3 Home Improvement Projects You Can Tackle Yourself — And 3 To Leave To The Pros

Buying a home is a complicated process, and each home transaction is unique. As a result, it can be tough to know exactly what a buyer should ask for after an inspection has been completed but before the transaction has closed. As with all aspects of the home buying process, the answer is going to be dependent on a number of factors, all of which the buyer must understand before entering into negotiations over the inspection's results. Learn what you should think about after the inspection, and what home buyers should reasonably ask for between inspection and close.

It may not seem like it quite yet, but the Chicagoland spring is right around the corner, and it's time to start thinking about the little details that help get your home ready to welcome in the change of seasons. As our homes have become ever more vital to the way we live, work, and play, our home decor choices have become more important than ever. Even little changes have made a big difference in how our homes make us feel — bringing a sense of security, harmony, and calm to our hectic lives. As we approach the end of winter, it's time to turn our homes into spaces that celebrate the vibrant and vital colors, warmer weather, and longer days of springtime. We've brought together three design ideas to help you welcome spring into your home.

When you're a homeowner, it can seem like there's always something that needs to be done around the house. And there's no question that some projects are more fun than others — most home improvements, after all, don't result in big, instagram-worthy transformations or glamorous upgrades. In fact, most home improvement projects are about routine maintenance and avoiding bigger problems down the line. However, there are some home projects you simply should not put off. Tackling these potential problems on a regular basis can save you both money and time, making them worthy investments of a spare weekend hour or two.

As the value of property continues to skyrocket, many investors are looking to invest in real estate to diversify their portfolios, hedge against inflation, and create long-term security as they plan for the future. One tool available to investors, but not well understood, is the IRS 1031 exchange. Section 1031 exchanges can save real estate investors and business owners thousands of dollars, but taking advantage of this mechanism can be complicated. Learn what you need to know about 1031 exchanges.