A solar water heater uses the renewable thermal energy produced by the sun to warm water for your shower, washing machine, and dishwasher. Better yet, it does it at a fraction of the price of a conventional storage tank water heater. If you take the plunge and purchase a solar water heater, expect to see your home's water-heating bill cut in half.The financial attraction doesn't end there. A federal energy tax credit that's available through the end of 2016 allows homeowners to shave 30% off the cost of a solar water heater. Even new homes and second homes qualify.How Solar Water Heaters WorkSolar water heaters operate in one of two ways: either as a direct system or as an indirect system. A direct system warms water by circulating it via pipes through rooftop solar collectors. An indir... 05/21/2015

A vacation home offers a break from the daily grind, but it can also offer a break from taxes. The IRS allows most owners to lower taxable income by taking tax deductions for vacation homes. What's deductible depends on a number of factors, especially how often you visit and whether you allow renters.Don't limit your notion of a vacation home to a beach cottage or a mountain cabin. Even RVs and boats can count, as long as there are sleeping, cooking, and bathroom facilities. Tax deductions for vacation homes are complex, so consult a tax adviser. Is Your Vacation Home a Vacation Home?If you bought your vacation home exclusively for personal enjoyment, you can generally deduct your mortgage interest and real estate taxes, as you would on a primary residence. Use Schedule A to take the de... 05/20/2015

For home cooks, a wall oven means flexibility and convenience that boost kitchen function and home enjoyment. We give you food for thought so you can pick the best model for your household’s lifestyle.First Things First: Gas or Electric?Typically, the type of power you use in your home determines whether you go with a gas or electric wall oven. If you can go either way, budget and cooking preferences will drive your final decision. Here’s more to chew on: Electric wall ovens heat foods more evenly than gas and are considered easier to clean, according to Consumer Reports.  There’s a much larger selection of electric units than gas to choose from. Budget and standard ovens that run on gas generally cost $100 or more than their electric counterparts.  Types of Wall Ovens and CostsHere’s a... 05/19/2015

When it comes to picking outdoor DIY projects, we found it interesting that homeowners opt for functionality over form — and even finances, according to a new survey of U.S. homeowners. That’s music to our pragmatic ears. By a wide margin, homeowners say they prefer functional projects (57%) over those that just look good (28.3%) or have financial value (14.7%). But just because DIYers desire a project, that doesn’t mean they’re going to strap on a tool belt and actually do it. The survey also reveals the most-wanted projects a DIYer is least likely to do: High-skill/high-effort projects, like building a deck or privacy fence, probably will never make it off the DIYer’s wish list. The most-desirable projects promise to make outdoor time more fun; but the ones homeowners probably will do... 05/18/2015

As you calculate your tax returns, be careful not to commit any of these nine home-related tax mistakes, which tax pros say are especially common and can cost you money or draw the IRS to your doorstep.Sin #1: Deducting the wrong year for property taxesYou take a tax deduction for property taxes in the year you (or the holder of your escrow account) actually paid them. Some taxing authorities work a year behind — that is, you’re not billed for 2013 property taxes until 2014. But that’s irrelevant to the feds. Enter on your federal forms whatever amount you actually paid in that tax year, no matter what the date is on your tax bill. Dave Hampton, CPA, a tax department manager at the Cincinnati accounting firm of Burke & Schindler, has seen homeowners confuse payments for different years ... 05/17/2015

Today’s home improvement trends show that we like our houses to work harder and smarter for the money we spend maintaining and improving their value.We no longer want bigger; instead, we want space that’s flexible, efficient, and brings order to chaos.We’re watching our wattage with monitors and meters, and guarding our weekends with maintenance-free exteriors.Here’s a look at seven hot home improvement trends that improve the way we live with our homes.Trend #1: Maintenance-free sidingWe continue to choose maintenance-free siding that lives as long as we do, but with a lot less upkeep. But more and more we’re opting for fiber-cement siding, one of the fastest-growing segments of the siding market. It’s a combination of cement, sand, and cellulosic fibers that looks like wood but won’t ... 05/14/2015

Although moisture problems can be a concern for basement finishes, there are many types of flooring that are ideal for basement applications. The key to successful basement flooring installations is to ensure that the basement is dry and that there is a smooth, flat surface for the new finish material.Moisture and humidityBecause the floor of your basement is below grade and the lowest surface within your house, it requires special considerations before flooring can be installed. If your basement has ever been susceptible to water infiltration and flooding, those problems must be remedied before flooring is installed. Sealing your basement from water and moisture infiltration can cost from several hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars or more. Humidity and condensation are other con... 05/13/2015

