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Steph Mickelson

Steph Mickelson is a freelance writer based in Northwest Wisconsin who specializes in real estate, building materials, and design. When she's not writing, she can be found juggling kids and coffee.
    A Brief History of the Wonderfully Weird “Folding Bathtub”
    Real Estate
    It’s a Murphy tub, if you will.
    Steph Mickelson
    Aug 26, 2023
    This Decision Will Make a Huge Difference in Your Next Move
    Don’t underestimate this important moving decision.
    Steph Mickelson
    Jul 18, 2024
    Here Are 12 Types of Apartments and How to Identify Them
    Searching for a new place? Consider putting a flex or convertible apartment on your list.
    Steph Mickelson
    Jul 10, 2024
    You Can Rent a Place Without a Credit Check — But You Have to Know This First
    There are a few extra steps.
    Steph Mickelson
    Jun 17, 2024
    Prorated Rent Is the Secret to Saving Money on Your Lease
    It’s a powerful tool in a renter’s arsenal.
    Steph Mickelson
    Jun 12, 2024
    This ’90s Kitchen Feature Is Getting a Major Makeover
    The makeover is all about functionality.
    Steph Mickelson
    Jun 10, 2024
    Here's Exactly How Much Space $420K Will Get You if You're Buying a Home in Atla
    REAL ESTATE
    It ranks 6th on Zillow’s Hottest Markets list for a reason.
    Steph Mickelson
    May 16, 2024
    We Asked 3 Experts How to Save More Towards Your Mortgage — And It’s Easier than You’d Think
    Real Estate
    These expert tips can actually make a big difference.
    Steph Mickelson
    Apr 6, 2024
    9 Bedroom Style Trends On Their Way Out In 2024, According to Realtors
    REAL ESTATE
    RIP excessive throw pillows.
    Steph Mickelson
    Feb 21, 2024
    This Is the Best Temperature to Set Your Thermostat at This Winter
    Real Estate
    You want to save a little money on your heating bills in the winter — and also to be warm. Here’s how.
    Steph Mickelson
    Dec 2, 2023
    4 Ways to Know It’s Time To Replace Your Water Heater
    Here’s what you need to know about water heaters in your home, including how long they typically last and signs that it might be time to buy a new one.
    Steph Mickelson
    Oct 29, 2023
    Buying a House in a Small Town Wasn’t What I Expected — It Was Better
    Real Estate
    Rural life has some comfy, cozy perks.
    Steph Mickelson
    Oct 18, 2023
    I Live in a Mobile Home — And It’s Great
    Here are the pros and cons of mobile home life.
    Steph Mickelson
    Sep 26, 2023
    The Foolproof Way to Calculate Your Home's Square Footage
    You'll need a measuring tape and calculator on deck.
    Steph Mickelson
    Aug 11, 2023
    I Used My Friend as a Real Estate Agent — Here’s What I Learned
    REAL ESTATE
    Our business relationship was different from our friendship.
    Steph Mickelson
    Aug 7, 2023
    A “Pie Safe” Might Be the Piece of Furniture Your Kitchen Is Missing
    Real Estate
    Here’s how to identify one.
    Steph Mickelson
    Jul 24, 2023
    I Only Go Grocery Shopping Once a Month — Here’s How I Do It
    Living
    For my family of five!
    Steph Mickelson
    Jul 1, 2023
    The Time-Saving, Stress-Reducing Magic of a Master List Binder
    Living
    It’s a life-changer.
    Steph Mickelson
    Jun 18, 2023
    3 Major Reasons I'm Not Renovating My Mobile Home Before Selling It
    Real Estate
    Here’s why we’re holding off on remodeling projects.
    Steph Mickelson
    May 4, 2023
    I Keep Seeing “Twin Home” Real Estate Listings. But What Actually Are They?
    REAL ESTATE
    Hint: They’re not duplexes.
    Steph Mickelson
    Mar 29, 2023
    The Alleged Violent (and Possibly Pretentious) Origins of Spiral Staircases
    They're a historic architectural feature.
    Steph Mickelson
    Mar 23, 2023
    Here's What You Call Those Rounded Rooms on Older Homes
    According to an architect.
    Steph Mickelson
    Feb 10, 2023
    Here's How to Recycle Bubble Wrap (And 4 Fun Ways to Reuse It!)
    There's a very good reason to pop all the bubbles.
    Steph Mickelson
    Jan 28, 2023
    What Is a Security Deposit, Anyway?
    And how do I get it back?
    Steph Mickelson
    Jan 6, 2023
    So, You’ve Bought (or Sold) Your Home — How Does the Real Estate Agent Get Paid?
    Understanding how real estate agents get paid is important for both buyers and sellers.
    Steph Mickelson
    Jan 1, 2023
    Here’s the Truth About Particle Board
    Including the pros and cons of using it in your home. 
    Steph Mickelson
    Dec 29, 2022
    Heat Pump vs. Furnace: Which Is Best for Your Home?
    Winter is coming, and finding the right heating system for your homes is quickly becoming a top priority. But is a furnace or a heat pump best for your home?
    Steph Mickelson
    Nov 23, 2022
    Single-Hung vs. Double-Hung Windows: What's the Difference?
    Here's how to tell them apart.
    Steph Mickelson
    Nov 21, 2022
    What Is Radiator Heating — And How Does It Work?
    REAL ESTATE
    Here's what to know.
    Steph Mickelson
    Nov 12, 2022
    I Used to Want to HGTV-ify My Home, But Now I Think There’s a Better Way
    Here's why.
    Steph Mickelson
    Nov 10, 2022
    Do You Own a “Hoosier Cabinet”? Here’s How to Tell
    They date back to the early 1900s.
    Steph Mickelson
    Oct 22, 2022
    What Are Transom Windows, Anyway?
    Here's how to spot them.
    Steph Mickelson
    Oct 8, 2022
    What Is Fiber Internet, Anyway?
    Real Estate
    Here's a primer.
    Steph Mickelson
    Sep 26, 2022
    Here’s How 4 Families Transformed Their Ideas of Traditional Housing
    Real Estate
    And what we can learn from them.
    Steph Mickelson
    Sep 25, 2022
    Here’s What “Adaptive Reuse” Means, According to an Expert
    And why it matters.
    Steph Mickelson
    Sep 16, 2022
    Here’s Your No-Nonsense Guide to Renting an Apartment
    Follow these steps.
    Steph Mickelson
    Aug 28, 2022