With the help of a few common digital tools, you can transform your device into a household control center that simplifies home upkeep.Boost Your Photographic Memory Here are better uses for your smartphone camera than selfies.1.  Take the guesswork out of repair projects.Remember how to put items back together by taking pictures before you take things apart.Need to pick up a few new parts? Take photos of the old components to help you pick the right replacement parts at the store.For repair projects that require a pro, share a picture with your contractor before he gets to the job, so he has a head start and the right tools.2.  Create photo albums. Use this basic smartphone function to arrange pictures into organized collections for easy reference. Here’s what you can document:Your hom... 03/23/2015

You can make the most of your backyard by converting your deck to a screened-in porch, which turns mosquitoes, heat waves, and downpours into non-events. Plus, the thwack of a screen door is still the soundtrack for summer.Converting won’t be easy -- unless you’ve got top-notch handyman skills, you’ll have to hire a pro. And it won’t be cheap -- converting a 14-foot-by-14-foot deck into a porch will cost $10,000-$12,000.But it’s worth the time and money. Screened-in porches add value to your home. Reginald Carter, a Jacksonville, Fla., appraiser, says the return on investment is about 70% if you stay in your home for at least five years after installing the porch.Screened-in porches also can help you sell your home faster. In Virginia, for instance, about 70% of buyers can’t live withou... 03/22/2015

Let these energy-monitoring devices do the work for you. Here’s a head scratcher: In spite of all the energy-efficient technologies available that can reduce home energy use by up to 20%, Americans' energy-saving habits are on the decline. We’ve been covering energy efficiency for a while here at HouseLogic, and it’s clear many folks are overwhelmed and bewildered both by how best to save energy and by the infernally rising costs of energy. We feel so powerless, says Suzanne Shelton, CEO of The Shelton Group, a marketing and advertising agency that specializes in energy-efficiency issues, that we’re making fewer energy-efficient improvements. Certainly things like better appliance labeling and the ballyhooed smart grid, which won’t become a reality for at least a decade, would help us a... 03/19/2015

Upgrading your outdoor spaces? Here are upgrades that landscape architects rate as most popular.If you’re thinking of sprucing up your yard, install what you love; but also pick upgrades that will increase your home’s value and, someday, attract buyers.The new "2014 Residential Landscape Architecture Trends Survey" by the American Society of Landscape Architects clues you in on what outdoor features are trending up: Outdoor lighting (98.3% of architects rated this as very popular): With today’s solar and LED lights, it’s a low-cost upgrade, too.  Terraces, patios, and decks (97.7%): Adding any of these features is like adding another room to your home for much of the year. Low-maintenance landscaping (95.4%): Landscaping done right can add 28% to the value of your home and cut its time ... 03/18/2015

A rise in home purchase contracts and relatively low inventory bodes well for sellers heading into the spring market.Improved buyer demand at the beginning of 2015 pushed pending home sales in January to their highest level since August 2013, according to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. All major regions except for the Midwest saw gains in activity in January. NAR’s Pending Home Sales Index measures the number of homes that have sold, but not yet made it to the closing table. Real estate purchase contracts climbed 1.7% in January and are up 8.4% from this time last year. This marks the fifth consecutive month of year-over-year gains with each month accelerating the previous month’s gain.Homebuyers continue to face a tight supply of homes for sale, particularly entry-level homes, ... 03/16/2015

Falling costs, a host of temporary incentives, and thousands in value-adds make this a great time to add solar power to your home.Solar power for homes is going mainstream, and if you haven't thought about adding the technology to your home, you should.In addition to trimming energy costs and making your house more comfortable, you can take advantage of current rebates and tax credits that practically beg you to get on the solar bandwagon. Those incentives won't last forever.Need more convincing? Here are the top reasons to go solar: 1. The Price is (Getting) RightAs solar panels and installation methods get more efficient, the price of residential solar electricity has dropped a whopping 46% since 2010.Meanwhile, the national average cost of an entire household system -- one big enough... 03/15/2015

You know a fresh coat of paint can give any room a quick and inexpensive facelift. But did you know that a little paint can also perk up carpets, appliances, and even vinyl floors?Basically, if it doesn’t move, you can paint it. But only after you’ve paid special attention to prep -- cleaning, patching, and sanding (generally) the area.Painting isn’t brain surgery, but it’s not a breeze, either. Here are some rules of thumb: Prime before painting. Primer will allow the paint to adhere better. Most hard surfaces will take primer better if they’re roughed up a little with fine-grade sandpaper. When using spray paint, multiple, thin layers are better than one, thick coat. Ease up on your trigger finger, and spray in short bursts. Wait for the previous coat of paint or primer to dry complet... 03/12/2015

