Moving with Your Dog

11 Steps To Downsizing Your Home

Nothing lasts forever -- including a home where you raised a family or lived most of your working life. And it's a fact of life that suddenly, a place that was perfect for you a decade or two ago might start to feel cavernous and empty (or just contain more square footage than you really want to clean regularly). If you're starting to dream about trading in your rambling old house for a smaller cottage or new condo, then it's probably time to seriously consider downsizing from your current home. Before you start shopping and put your home on the market, though, there are a few things you need to think about and discuss with any family members who'll be making the journey with you. Consider your finances It's tempting to look up your home on a website like Zillow or Redfin and revel in how much money it's worth today. So finances might not be top-of-mind when you're thinking about downsizing -- you may believe that you're guaranteed to save money

33 ways to make your home energy-efficient

Not too long ago in our country's history, talking about making your house "greener" might get you labeled a hippie tree-hugger. But times change, and as gas, electricity, and water prices creep up, more and more homeowners are seeing the (strong) advantages that come with considering the environment when you make decisions about your household. Are you interested in making your home more energy-efficient -- and saving money in the bargain? You have a lot of options, from cheap to expensive, so read on to discover whether there are some big (or small) energy-saving opportunities that you're missing. Get an energy audit Most utility companies offer an energy audit, oftentimes for free: They'll send an expert out to your house to take a look at all your appliances, your lights, your windows, your doors, and more -- then make recommendations for changes you can make that will save energy (and money) every month. If you want a personalized rundown of everything

TAKING CARE OF YOUR BOURNE LAWN WITHOUT WASTING RESOURCES

TAKING CARE OF YOUR BOURNE LAWN WITHOUT WASTING RESOURCES Whether you have a small yard in Cataumet or an acre of land in Pocasset, you want to keep your lawn looking and feeling lush—so how do you do this without breaking the bank? Your lawn can stay green and healthy all season long with these simple budget-friendly tips. 1) Don’t water your lawn. This might go against what you’re thinking, but it will only die if your area is experiencing a drought. If your homeowner’s agreement requires you to water your lawn—water only when you see signs of drought stress—the grass bending or drooping at the top. If you see this, it’s time to water. 2) Use sprinkler systems efficiently. Most sprinkler systems have smart timers to adjust the watering time and frequency. To maximize the system’s value, you’ll also want to adjust the flow rate and spray patterns so that you’re not wasting water from overspray. 3) Collect rainwater with rain barrels. You may be able to purchase

Cheryl Nightingale - Monarch Realty Group, LLC

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