By Barbara Pronin, RISMedia Columnist RISMEDIA, February 8, 2010—According to FBI statistics, a home is burglarized every 14 seconds in the United States, and homes without an alarm system are three times more likely to be broken into. Those are pretty compelling reasons to consider installing a system. But what should you know before choosing one – [...] Story

By Lorrie Browne, RISMedia Guest Columnist RISMEDIA, February 8, 2010—Sometimes it’s a challenge to find that perfect end table. You don’t want to buy the one that came with the set (too matchy-matchy), yet you want something interesting to hold your drink, glasses or a book. The answer? There are many. You can turn just about [...] Story

By John Voket, RISMedia Columnist RISMEDIA, February 8, 2010—Thinking about putting your house on the market? While most homeowners assume the best way to “easily” maximize curb appeal is by doing a couple of quick fixes, there are a few important details to keep in mind when it comes to power-washing as a route to prepping [...] Story

RISMEDIA, February 8, 2010—Mold is a fungus that thrives in warm, dark, humid environments. It spreads via spores that grow on wet or moist surfaces, such as wood, wallboard, or bathroom tile. According to GreenerChoices.org, a site dedicated to the widest possible distribution of the research, articles, green product ratings, and survey information it publishes, some [...] Story

A: Certified historic structures now enjoy a 20 percent investment tax credit for qualified rehabilitation expenses, if they are income producing properties. A historic structure is one listed in the National Register of Historic Places or so designated by an appropriate state or local historic district that is certified by the government. The tax code [...] Story

Appraisal. A formal estimate of property value conducted by a professional qualified to make such an opinion. Copyright© 2010 RISMedia, The Leader in Real Estate Information Services, All Rights Reserved. This material may not be republished without permission from RISMedia. Story

A: It does not hurt to have a situation where the architect and contractor already have an existing working relationship. In fact, such an association could benefit a project by ensuring the smooth integration between the design and implementation. In a residential project, there is sometimes a triangle of tension between the architect, the contractor [...] Story

RISMEDIA, February 6, 2010—Better Homes and Gardens recently revealed proprietary research and insights on what consumers are looking for in their next home and overall priorities guiding current and future home improvement projects. In a speech at the NAHB International Builders Show, Eliot Nusbaum, Better Homes and Gardens Executive Editor Home Design, presented the results of [...] Story

RISMEDIA, February 6, 2010—As warmer months draw near, nagging household chores that have been swept under the rug all winter become a priority. “Most people change the sheets, flip the mattress and vacuum the baseboards, but spring cleaning can be taken a step further to a deep clean,” said Pat Slaven, program leader for Consumer [...] Story

By John Voket, RISMedia Columnist RISMEDIA, February 6, 2010—In many parts of the country, winter is the time when skiing enthusiasts hit the slopes and trails to enjoy their favorite seasonal sport. But as springtime approaches, many homeowners are faced with the issue of safely storing their ski equipment, which can often take up quite a [...] Story