Is your home office the dining room table?  Is it anywhere you can sit down undisturbed with your laptop?  If so, you might be interested in converting a room or nook into a dedicated home office.  Depending on what you do for a living, there could be a tax advantage to creating this space too. The first step is to pick a spot.  Ideally, you want an area where you can work without too many distractions. Next, make sure the spot you've chosen can accommodate a... [read more]

Watch any TV cooking show, and you'll notice that a chef's kitchen looks quite a bit different than what you'd find in most homes.  But, that doesn't mean you can't have one just like it in your home!  With a little remodeling, and splurging on some new items, you can have a kitchen worthy of Gordon Ramsey, Jamie Oliver, or Rachel Ray. Chefs love counter space.  So, when remodeling, plan to create as much as possible.  If you have an existing island,... [read more]

Ideally, you would like buyers to wait until they've viewed your whole property before they judge it.  However, the reality is, buyers start forming an impression of your home as soon as they see it from the curb.  So, it pays to do everything you can to improve your property's "curb appeal". Here are some ideas: You can improve the impact of your landscaping by trimming hedges, removing any unsightly weeds, and cutting the grass.  Planting just a few... [read more]

If you're working with a landscaping contractor, you want to develop a good working relationship with that professional, so you can avoid delays, stress and other issues.  After all, the last thing you want is a tree planted in the wrong spot because of a misunderstanding. The same holds true when working with a real estate agent.  Whether you're buying, selling, or both, you want the process to go smoothly and successfully.  Creating an ideal working relationship with... [read more]