Posts Tagged ‘your home’

Summer weather is heating up, giving even more reasons for you to make the most of the outdoor space surrounding your home! With your backyard furniture and seating getting increased use, you may be considering upgrading the look and style of your backyard. As for those that like the outdoors, the Premium Log House website has plenty of log cabins in interesting locations available to you.

Investing in a log cabin can be a great decision, but like any income property in Alberta, it’s crucial to be fully aware of what you’re getting into. Take the time to understand the potential repairs, maintenance, and significant upgrades such as ac replacement that might be necessary. Being prepared to invest both time and money ensures that you’ll be well-equipped to handle any challenges that come your way, making your investment in prebuilt cabins in Alberta truly worthwhile.

Whether you choose to upgrade your trees, shrubs or plants to bring more shade or prefer the use of shade covering or water misters, remember to think cool. However, if there are dying or rotten trees in  your yard, you may first need to have them removed with the help of a professional tree service that offers tree stump grinding services. Water elements, from fountains and portable pools and spas may also be something to consider, as well, as you plan your decor.

When thinking about seating, it’s important to remember that while wicker, metal, and rattan can be beautiful additions, they may also deteriorate quickly when used as outdoor seating, in the wrong conditions. Plastic chairs may be more durable and resist moisture, chlorine, insects, and salt water, but they have to match the look you want to achieve in your home.

Daybeds, hammocks, and wooden furniture are all beautiful looks, as well, and can be custom built or finished as you desire. In fact, built-in seating is also a fabulous way of defining space in the outdoors of your home.  Custom-built seating is more pricey, but can last a very long time. Consult online sources such as Houzz.com, Pinterest or online magazines to get even more ideas!

Summer is definitely here and vacation plans may have you planning on leaving your home in the very near future. Don’t forget to take a few preventative measures to ensure the safety of you and your home while you are away. You’ll find that being prepared and aware of potential risks makes for a better vacation and homecoming.

5 Things To Remember When Vacationing Away From Your Home

• You cannot control your level of visibility entirely once you leave. If you post to social media, including Facebook and Pinterest, while on vacation you may be putting your home at risk. Sharing vacation photos are an obvious way of showing that you are away and may create an easier target for your home for thieves.
• Lock it up. From windows and doggie doors to gates and garage doors, the security of your home requires diligence on your part. Don’t let the rush of leaving for vacation make you forget to activate your residential locking device.
• Ask for some help. A trusted neighbor or friend can notify you if something looks out of place or odd while you are away. Or you can employ a house sitter for greater peace of mind. You may even find one who will water your plants, too! If you have a big property then you may want to get professional security officers for help.
• Consider installing an alarm or timed lighting system prior to your vacation. Both can deter possible intruders.
• Truly vacation while away and plan a day to get organized when you get back. Placing your mail and delivery services on hold while you are away is critical, too. 4-5 newspapers or forgotten milk bottles on your porch signal to everyone that something is amiss. Plus, having planned an extra day to recover from your travel to go through mail and grocery shop may also allow you time for the first tip mentioned… post your awesome vacation photos to social media!

Thinking about selling your home but not sure you want to make needed repairs before listing it for sale? You’re in luck! These days, many homes are being sold “as-is” due to an ever-increasing lack of inventory.

An “as-is” home sale proposition releases home sellers from liabilities and repairs stemming from the home’s condition post-sale. That doesn’t mean a prospective buyer can’t request an inspection. It just means that the seller is not responsible for whatever the buyer discovers in that inspection. So if the inspection reveals issues, you can still sell your home.

If the home in question is a foreclosure, home buyers may be able to negotiate repairs a little more easily with a bank, particularly as they relate to safety hazards.

However regular home sales or short sales are often a different story. Time is generally a motivating factor and multiple offers may speed the process. Home sellers offering a good price are not going to want to do needed repairs if they can sell the property “as-is” to an anxious buyer. However, if they are looking for returns and profit, then they may consider having repairs and maintenance like for instance an emergency roof repair or residential roof replacement, hvac repair, new septic tank installation, etc.

Check local statutes and discuss them with an established real estate expert in your area to determine what you must disclose about your home, before deciding to sell. If you question the integrity of some area of your home, an “as-is” sale may be just the thing!

Summer is here and it’s time to take a look around your home to see what, if any, preventive home maintenance is needed. With this checklist and a couple of weekends you’ll feel secure knowing that your home is being well-maintained.

5 Tips To Maintaining Your Home

1. A yearly inspection of your HVAC system should keep air flowing nicely through your home, at the temperature you prefer. You can do this yourself. To make it easy, hire a professional that does AC repair in Waukesha, WI or other experts such as the ones from Cool With Empire in Tampa. At the very least, change the air filter (this really should be done monthly). If an emergency repair is needed, you can immediately contact the emergency HVAC services in Waxahachie, TX.
2. Evaluate the siding, particularly if it is wood, on your home. Repair any that has been exposed to moisture before it becomes a larger issue and complete any needed painting while the weather is warm. Additionally, consider a thorough inspection of your siding, including the potential need for fiber cement siding installation, to ensure your home’s exterior is in top condition.
3. Check the slant and grade of the ground around your home. It should flow away from the foundation, not towards it, to avoid flooding and puddles during storms.
4. Consider pruning plants and determining the health of large trees to avoid future problems.
5. Review your roof, attic, crawl space, basement, and fireplace chimney, making sure all pieces and parts are securely attached to avoid leaks and further damage.

