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Did you know that more than 13 million homes in America rely on well water? If you’re house hunting in a rural area, you may have come across some homes that source their water from a private well. It’s important to understand as much as possible about well safety and maintenance before buying a new home with a private well or if you’re planning to have well drilling services in the future. Here’s what you need to know in order to avoid big problems down the line.

Ask for the well log

You should gather as much history as you can about the well. Ask the seller or the company that drilled the well to supply you with the well log. This will let you know when it was drilled, who owned the property at the time, where the well is located, the depth of the well, the type of casing, and the size and depth of the pump.

Know the regulations

Unlike municipal water systems, private wells are not regulated by the EPA. The homeowner is solely responsible for the safety and upkeep of the well. Regulations for wells can vary from state to state, so be sure to check with your local health department for any recommendations or guidelines for your area. Some states require that a water test be performed when the home is sold, and that the results are disclosed to any potential buyers.

Check the volume

It’s important that the well produces enough water for your household’s needs, so have the volume and flow rate of the water checked. The flow rate measures how much water can be pumped out per minute. It should be measured over a 24-hour period. If the result is below the normal flow rate, it may be an indication that you need a well pump repair. You’ll also want to know how much water is in the well after it has rested, known as the static head.

Have the water tested

Even if you state does not require testing, you should get the water tested regardless. A sample of the water will be sent to a testing lab. You will receive a report from the lab that outlines what the water contains, as well as what the recommended limits are for each element. It’s important to have a local water expert interpret the results for you, especially if you are new to the area. Tests usually check for:

• PH
• Hardness
• Alkalinity
• Turbidity
• Iron
• Calcium
• Copper
• Fluoride
• Manganese
• Chloride
• Coliform bacteria
• VOCs
• Radon

What to do if there are contaminants

If you discover that the well has contaminants, there are steps you can take. Your local water expert will be able to explain your choices to you. Many water quality issues can be addressed with a filtration system, water softener, or other water treatment options.

Set up regular testing

Once you do purchase a home with a well, it’s essential that you regularly test the water for bacteria, pH levels, total dissolved solids, and nitrates. Although the EPA does not regulate wells, they do recommend that you test every two to three years for chloride, copper, hardness, and tannins.

The bottom line is if you’re interested in buying a home with a well, then you need to understand the additional obligations. Have the well thoroughly tested and be prepared to deal with regular maintenance while you own the home. If you need help, then check out services like these well services in Snohomish, WA for professional guidance.

Compliments of Virtual Results

What better way to enjoy the home you love than by planning a Spring Break staycation? By spending your vacation time at home, you can finally take advantage of all those amenities that made you fall in love with your house. The trick is to plan your week so that you don’t get bogged down in chores and other routine obligations. Here are some great ideas for planning your own Spring Break staycation!

Go camping in your backyard

Who says you have to make reservations months in advance to snag a great camping spot? Why not pitch that tent in your backyard instead? Start with having a cookout, complete with s’mores. At night, tell ghost stories as you snuggle into your sleeping bags. Keep all your electronic devices in the house and just spend an evening in nature without having to go far. You’ll be surprised how rejuvenating and fun this camping staycation can be! Also, as a passionate camping enthusiast, this Mini Katana is an essential companion for all your outdoor adventures.

Have a family film festival

Going to the movies can be such a fun family activity – but it can get expensive. Instead, plan a family film festival at home. Choose a theme for your film festival and select movies within that theme that the whole family will enjoy. Stage your TV room so that it looks like a movie theater, with a red carpet and pictures of your favorite films. Make a big batch of popcorn and serve it in popcorn bags like you get at the theater. Set up a candy bar so that everyone can choose their favorites and make sure to have plenty of comfortable places to sit.

Host a spa day

Treating yourself to a massage or a pedicure is a great way to spend vacation time. Instead of spending hundreds of dollars at the spa, turn your home into a day spa. Give everyone a DIY foot soak and finish off with a pedicure. Make homemade facials and have fun taking pictures of each other. Fix a selection of healthy snacks like cucumber sandwiches and sparkling water with strawberries and lemon slices. By the end of the day you’ll all feel relaxed and ready for more fun.