Every home suffers a few negatives, but not every solution requires pricey structural changes. Paint is an often-overlooked, low-cost remodeler’s remedy for common complaints with interiors, offering the chameleon-like ability to lighten, warm, enlarge, erase, or attract attention. “Paint is a powerful tool that can enhance the architectural character and intent of space,” says Minneapolis architect Petra Schwartze of TEA2 Architects. “As you choose your paint, think about what the experience in the room should be.”  More Schwartze advice: Always sample paint colors on a few walls. Don’t be shy about painting a few large swaths on walls and trim to consider the effect of natural and artificial lighting. Add samples to opposite sides of a room to judge the paint color from different angl... 05/12/2015

Homeowners spend more money on kitchen remodeling than on any other home improvement project. And with good reason: Kitchens are the hub of home life and a source of pride. A significant portion of kitchen remodeling costs may be recovered by the value the project brings to your home. Kitchen remodels in the $50,000 to $60,000 range recoup about 68% of the initial project cost at the home’s resale, according to recent data from "Remodeling" magazine’s "Cost vs. Value Report." A minor kitchen remodel of about $19,000 does even better, returning more than 79% of your investment. To maximize your return on investment, follow these seven strategies to keep you on budget and help you make smart choices.  1. Plan, Plan, Plan Planning your kitchen remodel should take more time than the actual ... 05/11/2015

Life is a balancing act, and upgrading your home is no different. Some upgrades, like a kitchen remodel or an additional bathroom, typically add value to your home. Others, like putting in a pool, provide little dollar return on your investment.Of course, homeowning isn’t just about building wealth; it’s also about living well and making memories -- even if that means outclassing your neighborhood or turning off future buyers. So if any of these six upgrades is something you can’t be dissuaded from, enjoy! We won’t judge. But go in with your eyes wide open. Here’s why:  1.  Outdoor KitchenThe fantasy: You’re the man -- grilling steaks, blending margaritas, and washing highball glasses without ever leaving your pimped-out patio kitchen.The reality: For what it costs -- on average $12,000... 05/10/2015

“Let comfort be your guide,” says Tom Hutchinson of Hutchinson Plumbing Heating Cooling. Air conditioning is all about comfort, so the simplest way to evaluate your system is to ask: Am I comfortable? Air conditioning and HVAC units don’t last forever -- 12 years is an average lifespan -- and the moment they fail is usually when you need them the most. The good news is that not every system malfunction spells total doom. Many nuisances are so cheap and easy to fix, you'll kick yourself for not doing them sooner. Warning Sign #1: My Air Conditioning Won't Turn OnPossible cause: Often, the most likely culprit is the easiest to remedy: The thermostat isn’t set correctly, or power isn’t reaching the AC unit.The fix: Make sure that the thermostat is set to AC or “cool,” that the temperature ... 05/07/2015

Immediate reliefUmbrellas, awnings, and quick-assembly patio tents are quick, although sometimes costly, methods of creating shade instantly.The ubiquitous patio umbrella—found even in grocery stores for $30—can either stand alone upright or offset, or slip into a hole in your patio table. Choose an umbrella that tilts, so you can block the sun at any angle. Or get one that’s fabulous, like Frontgate’s Rimbou Lotus Shade, which looks like a giant palm frond. (Cost: $1,795.)Retractable awnings, a permanent feature of older southern homes, are traditional shade makers for outdoor areas up to 12 feet from your house. Motorized awnings take the fuss out of opening and closing. Depending on size and what kind of bells and whistles they come with, awnings typically cost from $400 to $3,000.Po... 05/06/2015

You don’t have to switch on the air conditioner to get a big chill this summer. These tips will help you keep your house cool without AC, which will save energy (and avoid AC wars with your family). Block that Sun!When sunlight enters your house, it turns into heat. You’ll keep your house cooler if you reduce solar heat gain by keeping sunlight out. Close the drapes: Line them with light-colored fabric that reflects the sun, and close them during the hottest part of the day. Let them pillow onto the floor to block air movement. Add awnings: Install them on south- and west-facing windows to reduce solar heat gain by up to 77%, says the U.S. Department of Energy. Make your own by tacking up sheets outside your windows and draping the ends over a railing or lawn chair. Install shutters: In... 05/05/2015