Checking over these areas in your home and making any necessary repairs will allow to enjoy your weekends more this summer and take advantage of any available sunshine! Enjoy the warm weather!

Finding the right home, your home, can be an exciting time.  So exciting that sometimes home buyers forget some essential steps.  One of those steps is completing your home inspection.

Before the sale is closed and the deed transferred, you will need to have a professional inspection done anytime you purchase a home. Certified Snagging is one of the companies that offer snagging surveys near me.

A full report can be completed in about two hours and will leave you with peace of mind and an awareness of potential issues in your future home. You may even choose to have a professional licensed in asbestos, lead, chemicals, mold, mildew, or pests inspect the home, too, to notify you of any unknown dangers.

Your home covers  the basics concerning:

• • walls
  • ceilings
  • floors
  • your roofs
  • firewalls
  • windows
  • your foundation and slab
  • electrical power
  • water supply and pressure
  • gas lines

Landscaping, walkways and driveways will also be evaluated. While you’re at it, don’t forget about your foundation, you can easily contact Retaining Wall Pavers if you ever need repairs done on it.

An inspector from the best snagging company near me will note grading and drainage.  Any exposed framing in beams, attics, roofing, HVAC and plumbing systems will be inspected, as well. If you lack knowledge on how to deal with those problems, you can check out online sites or seek help from professionals like rusted Roofing Contractors Camas WA.

Generally speaking the age and condition of commercial roofing materials, plumbing and rain gutters will be noted, too, giving you an idea of your home’s maintenance history and if you need any roofing fixes done to your home. Water heaters, fireplaces, water softener and the sprinkler systems, if applicable, should also be evaluated, as should appliances, alarms, and smoke detectors being left in the home to ensure a safe move-in.

Moving from your home can be a stressful experience. Regardless of whether you are moving across town or two states away, it is a process that requires time, organization, and a plan.

If you are selling your home, you probably are already trying to pare down your belongings. Less clutter in your home will result in a quicker sale, easier staging and a reduction in relocation cost, due simply to volume. If you are buying your home, its best to curtail spending until the close of escrow for two reasons; less to move and your finances look better for loan qualification.

As a home seller or home buyer, it is paramount to recognize the time you will need to spend on transitioning your home. Take all deadlines and estimates seriously and make a plan early that breaks down the steps of your move.

Add Order to Your Move
Create lists that detail your timelines and milestones. Plan when your moving date is and then set specific dates when you will hire home movers or commercial movers and pick up boxes and bubble wrap. Think about how you want to notify neighbors of your move and who might help you as your seek to sift through your belongings.

You can elect to pack up your home room by room, color coordinate labels, or enlist the help of others if you approach the move to your home with lists that are easily understood, too. Recognize that you can always call in help if needed through rental, moving services and friends if you discover your plans are being frustrated. Additionally, if repairs are needed, make sure to contact a contractor who can take care of the roofing, residential siding, plumbing, and electrical so that you can be stress-free.

It’s Hard To Say Goodbye
Though your move will undoubtedly be a good thing long-term, any change can be difficult. As you consider leaving friends, co-workers, and relatives on your new adventure, try to plan a last activity where you can all connect, update contact information, and relax. You’ll find that moving can be an emotional whirlwind and having your support group invested in your success will make it easier. If you have children and pets, recognize that they are moving too and plan extra activities and decompression time for them as well.

Stay Well During The Move
Even if you’re the best planner, be prepared for the unexpected. Getting enough sleep, healthy eating, and taking care of yourself will help you adjust to mix-ups and changes. Rely on your lists to give you direction throughout all stages of your move and help you more fully enjoy and embrace relocating your home.

Buyers for your home may be interested in more than just the number of bedrooms and baths, reported the National Association of Realtors® in their just released survey results. The 2013 Profile of Buyers’ Home Feature Preferences study studied trends in home buying over the two year period ending in 2012 and gave some insight you may want to consider when selling your home.

While location is always a factor in home buying, the study showed that recent home purchases averaged home sizes of 1,860 square feet. Many of the homes were newer too, with the typical home purchased having been built in 1996, and more than half of the homes bought being single story.

Depending on the area of your home, different features are more highly valued. In the South, for instance, central air conditioning is a must-have, while results of the entire survey only revealed it to be of prime importance to 65 percent of home purchasers. In fact buyers still searching for a home actually stated that they would be willing to pay an average of $2,520 more for a home with central air conditioning installed by a professional a/c service.

Hardwood floors were another much loved feature, and considered a big value to those living in the Northeast. Garages, however, and other storage was determined to be needed across the nation, with 78 percent of recent home buyers requiring garages and 39 percent of home buyers requiring a walk in closet in the master bedroom.

