Category: Home Tips

While you might not see huge returns on your winter projects immediately, the savings you’ll make over the following years should be more than enough to make the investments worthwhile. Of course, improving your financial situation during the winter doesn’t have to stop at home improvement projects. You may also want to consider making a budget, work on creating good financial habits and improving your credit score this year. (You can see where you credit stands by viewing your free credit report card on Credit.com.) No matter what you decide, making the best of your time indoors during the winter could really pay off throughout the rest of the year and beyond.

This article was written by Scott Sheldon and originally published on Credit.com.

The experts at Andersen Windows + Doors  stopped by the Coldwell Banker YouTube channel to provide simple, yet effective ways to reduce humidity in your home. If your windows are covered in ice, you might assume this is a window problem, but it often is a moist air management problem. This video from Andersen Windows + Doors will help you understand condensation – and what you can do to minimize condensation on your windows. By reducing humidity in your home, you can prevent condensation build-up on your windows during the colder months.

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These gorgeous kitchen trends — including minimal upper cabinetry, sparkling quartz counters, and one-of-a-kind ceiling treatments — are guaranteed to stand the test of time.

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Quartz Countertops
Skip the sealing and scrubbing. Quartz-surfacing countertops require less upkeep than their granite counterparts and offer timeless appeal. Plus, the shimmering surface is less dominant than other materials, so you’re unlikely to grow tired of it.

Open Layouts
Tear down those walls, and banish kitchen isolation: Open layouts are here to stay. A desire for informal dining and comfortable cooking drives this design trend, supporting a casual yet connected lifestyle. Open kitchens encourage interaction and entertainment with their breezy blend of living spaces.

Induction Cooking
Fast, safe, and aesthetically pleasing — there are many reasons to love induction cooking. Because induction burners utilize little heat, even cramped kitchens stay cool while cooking, and surfaces remain safe to touch. Plus, these cooktops eliminate the need for a large range hood, opening the door to creative design possibilities.

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We’ve started a blog series called “homeowner tip of the day” where we hope you can learn just a little more about home maintenance and repair.

First in this series: How to Turn Off Your Main Water Supply

Whether you are making plumbing repairs/replacements, you hear water noise or you need to prevent further leaks…you will want to know where your main water supply is located. Learn more by watching the video below…

(This is for informational purposes only and we are not liable for anything pertaining to the video or advice. These videos are shared but not created by us or our team.)

Happy Fall! Hope you had a nice summer. As the days get shorter and the leaves change colors and fall, keep in mind the following indoor home improvement and maintenance items:

(Image via Flickr user Kasia, via ColdwellBanker.com)

Clean out the gutters

Remove debris and make sure gutters are clear so the gutters and drains can work properly

Check your furnace

Make sure your furnace is working properly sooner rather than later. You will also want to change your filter regularly and clean your furnace so it can work more efficiently and not become a fire hazard.

Clean your air ducts and vents

Make sure you do not circulate dusty air and debris caused by uncleaned ducts and vents. Additionally, removing debris, etc. eases airflow and increases the efficiency of the system.

Check for broken window and door seals

Make sure you are not losing (warm) air by checking cracks in the door frames and making sure windows are properly sealed. Also inspect garage doors to see if they close correctly. If not, install door thresholds.

Also, have exterior windows washed, have chimneys and flues inspected and cleaned if necessary and make sure to close all doors promptly, so you don’t have unexpected guests/rodents, etc. as the weather gets colder and they want to go warmer places.

Via HomeAdvisor

Hiring a home inspector is a crucial part of buying or selling a home. An inspector will assess the home for potential problems and identify any issues that may affect the continuation or negotiation of a sale in progress. But it’s also important to understand that inspectors don’t cover all of the bases in a home. In fact, it’s possible that an inspector may miss a significant issue. In many cases, you’ll need to hire a specialist to inspect certain areas, and you should always look closely at everything yourself. Here’s the skinny on the “home inspection checklist” and what is and isn’t covered:

#1 Inspectors don’t check for pests.

Home inspectors are not exterminators — their job is to find potential problems with the structural integrity of the house. So if you think you see a cockroach or another pest during a walkthrough, you’ll need to hire an exterminator to take a closer look. Don’t rely on the checklist or final report to yield that information.

