Haunted houses are fun to walk through with your friends, jumping and screaming at each sudden appearance of clown-faced zombies or floating apparitions. But when the apparition hangs out in your own shoe closet, the thrill is decidedly less fun. Here are five signs that your house may be haunted. #1 Unexplained sounds. The whole “bump in the night” thing is your first clue. If you hear the sound of footsteps and you don’t share a home with a boot-wearing night wanderer, you may have some unwante... read more

Imagine a classic Midwestern blizzard is whipping through the region, followed by some bone-chilling Canadian air that lasts for a week. Meanwhile, you’re house hunting; driving on slick roads that haven’t yet been plowed, stomping through drifts of snow and bracing yourself as you walk into the icy headwind in the backyard of a home you’re considering.   Now imagine this instead: slipping on a virtual reality headset and walking through properties from the comfort of your own home, while ... read more

By Jillian Hugo, Vice President and Realtor at Coldwell Banker River Valley REALTORS   Let’s be honest: tech is fun. It’s novel and makes life easier. But smart parents today embrace tech to keep kids safer while coincidentally increasing their property values. If you’re looking to smarten up your home, here’s a look at the top four devices to get you started. Smart locks. With smart locks, you have no more worries about lost or forgotten keys. Your child can always get into the lock... read more

With the gift-giving season come the shopping lists—usually topped by newer, shinier and faster versions of last year’s smart phones. Now, however, it’s time for those smart phones to move aside. There’s a new tech in town that’s not only changing the way we live but the very homes in which we reside.   Smart home technologies are quickly becoming the tech to have. It’s a trend, sure, but it’s one that’s here to stay, and it’s one that can save you money,... read more