Barbara Ballinger
Barbara's Articles
2018 Housing Trends
What’s currently in vogue?We look to national mega-builder DR Horton, Inc. for answers. Houses are built larger or smaller as the economy shifts, or as family dynamics change and people upsize or downsize, and new home trends, features and designs create demand. We talked to one of the largest homebuilders in the country, DR Horton,.....
Protect Your Investment with a Home Protection Plan
You may have confidence in your appliances and home systems, or in the extra coverage you obtained through extended warranty plans, but how about those gas, electric, water and sewer lines that run from your house to the city or town utility lines? When on-property lines fail, it can be a huge nuisance and costly.....
Snap App and SnapDry by Sherwin-Williams
Selling a home? Just bought a home? Paint is the easiest and least expensive decorating tool to help homeowners transform a house when moving out – and often before moving in. Fortunately to avoid spending dollars on hiring a painting contractor, many homeowners can paint themselves. However, choosing the right paint color can be intimidating......
Screened Porches
Next Gen Makes Casual Living Space More Useful The latest trends in home designs include bringing the outdoors in and these new designs have spurred a renewed interest in screened porches. The latest porch themes offer great amenities, allow home owners to view adjoining landscape designs or beautiful natural surroundings and provide protection from rain,.....
How to Boost Real Estate Sales
When real estate inventory is low and prices are at a premium, many homeowners think their homes will sell quickly and at full listing price. Possibly, but it’s not ordinarily that easy. Even in a robust real-estate market, homes with over-crammed spaces or empty rooms may linger on the market or sell below list price......
Mobile, Comfortable, and No Property Taxes
Small is in, and it's not just when it comes to micro-apartments in an increasing number of large cities. Many homeowners are eager to go the minimalist route, often for a vacation cottage or even retreat. When Dan Dobrowolski designed the Canoe Bay resort in northwestern Wisconsin more than 25 years ago, he worked with.....