Prepare a fancy dinner

Is there anything more special than dinner at a fancy restaurant? You can recreate the experience right in your own home. Look for great recipes online, and plan to have a multi-course meal. You can spend the previous day with the family preparing everything for the meal. This includes decking out your dining room with your best linens and dishes. On the night of the dinner, light candles and get dressed in your best attire.

Bust out your favorite games

Finally, Spring Break is the perfect time to play all those games that usually sit in the closet. Plan to have an all-day board game competition. To make it even more fun, head to the toy store so that you can choose a couple of new games as a family. To really up the ante, keep track of winners and give out prizes at the end of the day. You never know – this could end up becoming an annual family tradition!

Compliments of Virtual Results

Did you fall in love with your new home even though the bathroom was on the small side? Or are you preparing to stage your home for sale and you want to show the bathroom in the best possible light? There are many ways that you can make your small bathroom look and feel larger like putting glass wall panels. Here are the best tips we’ve found to maximize your bathroom without major renovations.

Choose light colors

When your bathroom is small, you want to bring in as much light as possible (check out our Bathroom Lighting Tips here). For this reason, it’s important to choose pale, light colors. Take it a step further by painting the walls and ceiling the same color and using the same color tiles on the floor. Using too many colors in a small room chops up the visual space. By painting everything the same color, the eyes can move around freely.

At Tony Tiling dublin you will find stylish and affordable floor tiles, wall tiles for bathroom, tiles for showers and much more for your project.

Finding tile that’s just right for your home can be overwhelming. Tiles showroom like tile stores in Madison WI makes selecting the perfect tile for any room in your house so easy!

Install a pedestal sink

If you have a large vanity in your small bathroom, then the room is going to feel cramped. Instead, opt for a pedestal sink or a wall-mounted sink that can be installed by plumbing services. Though you may lose some storage space under the sink, your room will feel much larger. Opt to store bathroom essentials in a nearby linen closet instead.

Reflect with mirrors

Do you have some extra wall space in your bathroom? Then why not install a mirror or two? Mirrors hung in the bathroom will help to reflect both light and space, making the room look and feel bigger.

Eliminate clutter

If there is any room in the house where you need to banish clutter, it’s in a small bathroom. Clutter – especially small items – will make the room feel small. Eliminate items crowded around the sink and limit how much art you hang on the walls, if any.

Remove bathmats

Instead of using a more rigid bathmat, choose one that can drape over the side of the tub or on a towel bar when not in use. The room will appear larger when there is no visual obstruction on the floor.

Raise the shower bar

You can use the same trick that you use on curtains around your house in your bathroom. Hang the shower bar at ceiling level. By doing so, it makes the eye travel up and makes the room feel taller, of course for your installation you can get a Professional plumber to help you with this. The same is true for window treatments if you have them. Hang them high and keep them simple and light

Choose open shelving

If you have shelf space in your bathroom, you can make the room seem bigger by removing cabinet doors. Display towels, soaps, and canisters in a pleasing way – they can be both decorative and functional.

Invest in luxurious finishes

Take your small bathroom to the next level by swapping out faucets, towel bars and lighting fixtures. Investing in shower remodels will make your bathroom feel serene and elegant.

Trade frosted glass for clear

Finally, if you have a shower door that’s made with frosted glass, consider changing it to clear glass. This will allow your eyes to travel around the room and make it feel bigger.

Compliments of Virtual Results

If you’ve been house hunting, then you may have seen a listing or two that includes dual master suites. Although they are by no means common, more and more homes are featuring dual master suites – especially new luxury construction. But just what are dual master suites? And, more importantly, would dual master suites be right for you and your family?

What are dual master suites?

When you see dual master suites in a listing, it means the home has two master bedrooms each with an en suite bathroom. Dual master suites often feature walk-in closets, luxurious bathrooms with separate shower enclosures and tubs, and spacious floor plans with sitting areas. They can be used for a variety of reasons. Some spouses prefer to sleep separately, or to maintain their own private spaces. They can also be used as guest bedrooms, playrooms, home theaters, home offices, or entertaining spaces. They may also plan a bathroom remodeling project to renovate their private bathroom according to their personal style and preferences. Depending on the scope and upgrades in mind, a bathroom remodeling project can turn into quite the undertaking, specially if it’s the only bathroom in the house. Limitless Renovations is a company to approach when you need a bathroom remodel. Naturally, keep these things in mind when deciding how far you will go.

