Ara Rajput/Middleton Group Realty

Getting approved for a mortgage is much more difficult than in the years before the 2008 crash -- and that’s a good thing. Here’s an overview of reforms designed to protect consumers like you.

What Exactly is the Dodd-Frank Act and How Does It Help Consumers? The financial crisis of 2008 started with shoddy mortgage-lending practices. Congress answered this problem with the 2010 Dodd-Frank Act, which was designed, among other things, to tighten mortgage lending standards and disclosures, keeping consumers better informed and curbing predatory lending pra...

Are window replacements in your home’s future? It’s time to study up on the pros and cons of each type.

When Is It Time to Replace Your Windows? If your home has older windows, should you replace them with new, more energy efficient ones? Here’s a quick guide to the pros and cons. First, do you need new windows? If your home has single-pane glass windows, you might want to consider energy-efficient windows that will provide moderation from...

Don’t let your home be burglarized while you’re on vacation. Here are eight essential ways to keep your house safe and secure.

Eight Ways to Protect Your Home While on Vacation Nothing could sour your vacation memories like arriving home to find your house burglarized. Here are eight easy steps to ward off the bad guys. Make neighbors aware and vigilant. This is where it pays to have established relationships with your neighbors. Knowing that you will be away helps neighbo...

Do you dream about a good night’s sleep? Follow these simple tips to find a great mattress at a price that won’t give you nightmares.

What You Need to Know to Find the Best Mattress The right mattress can make the difference between tossing and turning and getting a great night’s sleep. With so many new options available, selecting the best mattress can be overwhelming. Follow these tips and you’ll be sleeping soundly in no time. Shop around. If you haven’t shopped for a ...

As technology advances, energy costs retreat. Are you getting the most energy savings possible?

Seven Technologies for Green Living Technology has accelerated the ability to have a super energy-efficient home. Here are seven must-have ways to slash your usage and cost. Cool roofing. The roof takes the brunt of the sun’s energy and absorbs heat, affecting the cooling of the whole house. Light colored roof shingles were introduc...

Did that promotion come with a relocation package? Here’s what to expect when you move across the country or around the globe for a career opportunity.

The Relocation Process: Foreign vs. Domestic Moving for your career is exciting whether you’re moving a few hundred miles or halfway around the globe. Here’s how to prepare for a smooth transition.

Two of the signers of the Declaration of Independence later became President, and both died the same day, on the 50th anniversary of its signing. Who were those men?

Celebrating America’s Freedom on Independence Day Signers John Adams and Thomas Jefferson became the second and third U.S. presidents, respectively ,and in an odd twist of fate, each died on July 4, 1826, fifty years later.

Back to the books, already? A baker’s dozen tips to prepare your household for a successful new school year.

13 Ways to Prep Your Home For Back-to-School Success As back-to-school season looms, it’s time to start thinking about whipping your home into shape for another 10 months of rushed mornings, afternoons of carpooling, and homework-filled evenings. Just as teachers prep their classrooms, parents can inspire success with these 13 tweaks to the home-fro...

Have ceiling fans become a design fossil? Not so fast! These models will make your head spin with possibilities.

Let’s Go Shopping for a Ceiling Fan If you watch any of the TV design shows, the ceiling fans seem to be ignored in makeovers. By omission, you could easily get the impression they have become a design faux pas. The fan industry sees things otherwise and has some sleek designs hitting the market. Fan makeover. Forget the brass trim an...

Neighborhood tennis courts and swimming pools: a benefit or a drawback?

Pros and Cons of Swim and Tennis Communities When you’re shopping for a new home, many planned developments offer tempting neighborhood amenities such as swimming pools and tennis courts. But before you dive in, read about the pros and cons. Pros. Living in a neighborhood with tennis courts and a swimming pool provides easy access to leisure...

When hiring a listing agent, interview at least three candidates for the job. Here are some important factors that you should consider in your decision process.

How to Hire the Right Listing Agent It’s wise to meet with at least three listing agents before selling. Here’s a checklist to help you through the process of choosing the right listing agent.

Is your yard full of uninvited guests? Here are four ways to keep pesky insects from ruining summer gatherings.

Four Chemical-Free Ways to Keep Pests Away Long summer nights and backyard cookouts are hallmarks of a glorious season — minus those pesky bugs and mosquitoes, of course. Follow these simple steps to keep pests at bay without resorting to chemical treatments. Eliminate standing water. Flowerpots, recycling bins, an inflatable pool and a po...

Television armoires are doing a disappearing act. Learn about new TV storage trends dictating home entertainment styles.

