Oh Tannenbaum! The Germans made the first artificial Christmas trees out of dyed goose feathers. Each year more than 4 billion Christmas cards are sent in the U.S. and Canada. All the gifts in the Twelve Days of Christmas would equal 364 gifts. Christmas trees have been sold in the U.S. and Canada since 1850. According to the Guinness world records, the tallest Christmas tree ever cut was a 221-foot

In a November 26th article RealtorMag says, “The housing market has seen plenty of challenges the last few years, but could brighter days be ahead? Based on recent housing reports, some markets are reporting a rosier picture now than for the first half of the year — and growing optimism heading into next year for a lasting turnaround .”  They give five market gauges that many in the real estate

With the winter holiday travel season approaching and a steady increase of crime in North America, home safety is a big concern these days. When leaving your home, whether going to the store, out to dinner or for a visit to Grandma’s, the following advice could pay big, big dividends. A residence that presents a “lived-in” appearance is a deterrent to burglars. Never leave notes that can inform a burglar

Consumer Reports answers the following questions: What’s the cheapest type of heating fuel? Do I need to get my duct work cleaned? How often should I have my heating system serviced? What’s the best way to deal with drafts? How can I tell whether I have enough insulation? Can I use a space heater in a bathroom?and What should I set my thermostat to during the winter?

If you are concerned about winterizing your home, a still-pertinent 2007 article in About.com by Bob Formisano may interest you. He writes in detail about getting your home ready for winter. There is a tutorial entitled “Easy Home Winterizing”, with an easy-to-implement, comprehensive list of things to check. From plumbing systems to your roof, he’ll walk you through each system and hit the major things to check before winter comes

Quicken Loans says, “Here’s a scary statistic:  From 2005–2009, 240 home fires started in the U.S. because of Christmas trees.  As a result, 13 deaths, 27 injuries and nearly $17 million in property damage occurred, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Every year, personal and retail crimes increase during the season of goodwill. These unfortunate circumstances can be greatly reduced by taking the proper precautions both inside and outside