little slice of paradise…except for the scorching sun by day and the insects by night. So why not turn that deck into a screened-in porch? Here’s an outline of what it takes. Get proposals. Using online and personal referrals, ask three contractors for proposals and quotes. Make ...

Student loan debt doesn’t always shut the door on homeownership. What you need to know and what you need to fix.

Qualifying for a Mortgage with Student Loan Debt If you’re worried your student loans will prevent you from buying your first home, don’t fret. Here’s what you need to know to land that first house.

Did you know a soda costs $4 in Switzerland? If you’re moving abroad for a job, a cost-of-living adjustment helps offset increased costs of goods and services. Find out more here.

Four Things to Know About Cost-of-Living Allowances Moving to another city or country for your career can be a wonderful opportunity, but relocation can also put a strain on the budget. The good news is companies often offer an increased salary or other relocation benefits to help pay for increased expenses. A goods and services “differential” or...

The unthinkable has happened: A storm has badly damaged your home. Here’s how to navigate the storm’s aftermath.

When a Storm Damages Your Home If your home is significantly damaged by a storm, you will likely feel overwhelmed and confused just when you are faced with making several major repair decisions. Take a deep breath and let us walk you through the mess.

Sofas are a landing pad for family life, including all those cracker crumbs and sloshed drinks. Here’s how to find a great couch that can handle life’s little mishaps.

Getting Comfortable with Choosing the Right Sofa Selecting a new sofa is a major decision. The focal point of most family rooms and living rooms, they get a lot of use, they provide seating for multiple people, and they’re expensive. Answer these six questions and you’ll be on your way to enjoying a new piece of furniture without regret. How d...

Who is credited with creating the Mother’s Day holiday?

Celebrating Mom on Mother’s Day Mother’s Day began in 1908 when West Virginia’s Anna Jarvis memorialized her mother, who had cared for wounded soldiers on both sides of the American Civil War. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson declared Mother’s Day to be a national holiday on the second Sunday of May. Today in the United Sta...

When your dreams are big and your pockets are empty, how do you pay for a home that needs renovations?

Financial Tips For Buying A Fixer-Upper If your dream home is a fixer-upper, but cash is tight, a 203 (k) loan program offered by the Federal Housing Administration could make ownership a reality.

Congrats on the contract! Now it’s time to sprint to the closing, but be aware of these steps that may trip you up.

From Contract to Closing Table: Avoiding Pitfalls As a seller, just because you’re under contract doesn’t mean it’s time to relax. It’s a bit like reaching the summit of a mountain. You’re only halfway to the finish line, which in this case is the closing table. The due diligence period, typically the 15 to 30 days following contract sign...

Don’t be caught off guard when the “taxman cometh.” Here are the facts on how your property taxes are determined.

What Every Homeowner Needs to Know About Property Tax Assessments If you own your own home, your property tax assessment is responsible for one of the biggest ticket items in your annual budget — your property tax bill, which pays for local services such as new schools, parks, police and fire protection. Here’s what you need to know. What is a property tax ass...

When hanging a large piece of artwork, you want it to be secure. Here’s a handy tutorial.

How to Hang Heavy Pictures and Mirrors Hanging small pictures doesn’t require a lot of skill or heavy duty hangers. But anything weighing in at more than 10 pounds, and especially more than 25 pounds, requires hefty fasteners and much more caution. When hanging something heavy, it’s always preferable to locate a wall stud behind the ...

The trend in home floor plans is smaller and more open. So why not reap the benefits when buying a new home?

4 Benefits of Today’s Smaller Homes The so-called “McMansions” are out and smaller homes with open floor plans are in. Let’s take a look at who is leading the trend and four resulting benefits. Trendsetters. Empty nesters and young couples with no children and limited budgets both find smaller homes desirable. Also fueling deman...

Do your homework first before putting someone to work in your home. Here’s a common-sense check list.

How to Hire and Work with a Contractor When hiring a contractor to do work at your home, you want someone who is honest and competent. Here's how to go about finding the right person for the job.