July and August are typically the hottest months of the summer, and keeping your home cool during these months without spending a fortune can be difficult. A few tips that may help you stay cool in your home during hot summer months are: Keep blinds and curtains closed, this will block out hot sun rays and aid in keeping your house more comfortable without touching the thermostat. Close off rooms that are not being used. Use light-weight cotton bedding to keep cool during sleep. Adjust the settings on your ceiling fans to counter-clockwise, this adjustment will keep room temperatures lower. Also, Try to avoid cooking inside as much as possible, and plant trees and tall shrubs around your house to shade it from the sun. More here

Reverse Mortgage rules are about to change for married couples making the loan process considerably easier. In the past, there have been instances where one spouse took out a reverse mortgage loan and then passed away, leaving the surviving spouse facing foreclosure. On August 4, 2014 the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will pass a new rule to help protect couples. Surviving spouses will now be able to continue living in the home as long as they make the required insurance and tax payments. The new rules also state that couples can now qualify for a reverse mortgage if only one spouse is 62 or older. More here

Many people now eschew unhealthy chemicals and pesticides when attempting to control insects that have invaded their homes. Here are a few ways you can naturally get rid of unwanted bugs in the house: Make sure all of your windows and doors are properly sealed and that when opening windows you have screens on them. Any large holes in your homes such as crawl spaces and chimneys should be covered; you can use a wire mesh cloth to cover many openings. Keeping your yard well maintained will also help decrease the amount of bugs near your home, standing pools of water are a mosquito paradise. Properly store and handle your trash and trash cans, and encourage natural predators such as birds and bats to visit your home. More here

According to the Federal Housing Agencies House Price Index, home prices are still rising but have begun to slow down significantly. In May, home prices increased 0.4% from a month earlier, while from May 2013 to May 2014 home prices jumped 5.5%. May marked the 26th consecutive month home prices have grown. CoreLogic’s Deputy Chief Economist Sam Khater said, “it is well known that higher-end home sales activity has been strong over the last two years, however, recently there’s been a shift, from both directions. Not only have higher-end home sales themselves started to weaken over the last few months, but the weakness in the lower-end segment is expanding into the upper-middle segments of the price distribution.” More here

It is possible to update your bathroom on a budget, and here are a few simple tips that will take your bathroom from the 1970s to 2014 without spending a fortune: Paint the bathroom with a bold, contemporary color, and buy accessories such as a shower curtain and hand towels that will help compliment your color palette. Compare bathroom lighting costs online to ensure you are getting the best price. Use an old piece of furniture as a vanity and get granite remnants for the counter top. Perhaps most importantly, have a solid plan and all of your materials purchased before beginning work. More here

According to a recent study, location may not be the most important factor when buying a home. Homebuyers are choosing certain features over location in many instances. Features like an open kitchen plan, bathtub, superb landscaping abilities, and plenty of closet room may lead a potential buyer away from a home with a convenient location. Valerie Dolenga, spokesman for the Pulte Group, home building company said, “when we first started surveying families — I think a lot of it was done around that time [before the housing crash] — a lot of people were looking for the most house for their money. Now people are thinking about maximizing their budget. Kitchen, storage and bathrooms are probably the three most important things.” More here

Golf-course professionals and turf specialists have come together to provide a few tips to help achieve the ideal lawn. Experts suggest mowing your lawn high and frequently with well-maintained, sharp blades to ensure the grass grows back greener and disease free. Another tip is to avoid mowing your lawn when it has recently rained, or there is remaining dew. Mowing wet grass suffocates the roots and kills the grass. Finally, water your lawn, but not too often, only water when you are positive the lawn requires hydration. More here

When considering buying a home, it is always wise to know a few negotiating tips to help ensure you get what you want from the transaction. Experts have provided a few tips to assist you when buying a home: Try to get pre-approved, so sellers know you are serious. Offer the price that you think the home is worth and explain why. Make an offer quickly if you find a home that meets your needs to increase your chances in a competitive market. Ask for upgrades and repairs, but don’t expect all your requests be fulfilled. Also, expect to compromise on location, size, type of home and price. More here

According to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index, builder confidence has increased significantly this month, jumping to 53, the largest number seen since January. Conditions seem to be good for home sales this month causing builder confidence to grow. The NAHB Chairman, Kevin Kelly said “an improving job market goes hand-in-hand with a rise in builder confidence. As employment increases and those with jobs feel more secure about their own economic situation, they are more likely to feel comfortable about buying a home.” More here

Many areas in the U.S. experience harsh summers with prolonged heat waves, little or too much rain and severe weather. Knowing some gardening tips during these weather events can be key to raising a healthy and eye-pleasing garden. A few tips to help your garden survive harsh summer weather are: Watch the weather forecast so you can be prepared before the event happens. Use mulch to protect your plant roots and to store water. Use trees or cloths as shade. Also, water your garden during the mornings or evenings to ensure your plants receive the optimal amount of hydration. More here