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®.

Reasons to Install GFCI Outlets

Have you ever heard people talking about "GFCI outlets" and wondered what sort of gobbledegook is coming out of their mouths, let alone whether it's relevant to you? If so, you're not alone: many people are confused about what they are, how they work, and why they matter. We're here to straighten you out -- and hey, maybe you should pass the word along! Wha ... Read More »

11 Cool Uses for Jars

We all know that mason jars are super hip in home decor right now, but what about jars in general? Because jars come in all shapes an sizes, not just the classic mason style, and chances are that if you buy peanut butter, spices, jams, and much more, you have some old glass jars floating around. Sure, you could put them in the recycling, but that's not reall ... Read More »

Weve Been Splitting Wood All Wrong

Splitting wood is one of the least favorite tasks of woodstove owners, and even for people who are just chopping for a decorative fireplace or pit, it gets unfun very rapidly. The repetitive motion and high amount of energy required are demanding, and the concussive force from blow after blow can really set a pair of shoulders aching. As if that wasn't bad e ... Read More »

Is Your Dryer Running Efficiently?

Being a renter, I don't necessarily get a lot of control over my appliances. And recently, the dryer has started acting up, taking longer and longer and longer to dry a load of laundry. I know it's eating up a ton of energy, because my electrical bill has skyrocketed, and I know that's bad for the environment, which is something I don't want for my otherwise ... Read More »

Keep your Trash Vermin-Proof

There are few surprises that are less welcome than opening up the trash and finding it full of bugs. If just the thought makes your skin crawl, you're not alone. There are some preventative steps you can take to decrease the possibility of providing rest and comfort for your enemies in the trashcan. You need neighborhood cooperation to keep your trash vermin ... Read More »

Shape Up Your Garage

How long has it been since you've been able to park your car in your garage? Or, uh, find something you needed in the garage? Is your garage a terrifying danger zone of toppling boxes, jumbled tools, buckling shelving, and random junk? Well, my friend, it's a new year, and it's time to get your garage ship-shape and Bristol fashion in honor of the fact that ... Read More »

What Salt Water Does to Houses

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, many people have flood damage on their minds. Hurricanes come with an extra complication that makes flood damage potentially more dangerous, more expensive, and more difficult to manage: salt. As these huge weather systems move across the landscape, they pick up water from the ocean as well as estuaries, depositing diluted bra ... Read More »

Ways to Block Out Your Neighbors

I'm all for being a considerate summertime neighbor. Being mindful of how much noise one produces and inviting the neighbors to an occasional barbecue at your place are nice ways to increase the peace in one's neighborhood. But what if your neighbor is a noisy, nosy, scary jerk? What if you have asked him nicely not to let his dogs use your yard as a bathro ... Read More »

How to Pay Less for Healthy Food

Is healthy eating expensive? Well . . . yes and no. “Expensive” is a relative term, but before we even get into all that, let’s take a moment to define what we mean by healthy, shall we? We’ll go with a more inclusive definition, something along the lines of: whole foods, mostly plants, organic when possible. Can we all agree on that? So with that out of th ... Read More »

15 Fantastic Ways To Repurpose Your Shoe Boxes

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a closet that doesn’t have a shoe box or two lying around inside. They’re ubiquitous; they’re everywhere. We all have them and we all hold onto them for whatever reason. We know they have to be good for something! Well yes, yes they are. They’re good for lots of things in fact. Things like: Whole Box: 1. Basic storage. Yes, I ... Read More »