Category: Uncategorized

Categories
Uncategorized

Hidden Home Buying Costs You Should Prepare For

When you budget to buy a home, you sit down, do the math, and try to estimate what all of your monthly costs will be. There are so many monthly costs that come with being a homeowner that can make the whole process complicated. Sure, you have taken the standard costs into account like home insurance, property taxes, and even utilities. But there are a few out-of-the-box costs that you’ll need to consider for your house hunt.

Flood Or Other Natural Disaster Insurance

Natural disasters are costly and devastating. Many homeowners who live in areas that are affected by natural disasters like floods and earthquakes often opt for additional coverage for their homes. Premiums for earthquake and flood insurance often end up being very high. As a natural disaster strikes, these premiums can go up even more. If you live in one of the high-risk areas for natural disasters, you’ll want to check with your insurance agent ahead of time to plan for the additional costs that these special kinds of insurance will incur.

Water Costs During A Drought

There are many areas across the US that suffer drought conditions from time to time. Your water bill can skyrocket during these times. It’s best to continue conserving water and watch your bill closely in order to try and save some costs. There’s not a whole lot you can do otherwise to control your bill. You’ll need to stay prepared with some extra cash on hand in case of these emergencies and know that costs can rise due to different environmental conditions.  

Tax Hikes And Special Assessments 

As a homeowner, you’ll need to prepare for different kinds of assessments and tax increases. If your condominium complex needs significant repairs then you’ll probably end up paying an assessment to help offset the costs. This is what comes with belonging to a homeowner’s association. 

You can’t prevent that the town is building a brand new school that requires a tax increase, nor can you prevent roof damage on one of the buildings in your complex. Financially, this is a hidden cost of homeownership that you should be prepared for. 

Unexpected Maintenance Costs And Home Furnishings

Once you move into a home, you’ll need to prepare for the unexpected. The dishwasher may need to be replaced. The roof may need repair. The walls may need some paint. 

When you buy a home you may also need a bunch of things to furnish the home. These could include dishes, pots and pans, sofas, beds, and more. You don’t want to leave your new home completely empty! You also don’t want to be without vital appliances like an oven or a sink for too long if they are outdated or in disrepair. This is why it’s a good idea to have extra money on hand to deal with any of these costs.

The best rule of thumb to follow when buying a home is to always be prepared with a but of extra cash on hand to avoid major issues down the road.           

Categories
Uncategorized

5 Alternatives to Carpeted Stairs

Carpet has been a popular cover for stairs for decades and continues to endure in modern trends. There are many benefits to carpet on stairs, including noise reduction and extra cushioning. However, carpet on stairs is not for everyone. If you’re considering an alternative to carpet on the stairs in your home, here are the best options to consider:

Wood

Wood is the most common and traditional building material for stairs. No matter what you have on the surface, wooden stairs are probably underneath. Hardwood makes a great material for stairs because of its durability. You can also stain or laminate it for a specific look and finish. The major disadvantage of hardwood on stairs is that it can be slippery. The best way to mitigate this is with strips of anti-slip tape at the end of the stair tread.

Tile

Tile is an incredibly versatile and popular option for stairs. Because tile comes in a plethora of colors and textures, you have an enormous amount of freedom in terms of design. There are stone and ceramic tiles for a classic, luxurious feel and smaller artistic mosaic options. With tile, you can make your staircase a statement in your home rather than a purely functional feature. Textured tiles are a great way to prevent slipping.

Stone

Solid stone or concrete stairs are common in industrial or commercial buildings. While they’re virtually indestructible, they are heavy enough that you’ll need to make sure your foundation can support them in your home. Stone and concrete stairs will stand the test of time and provide a cool industrial style to your home. However, this is one of the more expensive options available, which is why many designers recommend using stone veneer as a cheaper alternative.

Cork

Cork is an excellent alternative to carpet because it provides cushion and comfortable texture. It looks like natural wood but is low maintenance and durable. The texture also has built-in protection from slipping which increases the safety of the stairs. Cork is also a sustainable material option for those interested in making green choices in their home renovations.

Leather

Leather is an up-and-coming trend in stair coverings. It’s soft like carpet but has a more luxurious finish while staying comfortable underfoot. Leather stair treads come in plenty of colors and textures to fit your style needs, including some with special designs and borders. Leather requires regular maintenance to keep looking and performing its best. Protective finishes to prevent staining and moisture damage are crucial.

