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It’s important to do annual home maintenance checkups to ensure that your property is in good condition. By inspecting the roof, windows, and foundation of your home, you can catch any potential problems before they turn into costly repairs. This blog post will provide a detailed checklist of items to inspect during your annual home maintenance check-up. Keep reading for more information!  Photo by Mikael Blomkvist from Pexels
Roof Inspection Leaks and cracks are the number one reason homeowners need to perform regular roof maintenance. While identifying roof issues can be challenging, we've made it easy for you by providing a list of things to check for during your annual home maintenance check-up:
Window Inspection Your windows should be well insulated to prevent heat loss during the winter and overheat during the summer. Check your windows for cracks or gaps, which could let in air and damage the window seal. The window sill shouldn't have any water stains, indicating possible leakage. Finally, ask yourself if you even need all of your windows - energy-efficient windows are more expensive than standard windows but can save you money on your energy bills each month! When comparing different types of replacement windows, keep in mind that vinyl is typically considered the most durable option available. Foundation Inspection The foundation of your home is crucial to its structural integrity. If your property was built before 1978, there is a good chance that the foundation has lead paint. Given this fact, you should consider having your home inspected by a professional. The foundation walls and piers should be free of cracks and depressions that indicate water issues. Holes or gaps between or around the foundation and exterior walls may point to insect damage underneath. Keep in mind that even if there are no noticeable signs of corrosion, it doesn't mean your house's foundation won't suffer from heavy rain or erosion. Note: Foundation inspections typically cost $200 - $300 for an average-size home so consider getting quotes from several companies before hiring someone to inspect your residence. Other Areas to Inspect In addition to the three main areas of your home that you should inspect, there are several other things you'll want to check during your annual home maintenance check-up. The roof of your detached garage should be in good condition and have no visible signs of damage. If your home has a deck, take a close look at its structural integrity. Next, test any screens or storm windows for holes or rips by checking for bugs coming through or drafts of cold air entering. Finally, inspect any vegetation around the foundation of your house for pests such as insects, rodents, or fungi. While some bugs are harmless, others can cause extensive property damage! Declutter While decluttering doesn’t instantly sound like a maintenance checkup for your home, this actually is! Sure, while the structure of your home itself is going to be at risk due to clutter, it’s still going to help to focus on clutter. Ideally, every six months, you should look into what can be done about. Chances are, unintentionally, you have incurred some clutter that you didn’t even realize you had. This can be quickly addressed by opting for a reliable storage option. A yearly home maintenance check-up is a great way to ensure that your property stays in good condition. Be sure to inspect all major areas of your house, including the roof, windows, and foundation, during this process.
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 The latest Paint & Color Trends for 2022 from FIXR.COM has been published - happy to be included in the survey. https://www.fixr.com/painters/paint-color-trends-2022
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There’s this idea floating around that you can’t live an entirely sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyle during the winter months. Truth be told, that’s completely false. Sure, during the winter months, that’s usually when the most energy is being used since it’s to warm up the house. But you can still very much be energy efficient, eco-friendly, all while keeping your home nice and toasty. These are some helpful tips for keeping your home eco-friendly even during the coldest of winter months. Check for drafts One major issue that homes have, especially older houses, would be drafts. These can come in a variety of ways such as through cracks, the space between the window sill and window, rooms with thin insulation, and the cracks that doors have. There can technically be other ways as well drafts can get into a home such as holes or cracks in the walls, and even outlets can play a part in bringing a draft in. Needless to say, there are plenty of ways for drafts to get into homes. Since these drafts can cause your home to waste up to 30% of your energy, it’s best to look into sealing these crafts. There are several ways you can do it, some of which include
