So you have a new wood stove or outdoor fire pit you’re planning to put to use. Or maybe you’d like to toast marshmallows on that camping trip you’ve been planning? Either way, if you’re building a wood fire, it’s important to remember that not every piece of timber makes good fuel. You may already know not to burn trash like coated, painted, or pressure-treated wood. Doing so can release toxic or harmful chemicals into the air, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. But even when choosing between two logs, there are greener (and less green) options out there. Here are some tips on firewood NOT to buy. Note: None of the advice below applies to the netting- or plastic-wrapped bundl

Some owners hesitate to market their homes between Halloween and New Year's Day, believing the holiday season to be an off-peak time to sell. But the idea that houses don't sell in November and December comes from outdated historical trends. In fact, several studies show that, on average, homes listed during this time are more likely to sell, sell more quickly, and sell closer to the asking price. November, in particular, has some unique advantages that make it an ideal time to sell. Here are three reasons why Thanksgiving month might be the best time to sell your home. More motivation The idea that homes sell best in spring and summer stems from the fact that parents want to wait until summ

The typical first-time buyer seeking to purchase a home in a city will probably consider one of two options: a condominium or a housing cooperative. Although they are similar, condos and co-ops are not the same, and it is essential to understand their differences before buying one. Susan Isaacs of Slate Properties said many buyers she encounters are minimally informed about condos and even less knowledgeable about co-ops. “Co-ops are not a housing option that historically are well understood,” she said. Many people confuse condos with co-ops, thinking they are interchangeable. A condo is a private residence in a multiunit structure that includes ownership of commonly used property. A co-op i

Some houses give off a weird vibe. Scott Fladhammer, a real estate agent in Fort Wayne, Ind., was asked by a snowbird to sell her furnished but otherwise empty house. That in itself wasn’t odd, but the neighbors’ reaction to the home was. Everyone warned him that it was haunted. Seemingly sane people insisted that they had looked through the windows and saw mysterious objects moving throughout the house. Upon opening the front door, Fladhammer thought that they might have a point as wall-to-wall black mold greeted him. But it wasn’t long after that he learned the plumbing had burst, and the basement had flooded. Furniture had indeed been moving; it was floating in the water. But other times,

The tides are turning, if ever so slightly. The New York Times reported that, according to Bank of America’s second annual Homebuyer Insights Report, 68 percent of millennial homebuyers consider their current home a stepping stone or starter home on the way to their big picture goal. These are the buyers who have chosen to purchase instead of waiting and proceeding with caution, as has been the practice among millennials. THESE ARE THE SAME HOMEBUYERS WHO ALSO FEEL CONFIDENT THEY MADE THE RIGHT DECISION TO BUY: 86 percent of millennial buyers consider owning a home to be more affordable than renting. 80 percent of millennial buyers say homeownership has positively impacted their long-term fi

Here are eight easy ways to make sure your home is as fresh as can be. There's something about a special home scent. You're not always totally aware it's there, but when you walk into a room that has a certain smell, you're immediately hit with a memory of a time or place. (Remember how distinctive your grandma's house used to smell?). To create that effect in your home, you first have to eliminate any foul smells. "Baking soda makes a great deodorizer," says Carolyn Forte, director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab. Now, use these tricks to make your house smell good instantly. How to Make Your Home Smell Good 1. Make a stove simmer "I learned this from my crafty and cleaning

Owning an architecturally significant home from what's become a visually fetishized era, the middle of the past century, can be the culmination of a lifelong dream—or a total rehab nightmare. For home buyers considering a Mid-Century Modern residence, it’s important to go in with your eyes open, and that means asking the right questions. We checked with some experts on the top things to ask before taking the mid-century plunge. 1. Is minimalism for you? A typical home in an Eichler development, for example, is usually well under 3,000 square feet. There could be some built-in cabinet and closet storage. But with no basement or attic, there’s not a lot of room for tons of extra stuff. So if y

If you’re looking at the undulating real estate scene and think your smaller-than-average-home has no shot, think again. Your house is the perfect fit for a lot of people. Anyone looking to save on utilities, taxes and yard work -- from first-time buyers to baby boomers to the eco-minded -- is going small. Plus, the idea of average is shrinking for a lot of people as those McMansions are proving too big and expensive for a lot of budgets. So what great things can you highlight about your small home and how? Read on. Lower Costs Make sure your brochure and online listings include information about the lower utility costs your house affords. Also, if your small home is on a small lot, research

Knowing whom to notify when you move is essential to a smooth transition. We know, we know, calling up your electric company is probably the last thing on your mind while you're throwing your life's belongings in boxes and moving from point A to B. But trust us, if you let those notifications slide, there are consequences! So, in an effort to help you move with minimum traumas down the road, here's a checklist of whom to notify when you move—and how to get it done in a jiffy. Make sure to peruse this list at least a week before you move to make sure you don't miss anyone big! 1. The post office You knew this one, but you might not know that you don't have to schlep to an actual post office a