While there are many styles of carpet available for your stairs, these alternatives might be a suitable option. Keep these materials in mind if you’re considering making a change.

Categories
Uncategorized

Fundamental homeowners insurance policies you need to know

homeowners insurance featured image

With all the different types of homeowners insurance, the process of choosing a policy can be confusing. 

To help, here’s a basic guide to some major types of insurance policies. 

What is an HO-1 home insurance policy?

HO-1 insurance is the simplest of policies offered. It only covers your home structure and a few home features.

It also covers attached structures such as garages and patios. This policy offers funding in the case of storms,
fire, wind damage, theft and a few other peril categories. 

HO-1 insurance doesn’t cover personal belongings, however. So if your computer or furniture is damaged during a
storm, replacement cost would need to be covered by another policy. 

What is an HO-2 home insurance policy?

An HO-2 insurance policy offers a wider range of coverage. It provides financial security to home structure and
personal property. 

What are HO-3 home insurance policies?

An HO-3 home insurance policy is the most common homeowners insurance type. In addition to coverages seen with HO-1
and HO-2 policies, it covers additional items. These include liability, payments for medical bills and living
expense stipends. 

What is HO-4 Renters Insurance?

HO-4 is a policy offering protection to the personal property of individuals renting a space. It is not technically a
homeowners insurance policy, but important for renters to have. 

Consider your home needs when purchasing homeowners insurance. Protect your property and belongings with the right
insurance.

Categories
Uncategorized

Home Warranty 101: What Buyers Should Know

Many homebuyers have the choice of whether to purchase a home warranty with the home itself. While not required, it can be a helpful way to ensure that your new home is well cared for. It can also have some downsides and may not be right for everyone. Here we’ll go over the basics of home warranties to help you understand whether it’s something you should consider.

How Do Home Warranties Work?

A home warranty differs from home insurance. Home insurance offers financial protection in the case of unexpected damage from major issues like fires or storms. Home warranties protect and pay for the appliances in your home. You pay for your home warranty similarly to paying for insurance: an annual premium priced based on the size of your home. If an appliance breaks, you pay a deductible and the warranty provider will send somebody to help with maintenance or replace the appliance entirely. The deductible amount varies depending on the warranty terms, so it’s something you should look into carefully when considering your options.

Why Get a Home Warranty?

Home warranties offer major peace of mind. With a home warranty, you know that if an important appliance breaks that you have access to a professional who can fix it. This can provide you the extra support you need if you’re not very handy or are a brand new homeowner. A home warranty also allows you to budget more accurately by avoiding unexpected repair costs. You’ll always know the regular premium cost and any deductibles for repairs ahead of time.

The pricing on home warranties varies from one company to the next, but has low upfront costs. Even with the deductible, they can help you save hundreds of dollars on major repairs or even replacements. You’ll have professional backup in the event of catastrophic plumbing or electrical failure which are often impossible and unsafe to DIY repair.

Why Not Get a Home Warranty?

The main issue with home warranties is that not everything is covered. It’s crucial to read the specific terms of the warranty and note which appliances it does not include in the coverage. This can help you weigh your options and determine whether it’s worth it for your situation. A problem many homeowners run into with home warranties is that even with a covered appliance, it can become ineligible for coverage if not properly maintained. Unfortunately, “properly maintained” is different for every provider and can cause conflicts and confusion. It also might not cover you if a previous owner neglected basic maintenance on an appliance before you moved in, leaving you paying full price for somebody else’s mistake.

Home warranties are definitely worth it for some buyers and superfluous for others. They can provide some added comfort in knowing you have resources available for emergency maintenance when something breaks, but it won’t cover everything in your home. It’s important to research different warranty offerings carefully before deciding. This way you’ll know what risks and benefits to expect.

Categories
Uncategorized

Backyard: Ideas for Your New DIY Gazebo

Backyard gazebos provide shade, shelter from rain and a place to enjoy fresh air with family and friends. Gazebos can also serve as a focal point for your yard and add a decorative touch to it. Building a backyard gazebo is a fairly simple project, although you can make it more complex by adding certain features or designs. If you’re planning to build your own backyard gazebo, here are a few ideas to get you started.