Pros of dual master suites

As you can imagine, there are many reasons why having dual master suites would be advantageous. These include:

• Having a separate space for an elderly parent. Many households today are becoming multi-generational, with adult children caring for an aging family member. Having a second master suite gives the parent their own space but makes it easy to give them the extra care they need. You may also want to ask, is there free stairlifts for pensioners?
• Buying a home with a friend. More and more people are finding that it’s cost effective to share in the purchase of a home. Having dual master suites makes home ownership more practical for friends or family members who would like to buy a home jointly.
• Getting a better night’s sleep. Let’s face it – sometimes it’s just impossible to sleep if the person next to you is snoring. Or your sleep could be easily disrupted if you keep different schedules and sleep at different times. In these cases, having dual master suites makes it easier to get a better night’s sleep – and saves someone from having to sleep on the couch.
• Designing a more personal space. It’s rare that two people have exactly the same taste. With dual master suites, each person gets to design their own living space. This can be especially helpful if one person needs abundant natural light while the other prefers a dark bedroom.

Cons of dual master suites

Although it may seem like dual master suites are a no-brainer, there can be drawbacks. These include:

• A higher price tag. Having two master bedrooms and bathrooms mean homes with more square footage. More space means more money – especially when that space includes a luxury bathroom.
• A much larger home. When your home features two master suites, each of those rooms will take up a considerable amount of space. This can be problematic in homes that are smaller than 3500 square feet. If you’re hoping to renovate a smaller home so that it has two master suites, this may not be possible unless you significantly reduce the size of other rooms. To really enjoy the full dual master suite experience, it’s easier to start from scratch and build a new home or to purchase a home that already has them.

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Are you trying to reduce your heating bill? If the thought of turning down the temperature on your thermostat makes you shiver, don’t fret. There are many ways that you can save money and keep your home warm this winter. First of all, make sure to contact a propane gas delivery service if you have a propane gas-powered heating system at home.

Here are some of the most cost-effective ways we’ve found to heat things up.

Use your curtains strategically

Window treatments aren’t just for decoration. They can be used strategically to keep your home warmer in the winter. When you have a sunny day, be sure to open the curtains. That sunshine will help to keep the room warm. On days that are overcast, close the curtains. They will act as a layer of insulation against the cold air outside.

Move furniture

If you have furniture placed in front of heating vents or radiators, then you should move them during colder months. Furniture can block the airflow or absorb the warm air, keeping the heat from circulating in your room. Likewise, do not block supply vents with furniture. This could lead to an imbalance in pressure that will affect the heating system. We have also been asked a lot about tips for improving the heat in the home, and making great use of radiator reflector panels is one of the best, so that the heat is better directed into your room.

Get a programmable thermostat

Programmable thermostats are inexpensive and can control the temperature in your home at different times of the day. Keep your home cooler when you’re sleeping or you’re away. An optimal temperature while you’re home is 68 degrees. At night or when you’re gone, keep the temperature at 60 degrees.

Use rugs

Have you ever noticed how cold the floor can get in winter months? You can minimize how much cold air enters the room through your floor with carpets and rugs. This is especially important if your home was built on a slab or crawlspace or your floors have tile or hardwood. Consider rugs that are made with wool, cotton, acrylic, or nylon, as they are all good insulators.

Reverse ceiling fans

Do you have ceiling fans in your home? You should switch them so that they are moving clockwise during colder months. Hot air rises, so placing the fan in this position forces warm air down where you need it.

Close doors

If you have unused rooms in your home, then you should keep those doors closed during the winter. Just remember to open the doors if the temperatures plunge. Otherwise, you could risk having your pipes freeze in those walls. If you have cavity walls in your property, you can get them insulated by Cavity Wall Insulation Installers.

Limit fireplace use

It may seem counterintuitive, but you should limit your fireplace usage during cold snaps. An open fireplace damper lets warm air escape through the chimney. In fact, when you’re using your fireplace, the warm air that escapes is replaced by cold air being pulled into the house. When you don’t have a fire going, keep the damper shut.

