The process of buying a home is often stressful for both the buyer and the seller. Communication gaps and differences in priorities between a buyer and seller can make the process quite complicated. Understandably, many buyers struggle with what to do when a home seller won’t negotiate. When a home seller won’t negotiate, it’s important to eliminate any unnecessary contingencies from your contract. Never pursue a home if the seller is unwilling to pay for necessary repairs, such as plumbing and electrical problems that would cost a fortune for you when you move in. Make a final offer if the se ..read more

Renting carries many benefits over owning a home, but it can also be quite frustrating. You must depend on your landlord to keep your apartment livable and affordable, and that’s not always possible. Understandably, many tenants struggle with how to avoid a rent increase. The best way to avoid a rent increase is to sign a long-term lease for up to two years or more. Try to limit your maintenance requests and avoid asking for renovations, so it’s not too expensive for your landlord to maintain your apartment. Follow the rules of your lease and make your monthly payments on time to stay on good ..read more

With home prices and apartment rentals at an all-time high, many people have had to downsize into smaller living spaces. In some cases, life can feel pretty much the same in a slightly smaller home. But one room that can be difficult to navigate when it shrinks in size, is the kitchen. A small kitchen means there is less room for your appliances, and you are suddenly left with minimal counter space to prepare food. When you find yourself in a kitchen with limited counter space, how do you create more? To increase the amount of counter space in your kitchen, consider installing shelving or a co ..read more

Many plants thrive indoors, but every plant can benefit from nature’s elements. Whether it is nutrient-rich soil or plenty of sunlight, indoor plants require outdoor ingredients even when they are inside. But what about when you water your indoor plants? Many plant owners use tap water to water plants inside the home. While tap water is not likely to kill your plants, you might wonder which is better for your plants: Tap water or rainwater. Rainwater is almost always better than tap when it comes to watering indoor plants. Rainwater has an ideal pH for plants, and it is often high in nutrients ..read more

No homeowner is prepared for the day a tree falls on their roof. Not only is it a terrifying experience, but it’s also the first step in a long and expensive process that involves many phone calls and repairs. Understandably, you’ll want to know what to do if a tree falls on your roof. If a tree falls on your roof, call 911 immediately and get out of the house. Once you are safe, you must call your homeowner’s insurance provider, and they will likely recommend that you call a local tree removal service. It costs between $500 and $3,000 to remove a fallen tree from your roof, but your insurance ..read more

The death of a pet is akin to a loved one within your family passing away. Closure is a natural part of the grieving process, and dealing with your pet’s remains is one of the most important parts of getting closure. So, can you bury a pet in your backyard? You can bury a pet in your backyard in most states, but regulations about how soon you must bury them varies from state to state. Most states require you to bury your pet within 24-48 hours, but Washington gives you 72 hours to bury your pet. You must dig a 3-foot hole, avoid utility lines, and conceal the body or cremains to avoid soil con ..read more

Does your lack of closet space turn your bedroom floor into a clothes storage site? Or maybe you’ve grown accustomed to piling clothes on any surface you can find, from your bed to the kitchen table. If any of this sounds familiar, a few clever ways to store clothes without a closet are just what you need to take back control of your space. No closet? No problem. Store clothes in a dresser, use a freestanding clothes rack behind a curtain, take advantage of space under the bed, and hang hooks. Incorporate furniture into your bedroom that features storage or convert a bookcase into a standing c ..read more

There are all sorts of reasons to purchase an indoor tree for your home. They add a much-appreciated pop of life and color to a room, they are great to look at, and even provide clean oxygen-rich air for you to breathe. While some indoor trees require a bit of maintenance and upkeep, there are many that are resilient and require very little work to maintain. But every indoor tree needs water. If you recently purchased an indoor tree, you need to know how often you need to water it. Most indoor trees need water no more than once a week, and some trees require water only twice a month or even mo ..read more

Lawn mowers can be quite expensive, and this leaves many homeowners apprehensive to buy a new one. You have likely noticed that the cost of a lawn mower is quite high during spring and summer. So, when is the best time of year to buy a lawn mower? The best time of year to buy a lawn mower is the fall. You can find low prices on lawn mowers during fall and early winter before retailers increase the price due to the high demand. Spring and summer are the worst time to buy a lawn mower because they are in demand and carry premium prices. Zero-turn mowers are the most expensive type of lawn mower ..read more

House hunting very well could be one of the most exciting yet stressful times of your life. You’re making a huge decision, spending a lot of money, and in many cases, you’re taking a lot on faith. This sliver of uncertainty is why it’s so important to look for red flags when buying a home. Look for cracks, stains, flickering lights, and questionable odors when house hunting. Seemingly small problems often are a sign of a larger underlying issue. Other red flags are multiple “for sale” signs in the neighborhood, locked rooms, inaccessible areas, bugs, and poor maintenance. Confusing cosmetic up ..read more