Cut throat competition has been forcing buyers into bidding wars with each other for houses. We asked BHGRE Real Estate Agents why this has become the norm. Does location still matter most? Credit:John O’Reilly Should you remodel your home to suit your tastes, or for resale value? Are starter homes still a thing? We all have plenty of questions about the ever-changing world of real estate. And sometimes that means entering a bidding war....

Honestly, its kind of up to you. James R. Salomon When it comes to cleaning, efficiency is always top of mind. You may have guessed by now that we’re talking about the shower. Credit:James R. Salomon Plus, since you’ve already used the shower, you could take advantage of that environment. Plus, removing excess moisture and soap scum right after you showerhelps prevent moldand mildew from growing. But not everything about cleaning a shower after you use it is preferable....

Matt Armendariz Photography In a perfect world, waking up and getting out the door would be a breeze. Keep reading to learn which gatherings require you to be punctual and which you might be fashionably late to. Experts say your arrival etiquette time is based on what key in of gathering you’re attending. Credit:Matt Armendariz Photography Examples of social events are happy hours, picnics,potlucks, and parties. While social events have some leniency when it comes to arrival times, formal events require prompt arrival times....

1 feature that can tell you if turkey is cooked enough and safe to eat. Studio Au Its time to talk turkey. Turns out, the color of poultry can only tell us so much about its doneness level. Credit:Studio Au Is it OK to Eat Pink Turkey? Even at this fully-cooked temp, turkey can appear a hint pink. So yes, it may be safe to eat slightly pink turkey as long as its temp checks out....

We asked a tea-making expert to help us get to the bottom of this ~heated~ debate. So maybe you’ve resorted to popping a mug of water in the microwave for a minute instead. It’s the same process, right? Credit: uncle_daeng / Getty Images Isn’t hot water all the same? But if you’re not using the microwave, what is the right way to make tea? Boil Fresh Water According to tea company Twinings, always start with freshly drawn, filtered water....

kool99/Getty Images Laminate flooringis a popular choice forhome renovationsbecause it looks like hardwood without the high price. It’s also easier to install, making it a common option for DIYers. However, despite the benefits, there are a few important drawbacks to consider when working with this material. Credit:kool99/Getty Images Laminate flooring has multiple layers, including a wear, decorative, and core layer. Is It Safe to Use a Wet/Dry Vac on Laminate Floors?...

Conventional real estate wisdom says to never buy the best home on the blockbut is that still the case? We checked in with a real estate pro to find out. Does location still matter most? Credit:Jessica Poulos Should you remodel your home to suit your tastes, or for resale value? Are starter homes still a thing? We all have plenty of questions about the ever-changing world of real estate. Youve probably heard it parroted over and over again: Dont buy the best home on the block!...

Don’t wait until your furnace fails to invest in a replacement. Air conditioners are primarily responsible for cooling the home, while most houses rely on a furnace for heat. However, age is only one factor when considering an upgrade. Credit:Marvin Samuel Tolentino Pineda/Getty Images Consult a reputable HVAC technician to decide if and when the furnace should be updated. The older a furnace gets, the less efficient it becomes. This will not only improve your home’s heating performance but also help reduce your energy bills over time....

The best way to help your plants thrive could be surrounding your house right now. To be clear, it’s the melted stuff that’s beneficial. I checked in with a few plant experts to dig into why and howsnow will help my plants thrive. Credit: Rosemary Calvert/Getty Images “It also stimulates seed germination and plays a huge role in root development,” Thomson says. Nitric oxide can also improve a plant’s resistance to disease and help it tolerate drought, Thomson adds....

Not all parchment paper is compostable. Find out which kind is and the best ways to add it to your compost pile. The trouble is, used parchment paper can pile up fast and its not always compostable. Credit:Aleksandr Zubkov / Getty Images Which Parchment Paper Is Compostable? Although parchment paper is made of biodegradable paper, not all parchment paper can be composted. To determine ifyou can compostyour parchment paper or not, take a look at the parchment paper packaging....

Pruning an avocado tree is only bad if you do it wrong. Here’s how to prune your tree properly. Prune them off as soon as you see them usingclean pruning shears. Credit:Jaboo2foto / Getty Images This reduces disease risk and promotes fruit set. Pruning an avocado tree correctly for height takes three or four years. Pruning too much all at once stresses the tree and reduces the crop. Use pruning shears to cut the branches of an avocado tree....

The vibrant shade is here to invigorate your self-care routine. Red, in comparison, is often associated with passion, energy, and warmth. Red can also stimulate and enhance social interactions, which can create a lively and engaging atmosphere. Credit:Behr And this bold shade makes sense hereit always makes a statement. Red has signified luxury, power, happiness, and prosperity throughout history,particularly in Chinese culture. This is already the summer of tomatoes, fromthe gardentococktails....

So you’ve decided to take on a new holiday baking challenge by recreating those intricately-decoratedsugar cookies. The oh-so-colorful and delicious treats make a stunning centerpiece to the dessert table. BHG / Sydney Saporito Is Royal Icing Made with Raw Egg Whites Safe to Eat? Credit:BHG / Sydney Saporito Our Test Kitchen’s tried-and-trueroyal icing reciperelies on meringue powder. This means the eggs were partially sterilized and more likely to be rid of any food-borne illness....