Jessica Ackerman

11/12/2023

When buying a home, how do you know which items remain with the property and what goes with the seller? Refrigerators? Mirrors? Shelving? Here’s what you need to know.

When a home seller and a buyer come to an agreement on a sale, more than just the house and land are involved. Misunderstandings sometimes arise over elements of the home that the buyer thought were staying and the sellers intended to take with them. These decisions revolve around three legal concep...

11/11/2023

Today, we thank you, we salute you, we honor you...Veterans!

11/09/2023

Have a small home? Make the most of what you've got! Here are five easy steps to combine various room types into one.

With today’s busy schedules, families need their homes to work harder for them. That means some rooms may need to do double duty — and sometimes even triple duty. Here’s a five-step guide to make sure the rooms in your house mirror your multitasking life. Step 1: Decide function and location. ...

11/07/2023

Taking the mystery out of septic systems - Here’s what you need to know.

Homeowners in a rural setting typically pump their water from wells and remove their household waste with a septic system. While pumping water is an easy concept to grasp, many potential home buyers have little knowledge about septic systems, how they work and what it takes to maintain one. Here’s...

11/05/2023

Showing a house with pets at home is a big no-no. Here’s how to make your animals -- and their smells -- disappear.

When putting your home up for sale, it’s crucial to make a plan for your pets. While prospective buyers may love their own pets, they don’t want to see — or smell — yours when touring your home. Here are a few ideas for keeping your pet’s presence low profile. Arrange for help. Boarding yo...

11/04/2023

Remember to "fall back" one hour tonight before bed!

11/02/2023

Does your autumn outdoor decor need a boost? Container gardening provides welcome bursts of color.

Fall is a great time to use container gardens to enhance your home’s curb appeal. Many plants perform well in cool temperatures while offering beautiful color and texture. Here are a few top picks for gorgeous fall container gardens. Mums may seem an obvious choice for fall decoration, but don’t...

10/31/2023

Hope your Halloween is all treats and no tricks!

10/29/2023

Before you sink a small fortune into renovating your home, check out this list of improvements that may not provide an adequate return at resale.

Before jumping into a home remodeling project, think hard about the reasons behind your proposed renovations. If an anticipated big payoff at resale time is one of your top priorities, you might want to reconsider. Here are a few of the biggest home improvement losers:

10/28/2023

Don’t underestimate the importance of a survey. Learn why a survey is important for your mortgage as well as to protect you from property disputes.

An accurate survey is a crucial step in your home-buying process, making sure you don’t encroach on a neighbor’s property — or vice versa. A mistake in the survey can cause legal problems later. Here’s what you need to know now to avoid problems later. Location, shape and size. A survey will...

10/26/2023

Choosing the right grass is an important first step to a lush lawn. Here’s a region-by-region guide to find the best grass for your home.

If a beautiful lawn is important to you, it’s time to study up on what type of grasses thrive — and which don’t — in your region of the country. Much progress has been made developing grasses that are drought tolerant and resistant to diseases, but you still must choose according to your cli...

10/24/2023

On the fence about getting a fence? This handy guide will help you decide.

Backyard fences are a popular choice these days, particularly if you’ve got small children or pets that wander. But before you put up the first panel or pound in the first fence post, drive through your neighborhood to see what’s customary and check with town or neighborhood authorities to see i...