Flipping a house is a common practice among DIY enthusiasts and those wanting to make a quick profit in a hot housing market. Flipping land is also another way to improve and sell an existing property by investing your own time and money. While both options share similar benefits, they are better for some situations than others. Here...

The conventional wisdom related to building in a backyard deck or patio revolves around improved quality of life and return on investment. A new deck delivers years of peaceful enjoyment and an approximate 75 percent resale value return. That's largely because this type of home improvement increases the usable square footage and transforms the property into an indoor-outdoor...

Hi! I'm 56 Wambold Lane, but you can call me the last Happy Acres view lot in Petaluma! I'm just over one acre and I love gorgeous sunsets looking south over unobstructed views towards San Francisco, Marin, and the Coast which is only 40 minutes away. I like living far enough away from the hustle and bustle of big city life. Yet I'm no more than 5-10 minutes from the largest cities in Sonoma County. I've got enough space for your 2,000+ square foot home with plans, designs, and maps included with your purchase. I even have room to spare for your detached garage/studio/accessory dwelling, pool, gardening, horses, or you name it??? I'm...

Geraniums are one of the most popular garden flowers in North America. They're fragrant, colorful and grow well in containers, hanging baskets and flower beds. They're easy to care for and have over 300 different species to choose from. To help you pick the best option for your garden, here are the four main types of geranium to...

The primary entrance to any house deserves an attractive aesthetic with reliable security. Property owners often select thick, hardwood materials because they provide curbside appeal and durable strength. Steel doors remain something of an afterthought because they are more closely associated with commercial buildings, which may not appear to have the same design prowess. But the advanced technologies...

Solomon's seal is a North American native plant popular in shady gardens. The elegant stems and small flowers spread out to cover the ground to create a lush, woodland setting in any yard. If you're interested in growing Solomon's seal in your own garden, here are some essential care tips to know: Light Solomon's seal plants natural environment...

This may sound counterintuitive, but some of the most eye-catching barn-style accent doors rank among the easiest DIY home improvement projects. And a few insider tips might help push the project along. For example, people who do not work in the construction trades rarely realize that many 10-inch wide boards run closer to 9.25 inches. That insider tip...

Islands are a common feature in homes, but not all kitchens have them. Kitchen islands offer extra counter space for preparing food, eating meals and doing other tasks. Some islands also have cabinets or shelves for added storage. If your kitchen doesn’t have an island, you can build your own. Whether you’re interested in constructing a large island...

Sweat equity is a term used in real estate and in the business world. For real estate, sweat equity refers to the amount of effort a homeowner or investor puts into improving a property. For those interested in flipping homes, this concept is crucial to determining the home's value. Here is some more info about sweat equity to...

If you love the look of vertical gardens but don’t want the hassle of living plants, a silk or dried flower frame is the perfect project for you. Using either artificial or dried flowers (or a combination) you can create a lush, colorful piece of unique artwork for your home—no maintenance required. Here are the materials and steps...

Hazard insurance and homeowners insurance are often mistaken for the same thing due to the similarities they share. While standard homeowners insurance policies include hazard coverage, standalone hazard insurance serves a different purpose. How do you know if you need hazard insurance? Here is a guide to help you understand the basics: Hazard insurance vs. homeowners insurance Hazard...

There are many reasons a garden wall can be beneficial to your outdoor space. Garden walls can help define and separate areas of the yard, add privacy and improve the view. You can even combine other features like outdoor fireplaces, lighting or water features to efficiently use the space while adding functionality. If you’re thinking about building a...