home improvement
Articles – Page 2
The PennyMac Mortgage Blog is where you'll find unbiased, useful info to help save you money, time and peace of mind during the mortgage process. If you have a mortgage or are about to get one, we think you'll find info here you can't always get elsewhere.
05.04.18
Front-yard fountains and backyard pools can help a home feel summer-ready, but they aren’t the only H2O delights available. Water features such as ponds and waterfalls added to landscapes or even fountains are a growing trend we see in the homes we inspect, says Kathleen Kuhn, president of , a national home inspection company.
Read more about Make a Splash: Alternatives to the Backyard Pool
04.23.18
When it comes to remodeling plans, most homeowners immediately think of upgrades to be made inside of the house. Kitchen and bathroom updates are some of the first ideas that usually come to mind, but you can get great returns from making outdoor renovations and improvements.
04.08.18
"As spring approaches, so do certain contractors – in fact, they may even knock on your door. Scammers posing as legitimate contractors often target cities and communities in areas hit by natural disasters, according to the Federal Trade Commission’s consumer education arm. Shady contractors may dupe homeowners into paying upfront for work they’ll never perform, or low-quality work carried out by unlicensed or unqualified employees. They may also target older individuals or a specific neighborhood."
01.24.18
The holiday season is a time of joy for many—but with extra people and extra responsibilities around the home, it’s easy to overlook certain safety measures. With the holiday season behind us, start thinking about how you can “holiday-proof” your home for the next get-together, including everything from proper food preparation to safe package deliveries!
01.09.18
A new year, a new…chair? While we might tease trendwatchers for habitually snapping up the latest and greatest in furnishings, it’s normal to find new objects, colors and patterns interesting.
12.20.17
Purchasing, updating, and decorating your home was a big investment. It is your family’s refuge and holds both treasured memories and valued possessions: in short, all things that you want to protect. We talked with several security experts to discover and share their top tips for home protection.
11.27.17
Who’s on your holiday gift list this year? Grandma. Husband. Partner. Daughter. House?
Read more about Upgrade Your Abode: A Gift Guide for the Discerning Home
10.09.17
A former crime scene frightens off 59% of buyers, according to real-estate website Trulia. A death in the home would spook 32% of buyers and 13% are sketched out by a 666 in the address.
08.10.17
Even a giant yard can feel cluttered and small without the right approach and organization. Here are 10 space-saving tips for your yard from landscape designer Sara Bendrick, TV Host of DIY Network's “I Hate My Yard” and author of “Big Impact Landscaping: 28 DIY Projects You Can Do on a Budget to Beautify and Add Value to Your Home.”