Entertaining is the ultimate test of social aptitude. When it’s done well, it can bring couples together, boost careers, solidify communities and arouse a soulful convergence. Like mastering any discipline, becoming a great host requires talent, dedication and money. Great …

Selling a house involves more than posting a “For Sale” sign and bracing for the bidding wars. Getting a good price often requires attention to details as emotional as they are structural. “People want to know that a home is loved …

You’ve finally bought a house. It’s everything you ever wanted. Except for the cracked plaster, the leaky faucet, the dubiously sagging roof and the ’70s decor in the basement. No problem: You’re a strong, capable, resourceful person. Take all the talents …

Each day, we’re swarmed by advertisements for household products—window cleaning solutions, tile scrubbing compounds, drain decloggers and more. Many of these products contain harsh chemicals that are wicked to our skin, our lungs and the environment. Some of the warning …

How do you get prepared for disasters? Are you ready for a brief stoppage of food supplies, whether it’s caused by an earthquake, a tornado or some other natural disaster? Do you know how to turn off your gas valve? …

You’ve looked at the existing housing stock in neighborhoods you’d like to live in and you haven’t found any place you can picture yourself. You’re staring across the breakfast table at your (pick one) spouse, significant other, mirror, pet, and …

Once you start your apartment hunt, decide what you want in an apartment. Issues such as commuting time, privacy, number of closets, even an on-premises health club all enter into the equation. Do you want to live in a high-rise …

Sometimes it seems like the odds are rigged against renters, compared with homeowners. First of all, in a tight rental market, you’re at the complete mercy of landlords, especially where rent control or regulation is nonexistent. Second, the government makes …

Looking for the perfect house? Maybe it doesn’t exist yet. If you’ve already scoured the listings of homes in your area and still can’t find what you want, consider building a house instead. That’s what Bill Gates did. Mr. Microsoft carved …

The primary job of the architect is to create the design for your home and to document it. Architects need to gather a lot of information from you in order to design a home that relates to your life. Generally, …

Charles Bellefontaine, a certified home inspector in Chicago, Illinois, and the owner of Chicagoland Home and Building Inspections says, “There are three times that you want a home inspector to check the progress on a newly built home.” Inspect as soon …

One of the first decisions you have to make is what kind of homebuilder you want to work with. Basically there are two types: builder/developers, and builders of custom-built homes. The Builder Developer A builder/developer generally has sites and plan designs available …

“A good real estate attorney is like an ounce of protection.” says Andy Oldham, a real estate attorney in Campbell, California, and the cofounder and CEO of eHome. “He can be a rich source of referrals, if he has worked …

Its moving day and you’re cool as a cucumber because you’ve planned ahead. You have read up on information about protecting your goods and moving advice that helped plan your move. That means you can concentrate on the things that …

Your mobile home is probably your largest investment. This is true for most homeowners. Unless you plan to live in the same house for the rest of your life, you’ll eventually sell it before moving on. Many owners of factory-built …

While nothing looks more beautiful on a Christmas tree than twinkling lights that pick up reflections from sparkling ornaments, it’s important to test the lights to make sure they don’t create a fire hazard. Here are some tips to help …

If you walk into any major appliance store, you might see several dozen refrigerators to choose from. The prospect of choosing just the right one from among all the choices can be difficult because, from the outside, many refrigerators look …

Most breadmaker models mix, raise and bake ingredients; some also knead dough. Here are important features to look for, plus cost and product reviews. Four Important Features Capacity: How much bread can it make? Models are available for making up to 1 …

Never before has home-baked bread been so simple to make. Take a single machine with bread pan and stirring/kneading paddle. Add the ingredients, choose your settings, and press “start.” It’s that easy. And because there are only two parts, the …

Did you know that most real estate agents work for the homeowner, not the buyer? Ethically, it’s fine for a real estate agent to represent both the buyer and a seller in the transaction. However, an agent’s commission is based on …

If you are in the market for a home, ask your real estate agent about home warranty insurance. Unlike renter’s insurance or a homeowner’s policy, a home warranty covers any repairs that need to be made to the home during …

You’ve selected the city you’re moving to, but which neighborhood is right for you? Here are a few things to look for when shopping for the right area for you and your family: Municipal services – Be sure to check if …

Plan, research, interview and then select. If you have opted to build a new home rather than purchase an existing home, the most important decision you will make involves choosing a competent and skilled builder. Doing your homework beforehand will …

Legend has it that finding a good mechanic is like looking for a needle in a haystack. If you know what to look for, it shouldn’t be that hard. The key is to start your search BEFORE an emergency arises. Ask …

1. Research the selling prices of homes in your neighborhood when setting your asking price. 2. Determine the cash you will receive after the sale by calculating the payoff amount of your existing mortgage and any other related costs, such as …

There is a trend among consumers to purchase higher priced power hand tools rather than less expensive units. Extensive market studies by a leading manufacturer have shown that many more people are doing projects themselves rather than hiring a contractor …

Wood flooring comes in planks, strips, parquet, and non-linear patterns. Solid wood flooring must not be used in rooms with high moisture content, such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens. For these types of rooms, a laminated wood is best. There …

The interest in wood flooring is rapidly increasing. Wood is a natural product that beautifies the home and also cuts down on allergens. There are three basic types of wood floor finishes: 1. Polyurethane includes oil-based, moisture-cured, and acid-cured finishes. These types …

Because snow blowers are very seasonal items, you can often save money by buying one off-season. And because they are pretty basic machines and models are slow to be replaced, your choices remain fairly consistent from year to year. Worth …

The era of the one-vacuum-cleaner household is fast becoming a thing of the past. The reason? Over the years, the vacuum cleaner has been refined and improved, giving rise to a new generation of specialized vacuums. However, purchasing multiple vacuums doesn’t …

If you’ve ever had a desire to remove wallpaper but were afraid to get started, don’t fear. Although this job is fairly time-consuming, there are steps you can take to make it easier. Before you begin, make sure you have a …

Perhaps the most important thing to keep in mind when purchasing tools is to buy high quality products. This often means paying more, but not always. The variation in price for similar items is a reflection of the cost of …

Kids rooms are always multipurpose because kids do a lot more in their rooms than just sleep. They do everything from playing to hanging out with their friends. Remember, however, that kids grow up. It’s important to choose styles that …

As unglamorous as it sounds, the rug you select for dining rooms will have one important function — to conceal spills and stains. Choose one that is patterned and easily cleaned. In a dining room, a soft surface works best because …

Whether you decide to go formal or informal in your dining and family rooms, you can find a carpet to fit your needs. Consider the use of each room and select the floor covering that best suits your purpose. Family Room …

Chances are, unless you live in a domicile akin to a museum, you suffer the occasional stained rug or carpet. You don’t have to run out and spend thousands of dollars on new floor coverings. Decorating expert Debbie Clunas offers …

The bedroom serves as a quiet retreat where you can get away to watch TV, do some reading and, of course, sleep. When considering your home decorating ideas, base your carpet selections for this area on what will establish the …

Ideally the bathroom should be on the same floor as the bedrooms but in many old houses it is located beyond the kitchen on the ground floor. An extra bathroom will invariably add value to a property. But whether it’s …

One of the quickest ways to move up the property ladder is to take a tired, tatty property and give it some love and attention. With a little thought, this need not mean spending a fortune on structural alterations or …

There are so many options available that first you have to decide which route suits you, and how much involvement you want in the building process. The more you do, the cheaper, but more time-consuming, it is; the more you …