According to NAR President Gary Thomas, “Deciding where to live comes with a lot of options, but buyers quickly realize that some features are more important than others when it comes to choosing the right house for them.” He further explained that when searching for homes, “Buyers need to have a clear idea of what features are important to them and know where they are willing to compromise; in this respect, Realtors® can bring buyers home. Realtors® visit hundreds of homes with buyers each year, and have a unique understanding of what buyers value in their local markets.”

You can read more of the details outlined in the 2013 Profile of Buyers’ Home Feature Preferences by clicking here.

Warmer weather and cloud-free skies may have you dreaming of leaving your home for a vacation or trying hiking, skydiving, and other cool stuff.

No matter where you choose to journey for your break away trip, take the time to make preparations to your home before leaving, for example you can use information, as this Mold And Water Damage Prevention: How To Protect Your Home When Going Holiday Vacation.

A few smart steps toward protecting your home while you are way, could mean the world to you when you return.

Tips For Securing Your Home

• Appoint a look-out.  Ask a good friend or “watch-worthy” neighbor to keep an eye on your place while you’re away.
• Wait until after you return from vacation to post your photos to Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.  Otherwise you are alerting “friends” and others that may be less than friendly of your absence.
• Think about ways to keep your home from looking empty while you are vacationing.  From house sitters and timers to placing holds on your mail and newspaper delivery, there is plenty you can do to make your home seem less vacant. 
• Secure your garage door and any pet entrances with locks before leaving town as it can provide easier access to your home. Call on a garage door service professional to conduct a garage door repair if necessary.
  
• Timed lights, a well-kept home, and motion detectors can be a deterrent to thieves as well.
• And although pets can be a great deterrent to those who may harm your home, when you leave town, you must make arrangements for their boarding and care.

As a home buyer or home seller, when it comes to your home, you expect your real estate agent to be up to date on the latest technology. You want us to have an active web presence and list your home on social media so that you can get the most exposure possible for your home.

But were you aware that many single-family home builders and remodeling professionals are tech savvy, too? Do you research the contractors or home remodel services you hire to complete your home renovation projects online before having the work completed? These days you can.

In a recent study from the National Association of Home Builders, more than 80 percent of construction professionals utilized smart phones and computers and most, over 70 percent, used laptops to conduct business operations and manage projects, as well.

Many of these service providers seek ratings and pay attention to client satisfaction, but only about 20 percent allow customers to track project progress through technology. Still, this is one area where technology has experienced huge increases in the last two decades.

As consumers have become more comfortable with their technology, they’ve come to expect it from their construction professionals, many of whom they even connect with on Facebook and LinkedIn. In fact, the study revealed that it may be possible for some remodelers and small builders to double their share of business by using downloadable brochures and sharing new home buying details on their websites.

As a consumer, do you agree? Do you want and need technically proficient builders and remodelers? Do you enjoy looking through website portfolios when deciding on your contractor or do you make your decision on a face-to-face meeting?

I’m sure it’s much the same as being a real estate agent. My clients love searching for homes on my website, doing their own research on my communities and calling me as they have questions or are ready to actively pursue home buying and home selling. Still, nothing beats a face-to-face meeting!

If you are curious about how technology has changed the construction and home building industry, see the full report here.

The secret to a winning Thanksgiving in your home is to approach it with a sense of gratitude.

Compose your guest list of those you love and are glad to have in your life and include them in the meal preparation. Including your guests can be as simple as asking them to contribute a dish to the meal or you can invite a few to be a little more hands on and actually prepare the meal as a group at your home.

When assigning out parts of the meal, it’s best to determine what “makes sense” to alleviate stress on you as host. If Aunt Sue is driving 2 hours to enjoy the holiday meal, a room temperature appetizer or salad will likely be a better choice for her to bring than the masked potatoes which should be served piping hot. If your son is notoriously late for family gatherings, perhaps assigning him a dessert or some beverages is the best approach.

Managing a Big Meal in Your Home

If the entire meal is to be created in your kitchen, create a timeline or vision of how and when the preparation should flow. In most cases your main course will take time to cook, so plan how and whether your side dishes, rolls, and dessert will fit into your overall timeframe. Utilize crock-pots to expand your ability to keep foods warm and consider which items can be made in the days prior to the event to prevent a time-crunch. Ask for help as needed and be sure to leave some easy last-minute preparations available to assign to guests who “want” to help as they arrive, such as tossing a salad or stirring the gravy.

When it comes to the actual meal, serve what you want, keeping in mind that any family traditions will need to be served as well. To prevent cries of “Where’s the…” or “Why are there nuts in the…” its best to stick to the well-loved recipes you’ve always served while adding in new ones, rather than changing up the tried and true. If you always cook a turkey, add in a ham or vegetarian dish instead of replacing the item. And, if you’re cooking a turkey, please use a meat thermometer to judge doneness and forgo basting the final hour of cooking to create a golden, crispy skin.

Lastly, keep in mind that this is a meal to be enjoyed by all who enter your home, including you. Take a break to relax and enjoy the meal alongside your family and allow everyone to help with clean up. You’ll be grateful you did, and so will they!