Gazebo for Grilling

Gazebos are mostly used as a place to sit in the shade, but you can give yours another use. If you enjoy grilling, build a backyard gazebo that includes an area for your grill. This design allows you to use your grill even if it’s raining, since you’ll be in a covered area. You can keep your grill in this gazebo and store all of your grilling items there as well for easy access. Your grilling gazebo can also have built-in tabletops or counters on two sides. Place chairs on the other side of these counters outside your gazebo, so you can grill and eat in the same area.

Shade and Comfort

Most gazebos offer some shade from the sun, but it might not be enough for you depending on your comfort level. Consider building a backyard gazebo with a louvred roof, which provides added protection from the sun’s heat and brightness. This roof design lets plenty of air flow through your gazebo while keeping the sun out for maximum comfort, even on hot days. You can add roll-up shades that can be moved from side to side as needed in order to block the sun.

Octagon Gazebo

Backyard gazebos can come in different shapes. While rectangular or square gazebos are simple to build, they don’t have the same visual appeal as octagonal gazebos. These eight-sided gazebos have a quaint look that adds some charm to your backyard. While the building process might be a bit more complex for octagonal gazebos, you’ll have a backyard gazebo with a distinctive, visually striking appearance. Keep in mind that these gazebos also typically offer more space compared to other gazebo shapes.

Iron Gazebo

Many gazebos are made of wood, but you can choose other materials for your DIY gazebo. For an elegant look, consider building a gazebo out of iron. These gazebos have a stylish, whimsical look that can enhance your yard. Just keep in mind that iron gazebos rarely have a solid roof and walls as wood gazebos do, so you might not have as much shade and shelter, depending on where you build your gazebo.

Categories
Uncategorized

How to Enjoy a Speedy Home Selling Experience

When it comes to selling a house, it helps to plan ahead. By doing so, a home seller can identify and resolve potential home selling hurdles right away.

With the right approach to selling a house, any seller can minimize problems along the way. In fact, the right approach may increase the likelihood that a seller can enjoy a speedy home selling experience.

Now, let’s take a look at three tips to help sellers streamline the home selling journey.

1. Price Your House Competitively

What is your house really worth? This question is difficult to answer for a home seller, as many factors impact the value of a home.

A home’s age and condition likely will play important roles in your residence’s value. Furthermore, external factors like the crime rates in the city or town where your home is located or your house’s proximity to parks and schools may affect your residence’s value.

To establish a competitive price for your house, you’ll want to study the local housing market. Look at the prices of available houses that are similar to your own; this data can help you define a competitive initial asking price for your residence.

In addition, it frequently helps to perform a home appraisal. During a home appraisal, a property expert will assess your house and provide a property valuation. Then, you can use this valuation to determine the ideal asking price for your house.

2. Conduct a Home Inspection

Although a home inspection generally is completed after a seller accepts a buyer’s offer on a house, there is no need to wait. Instead, a home seller can conduct an inspection prior to listing a residence to learn about a house’s strengths and weaknesses.

Review the results of a home inspection closely – you’ll be glad you did. After a home inspection, you can identify any underlying problems with your house and take the necessary steps to resolve these issues. That way, you can prevent such problems from cropping up after a buyer submits an offer on your house.

3. Hire a Real Estate Agent

If you are unsure about how to price your house or complete other home selling tasks, there is no need to worry. Remember, you can always hire a real estate agent who can provide plenty of support throughout the home selling journey.

A real estate agent understands the ins and outs of selling a house. As such, this housing market expert can teach you about the real estate sector and ensure you can achieve the best possible home selling results.

Typically, a real estate agent will set up home showings and open house events, negotiate with a buyer’s agent on your behalf and simplify the home selling cycle. With a real estate agent at your side, you should have no trouble receiving expert responses to your home selling questions too.

Ready to add your house to the real estate market? Use the aforementioned tips, and you can reap the benefits of a speedy home selling experience.

Categories
Uncategorized

How to design a minimalist living room

If you’re a fan of simple design, a minimal living room might be your perfect match. By using minimalist design style, you can create a sleek atmosphere without sacrificing comfort. Here are some tips for designing a minimalist living room:

Decluttering

Getting rid of clutter is the first step to designing a minimalist living room. However, don’t let the decluttering stop once you’ve removed the items belonging to other rooms. If you have accumulated a collection of accessories or accent furniture, consider removing one or more pieces to instantly open up the space,

Size & scale

When working with a minimal living room design, it’s important to think about the size and scale of your furniture pieces. While not everything needs to be tiny to achieve a minimal approach, oversized silhouettes can make the room seem crowded. Try combining pieces with sleek, clean lines and matching in scale. Doing so will make the entire design feel simple and comfortable.