Consider getting a new heater Sometimes all it really takes for getting your home eco-friendly during the winter months can be as simple as looking into a heater replacement. If your heat is too old then it’s not going to be as effective as it once was. This means you’re burning through your money trying to use a heater that’s not too effective. So in cases like these, you’re far better off just looking into getting yourself a new heater anyways. Get a ceiling fan One cost-effective hack for your home would be getting a ceiling fan. Many homes actually have these, and there’s a chance that you already own one. Running your ceiling fan in a clockwise direction can help out with pulling in warm air. Since heat tends to rise, the fan will allow the warm air to circulate throughout your home. Something like this could have the potential of lowering your energy bill by 8%. While ceiling fans do indeed need energy in order to be on, they don’t use nearly as much energy as heating does. Check out eco-friendly insulation Did you know about eco-friendly insulation? Not only is insulation on its own very eco-friendly as it warms up your home but there are multiple eco-friendly alternatives to insulation as well. There are some which are made from recycled green materials, others from wool, denim, and even cork. It’s just best to do some research on what your preference would be.  Image credit
Have you ever looked at pictures of the interior or even seen commercials of beautiful indoor airy spaces and wished you could achieve something like that for your home? Well, you definitely can, and you don’t have to worry about breaking the bank either! In order to achieve that flowy airiness that many beautiful spaces have, there need to be some major or minor tweaks. It mostly has to deal with creating a seamless transition between the indoors of your home and the outdoors of your home. The main point is to just create an illusion that makes your home look huge, spaced out, and very flowy. Even the smallest of spaces can easily achieve this since this is all just an illusion. Plus there are plenty of benefits to having these illusions in your home anyways. This can include creating a soft and positive atmosphere, bringing a touch of nature inside your home (which is an automatic mood booster), plus it makes your home stand out from others. Your home should be a little piece of paradise, and it can most certainly be achieved through the power of interior design. So here are some helpful tips for creating a nice flow between the interior and exterior of your home. Let there be light Of all things you need for this transition, the biggest is going to be having more sunlight. Having large windows in your space is going to hands down be the best way to bring more natural light into your home, but it’s also going to help with creating this illusion that your space is large. Since large windows are large, this is going to allow for more greenery to pick through which will make your home look bigger and endless. If you’re wanting to replace your windows or see what’s better than you can check out Renewal by Andersen as they can help you out with getting large windows for your home. Sure, it’s a bit of an expensive option but in the end, you could be saving a lot of money as more sunlight that goes into your home means less heating that needs to be used. Light curtains After you have your windows figured out, you’ll want to look into your curtains next. Having light-colored curtains can help with creating that illusion that your interior and exterior are one. While white and beige are great, you’ll want to think about the fabric of the curtains as well. Something like chiffon or even sheer can be great options. These are very light in color and texture, plus they bring this airiness appearance whenever the sun seeps through the curtains. While you may think about skipping out on curtains if they’re not even going to block out light, curtains also help with creating an illusion of tall ceilings. Ceiling extension While this may sound overboard, it could be a great option. This doesn’t mean that you’re changing the ceilings inside of your home, instead, it’s already extending your ceiling to the outer section of your home. Extending your ceilings to create a taller room sounds nice, but it’s far too expensive and the process itself is quite lengthy. But you can still create a seamless transition just by adding outdoor living space and adding a ceiling on top of that. This can also be very useful as well in the case you do have an outdoor living space such as a patio. This not only creates the appearance that the outdoor section of your home is a part of the interior space, but it truly helps in combining the two elements of indoors and outdoors. It’s almost like a nice little medium. Having this extension will create the flow of going outside rather than abruptly stopping it. Another benefit would be the fact that your outdoor furniture is protected as well from weather such as rain or snow. There are plenty of ways you can decorate your outdoor living space where it helps blur the lines of interior and exterior. This can include buying some patio furniture for it, adding some textiles such as an area rug, cushions, coffee table, and even a fireplace. Some great ideas for extending the roof could include awnings, gazebos, pergolas, and even pavilions. Glass doors A lot of modern-looking homes will have backdoors which are essentially sliding glass doors. These work as both a door and as a window which can be a great combination. There are concertina doors that also exist which helps in creating a flowy appearance in the home. Glass doors are very versatile, as