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 Agenc

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 But the idea that houses don't sell in November and December comes from outdated historical trends.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

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

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 p

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

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, d

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 E

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 highligh

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.