Bigger TVs Changing the Look and Feel of Family Rooms As technology has evolved, the once-popular television armoire is disappearing from American homes. What’s new in home entertainment storage and display? Take a look. Consoles. Many consumers are opting to display televisions on top of a cabinet or hang them on a wall. Consoles work well in either...

Not all roads are created equal. Living on a private street can be costly. Find out why here.

Knowing the Difference Between Public and Private Streets Most roads are public thoroughfares. But that’s not always the case, so it’s smart for potential home buyers to ask about street ownership and maintenance.

Camera ready -- or not? Recording home showings raises privacy issues. Read on to learn the dos and don'ts.

Recording Your Home Showings: Is it a Violation of Privacy? When you list your home for sale, do you have the right to record potential home buyers as they tour your home — just as they do on the popular television home shows? While many sellers are frustrated by the lack of honest feedback from potential buyers, it’s best to do a little research before ...

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.

If out-of-control clutter is crowding out your cars, take control with these handy, yet affordable, organizing tips.

How to Organize the Garage On a Budget It seems obvious that a garage should be used as a place to park your cars, but many folks have unintentionally turned their garages into giant storage rooms. If you’re guilty as charged, let the purging begin. Before you know it, your cars will replace all the clutter and you might even make your...

When shopping for home entertainment, check for the latest in digital technology. Tune in here for a brief tutorial.

Advances in Headphone and Earbud Technology Digital technology is revolutionizing home entertainment, including headphones and earbuds. Listen up, audiophiles. Bluetooth technology has matured, making wires and plugs obsolete. Listeners can roam the house with the audio source several feet away. A processing method called apx HD is the techno...

Enjoying the architecture and craftsmanship of historic homes may be enticing, but ownership often comes with a hefty price. Check out the pros and cons.

Historical Homes: Buying a Piece of History While ownership of historic homes can be appealing, it’s definitely not for everyone. Historic homes have their own set of challenges and responsibilities. Here’s a look at the joys and frustrations of owning a piece of history. What qualifies as historic? Historic homes are recognized by an age...

Moving Day doesn’t have to be panic day. Take the tension out of your move with these handy tips.

Five Tips for a Stress-Free Move Whether you’re moving across the country or across the neighborhood, the process can be stressful. Make things easier on yourself by employing these tips. Organization is key. Create a moving kit containing everything needed to make your move easier. Markers for labeling boxes, packing tape, movin...

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 ....

Is your tap water safe to drink? Let’s find out.

Does Your House Need a Water Filtration System? Is our water safe to drink? Can it be improved for our consumption? These are questions you may be asking about your home tap water. What’s in your water? The vast majority of Americans get their water from municipal systems. City water is regulated and inspected by government agencies, more so th...

Are you a first-time home buyer confused by all the real estate jargon? Here’s what you need to know about earnest money and your down payment.

Two Big Money Moments for Homebuyers Homebuyers must make two large payments when purchasing a house. One is the earnest money paid upon ex*****on of the sales contract. The second is the down payment to the lender at closing. What are the differences between the two? It’s all about commitment. In both cases, these payments represent...

Can parents gift a house to their children? Will taxes be owed, and if so, by whom? Here’s a quick guide to get you started.

Passing on a House to Family Members It’s not uncommon for an elderly homeowner to pass along a house to heirs. Let’s examine ways to do so, understanding that laws in each state vary and federal tax code changes. Consult an attorney before making any decisions. The most basic way. The easiest way to pass a house to children is thr...

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...

All trees need pruning over time for health and beauty. Check out this guide for safe and successful tree trimming, and know when you should call in a professional.

How to Safely Prune a Tree Tree trimming can be a great DIY project, but it’s also important to know when to call in the pros. Here are a few safety tips and tricks, along with a few hints on when it’s time to let the professionals take over. Reasons to prune. Trees are pruned for three main reasons: appearance, interfere...

Saving money for a down payment is a big challenge. So take advantage of several programs that can help.

Tap Into Little Known Sources for Down Payment Help Accumulating down payment money for a house is important, but can be challenging, especially for millennials bogged down in massive student loan debt. But don’t despair. Help is available through down payment assistance programs — in other words — free money. The Federal Housing Administration...

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...

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...

Don’t forget the toilet when remodeling your bathroom. Find out about the newest styles and improvements.

Check Out the Latest Trends in Commodes If you’re custom building a home or remodeling an outdated bathroom, don’t forget to consider an updated toilet. Take a look at the most recent changes in commode function and style. Function. Newer “dual-flush” toilets give homeowners the choice to use 1.6 gallons of water while flushing or...