We've all been there—the weatherman says that a storm is coming and your heart sinks a bit. As a homeowner, times of bad weather can be particularly worrisome. Your house is important, and protecting it will always be in the back of your mind, but there are steps you can take to eliminate that sinking feeling you've come to associate with times of less-than-stellar weather. 

Read on for five things you can do to protect your home from the elements.

Thinking about buying a house, but you're a bit intimidated by the process of making an offer? You're not alone. The process of buying a house has a lot of elements to consider, so it's easy for first-time homebuyers to feel overwhelmed by the process. You can dodge offer paralysis and throw your hat into the ring for your future home by following a few simple steps.

Read on for some key tips to help you navigate the offer-making process.

Looking for some DIY projects to kick off your starter-home revamp? Besides unfinished basements and antiquated carpeting, your kitchen is one of the fastest ways to improve the value of your home. With a few quick weekend projects, you can significantly improve the value of your house and give yourself a kitchen worthy of a master chef.

Read on for six low-cost do-it-yourself undertakings that can add value to your home without breaking the bank.

Each year, individuals and families all across the country take the leap and build the homes of their dreams. New construction is an incredible chance to build something that perfectly matches your needs, but there are a number of moving parts in the process. Do you know how prepared you are to take the next step?

Check out these key points to consider before you begin your build.

Congratulations! Buying your first house is a major achievement. Just remember—with that house comes neighbors, and with neighbors come responsibilities. Now that you're all moved in, it's time to get neighborly. While it may sound like a tall order at first, it really only requires a few considerations on your end. We've listed some here to help give you the inside scoop before the family next door comes asking to borrow a cup of sugar.

Read up to learn how you can be a good neighbor.

Having extra space is one of the many benefits that come along with homeownership. But what happens when you have a bedroom to spare? How you fill it depends upon your hobbies, your lifestyle and your priorities. We know that deciding what to do with your extra space can seem overwhelming, so we put together a list of some of our favorite bonus room designations.

As you're reading, consider your space and how each option might work for you.

Buying your first house is an exciting time, but it can be difficult to decide just how to begin making the house your own—especially when you're on a tight budget. When it comes to home improvement, a little effort goes a long way in transforming your starter home into the one you always imagined.

Read on for room-by-room tips on how to get started making improvements on your first home.

When it comes to home loans, interest rates are usually the first thing that people look for. However, there are a number of other factors to consider before locking in on a particular home loan option. What should borrowers be looking for in their mortgages?

Read on to learn which home loan elements to look for when buying a house.

Considering a move to Mitchell, South Dakota? South Dakota Housing Development Authority (SDHDA) is here to assist you in your first-time homebuying journey to the state's sixth-largest city. Whether it's downpayment and closing-cost assistance or competitive rates, there's a lot to love as a first-time homebuyer.

Check out our first-time homebuying guide to Mitchell.

Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or a repeat homebuyer, there's a lot to think about when you're buying a new house. With so much to remember, it can be easy to let the simple things slip through the cracks, which is why a surprising number of people fail to properly update their address after moving. We want to help you with the process, so we put together a guide on what you need to do to effectively transition to your new home.

Read on to learn what you need to do to change your address after a move.