they help out in removing that division of your home and the outdoor world. Also, whenever the door opens up, it immediately combines the two elements together. Just like windows, glass doors are a fabulous way of allowing the outdoors to peek inside the house and it’s a great way to encourage you to go outside too. Remove walls These may be a bit more difficult depending on the structure of your home. Open plans are perfect for creating that flowy appearance for homes. If your home has too many walls, then tearing them down could be a great way of achieving that flowy transition. Floor level While this may seem absurd, have you ever noticed a difference between the floor levels between the indoor and outdoor sections of your home. It’s usually one small step, but this step can immediately create a division between the two elements. Some common dividers could be just the difference in leveling, but it could be steps or stairs as well. These create a physical and a mental break that crushes any sort of transition that was created. If possible, try to look into having the same floor level between the indoors and outdoors of your home as this union will help. Plants Bringing the outdoors inside with some plants is one of the best ways to create a transition, not to mention that this is a very cost-effective hack as well. Plants are luxurious and they can help with creating balance indoors.  Unsplash - CC0 License Finding a forever home seems like a massive challenge. However, there are often signs that you’ve done the hard work and you’re ready to move in. In this post, we take a look at what these signs are so you can figure out whether you should go ahead and make the purchase or not. You’re Planning A Massive Kitchen Renovation If you’re thinking about spending a lot of money on your forever home (such as a kitchen renovation), then it’s a sign that you’ve found the place that you want to live. You’re willing to invest in it, suggesting that you plan on staying for a while. The same goes if you’re thinking about an extension or perhaps adding a conservatory at the big. Large-scale projects like this indicate that you’re ready for the long-haul and planning for the future. The Price Doesn’t Bother You Another sign that you’ve found the home of your dreams is that the price doesn’t bother you. Yes, it’s a little above your budget, but that doesn’t matter – you’ll make it work. It’s more important that you move in and get on with your life than prioritise your finances. You Have A Gut Feeling About It  Unsplash - CC0 License
All of us have a picture in our minds about how we would like our perfect forever home to look. For some of us, it is a detached property with space at the front and the back. For others, it’s a large apartment in the middle of a city, close to all the amenities that we want to enjoy. Whatever the case, if you think that your home looks idyllic, then it is a sure sign that you see it as your forever home. You want to return to a property that just “feels right” after a busy day.  Unsplash - CC0 License Picking a home is a big decision. In fact, it’s probably one of the biggest you’ll make in your life, besides choosing a spouse. In this post, we take a look at some of the factors you’ll want to consider when picking a home. Check them out below. Check Whether It Requires Renovations Some people want to move into homes that meet their needs from day one. Others want properties that are fixer-uppers: low cost to buy upfront but that have massive potential. Your job is to decide which side of the fence you want to be on before you go ahead and buy. Do you want your property to be perfect when you move into it and pay a premium for the privilege? Or do you want to go in at a lower price and do all the renovations yourself? Imagine You Live There Already Most people take used cars for a test drive but don’t do the same for homes, usually out of politeness. However, this approach is actually damaging the market. People are winding up buying the home equivalent of lemons and then having to spend a small fortune on fixing up their properties. The trick is to imagine that you live there already. Go to the bathroom and flush the toilet. Unfold the ladder that leads up to the attic. Try turning the locks on the external doors to test whether they are working currently. By checking whether things work, you’re saving yourself time and money. You’re also putting pressure on the owner to fix the problems themselves. Think About Your Long-Term Needs Most people plan on staying in their properties for fifteen years or more. However, most only wind up staying about six before moving on. The reason for this is simple: they’re not considering their true long-term needs. Most buyers overestimate how much their lives will change in the next two years, and underestimate how much they will change in the next decade. Think carefully about what you want and how much space you’ll need. Remember, choosing the right home today is considerably cheaper than moving around multiple times. Get A Property With Enough Storage While the majority of apartments near me come with plenty of storage features, it’s not standard throughout the industry. You can sometimes wind up in a property that simply doesn’t offer you all the space you need. Before going ahead with a purchase, check that you have space for all your possessions. If you don’t, then you’ll be constantly fighting an uphill battle regarding where to put everything. Check Other Properties In The Area  Unsplash - CC0 License
