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Take these essential steps to help ensure you get your full security deposit back. When renting apartments, it is quite normal to pay a security deposit before or upon moving in. Months or even years later, you’ve likely formed a relationship with your landlord. But even if you exchange friendly words and live in harmonyRead more

One day, in the hopefully not-so-distant future, we’ll be proud homeowners. With a sprawling backyard, wrap-around porch, exposed ceiling beams, and beautiful built-ins, our dream homes will be, naturally, everything we’ve ever hoped for. But until then, we’ll each likely find ourselves residing in a wide variety of apartments and sublets of varying shapes and less-than-ideal sizes. Yes,Read more

Make the switch from store-bought cleaning products to natural solutions to save money and ditch toxins. True neat freaks will go to any length to get their homes sparkling clean. But these days, even the most dirt-averse draw the line at products filled with harsh (and smelly!) chemicals. Plus, dragging potential toxins into your livingRead more

Not all home loans are created equal, so do your research before choosing a lender. Did you know you can call two different lenders to apply for a mortgage, and each may give you a different interest rate? Even though information like your credit score and salary is set, financial institutions can interpret this informationRead more

The balcony is the part of your home that extends your living space to the outside and serves as a place for your comfort and relaxation. It is a great place where you can do so many things. Here you can enjoy your morning coffee while breathing in the fresh morning air and enjoying theRead more

  There are ways to speed up the house-hunting process and buy a home fast. (Even if you don’t have a fat bank account.) In a competitive real estate market, it can take months to buy properties like 2 bedroom townhomes. Whether you’re consistently outbid by other buyers or it seems your shopping rivals areRead more

Experts share their top clutter-smashing strategies, so you never have to let clutter take up space in your home, budget, or mind ever again! Most of us have it, but none of us want it. Clutter can overwhelm our lives if we let it — even our wallets can take a hit. According to theRead more

Want to get the most from your tax return this year? Here’s a hint: Don’t just file the standard deduction. Uncle Sam is back yet again to collect taxes (argh!). But there’s a bright side: He may take a smaller bite if you’re a homeowner. No matter what type of residential property you own —Read more

Before you sign a single page at the closing table, you’ll need to have these documents and forms at the ready. Real estate paperwork can be overwhelming. Simply put, buying or selling a home buries you in printed materials. Some of them are obvious (W2s, bank statements), and some of them are surprising (what’s aRead more

From updating dodgy wiring to fire-resistant siding materials, here’s what to do to keep your home safe Every year, home fires kill more than 2,500 people and injure another 12,600 (to the tune of an estimated $7.3 billion in property lost!), according to the Department of Homeland Security. And some recent reports note that newerRead more