Get ready for your open house—stress-free—by starting early and breaking down your to-do list into manageable chunks. Use this timeline of 35 tips and your house will stand out from the competition on open house day.Four weeks before the open house Ask your parents to babysit the kids the weekend of the open house. Then book a reservation for your pet with the dog sitter or at the kennel. Having everyone out of the house on the day of will help you keep your home tidy and smelling fresh. Plus, no dogs and no kids equal more time for last-minute prep. Line up a contractor to take care of maintence issues your REALTOR® has asked you to fix, like leaking faucets, sagging gutters, or dings in the walls. De-clutter every room (even if you already de-cluttered once before). Don’t hide your st... 05/04/2015

If you hop-skip like a rookie firewalker across your sun-drenched patio, then patio shade projects are probably a hot priority.But there’s no reason to get burned on price; you’ll find plenty of low-cost shade-giving options to cool your tootsies.If you’re looking for shade beyond the typical market umbrellas ($45) and freestanding gazebo kits (starting at $200 at home improvement centers), check out these other easy, affordable patio shade projects -- all for under $300:Tall order: vertical trellisEven if you have overhead shade, low morning or late afternoon light can make your patio uncomfortably hot in summer. Filter low-flying rays with a vertical trellis for growing leafy climbing plants. The taller the trellis (60 inches or more), the more time you enjoy in the shade. Plus, an at... 05/03/2015

When sellers need to sell their home for less than they owe on their mortgage, they’re shooting for a short sale. Short sale homes can sometimes be bargains, but only if you do your homework, stay patient, and remain unemotional during the sometimes lengthy and difficult short sale process.Here are six tips for protecting yourself emotionally and financially when bidding on a short sale.1. Get help from a short sale expertA real estate agent experienced in short sales can identify which homes are being offered as short sales, help you determine a purchase price, and advise you on what to include in your offer to make the lender view it favorably. Ask agents how many buyers they've represented in short sales and, of those, how many successfully closed the transaction.2. Build a teamAsk a... 04/30/2015

Getting the loan that suits your situation at the best possible price and terms makes homebuying easier and more affordable. Here are seven ways to boost your credit score so you can do just that.1. Know your credit scoreCredit scores range from 300 to 850, and the higher, the better. They’re based on whether you’ve paid personal loans, car loans, credit cards, and other debt in full and on time in the past. You’ll need a score of at least 620 to qualify for a home loan and 740 to get the best interest rates and terms. You’re entitled to a free copy of your credit report annually from each of the major credit-reporting bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Access all three versions of your credit report at www.annualcreditreport.com. Review them to ensure the information is accura... 04/29/2015

You can slam cabinet and bedroom doors only so many times before you have to repair and replace hardware that is loose, broken, or just plain old and tired. It doesn’t take a lot of time or money to tighten loose hardware, clean globs of paint off a hinge, or replacecabinet pulls to brighten any room in the house.Repair and Replace Kitchen Cabinet HardwareReplacing or repairing knobs and pulls on cabinets and drawers is a quick way to give your old kitchen a new look.Cabinet hardware can be simple or ornate, and ranges from $1 a knob to $45 or more. Here’s your game plan: Repair loose knobs and pulls by tightening holding screws, replacing stripped screws, or plugging gaps with wood filler applied with a putty knife. Count the number of knobs or pulls you need before you head to the har... 04/28/2015

Lawn aeration brings oxygen, water, and nutrients directly to grass roots, which helps make your lawn green and lush. It’s a critical part of spring and fall lawn care and gives roots the vital boost they need. Here’s how:Lawn Aeration BasicsLawn aeration pulls 2- to 8-inch soil “plugs” out of the ground, leaving holes that allow water, air, and nutrients to reach grass roots, and lets new seed germinate in a cool, moist environment. Hard clay soils need to be aerated more often than sandy soil. A soil test will tell you what type of soil you have.John Dillon, who directs lawn care at New York City’s Central Park, says aeration helps lawns by: Allowing oxygen to reach the root zone, which invigorates lawns Relieving compaction by allowing established grass and seed to spread into plug h... 04/27/2015

Mulching your garden is like flossing your teeth -- preventative, tedious, and vital to health. Luckily, you don’t have to mulch after every meal.But you should blanket your garden beds at least twice a year -- in early spring and late fall -- to retain moisture and keep down weeds. That’s why it’s so important to learn how to mulch correctly. How Much is Enough?If you’re a numbers geek, try this method:To determine how much mulch you’ll need, multiply the length and width of your garden space (in feet) by the mulch height (about 3 inches, or a quarter of a foot) to get total cubic feet.Bagged mulch is sold by the cubic foot. To figure the number of bags, divide total cubic feet by the number of cubic feet in each bag.Bulk mulch is sold by the yard. To figure the number of yards, divide... 04/26/2015