Barbara Zito
Contributor
For most of her 20-year career, Barbara has followed a dual path as an educator and freelance writer. Barbara formerly worked in education as a high school English and drama teacher, an adjunct college instructor and a university career counselor.
In the past five years, she has narrowed her focus to real estate and home improvement, writing for Forbes Home, Apartment Therapy, Angi, The Spruce and more.
Although writing now has her full attention, she still aims to educate readers who are seeking to create (or renovate) their dream homes. In addition to writing about home and lifestyle topics, Barbara writes fiction. She is the author of the novel LUCKY STIFF and is currently working on her next book.
Expertise
- Home improvement
- DIY
Key Highlights
- Contributor to Forbes Home since 2021
- 20 years of professional writing experience
- Expert in home improvement, DIY, homeownership and real estate trends, decor and design, and lawn and garden
- Published novelist
Education
- Emerson College (M.F.A., Creative Writing)
- Wagner College (B.A., English and Theatre)
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7 Energy Conserving Upgrades That Can Increase Home Value
Are you in the market to make some home improvements? Saving money is likely a priority, but if you focus on projects that also save energy, it’s a win for both your wallet and the environment. That’s because energy-efficient upgrades... -
Panasonic Solar Panels Review 2025
Panasonic’s impressive specs and performance earned it a spot on our best solar panels list. Warranties back the company’s panels to stand at 92% efficiency after 25 years. The panels also have a low-temperature coefficient typically between .0.24%/°C and 0.26%/°C,... -
ION Solar Review 2025
ION Solar was born from the 2017 merger of two solar companies in Utah, Vision Solar of Provo and Zing Solar in Draper. In the seven years since then, the company has installed over 80,000 solar panel systems and now... -
Spring Green Review 2025
Since 1977, the neighborhood-based landscape care company Spring Green has increased the curb appeal of thousands of homes. Today, it serves more than 14,000 neighborhoods in two dozen states. The company will assign one of its licensed lawn pros to... -
Ring Home Security Review 2025
For homeowners seeking a self-monitoring home security system that also offers affordable professional monitoring, Ring fits the bill. Devices also integrate easily with Alexa and Google, ensuring that your smart home is also a safe home. In fact, Ring made... -
You Can Save Money On These 8 Home Tasks By Completing Them At The End Of Summer
Summer is rapidly coming to an end. While it’s tempting to lean into relaxation during these last long, hot days, you’ll want to also take time for a bit of home improvement. Admittedly, that doesn’t sound nearly as fun as... -
Kentucky Solar Incentives, Tax Credits And Rebates
Are you a Kentucky homeowner considering making the switch to solar power? Although the installation costs for solar panels are high, there are numerous financial incentives including tax credits and rebates at the federal, state and local levels to offset... -
How Long Does It Take To Ship A Car?
If you’re planning a long-distance move, packing can be stressful enough without thinking about your car. You can’t exactly wrap your car in bubble wrap and hoist it onto the back of the moving truck. You’ll need to hire a... -
Wisconsin Solar Incentives, Tax Credits And Rebates
Wondering whether it’s worth it to switch to solar in the Badger State? Lucrative Wisconsin solar incentives can help you save money on the initial costs of solar panels. The best part? You can recoup all of your investment over... -
Idaho Solar Incentives, Tax Credits And Rebates
Idaho solar incentives make the switch to solar energy as good for homeowners as it is for the environment. Upfront costs for solar panels aren’t nearly as prohibitive, thanks to generous tax credits and a low-interest financing program. Making the switch to... -
Iowa Solar Incentives, Tax Credits And Rebates
If you’re an Iowa homeowner, you might be considering the switch to solar energy. While you can expect the upfront cost of solar panels to be steep, you can also expect to recoup your costs over time as your reliance... -
Is 300 Mbps Internet Fast Enough, And What Can You Do With It?
It’s hard to imagine life without internet access, especially when everything from phones to laptops to kitchen appliances requires a Wi-Fi connection. But if you’re looking at different plan options, you may wonder how fast is “fast enough” for your... -
6 Beautiful Kitchen Color Combinations That Work
While the all-white kitchen trend might be too much of a classic to fade away completely, many homeowners and interior designers are opting for more colorful palettes in their kitchen renovations. “When choosing color combinations for your kitchen, you want... -
What Are SRECs?
