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You care about your home. The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® cares about homeownership. To help you become the best, most responsible homeowner you aspire to be, we want to provide you with free information and tools you can use to make smart and timely decisions about your home.

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Author Profiles

Jeanne Huber

Jeanne Huber is the author of 10 books about home improvement and writes a weekly column about home care for the Washington Post.

Articles by this author

A crew replacing a home's septic system

Should You Repair or Replace Your Septic System?

Here’s how to figure out whether you can fix a problem septic system or if it’s going to have to be replaced. Read More

Progress K
Effort Med 2 days (repair; replant lawn)
Investment Low $600 (find and fix broken pipe)
Added to Binder
Septic system installed at a house

Understanding Your Septic System

Learn about your septic system so you can prolong its life and avoid costly breakdowns. Read More

Progress K
Effort High 3+ wks (pro install)
Investment High $5,000–$25,000 (new system)
Added to Binder
Crew pumping out a septic system

Caring for Your Septic System

With proper care and maintenance, you can keep your septic tank in good shape for decades—and avoid costly repairs. Read More

Progress K
Effort Low 2 hrs (pumper visit)
Investment Low $200 (have septic tank pumped)
Added to Binder
Woman tightening a lightbulb

Causes and Cures for Common Home Maintenance Problems

Many sensory clues give you early warning of home maintenance problems—if you can decode the symptoms. Read More

Progress K
Effort Low 2-3 hrs (professional electrician)
Investment Med $150-$250 (new electrical circuit)
Added to Binder
Two-bin compost bin made of cedar wood

Start a Compost Pile

Save money and grow healthier plants by recycling yard and kitchen waste into nutrient-rich compost. Read More

Progress $ E K
Save Money Low $100 (rather than buy 1 load)
Effort Low 5 hrs (build two bins)
Investment Low $375 (build two compost bins)
Added to Binder
Steel garage door made to mimic wood

Garage Doors: A Guide to the Options

The right garage door is a key to enhancing curb appeal and can have a major impact on your home’s appearance and value. Read More

Progress K
Effort Low 3-4 hrs to install
Investment Med $550-$2,500
Added to Binder
Detached garage built to match home

Evaluate Your House for a Garage Addition

When planning a garage addition, you’ll need to consider size, siting, access, and how the garage relates to the architecture of the house. Read More

Progress H K
Value Added High $34,475-$51,466
Effort High 3+ wks for planning
Investment High $58,432-$87,230
Added to Binder
Windowed garage door

Garage Addition: Top Features

The smartest features to build into your garage addition are plenty of simple storage solutions, a basic work surface, and room to move around. Read More

Progress H K
Value Added High $34,475-$51,466
Effort Med 3+ wks for planning
Investment High $58,432-$87,230
Added to Binder
Excavated foundation due to repairs

What You Need to Know About Foundation Repairs

Foundation repairs run the gamut from simple DIY fixes to major reconstruction. Here’s what you need to know about your options, and when to call in a pro. Read More

Progress K
Effort Low 2 days-3 wks (repairs)
Investment Med $500-$700 (evaluation)
Added to Binder
Installing earthquake-strengthening steel anchor plates

Earthquake Strengthening Your Foundation

Homes constructed more than two decades ago may need earthquake strengthening upgrades to their foundations. Here’s how to resist seismic forces. Read More

Progress K
Effort Low 1-2 days
Investment Med $500-$2,000
Added to Binder
Stair step crack in foundation

Understanding Foundation Problems

Foundation problems may mean expensive repairs. Here’s what to look for and what you need to know to keep small concerns from becoming big headaches. Read More

Progress K
Effort Low 3-4 hrs (DIY inspect)
Investment Low $500-$700 (pro inspection)
Added to Binder
Roof stained with black algae

Prolong the Lifespan of Your Roof

Whether your roof is brand-new or years old, here’s what you need to do to keep it in the best possible shape for the longest possible time. Read More

Progress K
Effort Low 1-4 hrs (to clean gutters)
Investment Low $0 (DIY) to $250 (hire a pro)
Added to Binder
A garden roof has plants growing where you'd find shingles

Green Roofs: A Guide to the Options

Environmentally friendly roofing choices can save you money on heating and cooling costs and benefit your entire neighborhood. Read More

Progress H $ E K
Save Money Low $56/yr (cool roof)
Value Added Med $13,100
Effort High 2 days-2 wks to install
Investment High $19,700
Added to Binder
French drain in front of house

French Drains: When You Need Them

If you have a soggy yard or a wet basement, the solution may be an exterior or interior French drain, a channel that collects water and diverts it safely away. Read More

Progress K
Effort Med 2-4 days
Investment Med $3,000-$12,000
Added to Binder
Slate roofing is best suited to steep roofs

Roofing: A Guide to the Options

A roof replacement is one of the biggest financial commitments a homeowner will make, so here’s a guide to roofing materials that will help you spend your money wisely. Read More

Progress H K
Value Added Med $12,500-$23,700
Effort High 2 days - 2 wks to install
Investment High $19,700-$37,350
Added to Binder
Composition shingles on residential roof

Roofing: Repair or Replace?

Deciding whether to repair or replace roofing is largely an exercise in timing—you don’t want to reroof too soon and waste money, but you don’t want to wait too long either. Read More

Progress H K
Value Added Med $12,500-$23,700
Effort High 2 days - 2 wks to install
Investment High $19,700-$37,350
Added to Binder
Installing weatherstripping around window

8 Easy Ways to Seal Air Leaks Around the House

For what the typical family wastes every year on air leaks—about $350—you can plug energy-robbing gaps, start saving money, and enjoy a more comfortable home. Read More

Progress $ E K
Save Money Med $350 on heating/cooling costs
Effort Low 1 day-1 wknd per project
Investment Low $100-$350 for materials
Added to Binder
alt tag

Save Money With an Insulation Upgrade

Beefing up inadequate insulation is one of the quickest energy-payback projects you can do, resulting in lower heating and cooling bills and increased comfort. Read More

Progress $ E K
Save Money Med $100-$660 off heating/cooling
Effort Low 1 day-1 wknd
Investment Med $1,000-$2,500 (hire a pro)
Added to Binder
colorful gutters on house

7 Signs You May Have a Drainage Problem

Finding and addressing drainage problems when they’re smaller and easier to fix can save you thousands of dollars and plenty of headaches down the line. Read More

Progress K
Effort Low 1-2 hrs to inspect
Investment Low Free to inspect
Added to Binder
Basement moisture can ruin floors, encourage mold and more.

8 Solutions to Common Wet-Basement Problems

Solving wet-basement problems is one of the most important things you can do to protect the value of your home and health of your family. Read More

Progress K
Effort Med 2-4 days
Investment Med $3,000 (interior drain)
Added to Binder