Rachel Presser

Contributing Writer

Rachel Presser is an experienced writer teaching homeowners how to navigate HOAs, home insurance, and local laws when taking on home improvement projects. She holds both a bachelors and master's in accounting and can explain the income tax impacts of homeowner transactions. Her work can be found in other publications like Home Stratosphere and LA Digs.

Personal website
Portrait of Rachel Presser
Portrait of Rachel Presser

About

An experienced reptile and amphibian keeper who's dealt with the challenges of small living spaces in New York City, Rachel went from barely being able to hammer a nail to virtually becoming a general contractor upon taking on the stewardship of large reptiles. 

In writing about home living and design for Home Stratosphere and architecture and housing policy for LA Digs, Rachel brings her DIY skills to guide others on their journey to improving their handyman skills so they can personalize their home. Prior to writing, Rachel earned two accounting degrees and Enrolled Agent licensure which she held until 2020. The years Rachel spent as a tax accountant gave her a sharp eye for detail and the legal skills necessary for determining whether home improvement projects can create tax problems for homeowners. She also took these skills to decoding legal frameworks for homeowner issues, breaking down homeowners’ insurance policies, HOA agreements, and local ordinances when making changes to a home.

Quick facts

Location
Los Angeles, CA
Education
B.S. Accounting, Lehman College (2005) M.S. Accounting, Hunter College (2012)
Expertise
DIY, home financial planning

Highlights

  • Published work can be found in Home Stratosphere and LA Digs

  • Former tax professional and experienced tax law writer of 10+ years

  • Skilled at navigating homeowners’ insurance policies, HOA agreements, and local ordinances

Published work

Certifications

Enrolled Agent, Internal Revenue Service (2011-2020)

Articles
Making sure you have clean drinking water comes down to proper filtration. Use this guide on how to filter water at home to keep your family safe.
Are refrigerator water filters good at keeping germs out of fridge water? Explore the pros and cons of refrigerator filters and whether you should get one.
No one likes that white buildup in the shower and on their cookware. Will a whole-house water filter remove the scale? We'll show you what to expect.
When ice and snow sneak up on you in the fall, do you know who to call to winterize your sprinkler system? Here's what sprinkler winterization pros offer.
Whether you're winterizing your sprinklers or just need to save water, blowing out your sprinklers is an option. Learn how to blow out a sprinkler system.
Spigot handles on outdoor faucets can get stuck from age, harsh winter, or just plain finicky parts. Learn how to replace a spigot handle with this guide.
Why are black specks coming out of the air vents? Learn how to tell whether it's black mold, clogged filters, or dirty ductwork.
Why is cold air coming out of my return vent? It's usually leaky ducts, but it might be a dirty filter. Learn how to fix cold return vents.