We’re not going out on a limb when we say hardwood floors are one of the most popular, value-adding features in your home. Homebuyers love ‘em.But hardwood floors need regular maintenance and refinishing to keep them looking spiffy. How much wear and tear your floors get determines how often you need to refinish them and what product you use. A household with just two adults might only have to refinish every 10 years; a home with adults, kids, and a dog might need to refinish every three to four years.There are a lot of finishes out there. Use our at-a-glance guide below to choose the one that’s right for your home. We also help you decide if you want to refinish floors yourself.Wax Pros Cons Easy to apply Not as durable as poly finishes Low luster Susceptible to stains Penetrates into ... 03/11/2015

Is outside noise driving you crazy? Soundproof windows could be the solution -- or you might do better with some less-costly alternatives.Sound pollution has joined light pollution as another irritant that drives us bonkers and kills our love of home. But there's good news: Soundproof windows that'll put a damper on intrusive noise are going mainstream and are available at home improvement centers."Things are getting louder, and people are getting more sensitive," says Rich Galietti, sales manager of CitiQuiet, which has been manufacturing soundproofing window inserts for 25 years (Home Depot recently began selling them). Galietti says soundproof windows are most popular in urban areas beset by idling buses, highway traffic, and police sirens.  "We hear, 'I love my view, but the highway... 03/10/2015

If you hate the stink and sting of chlorine, you'll love saltwater pools.Once primarily a perk in health spas and resorts, saltwater pools have now become popular among U.S. homeowners. Today, about 30% of all U.S. in-ground pools are saltwater."They've literally exploded in popularity in the last decade," says Erika Taylor of "Pool and Spa News." "It really does make a difference in the way the water feels on your skin. Nothing feels as good as jumping into a saltwater pool." How Saltwater Pools WorkFreshwater pools depend on store-bought chlorine to disinfect water and keep it free of algae, bacteria, and other health-harming organisms. Saltwater pools rely on an electrolytic chlorine generator (ECG). The generator separates the salt in the pool water into its two primary elements, on... 03/09/2015

Plant trees at the right time and they're more likely to thrive. Here's when to plant so you get the most value from your landscaping investment.Trees are big-ticket landscape items that not only cost a lot, but add a lot of value to your home, too -- by some estimates a mature tree adds nearly $10,000 in value to your property.So it's important to plant trees when they're most likely to survive. When's the Best Time to Plant Trees?Here's the short answer: Plant trees when they have enough time to establish roots before they're exposed to stressors like high heat, low temperatures, or not enough water. Nicholas Staddon of Monrovia, a plant seller, says late summer/early fall is the best time to plant in most parts of the U.S. -- zones 4 to 8."During the winter months in many parts of th... 03/08/2015

In the life of every home, repairs happen. Here are the top 10 most common repairs that, sooner or later, your house will require.Congratulations on buying your first house. Now, you have to learn how to keep it in good repair. To be safe, you should set aside money every year -- 1% to 3% of your home's purchase price -- for repairs and maintenance.The good news is that most repairs are simple, inexpensive, and DIY-friendly. If you can fix stuff yourself, you’ll only pay for the cost of materials and save a bundle on these common repairs and replacements.1.  Replace Toilet Fill ValvesThat annoying sound of water continually filling and draining from your toilet tank is often caused by leaky fill valve, which a plumber can replace, stopping water waste and restoring quiet. Plumber rates ... 03/05/2015

Although most folks know green homes pack plenty of eco-friendly benefits, there are some pesky misconceptions that need correcting. Here are 9 myths busted.1.  Myth: Green Homes are ExpensiveFact: Eco-friendly homes come in different types, sizes, and price tags, from a green-minded prefab that can cost less than $150,000 to an eco-urban condo for $690,000 or more. The big difference is in resale value: Eco-friendly homes fetch higher prices compared with conventionally built homes. 2.  Myth: Green Homes Look KookyFact: Not all green homes look like grass-roofed hobbit holes or extra-crunchy Earthships. That’s old school. Eco-friendly abodes being built today can look just like traditional houses -- except they may have solar panels or small wind turbines.3.  Myth: Green Homes are a "C... 03/04/2015

