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5 Maintenance Skills All Homeowners Should Know

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Owning a home can be one of the most important parts of a satisfying lifestyle.  The joy of coming home to someplace you can call your very own offers security and comfort. Yet owning a home comes with responsibilities as well; maintaining the home in proper condition is critical to avoid larger problems later. While some people are handier than others, here are 5 maintenance skills anyone can master. 1.How to Turn off Your Gas and Water –If you smell gas or have a water leak, taking quick action to shut off the source to the home while you wait for a professional can save thousands of dollars, and even lives.  2.Understanding How Electricity Is Fed to Your Home –Learn how to reset GFI outlets and popped breakers at the panel to avoid expensive house calls.  3.How to Find a Wall Stud –Avoid drywall repair when hanging pictures or shelves.  4.How to Change Your Air Filters – Keep your air fresh and your HVAC systems running efficiently. 5.How to Address Simple Plumbin
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4 Reasons to Sell This Fall

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Traditional lore says that the best time to list your home for sale is spring and if it hasn’t sold by the end of summer, you’re out of luck. Along the same lines, homeowners across the country are often advised not to list in the fall and wait until after the holidays to list. The truth is that a great home will sell at any time of year and in fact there are some very good reasons to list in the fall, while everyone else is busy doing other activities. 4 Reasons to Sell this Fall 1.Less Competition –As mentioned above, most sellers list in spring so as a seller, fall provides you less competition which increases the opportunity for buyers to view your home. 2.Serious Buyers – Home buyers in fall often have a timeline to move before the holidays. They tend to take the home search seriously and move to write offers faster and avoid wasting time. 3.Curb Appeal – Fall is a beautiful time of year and ho
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Top 3 Inexpensive Hardwoods

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Most people have thought about installing hardwood floors at one time or another. The natural beauty of wood brings a soft, elegance to any home.  Today, hardwoods are not just for floors. Modern homes feature hardwoods for counters, back splashes and even entire walls. Traditionally and expensive material to work with, there are inexpensive hardwoods that will bring that ambiance you crave with a price tag that won’t shock your wallet.  Top 3 Inexpensive Hardwoods 1. Bamboo – Our first inexpensive hardwood isn’t really wood at all. Bamboo is actually a grass yet it’s harder than most hardwoods. Bamboo comes in only two shades – light and dark (boiled) – yet because of the variety in the plant itself, there are many color options available.  2. Hickory – Hickory is most often used in rustic or country style homes. A very strong wood, it’s perfect for homes with high traffic and provides great durability and value for the price. With proper stain, hickory can take on a
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Innovative Home Security Technology

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For market value and the comfort of a home’s occupants, home security is just as important as energy-efficiency. Innovation in smart home technology focuses on both of these areas. Here are some tips about things a homeowner can do to make a home more secure and a few pitfalls to look out for, which may not be obvious. Smart View Doorbell No matter how reinforced the front door of a home is, it is not secure if it is opened by someone inside without first knowing who is there. Additionally, smart doorbells allow the homeowner to view the front of their home using a smartphone application, even when they are not home. These systems use motion sensors and video cameras. When someone approaches the front door, the motion sensors trigger and the camera captures the images of what is happening. The smartphone application notifies the homeowner that there is physical activity at the front door. It may be a neighbor’s cat passing by or a burglar trying to steal a package or a
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Renovations That Improve Resale Value And Those That Don’t

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Those who want to renovate a home usually do this to make it more spacious, improve its condition, and to add amenities. However, it is also important to consider if the renovation has the potential to add value to a home. Unless the plan is to live in the same place for life, there is a strong likelihood that, at some point, the home will go on the market for sale. It is nice if it sells for a high price and there is some profit for the seller in the transaction. It is not the amount spent on renovations that is the key consideration. In fact, spending a lot of money making certain renovations may not improve the sales price, when the home sells. This guide helps decide between renovations that add value and ones that do not add value. Renovations That Add Value Renovations that add value are those things that almost everybody wants, which include: Upgraded Kitchen:  Having a professional-style cooking area and all the appliances with matching stainless steel-finishes c
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Inexpensive Curb Appeal Tips That Work

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No doubt you’ve been told that curb appeal will help sell your home. But if money is short you’ll need to do some curb appeal on a budget tricks. Following are some inexpensive curb appeal tips that really work. Fresh Coat Of Paint A fresh coat of paint adds curb appeal without busting the budget. With a gallon of paint you can freshen up the window ledges, shutters, front door and the garage door. Add a fresh coat of paint to decks and railings, and street lampposts, as well.  Solar Lighting You can find inexpensive solar lighting stakes at discount stores around the country. Add these to the edges of the driveway, along the front pathway and around front hedges for nighttime curb appeal. Metallic Paint If you can’t afford brand new hardware for your front door, consider investing in a small tub of metallic paint. Refinish the doorknob, door knocker and the metal porch light fixtures.  Annuals Landscaping can be pricey, but with a couple dozen inexpensive bloomi
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Items to Check before a Home Inspection

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Selling a home can be a stressful time, there is so much to think about; keeping thehome clean, heading out on a moment’s notice to accommodate last minute showings,not to mention planning a move. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed. Then you get that great offer and enter escrow. You’re relieved until you realize there’sa home inspection coming. Even a home meticulously maintained can have hiddenissues. The good news is that you can prepare for the home inspection and make sureyou pass with flying colors. Items to Check before a Home Inspection Doors, windows, cabinets and drawers – check that they slide smoothly Run water in sinks, tubs and showers – snake any that drain slowly Evidence of water leaks – Garage ceiling, under sinks, around water heaters, etc. GFIs – check your local code and put GFI plugs where required Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors must be in working order Gutters and Roof – replace any missing roof tiles and clean gutters HVAC – Consider
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