The roof is a crucial component of any home, providing protection against the elements while also enhancing its aesthetic appeal. Over time, roofs may start to show signs of wear and tear, necessitating renovations to ensure their functionality and longevity. In this article, we will explore the importance of roofing renovations, common reasons for undertaking them, and key considerations during the renovation process. Signs It's Time for Roofing Renovations: a. Age: As roofs age, they become more susceptible to damage and may require renovations to address issues such as leaks, sagging, or weakened structural integrity. b. Leaks and Water Damage: Water stains on ceilings, mold growth, or visible leaks are indications that the roof needs attention to prevent further damage. c. … [Read more...]
Your Working-From-Home Survival Guide During COVID-19
While some businesses have started opening their doors again to customers, many of us are still working from home during the COVID-19 crisis. Remote work can be daunting even when there isn't a pandemic. But With new work strategies, remote learning at schools, and few in-person interactions with friends and coworkers? You're not alone if you're overwhelmed. To help you out during this stressful time, we've compiled some top tips to help making working from home during COVID-19 a little easier. Designate a workspace You may not have the luxury of a home office you can close the door on at the end of the workday. But that doesn't mean it's a good idea to blend workspaces and play spaces. For instance, if you work on the couch from 8 AM to 5 PM and then you relax on the couch after you … [Read more...]
4 Unconventional Ways to Boost Your Home’s Resale Value
When you're getting ready to move in the next few years, it's a good idea to consider the changes you could make to your house to improve its resale value now rather than later. However, chances are you've probably already heard of the traditional methods to boost your home's resale value: curb appeal, kitchen renovations, bathroom remodeling, tub to shower conversion, etc. But what are some ways you can improve your home's resale value that you haven't heard? Here, we'll go into some of the more untraditional methods you can use to hike up the price of your home once it goes on the market to give you the most bang for your buck. 1. Opt to leave your appliances One of the easiest ways you can make more money on your house without even lifting a finger is by choosing to keep your … [Read more...]
3 Common Fall Plumbing Issues and How to Fix Them
Fall is officially here. While this fun and festive season means it's time for apple picking and corn mazes with the family, it also means an influx of potential plumbing problems you need to keep an eye on. With cooler temperatures and more time indoors, plumbing issues are more pervasive during the chilly seasons. How can you combat these issues? Do you need the help of your local plumbers? Here, we'll go over some of the most common plumbing problems that homeowners tend to experience during the fall months and what you can do to fix these issues. Frozen pipes It might seem too early in the season for pipes to freeze. But, in reality, your pipes can actually freeze any time the temperature drops below freezing. Frozen pipes are not only frustrating but they can also lead to a major … [Read more...]
How to Be Successful When Investing in Residential Real Estate
Real estate can be a great place to invest if you're hoping to make some money. Millennials, in particular, are more drawn to personal real estate investments (79%) than commercial (49%). Generally speaking, property value on a house over time will increase which makes residential real estate investments a good option. After all, you can buy a house and it's likely to have increased in value by the time you're thinking about getting rid of it (as long as you maintain it). Should you put some work into that property over time, the return on investment can be even higher. As many as 75% of all homes on the market in 2018 were predicted to sell below asking price. This is typically the case: you ask for a high selling price for the home and end up meeting somewhere in the middle. … [Read more...]
Winter Is Coming! 3 Things You Need to Do to Winterize Your Home
Fall is officially here, which means winter is right around the corner. Now is the best possible time to get your home ready for the colder temperatures to keep winter from hiking up your utility bills once the first frost hits. To help you prepare your home for the chillier days, here are five ways to winterize your space. Schedule your roof inspection It's recommended to hire a roofing contractor to conduct an inspection and residential roof repair at least twice a year, typically during the spring and fall months. While the hot sun of the summer season can certainly wreak havoc on your roof tiles, winter is a whole other ballgame. For instance, just six inches of wet snow is equal to the weight of about 38 inches of dry snow. You want to be sure your roof is up to the task of … [Read more...]
5 Ways to Get Your Garden Ready for Fall
Fall is one of the best times of the year: the humidity of summer is gone, the air is crisp, and there are fewer bugs around to annoy you while you get your gardening on. But if you're new to gardening (as many of us during the COVID-19 pandemic are), you might be worried what the upcoming cold could mean for your garden. The good news is that preparing your garden for the cooler weather isn't as hard as it sounds. By doing a little work now, you can be sure that your garden will be in full bloom by the time spring arrives. That said, here are five ways you can get your garden ready officially ready for fall. Plant your perennials If you're looking to add more color to your garden by the time spring arrives, it's a good idea to get your perennials in the ground at least six weeks … [Read more...]
3 Reasons Why Your Energy Bills Are So High and How to Get Them Down
No one likes to have utility bills that are outrageously high. But it's one thing to know why your bill is so high and another to be in the dark. If you're unsure why your electric bill is skyrocketing even after a meter reading or if your bills are still running high even after being conscious about your energy use, here are three things that could be hiking up your usage. You're working more from home You might not have noticed a major shift in your electric bill since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic if you're among the 69% of entrepreneurs starting their business from home. After all, the average person already spends 90% of their time indoors. But if you're not used to clocking in from 8-5 in your home office every day, the shift in your electric bill might come as a surprise … [Read more...]
Is Your Family Ready to Get a Dog?
Adopting a dog is a major decision and one of the best you'll ever make. But it's important to make sure that you're completely ready for a dog before you start reaching out to local shelters. Having a dog is a lot of responsibility and a big financial one at that. So how do you know if your family is ready to take on that responsibility? Here are a few signs you're ready to bring a new furry friend into your life. You live in a dog-friendly neighborhood Over 46 million households in the U.S. own dogs, but not all areas are dog-friendly. While you don't necessarily need to have a backyard to own a dog, it's a good idea to live in a community that has plenty of parks and outdoor space where they can run around. If you don't live in the most dog-friendly area, consider doing some … [Read more...]
How to Turn Your Basement into the Ultimate Family Room
Finished basements have a major return on investment, averaging at around 70%. There's a good reason for that. Your basement has the same square footage of an entire house floor. That means when you finish your basement, you've essentially added a new ground floor to your home. Many families use their finished basements as a way to create the ultimate family room, leaving their upstairs living rooms open for guests and formal occasions. But how exactly do you transform a dark and spooky basement into a happy and fun family room? Here are a few tips to consider if you're looking to transform your home's basement from scary to beautiful. Plan ahead and plan carefully The first step toward converting your basement into the ultimate family room requires you to plan ahead and plan … [Read more...]