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You and your agent are going to use everything you’ve learned to seal the deal. Here’s the dream: Your offer is perfect, you don’t need to negotiate, and you can spend the next few weeks addressing more pressing home ownership questions like, “Why is it called wainscoting?” and “Do I want a new couch in…

The super-simple (and fun) way to separate needs from nice-to-haves. When you embark on the home-buying process, your heart is filled with all the dreams in the world. It’s really easy to get caught up in the “I have to have ___________,  so I’ll cut back somewhere else” game, even when you don’t actually know…

Here’s an easy, doable preventive maintenance checklist to keep your heating and cooling system in top shape. It’s a good idea to hire an HVAC company to inspect and do maintenance on your system every fall and spring. They’ll do things like inspect and clean the wiring and mechanisms of the air conditioner and furnace, which…

Is the update a job for you or a pro? Popcorn ceilings may have been all the rage back in the day, but now they’re just an outdated eyesore that can be hard to clean and even harder to remove. The popcorn ceiling had its heyday, so if you still have one lurking above your…

Before you build or overhaul your garage, figure out the cost, savings, and return. A garage can be a versatile space — used for storage or work, or to produce income — that adds value to your home. If you’re thinking of building a garage or overhauling your current one, you’ll want to gather some…

You may be selling a home in a competitive market — for example, with low inventory and high demand. And you may be thinking “Yay!” or at least “Whew.” You know you’re likely to have more interested buyers, better offers, and a quicker trip to contract than you’d have otherwise. But along with that good…

How to find exactly what you want, and how to work with the experts who’ll help you get it. So you’re thinking about buying your first home. Your very own house (and mortgage). A place to call — and make — your own. It’s a big move, literally and figuratively. Buying a house requires a…