Solar renewable energy certificates (SRECs) offer an opportunity to earn an additional stream of income by selling the power created through solar installations via top solar companies. An investment in a solar power installation can pay itself back over the... -
Your Guide To Cleaning Stainless Steel Appliances, Sinks And More
Working time: 15 – 20 minutes Total time: 30 minutes Skill level: Beginner-friendly Project cost: Under $10 Tools Microfiber cloths, non-abrasive sponges or paper towels Spray bottle Materials Note: You only need one of the following, depending on the cleaning... -
Here’s Everything You’re Doing Wrong When It Comes To Home Design—And How To Fix It
Some home improvement projects are just fine for beginning DIYers to tackle. But when it comes to home design and décor, it’s easy to miss the mark. While beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder, there are certain... -
7 Helpful Tips For Childproofing Your Swimming Pool
When it comes to summer fun with family and friends, your backyard pool is a prime place to make lasting memories. However, unless you create and maintain a safe aquatic environment (especially for young swimmers), those memories can turn tragic... -
Here Are The Top 5 Reasons Why Your House Doesn’t Smell Fresh And How To Fix The Problem
A clean home is a feast for the eyes. A really clean house smells as neat and wonderfully fresh as it looks—or at the very least, it doesn’t smell at all. While scented cleansers and candles can help if your... -
Best Solar Companies In Maryland
If you live in Maryland and are considering adding solar to your home, you’re in luck. The state offers many incentives to help homeowners install a solar system, regardless of their budget. As such, there are also a wealth of... -
Best Solar Companies In Ohio
Ohio might not be the sunniest state for reaping all the benefits of going solar, but homeowners still can experience noticeable decreases in their electricity bills over time by making the switch. Ohio is ranked 7th in the country for... -
Best Moving Companies In Wisconsin
Moving can be a stressful experience, whether your new home is in the same zip code or in a completely different area code within Wisconsin. It helps to hire a reputable moving company. Not only will professional movers help you... -
Best Moving Companies In Rhode Island
Moving day can be stressful, regardless of whether your new home is on the other side of town or on the other side of the country. If you need help with some of the packing and heavy lifting—or maybe you’d... -
10 Tips To Help Your Outdoor Furniture Last
As the outdoor living trend continues, you might be focusing more attention on your patio furniture and accessories than those inside your home. Especially if you plan to spend a considerable amount on your outdoor furniture (or you already did),... -
Linoleum Vs. Vinyl Flooring: Major Differences, Pros, Cons And Costs
Linoleum and vinyl flooring both offer more cost-effective alternatives to hardwood flooring for your home. Linoleum is made from natural, water-resistant materials that can last for decades with proper maintenance. Vinyl flooring, on the other hand, is made from synthetic... -
The Homeowner’s Seasonal HVAC Service And Maintenance Schedule
A hot summer day can be hard to handle even with the air conditioner on full blast. But if your HVAC system decides to take a vacation in the middle of July, it can be positively brutal. That’s why it’s... -
6 Tile Design Trends You Need To Know Before Starting Any Reno Project
Home design trends come and go over the years. While paint color might be easy to change even as a DIYer, tile design is a much more extensive—and expensive—feature to change on a whim. So how do you choose tiles... -
11 Transitional Upgrades To Age In Place
According to the Administration for Community Living, 17% of the population is comprised of Americans aged 65 and older. This segment is expected to grow to 22% by the year 2040. While some will opt to move into senior living... -
How To Find Your Septic Tank
The average septic tank has a capacity of 1,250 gallons. If it were installed above ground, it would be rather hard to ignore. But a septic tank’s work is best done beneath the surface of your property, so it’s understandable... -
1-800-Pack-Rat Review And Prices 2025
1-800-Pack-Rat was founded in North Carolina in 2002 as a portable storage and moving company. It is known for its sturdy steel, all-weather moving containers that can be rented by the month and loaded at the user’s convenience. When it’s... -
How To Style Your Mudroom
“Mud” and “style” are words that don't typically go together. But in terms of a mud room, there’s plenty of room for discussion about how to create stylish, yet useful, space in your home. A mudroom offers the opportunity to...
