Our TeamJamie Birdwell-Branson

Jamie Birdwell-Branson

SEO Home Strategist

I plan search-focused content for Apartment Therapy, covering everything from home improvement and real estate to lifestyle topics. Cincinnati, OHKeep up with me on Apartment Therapy

About Me

After a childhood of combing through my grandmother’s home and design magazines, it was only natural I wanted to pursue a career writing and editing home-centric stories. Since college, I’ve taken on any home-related writing, including a gig copywriting for a carpet cleaning company (go ahead; quiz me on any carpet stain, I dare you).

I’ve primarily covered real estate and home improvement, with clips in Elle Decor, Bob Vila, Vox, Marketwatch, Zillow, Rachael Ray Every Day, and Apartment Therapy. I was also the senior home improvement editor for Hunker.com, where I managed a team that produced stories on repairs, real estate, and anything technical in the home.

Now, I serve as an SEO strategist for AT, working hard to help our content appear at the top of Google search pages. I collaborate with our edit team to create content that answers questions we often have about our homes — and provide simplified and personalized advice on how to get things done. (How do you actually buy a house? Is putting up wallpaper actually as hard as it looks? How do I keep my plant alive if I’ve never had a green thumb? Whatever your question, we’ll help you along the way.)

My pronouns

she/her/hers

I'm an expert in

  • home repairs
  • buying and selling houses

My education

University of Oklahoma (BA in Professional Writing)

My awards & honors

Nominee, Best Art, Design & Culture Website for the Homebuyer's Helper newsletter, Hunker.com, Webby (2022)


Latest Stories

I Searched for My Dream Couch for Months, and This One Checks All the Boxes
I’d swipe right on this couch.
Nov 14, 2025
I Hate Spending Money on Plants — Here’s My Go-To Way to Get New Ones for Free
It’s also a guaranteed fun time.
Aug 13, 2025
The "Cotton Ball" Scent Method Is So Powerful, It Made Childbirth More Bearable
You probably already have the secret ingredient at home.
Mar 18, 2025
Dreaming of Moving to Canada? Here’s What to Know if You’re American
See you soon, Justin Trudeau.
Oct 30, 2024
This Mid-Century-Modern-Inspired Furniture Is the Only Kind I Buy (I Have 2 Sofas!)
It’s the best addition to my living room.
Aug 28, 2024
15 of Our Best Tips for Buying a Condo
Plus, a checklist to keep handy while you're hunting.
Nov 15, 2022
The 4 Biggest Pet Peeves Home Stagers Have About Your Living Room
You may have to let go of your personal style.
Mar 23, 2021
My Mom Bought a House for the First Time at 60—Here’s Her One Piece of Advice
"At times I think, ‘You silly woman. You’re going to be dead before you pay it off.'"
Nov 8, 2020
5 Curb Appeal Trends That Will Make Your Home Look Dated, According to Experts
Border hedges, be gone.
Sep 13, 2020
The 5 Home Depot Products Home Stagers Swear By
Outdoor throw pillows do double duty.
Sep 9, 2020
Dreaming of Moving to New Zealand? Here’s What to Know If You’re American
Becoming a Kiwi never sounded so good.
Aug 2, 2020
4 Things to Know About Moving to San Francisco
Renters have a good deal of agency, for starters.
Jul 27, 2020
How America Fell in Love with Wall-to-Wall Carpets—and Then Grew to Hate Them
Once upon a time, carpet was considered a luxury for only the wealthy.
Jul 14, 2020
4 Things to Take Down from Your Walls Before an Open House
According to home stagers.
Jun 22, 2020
Here Are the Pros and Cons to Weigh Before Signing for a Furnished Apartment
From financial risks to emotional ones.
Jun 13, 2020
Communities Across the Country Have Sprung into Action Online
As they're separated by a pandemic.
Jun 10, 2020
The 5 Biggest Pet Peeves Home Stagers Have About Your Kitchen
It all comes down to clutter.
May 26, 2020
The 5 Biggest Pet Peeves Home Stagers Have About Your Bedroom
Including the surprising way a shoe rack is a turn-off.
May 19, 2020
4 Things First-Time Homeowners Tend to Overlook
According to real homeowners on Reddit.
Mar 11, 2020
Here's Everything You Need to Know About Moving to Hawaii
Next stop, paradise.
Feb 27, 2020
5 Steps to Take When You’re Leaving Roommates to Live on Your Own
Know thy budget.
Feb 23, 2020
Nobody's Buying Fixer-Uppers Anymore, But Here's Why They Should
So long, turn-key properties.
Feb 16, 2020
The Best Colors to Paint Your Hallways, According to Home Experts
Keep things light.
Feb 4, 2020
Why Investing in Condos Can Be Better Than Renting, According to Experts
Build those assets.
Jan 16, 2020
Why It's Time to Ditch Paper Checks and Pay Your Rent Online
It's more secure, convenient, and you could see some savings.
Dec 13, 2019
Why You Shouldn't Close Your Credit Cards—Even After Paying Them Off
A financial expert explains.
Nov 20, 2019
5 Vintage Home Features That Will Never Go Out of Style
Certain elements of older homes are likely to always be valuable and in demand—regardless of current trends.
Sep 1, 2019
6 Questions to Ask Before You Buy a Recently-Flipped Home
Freshly-painted walls and new hardwood floors might actually be a bright and fresh disguise for shoddy work and a whole mess of other problems lurking beneath the surface.
Aug 17, 2019