They settled in Port Richmond because “we’re city people. I grew up in Fairmount, and Dan grew up in Fishtown," homeowner Alexis Hoban said. "I’m not one to have grass.”

"The lesson learned is when you build your dream home, it may not be everyone’s dream home," says Yawar Charlie, who advises homeowners on what's needed to sell their properties.

“From the street, the house looks like a typical 100-plus-year-old home in Jenkintown, but inside there are many touches of modernity that we feel mix well into an old-world/new-world feel,” the owner says.

Specialty rooms include a greenhouse, art studio, and movie projection area. The home includes 2,700 square feet of living area plus a 700-square foot basement and built-in garage.

“We wanted to build something that would make a difference and create a legacy house for our family and kids, something that can last and be passed down,” said Donna Allen, who had a home designed Lower Makefield.

"Because homeownership is the chief builder of wealth for middle class families, if this trend continues "we're looking at a generation that will have lower lifetime wealth," said one expert.

Here's how design experts make rooms feel bright and cheery, even in the dead of winter.

“We followed the same architectural vocabulary of the Victorian era for the restoration work ,” homeowner Doug Harnsberger says. “and tried to complement it for the design of the new rear addition.”

Many people overlook a lot of simple, but important, tasks to keep their homes safe and healthy.

When you see different trend predictions and Colors of the Year, you’re seeing the opinions of experts in different industries or markets. These experts research heavily for years in advance! And their actual Color of the Year decisions might take into consideration other factors.

The two neighborhoods were much alike just a decade ago. Today, Point Breeze is abuzz with construction and soaring property values while Tioga-Nicetown has languished.

Tamara Harris appreciates her neighborhood's location. Though she is happy to have a space behind her house to park her car, “if you only walked, you could still find everything you needed.”

Any good window treatment helps you control the light and your own privacy as well as helping regulate the temperature inside.