Home values have risen in recent years across America and in our own backyard in the Southeastern U.S. Some homeowners are cashing in on the trend, selling their homes while the market is high. Others are enjoying the cushion of added equity in their homes, using it to secure home-improvement loans.

“New year, new you.” We’ve all heard the saying. And we’ve all started a new year with determination and good intentions. But while an average 44 percent of adults in the U.S. make a resolution to take their health and fitness seriously each January, less than half are still committed six months later.

As our connected culture continues to broaden, there are smart versions of just about everything for the home. That means an endless array of connected home and entertainment gift ideas for all the family and friends in your life.

Read on for our roundup of the best home gifts for 2021.

Family game nights are traditions in many households over the holidays, but it’s not always about Monopoly, Risk, Battleship or other classic board games. Gen-Xers, Millennials and Gen-Zers have something in common that previous generations didn’t: they all love video games.

While you’re relaxing over the holiday break, you’ll be glad to know there’s more on TV than football—especially if you’re streaming. Several streaming TV platforms, both free and paid, are rolling out Christmas movies for young and old, from classics to new rom-coms and kids’ movies.

As part of our mission to bring broadband fiber internet to more communities in Alabama, we recently began construction on a 243-mile-long fiber-optic cable route that will connect Meridian, Mississippi to Homewood, Alabama.