Tired of home maintenance chores? So are we. That’s why we love these easy-care features that free up your free time — and do it beautifully. Images: Bellingham from Cambria’s Waterstone Collection/Spark Modern Fires/Abby Farson Pratt/Heckard’s Door Adding good-looking, low-maintenance elements to your home will help you cut back on scrubbing, painting, and other time-sucking jobs.   1.  Front Yard Patio Image: Westover Landscape Design, Inc. Lawns are classic suburbia; they’re also classic maintenance time-sucks. Good-looking patios, on the other hand, don’t need mowing, watering, or fertilizing. Ever. Be a trend-setter and put one in your front yard for you to enjoy and your neighbors to envy. A professionally installed brick or flagstone patio runs $15 to $18 per square foot.   2.  V... 03/03/2015

Moving into your first home is exciting! But it also means you’ve got work to do.When I bought my first house, my timing couldn’t have been better: The house closing was two weeks before the lease was up on my apartment. That meant I could take my time packing and moving, and I could get to know the new place before moving in.I recruited family and friends to help me move (in exchange for a beer-and-pizza picnic on the floor) and, as a bonus, I got to pick their brains about what first-time homeowners should know. Their help was one of the best housewarming presents I could have gotten. And thanks to their expertise and a little Googling, here’s what I learned about what to do before moving in.1. Change the locks. You really don’t know who else has keys to your home, so change the locks... 03/02/2015

In our ongoing “Why You Should Fake It” series, we look at faux wood garage doors that give you the look of wood at a price point that’s easier to swallow.Money’s tight these days, but your desire for nice things needn’t be stifled. That’s why we’ve been examining faux products in our “Why You Should Fake It” series.Today’s topic: Fiberglass garage doors with the deluxe look of wood for a get-real price.New die technology lets fiberglass doors mimic wood grains so closely that only a professional eye can tell the difference. But unlike wood, which is vulnerable to heat and water and must be painted or stained every few years, pre-finished fiberglass garage doors are impervious to the elements and require almost no maintenance. Other plusses of fiberglass garage doors: Won’t warp, rot, o... 03/01/2015

Adding skylights, solar light tubes, windows, and other means of daylighting can brighten your winter and help alleviate symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD).If winter brings on bouts of the blahs, you’re in good company. As days shorten and temperatures drop, most people tend to slow down and feel less energy.For some, however, the problem can be serious. Days of low light may greatly alter moods, and can even be hazardous to your health. The condition has a name: seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. In some cases, medial attention may be necessary.Fortunately, your house can help combat the winter doldrums and even SAD. Here’s how. What’s Seasonal Affective Disorder?Bears aren’t the only ones with the urge to hibernate. Seasonal affective disorder is a big-time case of the wi... 02/26/2015

Your small home has more storage space than you think. For relatively little money but a lot of common sense and ingenuity, there’s space to be found.Finding storage space in a small home doesn't require remodeling or room additions. Start by getting rid of accumulated stuff. Take a hard look at room space, and buy furniture and storage items that can do double duty.Here are six tips to maximize storage that won’t empty your savings account:1.  Declutter. It’s the first thing architect Sarah Susanka of “Not So Big House” tells clients who talk of expanding their homes. Haven’t used something for a couple of years? Pitch it, she says. You’ll be amazed at how much space opens up when you do.Cost: $02.  Platform and bunk beds. Add space and eliminate a dresser in a small bedroom with a thr... 02/25/2015

Buying stock cabinets for your kitchen remodel can definitely save you money. Here are some tips to help you make the right buying decision.Buying stock cabinets instead of custom is a good way to save substantial time and money on a kitchen remodel.Stock cabinets save you time because you don’t have to wait for them to be built. And they save you money because you aren’t paying for customizations.But that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice quality. You just need to know what to look for. What to Look For Solid wood and plywood cabinets. They’ll give you better longevity and crisper details than pressed wood. Walls at least ½-inch thick. They're more sturdy. Consistency of finish. Lesser quality cabinets often have irregular finishes and colors from one cabinet box to the next. Full-ext... 02/24/2015

From mortgage interest to property tax deductions, here are the tax tips you need to get a jump on your returns. Owning a home can pay off at tax time.   Take advantage of these homeownership-related tax deductions and strategies to lower your tax bill: Mortgage Interest Deduction One of the neatest deductions itemizing homeowners can take advantage of is themortgage interest deduction, which you claim on Schedule A. To get the mortgage interest deduction, your mortgage must be secured by your home -- and your home can be a house, trailer, or boat, as long as you can sleep in it, cook in it, and it has a toilet. Interest you pay on a mortgage of up to $1 million -- or $500,000 if you’re married filing separately -- is deductible when you use the loan to buy, build, or improve your home.... 02/23/2015