You can often tell a lot about a location by the way that other people present and maintain their properties. If most of the houses look dishevelled and as though they’ve seen better days, then it is a sign that you’re looking in the wrong area. However, if the accommodation looks good, you might be onto a winner. So, in summary, always do your checks before picking a home. They could save you a lot of time, fuss and money. Renting out your property for extra money provides you with much-needed financial flexibility and security. If you inherit a lot of money or get divorced, you might want to become a landlord. Even as you chase your ambition, keep in mind that there are other properties for rent on the market. If your home doesn't stand out, it can be hard to get someone to rent it. The aesthetics and usefulness of your property are important factors in attracting your first tenant and boosting the value of your home over time. Making your home rentable takes planning and attention to detail. The following tips will help you rent your home faster:  https://unsplash.com/photos/EeI2kJY3L5A
Put safety first. No one would rent a property with safety issues. Safe and secure rental homes are always in demand, especially when families with children are involved. Install safety features like smoke alarms, and fire extinguishers. You should always make sure your fire doors have correctly fitted gap fillers too. If you can, build a fence around your property to provide an additional degree of security. Additionally, consider adding a clearly visible emergency exit path. Enhance the exterior The exterior of your property is one of the simplest ways to make it more appealing. Sometimes all it takes is a fresh coat of paint, a well-trimmed fence, flowers, or well-paved walkways to transform a space into something special. The first impression is critical, and hardscape is the best way to make it. But don't overdo it on the hardscape. Avoid dramatic renovations and intricate changes that may create the impression that your home is extremely pricey. Many potential renters are put off by high upkeep costs. Home renovation Numerous issues, ranging from leaking faucets to a clogged toilet, could put a damper on your plans to become a landlord. Renovating your kitchen may be the key to attracting those hard-to-find tenants. Verify that all of the property's fixtures and appliances, such as the doors and windows, are working properly before tackling any repairs or replacements. Before allowing visitors into your home, thoroughly clean it and make sure everything is working properly. The previous occupant's rubbish will deter any reputable tenant. Be deliberate in your marketing efforts. Typically, properties are developed with certain market categories in mind. As a result, make sure your adverts are well-targeted to your ideal tenants. Don't forget to include important information about your property and location. Include surrounding social amenities and public facilities, such as retail malls, schools, and even the distance from the town center. A compelling advertisement may be all that is required to persuade a prospective tenant. Promote your dedication with professional images or films. Describe in detail with colorful language and beautiful photos. Choose the best way to get your message across to your audience. A permit and insurance are required. It is not sufficient to repair and renovate your property prior to listing it. If you don't receive authorization from the local authorities, your efforts will be in vain. Schedule an inspection and approval for your property. Get landlord insurance as well. A good tenant will help you achieve your goal of becoming a landlord. As a responsible landlord, make necessary repairs and updates to your property and engage in creative advertising.  All homes, regardless of size, can be decorated to perfection. From small apartments to large mansions, these can all be transformed into something cozy and comfortable for anyone to love. If you’ve just moved somewhere new and are settling into a block of luxury apartments or a new house, you’re probably wanting to decorate it to make it feel like yours. New homes are great, but until you’ve put your mark on them they won’t feel like home, which is where interior design comes in. Interior design has a lot of effects on psychology. The shapes, colors, and spacing of a home can impact the mood and even the entire atmosphere of the home. All homes have what it takes to be nicely transformed, but sometimes it seems next to impossible thanks to hefty price tags, right? It is true that décor can be pretty expensive, from curtains to furniture. However, the idea of some things being expensive shouldn’t immediately deter you. Fortunately, there are plenty of helpful tips so you can transform your space to create your dream home all without breaking the bank! Take a good look at your furniture For most rooms, the furniture tends to be the focal point of the space. The bedroom has the bed as the focal point, while the living room is going to have the couch as the main focal point. These are usually right front and center as well, meaning that