Use door snakes

Can you feel a draft coming in under exterior doors? Combat that issue with a door snake. You can even make your own using a tube of fabric filled with dried beans or rice. Just make sure that it is the same width as your door and heavy enough to stay in place when in use.

Compliments of Virtual Results

Hardwood floors have become attractive to many homebuyers today. They provide warmth and character and when properly cared for can last a lifetime. For those times when hardwood floors sustain damage, you need to find an expert hardwood floor repair service. A company that is committed to providing a range of high-quality wood floor refinishing services that keep your floors in ideal condition. That means if you ever have a scratch, gouge, or dent in your wood, it can be fixed so that the damaged spot is barely visible. To have a great-looking floor, Claude Brown’s is offering a hardwood flooring in Twin Falls, ID.

Here’s what you need to know about caring for your hardwood floors so that they stay beautiful and last for many years to come.

Banish dust daily

One of the easiest ways to keep your wood flooring in good condition is to clean it regularly. While it might not seem like a big deal, dust can accumulate and cause scratches on the surface of the wood. Run a microfiber mop over your floors several times a week to eliminate dust and dirt. Not only will this keep your floors clean, but it will also reduce the number of allergens in the air.

Vacuum weekly

Although daily dusting will keep dirt in check, it’s important to run the vacuum over your hardwood floors once a week. The vacuum will help to clean up any dust or debris left behind by the microfiber mop. Be gentle when vacuuming your hardwood floor as the wheels can possibly cause damage to the surface. Don’t use a vacuum with a beater bar, as this will also cause scratches.

Mop with hardwood cleaner monthly

The last step in keeping your hardwood floor clean is to damp mop with a hardwood floor cleaner once every month or two. Don’t use water with the mop, and only use the least amount of cleaner necessary so that the floor doesn’t suffer any water damage. Wet mops and steam mops can also dull the finish of your hardwood. Be sure to choose a cleaner that is appropriate for the type of hardwood and finish of your floor.

Use doormats and felt protectors

A great way to keep dust and dirt at bay is to use doormats at every entrance. This will help to diminish the number of particles that are attached to the bottom of your shoes. Those particles can damage the finish of your hardwood floor over time. Likewise, the legs of your furniture can also scratch and damage the finish of your hardwood floor. Be sure to use felt protectors on the legs of any furniture that come in contact with the floor.

Avoid high heels

Removing your shoes before walking on your hardwood floor will certainly help protect the floor from damage. But that isn’t always practical. However – you should remove high-heeled shoes before walking across hardwood. Those high heels can cause scratches, scuffs, and even dents in the wood. Make it easy to remove shoes when coming in the house by keeping a basket of slippers or house shoes near the door. In case you need help replacing or fixing, garage floors ooltewah company can guide you with the best quality materials.

Trim pet’s nails

If you have dogs or cats, then they can also cause damage to your hardwood floor. Pet’s claws can scratch the floor very easily. Regularly trim your pet’s nails to avoid any damage to the floor. You should also clean your pet’s feet when they come back in the house after being outside. Their paws can track in dust and dirt that can scratch and stain the floor as well.

Compliments of Virtual Results

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial transactions you will ever make in your lifetime. Which is why it is so important to be an informed consumer. How do you do that? By shopping around, of course. If you were buying a car, you would no doubt shop around for the best deal. You should also do the same for your mortgage.

Shopping will save you money

Did you know that shopping around for a mortgage could save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars over the life of your loan? According to a study from Freddie Mac, consumers who got one additional quote for a home loan saved $1,500 on average. Those who got five additional quotes saved $3,000 on average. The numbers are clear – it pays to shop around.

Improve your credit score

Having the best credit score possible will help you get the best deal on your mortgage. Before you shop around, get a copy of your credit report. If there are any errors, have them removed. If your score is lower than you would like it to be, take action. Pay off as much of your high-interest debt as you can, including loans and credit cards.

