Best ways to finance home repairs
Best ways to finance home repairs Fixing up your home makes sense from a financial standpoint. That’s because the IRS rewards certain types of loans for home improvements with special tax treatment,...
View Article4 red flags that can ruin a home sale
4 red flags that can ruin a home sale Smell is a powerful memory sense, so any funky aromas potential buyers detect in your home will linger for a long time. And remember this: 41 percent of the real...
View Article4 products on deep discount in February
4 products on deep discount in February You might think that because you faithfully compare prices online before buying, download coupons to your phone, and watch for deep discounts on yesterday's...
View Article5 top home remodeling trends to watch for in 2015
5 top home remodeling trends to watch for in 2015 The improving housing market made for a robust and energetic 2015 Design and Construction Week, as 125,000 builders, designers, media professionals,...
View ArticleDon't let caked-on ice slow your snow blower
Don't let caked-on ice slow your snow blower Unless you’re a skier, poet, or school-age kid, snow is a downright nuisance—especially with back-to-back storms like certain regions of the country are...
View ArticleThe right vacuum for carpets, pets, and bare floors
The right vacuum for carpets, pets, and bare floors No vacuum excels at all types of cleaning— your home’s layout and even décor dictate the type you might need. That will become clear as you get...
View ArticleHow to take photos that will sell your house
How to take photos that will sell your house With nine out of 10 home buyers now using the Internet at some point during their search, it’s no wonder that “Web appeal” has been called the new curb...
View ArticleEarly February is a good time to buy flood insurance
Early February is a good time to buy flood insurance Punxsutawney Phil made it official on Groundhog Day 2015: We're in for 6 more weeks of winter. But while it might be hard to look beyond the...
View ArticleWashers and dryers that save effort and energy
Washers and dryers that save effort and energy Do you know any laundry enthusiasts? Unlike cooking, washing and folding laundry isn’t fun—no matter how you spin it—but when your washer breaks and...
View ArticlePick the right toilet and toilet paper
Pick the right toilet and toilet paper You can spend $100 for a new toilet or several times that. Consumer Reports’ latest tests of more than 30 toilets included single-flush models, which use the...
View ArticleIs it time to buy a robotic vacuum?
Is it time to buy a robotic vacuum? In Consumer Reports' tests of robotic vacuums, none of the $400-$800 models has ever cleaned much better than a stick vacuum that costs hundreds less. But the...
View ArticleWhat to know when buying a cooktop and wall oven
What to know when buying a cooktop and wall oven Swapping a range for a cooktop and wall oven can be appealing. The look is sleek and modern and you have some flexibility where you install the...
View Article5 ways to achieve your fitness goals
5 ways to achieve your fitness goals Whether you’re just starting an exercise program or you want to switch up your routine, you need to be smart about it. And we don’t just mean picking the best...
View Article5 little problems that can stop a snow blower
5 little problems that can stop a snow blower Watching from inside as snow piles up doesn’t instill dread for anyone with a snow blower that’s up to the task. Such confidence, though, could quickly...
View ArticleAs LED prices drop, it's time to make the switch
As LED prices drop, it's time to make the switch New Englanders can brag about their fall foliage. New Yorkers have plenty to boast about too, and we will, given a chance—same for Californians. And is...
View ArticleWhat causes nosebleeds in winter?
What causes nosebleeds in winter? Q. Why do I keep getting nosebleeds during the winter? A. In parts of the country where wintertime means alternately braving frigid winds and then huddling inside for...
View ArticleIs there an LED bulb that works like a 3-way incandescent?
Is there an LED bulb that works like a 3-way incandescent? Q. Every lamp in my house uses a 3-way incandescent bulb; sometimes you just don’t need more light. I’d like to convert to LED/CFL bulbs, but...
View ArticlePaints that cover in one coat and last for years
Paints that cover in one coat and last for years A fresh coat of paint is the quickest way to transform a room. If you’re selling your home, you need an inexpensive paint that freshens up a room in...
View ArticleHave the new tankless water heaters improved?
Have the new tankless water heaters improved? Tankless water heaters have always been full of promise. By heating water only when you need it, the suitcase-sized units could potentially save...
View ArticleWhen buying a mattress, check the return policy
When buying a mattress, check the return policy At Consumer Reports we have traditionally advised you to try any mattress you’re considering buying by lying on it for at least 10 minutes on each side,...
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