these immediately catch the eye the second someone steps into that space. Since these are going to take up most of the space and they’re going to be the main focal point, you’ll need to think of ways to make this look better. Furniture can truly be all it takes to set up a mood in a room. This can include the design, the shape, the material, and even the color of the furniture itself. Furniture, whether it be a couch, table, or bed, doesn’t need to be expensive at all. You can check out the sales sections at furniture stores, but even thrift shops will have beautiful (and unique) pieces of furniture that simply should not go unnoticed. Paint your walls One of the best ways to make a cost-effective transformation for your home would be with paint. Paint tends to be affordable, and this project can usually get done within one to two days. Wallpaper can even be cheap as well if you’d like to do that. Changing up your walls with color and design is fantastic for creating a whole new atmosphere, plus they can really make a space feel brand new. Think about the fabrics that are used A lot of rooms will have fabrics. The living room and bedroom are the top two that are fabric-heavy. The bedroom itself seems to be the same that will have the most textiles present, such as the blankets, pillows, linen, and even right down to the curtains. Not only will the color of the fabric make an impact on the room, but even the materials themselves can. Using something such as silk or satin is going to make the room have a different atmosphere compared to cotton. Think about your décor All the little pieces of décor throughout your space come together and can build up to something great. All pieces of décor can create an impact, and it shouldn’t be neglected. However, you should also try and make your décor blend in as well. You don’t want your décor to stand out too much or it can shift the mood in the space. You’ll also want to maintain a balance between practical and decorative items in your home too. A home is one of the most critical aspects of our lives. When you spend so much time in one place, it is only natural you want your home to look good and be practical for day-to-day life too. But how do you balance practicality and decorative features within the home design? Do we put too much emphasis on the suitable and neglect the decorative? How do we decide which features are necessary for our home and which are superfluous?  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The Basics of Home Planning The first step in home planning is deciding what type of home you want. What is the style? How will you use it? How do you want it to serve you basically? Once you know what you want, it's time to think about what functions are essential to your lifestyle and what you will be adding for eye candy. Do you need a metal roof for added protection against inclement weather, or do you require an HVAC for those unbearably hot summer days? Maybe a smart home is something that can support your lifestyle. When looking at external features, consider your environment; for example, are you close to the coast meaning your windows can end up covered in salt from the ocean. Or do you live in an area that experiences frequent extreme weather, so you need to look at hurricane impact windows? By working through these questions now, you will have a better idea of finding that elusive balance. How to Choose the Right Home Features We spend a lot of time deciding what type of home we want to live in. We consider the layout, the appliances, and whether or not we have enough money for it. But when it comes down to it, who hasn't thought about how their home will look? It's a common practice for homeowners to think about the aesthetic value of their homes while they are still building them. But to decide precisely what features should be included in your home and which ones can wait, there are a few important questions you must ask yourself. The first question is, "What do I need?" This is where you must be honest with yourself. Do you need room for family members? Are you looking for an open living space or a more closed-off one? These questions will help you figure out what your home needs. Next, ask yourself how your home will function once it's complete. Will it be primarily used for entertaining guests or for relaxing at night? Does your home need plenty of space so that everyone has someplace to retreat from a busy day? How to Balance Practicality and Decorative Features These days, designs have evolved so that you do not need to compromise on style for functionality or even safety. Sleek modern techniques allow you to install the best functionality discreetly that enhances your lifestyle yet doesn’t detract from your look. Think integrated appliances for a seamless kitchen look or underfloor heating to remove ugly radiators from your wall, or switch out traditional radiators for the floor to ceiling ones that create a statement look and take up less room! You can implement many features around your home that can blend in with your chosen aesthetic once you have settled on this. In reality, it all boils down to how you intend to use the house and what you want to get from it. You will then strike a balance as you look for the right products to populate your home. |
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