Most Americans spend the majority of their time indoors; healthy air quality should be a top priority. Top plants aid in the removal of pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene and carbon monoxide.
 
~Bamboo Palm
Bamboo palm, or reed palm, needs part sun or shade, it makes a great houseplant with the added benefit of aiding in the removal of harmful elements such as benzene and formaldehyde.
~Gerbera Daisy
Indoors this popular annual is useful in removing benzene and provides mood-enhancing beauty to the home. However, the gerbera daisy does best in warm temperatures, at 75 degrees F or higher.
~Pot Mum
Good for removing benzene, and a colorful addition to the home in fall when other flowering plants are past their prime.
~Peace Lily
Fights against toxic gases such as formaldehyde and carbon monoxide, peace lilies are relatively easy to care for and even show signs of drooping when they need to be watered. They can be mildly toxic to pets and humans, s! ...

                                                                                     BY JANIE MAHON

We all feel this way about our homes, whether it’s your first apartment or your dream home there is nothing like coming “home” after a long day. Lately we’ve been confined to the walls of our homes more often than any of us ever imagined and while we are all hoping this will be over sooner rather than later, here are a few tips to make those all too familiar spaces feel a bit renewed and refreshed for spring that hardly cost a thing!
~CLEAN! That’s right good ol’fashioned spring cleaning. We’ve got nothing but time on our hands and that dust on top of the ceiling fan you noticed at Christmas when you were taking down the lights mig ...

                                                                  The first impression is the only impressionNo matter how good the interior of your home looks, buyers have already judged your home before they walk through the door. You never have a second chance to make a first impression. It’s important to make people feel warm, welcome and safe as they approach the house. Spruce up your home’s exterior with inexpensive shrubs and brightly colored flowers. You can typically get a 100-percent return on the money you put into your home’s curb appeal. Entryways are also important. You use it as a utility space for your coat and keys. But, when you’re selling, make it welcoming by putting in a small bench, a vase of fresh-cut flowers or even some cookies.
            &nbs! ...

 Though new windows are pricey, a lot of homeowners assume that they will pay for themselves in a few years in energy savings.You might want to think twice about that. True, new energy-efficient windows can help keep your house warmer in winter and cooler in summer (assuming you use an air conditioner), but they won't necessarily save you a bunch on your monthly energy bill.An article in time.com's Money section said that new windows produce about 5 to 15 percent of your total energy savings; and with the average homeowner in America paying about $1,000 a year to heat and cool a home, it would take more than 100 years to earn back your investment.So does that mean you shouldn't bother? Hardly.You also need to determine whether the windows are doing their job of keeping moisture out, as they may need repairs or replacement on that factor alone. And even if they don't save you the money you expected, new windows can make you feel a lot more comfortable by helping to reduce draf. ...

                                                                                        BY JANIE MAHON
The first month of 2020 is about to come to an end. Did you make any resolutions? How many of you decided that THIS was the year you were going to finally buy a home? If so, what are you doing about that? Looking at Zillow and Redfin every night before you go to bed doesn’t count. Not if you really want to buy. If you have never done this before, there are a few things you should definitely know and prepare for before embarking on the wonderful road to home ownership.
1. WHAT?- The first question, while it may seem obvious, isn’t always the case. What type of house do you need for your needs? Are stairs an issue? Do you need a large lot, three car garage! ...