Granite, quartz, marble, concrete - there are so many relatively standard options for countertops. But what if you want something a little different? Go exotic, and you'll never be worried about someone coming over and pointing out that they have the exact same countertop in their bathroom. Make a smart choice, and even though your upfront cost may be greater, you just might get paid back in the end. "Indeed, unique kitchen countertops add a ‘wow' factor to your home,... [read more]

If you were going on an important job interview, you'd dress to impress. That's exactly what you want to do with your home, too–dress or, rather, stage to impress and sell! Selling your home requires a keen eye to make it appeal to a wide audience. That means you need to take time to make sure that your home is dressed up and ready to be shown off. I've written a lot about curb appeal and fixing up your home so that it's ready to be listed for sale, but sometimes the... [read more]

When it comes to redoing a kitchen, most people think there's not a steal or deal to be found. But, alas, there are ways to cut corners and take advantage of sales and promotions to redo, upgrade, update, or overhaul your kitchen. In this week's special edition of Steals & Deals, we run down the top 8 ways to save a buck when adding granite countertops. 1. Make friends with your salesperson No matter where you are buying your granite, your salesperson should be your ally. They... [read more]

This can be a tricky question to answer. Partly because our needs change over the years and decades. After kids leave home, maybe smaller is better but prior to that, maybe a bigger home is what you're seeking–room for the kids, dog, and tons of the kids' sleepover friends. The trends reflect our indecisiveness too. Sometimes McMansions are on the rise and then there's the complete opposite: tiny, tiny homes. In fact, you can watch fascinating shows online about families of... [read more]

You're ready to sell your home, you've got a buyer lined up, you're about to make an offer on that great home down the street, and then... everything falls apart. "It's a problem that's more common than you'd think with home sales: a buyer has made an offer, the seller accepts, and it seems like the deal is done," said Fox News. "But then something comes along to ruin the sale and it's back to square one." The good news is there are... [read more]