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Our Mission.

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.

From time to time, we may reach out to you to help us support legislation and/or policies that may have an impact on you, the homeowner. You can choose to join our cause. Or you can choose not to. Regardless, your privacy is safe with us.

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Author Profiles

Mariwyn Evans

Mariwyn Evans has spent 25 years writing about commercial and residential real estate. She's the author of several books, including Opportunities in Real Estate Careers, as well as too many magazine articles to count.

Articles by this author

Man cleaning up the Deepwater Horizon oil spill

(New!)

4 Steps to Safe Oil-Spill Cleanup

Opinion is divided on whether homeowners should attempt their own oil-spill cleanup. If you’ve got the gear and the guts, follow these tips to do it safely. Read More

Progress E K
Effort Med 10 hrs to clean property
Investment Low $50-$100 for equipment
Added to Binder
Gulf coast fisherman

(New!)

5 Tips for Successful Oil-Spill Claims

Follow these steps to help ensure that BP considers your oil-spill claim promptly and with minimum hassle. Read More

Progress E K
Effort Med 10 hrs to file claim
Investment Low $50 for digital photos
Added to Binder
Clean Harbors workers

(New!)

Got Oil Spill? Get Free Cleanup Help from BP

If the oil spill is sloshing onto your property, BP and state agencies offer cleanup help for free. Read More

Progress E K
Effort Low $0 for cleanup help
Investment Low $0 to call BP
Added to Binder
Deepwater Horizon oil spill aerial photograph

(New!)

What to Expect If You File an Oil-Spill Claim With BP

If oil from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill has sloshed up on your property, you can file a claim for damages or even sue BP, but getting compensated isn’t a sure thing. Read More

Progress E K
Effort Med 10 hrs to file claim
Investment Low $50 for digital photos
Added to Binder
Rolling shutters for hurricane protection

Hurricanes: Protect Your Windows and Doors

Improvements that protect your windows and doors from hurricanes can lessen damage and lower homeowners insurance premiums. Read More

Progress K
Effort Low 1 wknd (plywood coverings)
Investment Low $1-$2/sq ft (DIY plywood)
Added to Binder
Man inspecting roof

Hurricanes: Protect Your Roof

Taking steps to protect your roof from hurricanes can minimize damage and perhaps even lower homeowners insurance premiums. Read More

Progress K
Effort Low 1 day (inspect roof)
Investment Med $175 (roof inspector)
Added to Binder
Man sitting at desk in home office

Improve Your Insurance Score

Paying all of your bills on time is one good way to improve your insurance score—and, in turn, lower your homeowners insurance premiums. Read More

Progress $ K
Save Money Low $60/yr (premiums)
Effort Low 2 hrs (review reports)
Investment Low $12.95 (insurance score)
Added to Binder
Woman calling to dispute CLUE report

How to Correct Your CLUE Insurance Report

An error in your CLUE insurance report can increase your homeowners insurance premium or even prevent you from getting coverage at all. Read More

Progress $ K
Save Money Low $40 (5% off avg premium)
Effort Low 1-2 hrs
Investment Low $0
Added to Binder
Woman speaking in planning meeting

How to Participate in City Planning, County Planning Efforts

Have a positive impact on your community by getting involved in city and county meetings that affect your area’s future development. Read More

Progress C K
Effort Med About 1 wk (cumulatively)
Investment Low $0
Added to Binder
Involve volunteers in the decision process

Start a Community Garden: Find and Design a Site

Find the right spot for your community garden, and you can potentially boost property values while saving money on produce. Read More

Progress $ C E K
Save Money Med $200-$600/yr (in produce)
Effort High 120-240 hrs (over 6-8 mos)
Investment Low $3,750-$7,500 (start-up costs)
Added to Binder
alt tag

Start a Community Garden: Get the Community Involved

Sow a community garden to save money on produce, eat better, and build relationships with neighbors. Read More

Progress $ C E K
Save Money Med $200-$600/yr (in produce)
Effort High 120-240 hrs (over 6-8 mos)
Investment Med $3,750-$7,500 (start-up costs)
Added to Binder
File folders holding a CLUE report

Your CLUE Insurance Report Matters

Your CLUE insurance report keeps your homeowners insurance claims alive for seven years—and that could cost you on your premiums. Read More

Progress $ K
Save Money Low $40 (5% off avg premium)
Effort Low 1 hr
Investment Low $0
Added to Binder