Ask This Old House
For home repair and maintenance, try Ask This Old House's podcast (scroll down to the second half of the page) to learn more about topics like fixing peeling paint, killing weeds, and installing a new light fixture or ceiling fan:
Home Improvement Reference Center from the Michigan eLibrary
Includes maintenance, remodeling, electrical work, plumbing, wood projects, outdoor improvements, decorating, home & garden, etc. Includes more than 130 reference books.
Home Improvement Reference Center
Hobbies and Crafts Reference Center from the Michigan eLibrary
Subject areas include arts & crafts; games & electronics; models; needlework; outdoors & nature; and scrapbooking & paper craft.
Consumer Protection Bureau Home Buyer's Guide
Buying a house can be exciting and stressful. Consumer Protection Financial Bureau's home buyers guide walks you through the process from checking your credit score and setting a budget to closing on your new home (and avoiding scams). Visit their site at:
Consumer Protection Financial Bureau's home buyer's guide
MI Money Health
Michigan State University Extension has put together a helpful guide to buying a home. They are also a HUD-certified counseling agency, which can advise you on issues related to foreclosure. MSU Extension offers regular online webinars on issues ranging from determining how much house you can afford to a broad overview of the home buying process to avoiding foreclosure. Also available is a 4 hour on-demand course covering finding the right home, paying for your home, and closing on your home, as well as avoiding predatory lenders. For more information visit:
Renter's Insurance
Living on your own can be both exciting and overwhelming. There's so much to think about! One thing you may not have considered is renter's insurance (or homeowner's insurance). This type of insurance covers your stuff from things like theft or fire and typically also provides liability coverage, in case someone gets hurt while in your apartment and decides to sue you. This article from Consumer Reports explains why you should consider buying renter's insurance. It is full of helpful links to get you started.
Why you should buy renter's insurance
Check out this article on renter's insurance from Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services, too:
Renter's insurance for Michigan residents
Homeowner's Insurance
If you own your own place, you'll want homeowner's insurance. (If you have a mortgage, you'll generally be required to buy homeowner's insurance.) For help with understanding and purchasing homeowner's insurance--a list of insurance agents, a glossary of helpful terms, types of policies, and more, see this document from the state of Michigan: