Matching washers and dryers that cleaned up in our tests

Matching washer and dryer pairs are a popular choice but some don't make a great couple. Their coordinating look makes a statement, but you'll question how a terrific washer and a noisy dryer that's tough on clothes ended up together. Enter the matchmaker. Consumer Reports' latest dryer tests found three standouts with matching washers that are CR Best Buys, offering high performance at an appealing price.

Among consumers who bought laundry appliances in the past three years about 60 percent chose matching pairs, according to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, a trade group. Special pricing and promotions help move these pairs from the warehouse to your house and so does their appearance. No longer destined for a basement corner, these washer and dryer pairs offer a complementary look that's often stylish and come in colors like cranberry and lemongrass (although the ones we tested are white). Here's a glimpse at three matching pairs that performed well in our tests and are top picks. See our Ratings of washers and dryers for details on their performance and features.

Two duos from LG
The LG WM3470H[W]A washer and DLEX3470[W] electric dryer, about $1,000 each, make a dynamic duo. The front-loader tops our washer Ratings and was superb overall. It's a CR Best Buy. But like all front-loaders, it uses less water to wash so it takes time to get laundry clean—85 minutes for a normal cycle. The dryer tops the Ratings and was one of the quietest we tested. Both offer large capacities and the washer's excellent water efficiency and water extraction means the dryer doesn't have to work as hard. That saves energy and money. The gas dryer is DLGX3471[W].

Also from LG, the WM2250C[W] front-loader, $720, and the matching DLE2250[W] electric dryer, $800, are both CR Best Buys. The washer aced our cleaning tests and was one of the gentlest on fabrics we tested. But it's relatively noisy and normal cycle time is 95 minutes. The dryer, on the other hand, was relatively quiet and excellent in drying. The gas dryer is DLG2251[W].

Samsung set
Samsung's WA5451AN[W] top-loading washer and DV5451AE[W] electric dryer, each around $900, are also CR Best Buys. Both have large capacities, and are relatively quiet. The high-efficiency top-loader does an impressive job cleaning clothes and gets it done in 65 minutes--that's brisk when compared to front-loaders. The gas dryer is DV5451AG[W].

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No wallflower, new Whirlpool wall oven stands out in our tests

When Consumer Reports names a product a Best Buy it gives the designation to models that performed impressively in our tests and also offer good value. Some product categories have more Best Buys than others and some, like wall ovens, haven't had any in recent years. Until now. A $1,300 Whirlpool electric wall oven has just earned this distinction.

In our wall oven tests, the Whirlpool WOS51EC0AS was very good at turning out evenly browned cakes and cookies and excellent at browning broiled burgers evenly. The oven capacity is large and the self-clean feature aced our tough tests, removing our baked-on mixture of eggs, cheese, pie filling and more. This 30-inch single wall oven has an extra large window that offers a great view and touchpad controls, giving it a sleek and modern look. And at that price for the stainless steel model, it's half what you'd spend on the top-rated Thermador ME301E[S], $2,600, and has more usable space. We also recommend the Bosch HBL54[50]UC, $1,900.

A wall oven's companion, naturally, is the cooktop. While ranges are more popular, cooktop-wall oven combos are perfect for homeowners who want to customize their kitchens. Consumer Reports recommends 19 electric cooktops including Best Buys from Whirlpool, Frigidaire and Kenmore. In our tests of gas cooktops, 10 models made the list of picks but there were no Best Buys.

Our latest cooking appliance tests also included five new Whirlpool electric and gas ranges. Most offer an appealing price, but performance wasn't impressive so none are high-scoring recommended models or CR Best Buys. There are plenty of other top range picks to consider including 15 smoothtop, induction and coil electric ranges and 18 conventional and pro-style gas ranges.

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How to get your asking price as the housing market improves

Posting the first annual increase in five years, home values rose slightly over this time last year, reports Zillow the online real estate site. In fact, nearly one-third of the 157 metropolitan areas tracked by Zillow showed annual price increases. This is good news for homeowners who have been waiting to put their houses on the market. Before you do, a few simple spruce-ups can help get your asking price.

"The housing market's recovery continues to show tremendous variation market by market. Sixty-nine of the 157 markets covered by the Zillow Home Value Forecast are expected to see increases in home values over the next year, with the largest increases expected in the Phoenix metro (9.9 percent) and the Miami metro (6.1 percent)," said Zillow on its website. "We believe that 96 out of the 157 markets have already hit a bottom in home values, including Boston, Miami and Phoenix."

Improve the view. No matter where you live, it pays to keep your home well-maintained. Curb appeal is the first thing to consider. As the saying goes, you don't get a second chance to make a first impression. Look at your entryway. Is the paint peeling or faded? Are your shrubberies overtaking the sidewalk? Take the time to scrape away any old paint and apply a new coat. Sherwin-Williams Duration Gloss, our top-rated semi-gloss is the only one in our exterior paint tests that has a primer built-in. After the equivalent of nine years' worth of exposure, the Sherwin-Williams was still looking very good and would be a good choice for painting a front door.

Whack the weeds. As for that overgrown walkway, a capable string trimmer can help you vanquish the vines and weeds in no time. In Consumer Reports' string trimmer tests, the top-rated gas models were best at slicing through tall grass and weeds. But if you don't like the hassle of a gas-powered unit, several light duty electric models, including the Homelite UT41110, at $30 a CR Best Buy, were very good or better at this job.

Neutralize garish rooms. Sprucing up the paint inside the house also makes your home more attractive, especially if you've painted some rooms bright colors that might not appeal to the average buyer. The best course of action is to choose white, off-white or another neutral color. "Safe colors like this will appeal to most people, increasing the odds that your home will sell," advises the Paint Quality Institute. And it'll cost you well under $100. Check our top-rated interior paints for the best choices.

Brighten the bathroom. Outdated kitchens and bathrooms are typically the chief complaint of prospective home buyers. But you don't have to invest in an entire remodel to improve their appearance. Here again paint can do wonders but so can replacing the countertops, sink or floor. Bathrooms have replaced kitchens as the most remodeled room in the home because they tend to be smaller and you don't have to buy all those appliances. As we reported in our Bathroom remodeling guide, small details can make a big difference. Stain-resistant grout, framed mirrors and a heated towel bar are just some ideas.

Kick the kitchen up a notch. For the kitchen, you don't need a bottomless budget to get a top-notch kitchen. In the Luxury look for less, we suggest top-rated affordable alternatives to pricey appliances, countertops, flooring and more. But be forewarned, poor planning and shoddy workmanship are two of the costliest mistakes homeowners make when undertaking a remodeling project. If you're about to embark on one, best to invest a few months going to showrooms and talking to professionals.

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