#2 Inspectors don’t cover plumbing.

via Flickr MoToMo

Most home inspectors don’t have the qualifications to look at plumbing and can only call out visible issues like a leak or outdated plumbing. This means they probably won’t look at your:

• Wall or undersink plumbing pipes
• Swimming pools
• Septic tanks

There are exceptions in which an inspector will have the qualifications to look at pools and septic systems, but this varies depending on the inspector and where you live. You shouldn’t rely on your inspector for this in any case. If you see serious cracks or dents in the swimming pool, you should probably hire a swimming pool pro to do an inspection. If you think the septic tank is making weird noises, have someone take a closer look.

#3 Inspectors won’t look at landscaping conditions.

While issues with landscaping should be obvious during a walkthrough — dead spots, potential pests, sprinkler issues, etc. — note that they aren’t on home inspector’s radar. If there’s a dead tree in the yard, you’ll be responsible for taking care of it. It probably won’t affect the final price of the house or your ability to negotiate with the seller.

#4 Appliances aren’t part of the inspection.

via pixabay

Home inspectors check only that the following appliances are working properly:

• Washers
• Dryers
• Dishwashers
• Refrigerators
• Stoves

Most inspectors will run these appliances through just a cycle or two to make sure they work. So, the built-in microwave could have major problems and you wouldn’t know it. Plus, unless a major leak or smoke appears, the appliance is considered to be correctly functioning. If you think there’s a major problem, you should have an appliance technician perform diagnostics and necessary repairs.

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Real Estate Superstitions…do you think there are such things?

Tomorrow is another Friday the 13th, so while we are all hoping a black cat doesn’t cross our path or we don’t open an umbrella indoors, let’s take a look at what some consider superstitions when it comes to real estate.

– Having an eight (8) in the listing or rental price is a sign of good luck and prosperity (pronounced similarly to the Chinese word for wealth and prosperity).

– The number 13 is considered unlucky by many…especially if it is on the 13th floor. Many high-rise building (especially residential buildings) skip the 13th floor.

– Properties that sit on curved roads or facing a ‘T’ intersection, some say, can invite bad fortune.

– Removing a for sale sign, or scheduling movers, etc. before it is a solid deal, some say, can jinx a transaction

– Hide knives when showing your home/in home home photos and don’t give a knife as a housewarming present, which some say leads to having enemies.

– Placing a statue of an elephant, or a pair of elephants, at the front door, some say, brings good luck, protection and strength to the household

Prevent Frozen Pipes This Winter

Winter is here, and with freezing temperatures could come frozen pipes. Plumbing breaks and flood damage can be incredibly costly, so preparation is key to keep your pipes from freezing. Follow these easy steps to prevent expensive plumbing repairs.

 Photo by: Shutterstock

12 New Year’s Resolutions to Maintain Your Home in 2015

New Year’s resolutions aren’t just about self-improvement. You can use them to get your house in shape, too. Here’s a 12-month program to tackle house projects in 2015.

January: First things first. Consider starting off the New Year by getting your valued systems and appliances covered by a home warranty. There are 365 days for something unexpected to go wrong or breakdown in your house – why not have a plan?

February: Change all incandescent light bulbs to ones that are energy-efficient and inspect bathtubs and showers for mildewed or cracked caulk. Re-caulk as necessary.

March: Check smoke detectors and replace batteries if needed. (If you can’t remember the last time you replaced the battery then it’s probably neccessary). An extra precautionary would be to install carbon monoxide detectors on each floor of the house.

April: If you have central air conditioning, have a professional inspect your unit so it’s ready for summer use.

May: Gather unused appliances, clothes, furniture and other items and hold a yard sale.

June: Inspect your roof and replace any damaged or missing shingles.

July: Create a first-aid disaster kit and keep it in a central location.

August: Inspect your gutters for holes, cracks or sags. Repair as necessary.

September: Have a professional inspect your heating system so it’s ready for winter use.

October: Use a pressure washer to clean your house, deck, and driveway.

November: Clean your carpets thoroughly by hiring a professional or renting a cleaning machine from your local hardware or grocery store.

December: Take stock of all your valuables and update your records. If needed, adjust your homeowners insurance.

This post is via American Home Shield. The originally post is here.