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Outdoors

Featured Project

Exterior Paints and Stains: A Guide to the Options

Exterior Paints and Stains: A Guide to the Options

To choose the best exterior paint or stain for your job, match the coating to your house, your climate, and the look you want. Read More

Progress E K
Effort High 2 wks
Investment Med $4,000-$6,000 (hire a pro)
Added to Binder
Lawn furniture outside a vacation home

Opening and Closing a Vacation Home

Don’t neglect to budget time and money for opening and closing a vacation home before the season starts and after it ends. Read More

Progress K
Effort Low 2 days/yr (open/close home)
Investment Low $100 (clean 3BR/2BA home)
Added to Binder
Vacation home outfitted with a keyless entry system

Maintain Your Vacation Home

Plan to spend time and money to maintain your vacation home, no matter if you hire a property manager or local caretaker, or do the work yourself. Read More

Progress K
Effort Low 3-4 hours (emergency list)
Investment Low $100 (basic keyless entry)
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
Pathway lighting at home

Landscaping for Curb Appeal

A well-landscaped yard creates curb appeal and helps your property retain maximum value. Read More

Progress K
Effort Low 1-2 days installation
Investment Med $200-$4,000 (landscape lighting)
Added to Binder
Custom house numbers on a home

8 Tips for Adding Curb Appeal and Value to Your Home

Appraisers and real estate agents offer advice for adding curb appeal that both preserves value and attracts potential buyers. Read More

Progress K
Effort Med Up to 1 wk
Investment Med Up to $5,000
Added to Binder
Well-maintained residential garage

5 Tips for Inspecting and Maintaining Your Garage

Routine maintenance will help your garage retain its value and keep it trouble-free for decades. Read More

Progress K
Effort Low 1-2 hrs
Investment Med $5-$2,000
Added to Binder
Lawn irrigation system at a home

7 Gardening Mistakes to Avoid

Novice gardeners can get their landscapes off to a healthy start by heeding some tried-and-true tips from the pros. Read More

Progress K
Effort High 2-4 hrs/wk (growing season)
Investment Low $250 to $500 (pro design help)
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
Homeowner painting room in his house

The Value of Home Maintenance

Regular home maintenance is key to preserving the value of your house and property. Read More

Progress K
Effort Med 3-4 wknds/yr (inspect & repair)
Investment Med $3,300 (avg. annual cost)
Added to Binder
Woman selecting exterior paint

Green Up Your Exterior Paint Job

A “green” exterior paint job costs more than a conventional job, but many conscientious painting contractors already build these practices into their estimates. Read More

Progress E K
Effort Low 3 hours (research)
Investment Low $250-$1,000 (materials/labor)
Added to Binder
Spring Tune-up

Get your house ready for summer with these basic outdoor maintenance tasks:

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