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®.

9 Ways to Create a Focal Point in a Room

Whether you have a cohesive room flow or not, remember that finding a focal point should begin by looking at what the room already has to offer. Is your sofa the focal point? Do you have an armoire or a bookcase? What about a collection of candles? You might only have to rearrange furniture to get the right focal point of your room. Use these tips to create ... Read More »

Dos Donts For Decorating the Master Bedroom

Your bedroom should be your sanctuary. Not a media room. Not an office. Not a rec room. Your bedroom-the most personal, private room in the house-should nurture your soul. If everything in your bedroom is beautiful, you will feel more beautiful when you're there. Enjoy it! Here are some ideas: PLEASE DO: Make a statement in the bedroom with eit ... Read More »

12 Smart Ways to Use Bleach

1. Clean off mold and mildew Bleach and ammonia are both useful for removing mold and mildew both inside and outside your home. However, the two should never be used together. Bleach is especially suited for the following chores: Wash mildew out of washable fabrics. Wet the mildewed area and rub in some powdered detergent. Then wash the garment in the h ... Read More »

No Time to Iron? How to Reduce Laundry Wrinkles

Even if you love to iron, I doubt that anyone really wants more wrinkles in their clothes! For decades, housewives spent hours ironing each week. But with today's newer fabrics and modern laundry appliances, ironing has taken a back seat in the laundry routine. However, we can all admit that there are times that we head out the door with more wrinkles in our ... Read More »

How To: Clean Painted Walls

Cleaning your painted walls may seem like a daunting task, but it’s actually quite simple (though somewhat time-consuming). Whether you’re doing regular yearly cleaning or hoping to say goodbye to a stain, the first step in cleaning your walls is to assess what type of paint you have. Semi-gloss and glossy enamel paints tend to stand up best to washing. Flat ... Read More »

Tips for Cleaning Windows

Windows, windows, windows, everywhere you look there are windows. Windows may appear to be clean but when the sun shines on them we get the true picture. Every little smudge, finger print or nose print shows. Window cleaning is a large task but can be simplified by using techniques and equipment made for doing windows. A professional brass or stainless stee ... Read More »

Clean and Deodorize Your Refrigerator

Baking Soda To get rid of smells and dried-up spills inside your refrigerator, remove the contents, then sprinkle some baking soda on a damp sponge and scrub the sides, shelves, and rinse with a clean, wet sponge. Don’t forget to place a fresh box of soda inside when you’re done. Cotton Balls Sometimes the refrigerator just doesn’t smell fresh. Dampen a c ... Read More »

How to Plumb a Basement Bathroom

Adding a basement bathroom is a big, complicated project. But that doesn’t mean you can’t do it. Thousands of DIYers successfully tackle the job every year, and so can you. We will focus on installing the “DWV” system (drain, waste and vent), which is the most difficult part of plumbing a basement bathroom. The DWV system requires some hard labor—breaking u ... Read More »

How to Choose the Right Tile for Your Home

With thousands of colors and sizes to choose from, ceramic tile can help you create the perfect, one-of-a-kind designs that will serve each area in your home perfectly. However, what may be best for your kitchen might not work effectively for your bathroom. How can you be sure that you’re making the best choice for each specific location? ... Read More »

How to Choose a Shower, Showerhead or Shower System

Oftentimes, the day begins and ends with a shower. We jump in the shower in the morning to get an invigorating start to our day or relax in the shower in the evening to soothe our tired bodies and wash away the stressors of the day. There is a huge variety of showers, showerheads, and shower systems for you to choose from when renovating your home or adding ... Read More »