Natural light

Natural light is essential to a minimalist living room design. Try to maximize the amount of natural light you have through windows by using sheer or light-colored drapes. Simple fabrics without pattern or texture are perfect for framing your windows without making it feel dark and cluttered.

Multi-functional pieces

If you’re concerned about not having enough storage space in a minimal living room design, invest in some multifunctional furniture pieces. There are plenty of options available for seating and accent furniture with hidden storage built-in. You can also use certain pieces for unexpected purposes, such as a stool for an end table.

Color palette

Minimalist design doesn’t mean you have to forgo your favorite colors in a space. Instead, focus on one or two colors to anchor the design and connect every piece. If you’re unsure about color choices, try virtual interior design apps with preview options for furniture and wall color. When in doubt, white and other light neutrals are staples of minimal living room designs.

Categories
Uncategorized

No Demolition Required: 3 Build-In-Place Renovation Projects to Consider

Photo by Pixabay from Pexels

Renovation projects might seem like a huge undertaking, but transforming rooms does not necessarily require demolishing the existing infrastructure. Some living spaces simply require additional elements to enhance their usefulness and your peaceful enjoyment. These are build-in-place home renovation ideas that can change the way people experience being at home.

1: Create A Recessed Bookcase

Property owners may be pleased to discover that building a recessed bookcase does not necessarily require demolition. The existing wall can remain in place as long as you use some strategic planning. Although you will likely need to remove moldings, you only need to know where the wall studs are and make sure to avoid electrical outlets.

A bookcase is basically a large open box with shelves running inside it. A handy DIYer can craft the structure using pine boards ranging from 1×6 to 1×12, depending on desired shelf depth. The trick will be either securing the bookcase frame to the wall studs or adding a backing that can be screwed directly into them.

On either side and above the bookcase, a non-bearing partition will be necessary. Attach drywall, spackle, tape, sand and paint the facade. This is a very simplified overview of the process but should allow homeowners to visualize the possibility. That previously bare wall will come alive with books, family photos and more.

2: Built-In Window Seats Enhance Leisure Experience

Homeowners typically install large windows to infuse rooms with warmth and natural sunlight. You can also combine a window with seating to add character and improve quality of life in the home.

Window seats can be built in place by handy homeowners or carpenters. This structure is usually made from 2×4 lumber with a finished facade and plywood top. The measurements should account for the depth of the comfortable seating cushion. The overall height generally runs a few inches below the window sill. Most built-in widow seats possess a backrest for sustained relaxation. You can top it off with throw pillows or a throw blanket for extra comfort.

This build-in-place asset can upgrade an under-used nook or be part of reinventing an entire wall. Imagine recessed bookcases with a window seat integrated into the room’s design.

3: Create a Mini Mudroom

One of the hot-trending home renovation ideas involves transforming entrances into spaces that accommodate soiled shoes, umbrellas, rainwear and other items. Transforming a foyer or under-used entrance into a mini mudroom tasks the homeowner or carpenter with building only a few things in place.

A sturdy bench or seating platform can be designed from 2×4 lumber with plywood overlays and then painted. Some people prefer a decor that accentuates natural wood. Thick pine materials can be employed to design a traditional bench with room for shoes underneath. Another facet that many homeowners appreciate is creating a mini cubby where jackets, hats and a little storage space above can house all-weather gear. What could be more transformational than ending that trail of mud?

By re-imagining the existing space and adding key enhancements, you can eliminate the cost and inconvenience of demolition work. These and other build-in-place home renovation ideas allow everyday people to enjoy their living space’s maximum benefit.

Categories
Uncategorized

Automation to Get the Most Out of Your Entertainment Center

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels

The vast majority of homeowners have put some time and effort into setting up their entertainment centers. Whether it’s movies, TV or video games, we all have our priorities. No matter what enjoy, automation can be a great way to get more from every experience at home. Of course, this means that you’ll need to tackle the technical setup of all your devices, as well as figure out which ones you actually need. We’ll look at some ideas to get you where you want to be.

