Mike's Take

 Spring may be the time of year for cleaning, but it is also a great time to review your insurance coverage. As your life changes, so do your insurance needs, says the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.). Instead of dusting around the corners of your insurance policies this year, take the ti...

      For the winter-weary of us, the spring season is a welcome change. Ring in some spring fever at home with these design tips from the experts at Ace Hardware. 1. For a trendy kitchen update that won’t break the bank, remove outdated cabinet doors and paint the frames in a crisp white and the...

      (Family Features) If you're planning to list your home for sale, curb appeal is a must. The exterior of your home sends an important message about its value, and the first impression can set expectations for both buyers and appraisers. Boost your home’s curb appeal with these tips. 1. Evalu...

      Are you prepared for potential flooding this season? “With the change of seasons comes the risk of snow melt, heavy rains, and rising waters—we’re all at some level of flood risk,” said Andrew Velasquez III, FEMA Region V administrator. “It is important we prepare now for the impact floods ...

              (Family Features) Whether you plan on building a home from the ground up, purchasing new construction or adding value to your current residence, there are many opportunities for upgrades at home. In a recent ClosetMaid® study, 45 percent of existing homebuyers noted that they have ...

          Global color authority Pantone recently revealed 2016’s most coveted home color trends. The palettes expected to make the biggest splash in home design next year are:“Natural Forms” – Unambiguous colors, including shades plumbed from natural resources such as warm rosy clay and sheepsk...

  Few things are more alarming for young professionals on a budget than spilling ketchup on a new silk tie or finding ink marks on a good leather handbag.   Self-proclaimed ‘stain ninja’ Ashley Marcin, who spent three years concocting home remedies that work as well or better than expensive comme...

The 'burbs... A self-proclaimed 'burber, I was thrilled to see a recent post from Business Insider crunching some big data to produce a list of the top suburbs in America. So how does your neck of the woods rate? The Business Insider report looked at suburbs with populations between 5,000 and 100...

    Looking to give your home an upgrade but lacking a big budget? There are tons of small home tweaks all packing serious redesign punch. Here are five home upgrades for under $100.Paint. Painting has long been the budget designer's best friend, as a coat of paint can make a room feel fresh and ...

The need to know: Bill Murray stayed here. The man, the myth, the legend, people! Well, his character Phil Connors did in the 1993 comedy “Groundhog Day”—but hey, count it! The Royal Victorian Manor, as it’s called in the real world, is located in Woodstock, Ill. It’s a bed & breakfast (or a fami...