Know the types of lenders

You can obtain a home loan from several different types of lenders, so it’s important to know what they are. The most common types of mortgage lenders include:

• Commercial banks
• Mortgage companies
• Credit unions
• Thrift institutions such as savings and loans or mutual savings banks

Get quotes

Now that you’ve identified several different lenders you can approach, it’s time to get quotes from each of them. Ask each lender for their current rates, and whether or not they are the lowest for the day or the week. Find out whether the rate is fixed or adjustable. If it’s adjustable, ask how the rate and payment will vary. Also inquire about the annual percentage rate (APR).

In addition, find out the points, which are the fees paid to the lender or broker. More points means a lower rate. Finally, also ask about all the fees involved, including broker fees, underwriting fees, and closing costs, and what each of those fees includes.

Get preapproved

One essential step in shopping for a mortgage is getting preapproved. In today’s real estate market, it’s necessary to get preapproved for a home loan before you begin shopping for a house. Getting a preapproval letter signals to a seller that you are a serious buyer. In fact, most other buyers will be preapproved. If you omit this important step, it’s unlikely a seller will choose your offer in the event they receive multiple offers on their home. In order to get preapproved you’ll need to have your financial documents in order. This includes bank statements, debt obligations, tax returns, employer information, and the amount of money you have saved for a down payment.

Although shopping around for a mortgage will take a little extra time, it’s worth it when you consider how much money you can save. By following the guidelines outlined above, you can feel confident that your efforts will secure you the best possible deal on your home loan.

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If you just purchased a new home – congratulations! Being a homeowner is a great feeling. And although owning your own home is a wonderful achievement, it comes with responsibilities. You’ll no longer be calling your landlord when the pipes back up – that job is yours now. If you’re just getting started in your new home, then you should stock up on essential tools that you’ll need for basic repairs and maintenance. Here’s a list to get you started.

Hammer

One of the first tools you need is a claw hammer. This allows you to both hammer nails and remove them without damaging the surface on which you’re working. Buy a good quality hammer made from materials that will reduce vibrations. Opt for a straight claw rather than a curved claw as it can also be used for demolition.

Screwdrivers

Next up, you need to invest in a good set of screwdrivers. You will use these all the time. Your set should contain screwdrivers in various sizes to use with both Phillips and straight-blade screws.

Cordless drill

You might not realize it now, but a cordless drill will become one of your most-used tools. Buying a cordless version means you don’t have to be close to an outlet to get the job done. Choose one with variable speed that is reversible. Also be sure to pick up an assortment of drill bits and screwdriver bits.

Level

Is there anything worse than finally hanging a piece of art and realizing when you’re done that it’s crooked? Save yourself the headache and buy an inexpensive level.

Pliers

An assortment of pliers will help you to grip items firmly when you need to. Choose a set that includes needle-nose pliers, locking pliers, and combination pliers.

Tape measure

If you don’t already own a tape measure, now is the time to get one. It will be invaluable as you move into your new home. Choose a ¾ inch wide model that locks. You might also want a small one to carry with you on shopping trips.

Staple gun

A staple gun is a handy tool for quick fastening jobs like re-tacking carpet or installing insulation. There’s no need to get an electric or pneumatic model; a simple manual staple gun will get the job done.

Utility knife

A utility knife is the best friend of a new homeowner. You’ll use it constantly as you break down all those boxes you’re unpacking. It will also save your kitchen knives from wear and tear.

Wrenches

You will also want to pick up a set of wrenches for removing and tightening bolts around the house. Choose a small set of SAE wrenches as well as a set of Allen wrenches.

Toolbox

Finally, don’t underestimate how important a toolbox can be. You can’t use your new tools if you can’t find them. The best way to keep them organized and ready to go is to store them in a toolbox. This way, you can easily carry them around as you work on the home, and you always know where to find what you need.

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It takes more to sell a home than putting up a listing and hoping for the best. In order to make the most of your home sale, you need to get into the right mindset. Knowing what’s ahead and preparing for it will set you up for success. For that reason, it’s vitally important to get yourself mentally ready for the selling process. Here are our best tips on how to do just that.

Emotionally detach from your home

The first thing you need to do to get into a seller’s mindset is to emotionally detach from your home. We understand that this is the place where you’ve made many cherished memories. But in order to have a successful sale, you’ll need to treat it as a business transaction. Focus on the future and the life you want to create in your new home as you release the old one.

