Authentic cedar beauty enhances home value, lasts a lifetime
For all the time-saving benefits that a durable home exterior can bring, homeowners never want to sacrifice curb appeal. Beyond that first requirement of a great-looking home, a growing number are focusing on features that give them back more time with maintenance-free living.

Home inspections help you sell
When you're ready to sell your home in the current market, you need to take every step you can to ensure a timely sale at the price you want. A surplus of homes for sale means that yours needs to stand out in style, amenities and quality to make an impression on potential buyers. The more steps you take to make your house sale-ready, the better results you'll get.

Fast fixes for foreclosed homes
The high volume of foreclosed homes on the market is allowing some astute buyers to turn eyesores into eye-catching properties with only minimal investment. While not every property can be fixed up affordably, there are some common projects that dramatically improve a foreclosed home's appeal and value.

Top 5 improvements for spring home sellers
To get your home sold at a good price in a buyer's market, you need to know what to invest in - and what not to invest in.

Add value, living space and enjoyment with a finished basement
Finishing the basement remains a good way to improve value and livability while also expanding square footage. Think of it as double the return on investment - not only are you creating an appealing space in your home, you're actually making the home bigger for potential buyers who want maximum living space.

Buying a home? Tips to protect your biggest investment
If you're in a position to buy real estate, chances are pretty good you'll end up with a great bargain - perhaps a home you typically wouldn't consider in a different market. While it could remain a buyer's market for several months to several years, be aware that lending institutions are scrutinizing prospective homeowners more than ever.

10 senior housing development trends for the next 10 years
According to the Administration on Aging, from 2010 to 2030, the U.S. population aged 65 and over is expected to grow by 75 percent to over 69 million. Many entrepreneurs, developers and investors salivate at the product needs of an aging population. But those who think changing demographics mean "if you build it, they will come," are potentially setting themselves up for failure.

Understanding your credit opens the door to home-buying success
With many signs pointing to the beginnings of a recovery in the housing market, potential home buyers can still find plenty of selection, low prices and low interest rates. If you're thinking of buying a home, now might be the right time, but before you contact a real estate agent or apply for a mortgage, your top priority should be checking your credit report to see if your credit is in good shape.

Protect your home from damage with basement waterproofing
A damp, leaky basement can be a homeowner's worst nightmare. Active water leaks and excessive moisture in basement or foundation walls can rob a home of extra storage or living space. Fortunately, there are state-of-the-art technologies that make basement waterproofing easier than ever before - even for inexperienced do-it-yourselfers.

Make your lawn the envy of the neighborhood
Curb appeal is something homeowners always have tucked into the back of their minds, even if they aren't planning on selling or moving any time soon.

Time to sell? Your outdoor spaces can be the bonus buyers want
If you're preparing to sell this spring but aren't in a position to invest in ambitious renovations, such as a kitchen remodel or new hardwood floors, the best advice is to look to the "bonus" spaces in and around your home and maximize their appeal.

Selling your home? Easy improvements to attract buyers
Real estate pros often coach their clients on the value of making "curb appeal" improvements to help sell their homes. Outside painting and minor repairs signal that the house has been well cared for. That's a great marketing tactic, but an even better advantage is offering multiple bathrooms.

A retirement home that helps pay for itself
With today's record low real estate prices and attractive mortgage rates, now may be a good time to think about investing in a second home that ultimately can be used as your permanent residence upon retirement. By taking a "buy-and-rent" approach before you're ready to retire, your new home will actually have partly paid for itself by the time you're ready to move into it.

Easy ways to stage your home for sale
You've made the decision to sell your home. But before you put the "for sale" sign in the yard, make sure it's ready to make a good impression on prospective buyers and clearly stands out among the many other homes on the market.

Home exterior colors reflect style, personality and environment
Building or renovating a home is a decision-filled process. Some decisions, such as location, size and layout, tend to be more family needs-based than desire-based. But other decisions are based primarily on preference and offer the opportunity to express a homeowner's design style.

Buying a home: know the difference between mortgage life insurance and individual life insurance
For many new homeowners, it can be very confusing to decide whether you should buy an individual insurance policy from a reputable life insurance company to protect your new home from the unexpected, or if you should purchase a mortgage insurance policy through your lender.