Housing Chatter delivers the news you need to know about current events in the housing market in simple terms. We have no political or institutional affiliations so you can be confident that our content and commentary is unbiased. Housing Chatter is brought to you by your professional Realtor®.

Clearing Up After the Holidays

The holidays tend to generate large volumes of waste as you raise the roof with your celebrations. You've got wrappings; old tech and other discards replaced by shiny new presents; trees and greenery swags; ugly and unwanted presents (come on, you know you got at least one); extra food; and so much more. It can seem a little overwhelming to stagger out on Bo ... Read More »

Unleading Your Home

We all know lead is toxic, which is why it's not allowed in paint and children's toys because of the associated health risks. But were you aware that many other products are allowed to contain lead, and companies don't always need to label them unless the metal exceeds a given amount? Scary thought, right? And one that might have you wondering which of the s ... Read More »

2014 Bathroom Trends

We spend a lot of time in our bathrooms, so no small wonder what we want them looking their best -- I for one will be replacing my bathroom floor in 2014 (hopefully with some great new tile!). As we continually update our bathrooms to meet our changing needs and to accommodate the latest trends, they can have a tendency to feel dated. So how do you get a cla ... Read More »

Tips to Green Save Money in 2014

You've already been told that you should buy energy-efficient appliances, swap out your old windows for new double panes, install some solar panels, and do a whole pile of other expensive things to green your home. And you know they'll save you money in the long term, but what if you don't have the money right now? Well, we feel you -- we know the economy is ... Read More »

Just Say No to Drafts in the Home

Do the candles on your table gutter in a steady breeze, even though none of the windows are open? Can you see tumbleweeds drifting across the hall? Are your drapes swinging ethereally? Your house might be haunted...but it's probably just drafty, and that's going to drive your heating bills way up, way fast. It's time to say goodbye to drafts for 2014, becaus ... Read More »

12 Uses for Old Socks

Whether you've lost a mate to the dryer elves, finally torn a hole through the toe of your beloved pair of old standbys, or given in to the inevitable death of the elastic, you've come to the grim conclusion that a sock is not long for this world. Or...is it? Old socks are actually one of the most fantastically useful items of torn, weathered, and beaten-up ... Read More »

5 Hot Garden Designs For 2014

Winter is my favorite time of year to hunker down and dream up my future landscaping plans. It’s the new year, which means I’m filled with resolve, excitement, and lots of ambition. And although it may be cold and dark outside, I know that in a few months the sunny days will return, and we’ll all be shuffling outside onto our San Diego patios for another glo ... Read More »

Cleaning Your Walls the Green Way

Interior walls tend to get dingy over time, as you've probably already noticed. No matter what color they are, streaks and stains start to show, mysterious scuff marks emerge, and you start to feel like you're living in Murkville USA instead of a gorgeous clean home. Numerous commercial products are available for scrubbing down walls and restoring their spar ... Read More »

We Tested It: Cleaning With Baking Soda

However reluctantly, I have timidly stepped into the world of “natural products”. I still like fast food and aerosol cheeses, but as I get older, I am finding myself somewhat more apt to buy “organic” foods and a lot more likely to be unreasonably impressed by products with fewer than five ingredients. There is one particular area, however, in which I still ... Read More »

Kitchen Remodeling Trends for 2014

Did you know that summer and fall tend to be peak periods for home renovation? In part, it's because of the fair weather, and it's also because that's when people are making changes to the home after kids leave for college...and before people start arriving for the winter holidays. Speaking of which, why, exactly, are we telling you this in the middle of Dec ... Read More »