In California, as well as many other states, when purchasing or selling a home, you have to deal with something called Escrow. This process can be very confusing and stressful in itself, so when a buyer or seller does not know what to expect when dealing with escrow, it can cause a lot of undue stress. We wanted to shed some light into the escrow process for you and what you can expect along the way. Who or what is Escrow? The most basic definition would be that Escrow is a

Energy bill too high? It might be time to consider the physics behind your energy use. The scientific attributes of heat and energy mean particular appliances and factors affect your utility bills disproportionately. If this all sounds like high school science class, don’t fall asleep; this lesson can save you money. The Energy Department estimates that the typical family spends around $2,200 per year on utilities. It also estimates that you can lower your energy bill by as m

Let’s face it: Home decorating television shows aren’t exactly action-packed. They are, however, a great source if you’re looking for information and ideas about design, so at least you’re not wasting your time watching really bad reality TV. These days, there’s a home design show for just about everyone. You can watch everything from shows that teach you how to spice up your living space with cool, new ideas to shows that demonstrate complete tear-downs. Take a look at Ameri

There is no better time for a fun get-together than during the summer, when people come together outside and enjoy the weather. But the idea of hosting a party of your own can seem a little daunting with all the planning, cleaning and prepping necessary. However, with an organized approach it can be easy to get everything done efficiently so you can spend your time relaxing with your guests. Follow these 9 tips in order to plan and execute the perfect backyard barbecue. 1. Pl

You only get one shot to impress potential buyers enough to get them through the front door. Increasing curb appeal doesn’t just bring people in, though. Adding curb appeal is a great way to increase the resale value of your home. Estimates vary, but in the St. Louis area, for example, Hermann London real estate agents often see exterior improvement and landscaping return on investment (ROI) start at 150% — and often exceed that. For relatively little cost, you can drive up y

A businessman who’s into real estate leasing, particularly residential units rental, normally protects their properties from tremendous depreciation. This is why it is normal for them to screen their prospective tenants, and one of those that they usually refuse to entrust their property are families with pets. When dealing with lessor or landlords, there is a certain warning sign for them once their lesse owns an animal. They immediately overthink that dogs and cats can caus

The kitchen is an area of your home that gets used more often than most other areas. So it stands to reason that if your kitchen were more organized and simple to use, your life would feel easier. Professional organizer Monica Ricci has 10 easy steps to organize your kitchen, and make your family life flow more smoothly when it comes to meal preparation. Tip #1: Empty Cabinets Pull everything out of each cabinet and go through it. Discard or donate those things that are not f

Most people would not want to buy an ‘ugly’ home because the majority of home buyers usually look for home features that are aesthetically pleasing to them. Home buyers look for home characteristics that make a home livable for the long term and easy to sell when the time comes - but are you sure that you’re not passing up great homes due to less than stellar first impressions? Find out what makes an ‘ugly’ home a great buy for a discerning buyer below! Why Buying an Ugly Hom

Break out your grills, lawns chairs and festive food, because it’s that time of year again—Independence Day is just around the corner! The Fourth of July is always a great day to celebrate our nation with friends, family and furry ones alike. Like many of us, you may anticipate catching a fireworks show at the end of the evening, or you may be planning to light up the sky yourself. While fireworks are a longstanding tradition for this summer holiday, for some pets, fireworks

For just about everyone, moving is inevitable – you’re going to do it, at the very least, once in your life. What happens when moving day comes quicker than you expect, though? Maybe you sold your house before you thought you would, you took a job and they need you to start immediately, or you simply procrastinated and now you need to get moving. Here are a few tips for packing and moving out in a hurry. 1. Designate one room for packing. If you have a room that you’re using