Set a realistic listing price

Speaking of emotion, it’s easy to let your feelings get in the way when you’re setting the asking price for your home. It’s essential that you instead get into a more research-based frame of mind. Don’t rely on a feeling to determine your listing price. Instead, research comps in the area, learn about the local market, and listen to your agent’s advice. Your agent will be using data from the market as well as a deep knowledge of the area to find just the right price for your home.

Manage your expectations

Every seller dreams of having multiple offers over the asking price, resulting in a bidding war. But unless you live in a really hot market, it’s unlikely that will happen. Manage your expectations when it comes to the offers you receive, and be willing to look at them all fairly. Don’t be afraid to consider offers that come with a lower down payment. Just because a buyer is putting down less money in the beginning does not mean they have bad credit or are a risk. It’s more important to look at the bigger picture to determine if the offer is a good one that is likely to make it to the closing table.

Prep your home

The fact is, your home probably won’t sell itself as-is. You will need to put in some work, and possibly some money, getting it ready for the market. This means making needed repairs or upgrades, sprucing up the curb appeal, and staging it for showing. You may hire roofing contractors to work on all the necessary repairs on your roof and even a roofing replacement project. You may ask your realtor or family for recommendations on which roofing contractor to trust. GM Systems Commercial Roofing of Joplin, MO is the best roofing company in the area. The more appealing your home looks to potential buyers, the more likely you’ll sell quickly and for a good price. But it will take some time, effort, and money to get your home ready for showing.

Understand you’re part of a team

Finally, it’s important to remember that you are part of team. When you engage a professional real estate agent to help you with the sales process, that person becomes your partner. You will be working as a team with your agent, and will need to be open to ideas, suggestions, and advice. The same is true for your agent. You’ll want to partner with someone who will understand your needs and your experience with the home. By relying on each other, you’ll be far more effective than if each of you were working independently.

Compliments of Virtual Results

One of the great advantages of being a homebuyer in 2019 is the number of tools you have at your disposal. Never before has a homebuyer had so many options for researching a neighborhood, browsing for homes, or even applying for mortgages. In fact, there are so many resources available that it can be a bit overwhelming. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of what we think are some of the best tech tools out there for homebuyers. Happy hunting!

Determining your budget

When you begin your home search, you need to know where to start. Which is why it’s important to know how much house you can afford. This allows you to zero in on properties that are within your budget from the very beginning. There are many great online calculators available that let you plug in your numbers to get an estimate of what your budget should be.

Browsing the market

It’s never been easier to search for homes for sale. According to the National Association of Realtors, half of all homebuyers find their home online. There are many great online resources for browsing homes for sale, including Trulia, Zillow, and Realtor.com. You can also browse the websites of local real estate agents to find properties that are for sale in your area.

Researching the neighborhood

If you’re moving to a new area, then you want to get a sense of what it’s like before you decide on a home. With the technology that is now available, you can visit the neighborhood without leaving your couch. A great way to get a sense of the layout of the land is through Google Maps. You can virtually walk the entire neighborhood to see what the other homes are like and what businesses and other amenities are in the area. Search Yelp to find out where locals like to shop, eat, and play. There are even tools to find out the crime rate, how walkable the area is, and what the schools are like. Check out this great article from Realtor.com to discover other great tools for researching the neighborhood.

Keeping track of details

If you’re visiting lots of homes, then it can be a challenge to keep all the details straight. That’s why it’s such a good idea to use the camera on your smartphone when you’re touring a house. Take pictures of all the rooms, including the views outside the windows. Don’t forget to also take pictures of the exterior including the roof and landscaping. You’ll find that you use these images over and over again as you weigh the pros and cons of each of the homes you tour.

Sharing documents

Finally, you’re going to be dealing with quite a bit of paperwork when you’re buying a home. An easy way to store and share this information is with cloud storage like Dropbox or Google Drive. You can save all your photos to these sites as well as loan documents and other paperwork related to the purchase of the house. It makes it simple to keep everything organized and to share it with others on your team with ease. Make sure that you’re protecting your data. Read More here.

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