It's time to give your backyard a facelift! From patios to pergolas, you can transform your outdoor space into a charming oasis. Get back to spending time outside with family this summer with our favorite outdoor design ideas. Outdoor Great Room Photo courtesy of HGTV An arched pergola with bistro lights creates the perfect area for entertaining on warm summer nights. Pergolas have a flexible design, allowing you to truly customize it and bring your imagination to life. This pergola stands on its own, creating an enchanting escape separated from the home. Patio-Pergola Pleasure Photo courtesy of DIY Network This patio-pergola duo beautifully accents the home by staying consistent with the color scheme of the home's exterior. The relaxing seating area right … [Read more...] about Patios to Pergolas: Give Your Backyard a Facelift
Homeowner Resources
When is the Best Time to Buy Appliances?
Who knew there was a "best" time to buy appliances? Well, it's true, folks. The saying "timing is everything" applies to buying dishwashers, refrigerators, dryers, and other appliances for your home. If you don't need a new appliance right away and can play the waiting game, you can score some serious deals. So when is the best time to buy appliances? There's more than one answer. End of the month This is the perfect time to hunt for bargains. Stores have to meet quotas and are more likely to reduce prices toward the end of the month. This opens the gates to negotiation -- if a retailer is trying to meet their sales goal, they'll be more likely to discuss adjusting the price with you. Holidays Holidays are great for big savings. Our inboxes overflow with … [Read more...] about When is the Best Time to Buy Appliances?
5 Fast, Easy, & Budget-Friendly Upgrades for Your Home
From a fresh coat of paint to brand new fixtures, updating your home doesn't have to cost a fortune. There are plenty of fun and simple projects you can do to enhance the look of your home and attract buyers. So whether you're looking to sell your home or freshen it up, we have 5 fast, easy, and budget-friendly upgrades for you to try on your home. 1) Enhance curb appeal Enhancing curb appeal adds a great deal of value to your home and can be addressed at any price point. First impressions matter! Buyers want a home exterior that screams wow, not meh, especially since 63% of homebuyers stop by a house after viewing it online. Planting new flowers, adding a splash of color to your front door, or even upgrading your mailbox can lure in the most discerning … [Read more...] about 5 Fast, Easy, & Budget-Friendly Upgrades for Your Home
What is Earth Day & How To Celebrate it
Earth Day is a globally celebrated holiday that raises awareness about environmental issues affecting our world. Many communities even turn the holiday into a week-long event of marches, clean-ups, petitions, and more. If marches and petitions aren't for you, there are little things you and your family can do every day to make a big difference. A brief history On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans across the country participated in rallies to stand up for healthy, sustainable environments. According to EarthDay.org, "groups that had been fighting against oil spills, polluting factories and power plants, raw sewage, toxic dumps, pesticides, freeways, the loss of wilderness, and the extinction of wildlife suddenly realized they shared common values". That first Earth … [Read more...] about What is Earth Day & How To Celebrate it
The Best Gardening Tips for Beginners
Having your own garden is such a rewarding hobby. Not an expert on perennials? Not a problem. With these gardening tips for beginners, you'll have a green thumb in no time. Know your yard It's important to understand that not everything grows everywhere. Where you live determines what you plant -- even climate and sun exposure will affect what you plant in your garden. Pay close attention to where the sun hits your yard and how long that light stays there. You'll get the best gardening results once you know how much or how little sunlight you're working with. Test your soil Testing your soil will tell you if it's acidic, neutral, or alkaline. Most plants prefer neutral soil but it ultimately depends on what you will grow in your garden. A soil test will also indicate what … [Read more...] about The Best Gardening Tips for Beginners