Smart Living

Get practical advice and inspiration on organizing, home décor, lifestyle and personal finance for everyday living.

How Much It Costs To Finish A Basement And Other Key Remodeling Considerations

A finished basement adds both space and value to your home, and it’s a smart investment in the long run. Instead of a space filled with dusty old stuff you haven’t touched in years, you could be enjoying a guest bedroom, a home gym, a media room, a playroom or a home office. If you are planning to finish your unfinished basement or remodel it, there are a few things to think about before taking on the renovation project. Establishing a budget, planning the purpose and the layout of the space and the timeline of the project are crucial.

Big house and town house Atlanta and Miami

The Most And Least Squeezed U.S. Metros: ATL, Pittsburgh Score High For Storage Space At Home While Miami, NYC Lag Behind

Key takeaways: 

Exterior of a 2-BD home

How To Move Your Two-Bedroom Home In Storage In 12 Effective Steps

There are many reasons people move – you may have landed that perfect new job but it’s in a different city; maybe you’re seeking better housing, perhaps downsizing or upgrading your current home; or you’ve simply decided to give multigenerational living a try. Regardless of your reasons, moving can be a challenging process, especially as you need to move all your belongings from one place to another. If you’re about to move out from your two-bedroom, but your next home isn’t ready for you to move everything into, renting a self storage unit can be particularly helpful.

Top 10 Interior Designers To Help You Redecorate Your Chicago Home

Chicago is a city famous for its beautiful residential architecture, from its historic bungalows and greystone homes to innovative, modern homes and apartment complexes. New homes being built in Chicago are getting bigger, and the real estate market is getting hotter – the median home price in the metro area, at almost $350,000 in the second quarter of 2021, represents a 23% year-over-year growth.

Top 10 Low-Cost Home Improvement Ideas To Help You Sell Your Home

Planning to sell your home? Then you’re probably interested in what you can do to make potential buyers more interested in your property and hopefully offer your asking price or above. It’s not generally recommended to do extensive and expensive remodeling work right before putting a home on the market – potential buyers might not have similar preferences, needs or tastes as you, and you’ll probably see less return on investment than expected.

Multi-generational living

6 Home Designs For The Multi-Generational Household

Multigenerational living has recently become more popular as it appeals to a wider category of people. More younger people are considering moving in with their parents as it’s a more affordable living arrangement than living on their own. As many as 32% of 18-to-34-year-olds moved back in with mom and dad in 2020, a higher share as compared to 27% of them in 2007. Additionally, it’s also a case of young families appreciating the help they get with children from grandparents while sharing the same home.

Modern spacious kitchen

The Kitchen Work Triangle: Everything You Need To Know

Kitchen design can incorporate many differing perspectives, and ultimately it comes down to personal preference. That said, when it comes to the functionality of the space, it can help to consider some tried-and-tested theories to create the ideal layout — which is where the kitchen work triangle theory comes in.

Top 10 Best Event Planners In San Diego

Event planning is a thriving industry – and one that’s probably going to be a lot busier in the near future, as many events postponed due to public health concerns will soon be on the calendar again. As one of the country’s biggest urban hotspots, San Diego has its fair share of events – and, obviously, of event planners.

Yardi’s Homeowner Assistance Fund Software Helps Mortgagees Affected By COVID-19 Get ARP Funds

The American Rescue Plan (ARP) has assisted renters impacted financially by the COVID-19 pandemic, and now it is also helping mortgagees with its Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF). HAF software can make the whole process easier for both agencies and mortgagees, and Yardi’s integrated Mortgage Relief platform provides just that: a secure, incorruptible solution to check applicant eligibility, view financial data and pay out money efficiently.

women running in sunny CA

Best Cities for Active Lifestyles Ranking Led By CA’s Irvine With Seattle Shaping Up To Be The Most Physically Active City

Key takeaways:

San Francisco urban homes

How To Find The Perfect Fixer-Upper in San Francisco In 10 Steps

Whenever you’re looking to buy a house, you have a list of criteria you would like. You could be looking for a ready-to-move-in situation, or you could be on the lookout for a fixer-upper that you can sell later at a better price. Fixer-uppers are typically homes in disarray that are popular as they can typically be bought at a lower price. If you’re looking for one in the Bay Area, rest assured you stand good chances of finding one.

Young woman at laptop with cat at window

The Pros And Cons Of Getting Your First Household Pet

The benefits of having a dog or a cat are many — they truly enhance your life, including your mental and physical wellbeing. However, a pet is a big responsibility, so you must weigh the pros and cons to know whether or not you’re ready for one. Unfortunately, many people get so excited about the prospect of being a pet parent that they forget to consider many important factors. If you’re considering having a four-legged friend, check out our list of pros and cons to see if now is a good time or if you should wait a little longer.