Lights, Camera, Action

Automation makes it possible for you to dim the lights, draw the shades or start/pause the movie. Maybe you hit a single button that can do all three, or maybe you program voice commands through virtual assistants like Siri or Alexa. If the doorbell happens to ring during a pivotal scene, an automated entertainment center can immediately pause until you come back.

How you design your home theater will depend on where it is and how you consume content. For instance, a basement converted into a home theater won’t necessarily need to account for outside sunlight. A home encased in concrete walls might present challenges for reconfiguring cables. You also need to take into account how large your screen size is, whether you’ll be using (or eventually using) a projector and what kind of sound system you want.

Equipment Tips

We’re used to thinking about equipment in terms of the manufacturer. For instance, an Apple device isn’t immediately compatible with your PC (and vice versa). New developments such as Z-wave technology make it possible to connect a variety of devices no matter where they originated.

Linking everything together on one network serves several purposes. Not only do you get the benefits of having each component communicate with the other, but you can also mix and match different home theater equipment. This can save you money, depending on sales from different companies, and also help optimize everything from your picture to sound.

Here are a few suggestions to take your viewing to the next level:

  • Turn up the lights whenever you pause a movie, TV show or video game
  • Allow access to all media so people in the house can watch what they want, when they want
  • Program victory music or colored lights for dramatic moments (e.g., sports games, video games, etc.)
  • Play a custom introduction before a movie or TV show

One Remote

Having more than one remote has become more the norm than the exception, but automation provides a way for you to consolidate. So instead of trying three remotes before you remember that the sound system came with its own separate remote, use a single remote to control everything from the lights to the playback. Customized remotes are more available than ever, and this can be a great way to cut back on the clutter and confusion in an entertainment system.

An automated wonderland is one that’s built around your needs. Some people might be interested in nothing more than dimming the lights, while others will want everything. Whatever it is you’re looking for in automation, you can bet there is technology to help.

Categories
Uncategorized

Steps For Protecting Your Floors From Damage

In today’s real estate market, hardwood floors are a highly desired feature in a house. Potential buyers are often turned off by homes with carpeted floors because it’s almost impossible to keep them clean. Time is not on your side when it comes to maintaining nice-looking carpeted floors!

No matter how careful you are, sooner or later someone’s going to knock over a glass of grape juice or wine — and that’s only the short list of accidents waiting to happen! While dogs and cats can be a wonderful addition to any family, they are not a friend of floors — either carpeted or hardwood.

In theory, hardwood floors are easier to clean than carpeting because of the absorbency factor. If your carpeting hasn’t been treated with a stain-resistant chemical, it will quickly absorb stains, spills, and pet accidents faster than you can clean them up! Although the latest carpeting materials are much more stain resistant than earlier versions, spills that are not noticed and cleaned up quickly may cause permanent damage.

Spills, water, and pet urine can also wreak havoc on hardwood floors, so a quick response is essential to preventing damage. Here are a few other tips for keeping your floors looking clean and beautiful.

  • Door mats can be helpful in minimizing the amount of dirt and grit that gets tracked into your home. What homeowners and even housekeepers sometimes forget is that door mats need to be shaken out on a regular basis. If they’re not, dirt, soil, and other debris will accumulate on the mats, causing them to create more of a problem than a solution! Door mats need to be replaced periodically, too, when they become too worn down or wet to be of any use.
  • Shoe removal: This is a difficult policy to enforce, but it will make house cleaning and floor maintenance easier and more effective. Whether you’re talking about carpeting or hardwood floors, shoes are invariably going to track in dirt, grime, water, mud, and other miscellaneous contaminants!
  • The right cleaning methods: Although it’s always a good idea to follow manufacturer recommendations when cleaning any type of flooring, hardwood floors often need to be treated with more care than their carpeted counterparts. Since there are a lot of ways to scratch, dent, or gouge hardwood floor surfaces, it’s crucial to avoid trying to scrub away spills or stains with any abrasive material. To remove potentially damaging grit, floors should be regularly cleaned with a soft dust mop or broom with soft bristles. Ideally, your vacuum cleaner should also be padded on the bottom to avoid scratching the finish of your wood floors.

While any kind of flooring can be subject to wear and tear over time, the good news is that you can take preventative steps to protect your floors and keep them looking great for many years to come!