Common Home Hazards

Homes can have safety issues that aren’t always obvious — problems that could endanger you and your family. Fortunately, doing an annual safety audit of your property can help identify some of these hazards and allow you to remedy them before they cause larger problems. It may also help you to avoid using your home warranty or homeowners insurance. Want to make sure your home is safe for you and your loved ones? Here’s a room-by-room breakdown of what to do. Kitchen If you have kids, make sure sharp knives and utensils are stored safely in a drawer. You should also check that your vent hood is working properly and that there’s a fire extinguisher within easy reach. Bathrooms Do your rugs have nonskid undersides that are in good condition? If not, replace them or add a nonskid mat underneath. You should also check that your electronics are kept away from water sources like the sink and tub. Bedrooms Make sure heavy furniture is secured to the wall or somehow anchored. This is particularly important if you have small kids who may be injured pulling down shelves or dressers. Laundry Room Regularly empty your dryer vent, and make sure the lint trap is clear after each load of laundry. These can both become fire hazards when clogged. Living Room If you have a fireplace, have it inspected by a professional annually. Adding a fire screen (if you don’t already have one) is also important. Be aware that area rugs can be tripping hazards, too. If examining your property has made you realize that you’re ready to move on to your next home, get in touch so we can start the search together.    

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10 Home Renovation That Could Hurt Future Sales

Here are 10 renovation choices to avoid if you’re planning to sell your home in the future: 1. Overdoing it in the kitchen. Yes, granite countertops are appealing to many buyers. However, high-end appliances might not increase your resale value as you would hope. Sure, they are great if you’re planning to use them for the long term, but they probably won’t give your home an edge over others on the market. 2. Being overly bold with your paint choices. Who doesn’t want to follow current trends when it comes to paint colors? But if you’re going bold in a lot of parts in your home, you could be creating more work for yourself when it comes time to sell. Loud paint colors can be covered up, but it can be a time-consuming and costly process. 3. Forgetting about your curb appeal. Don’t get so caught up in renovating the interior or exterior of your home that you forget about your lawn and landscaping. Remember, your curb appeal is one of the first things that buyers notice about your home. Give it proper attention when you’re making renovations too. 4. Leaving out lighting. Like finely pruned landscaping, great lighting can be an awesome selling point in a home. So, if you’re doing a major design overhaul in any room, don’t forget about upgrading your lighting. Whether it is a new fixture or adding energy-saving bulbs, good lighting can increase your home’s appeal when it comes time to sell. 5. Buying on impulse alone. Typically, there are many parts to a remodeling project. Think about a kitchen renovation. You might choose new flooring, cabinets, countertops, appliances, and hardware. Be sure to coordinate your choices so that you’re creating a fluid look throughout the project. Otherwise, your result could be disjointed and even unappealing to buyers. 6. Only focusing on appearance. Together with coordinating design choices is making sure that your stylistic upgrades are supported by structural renovations too. It is one thing for your home renovation to look good, but if it negatively affects your home’s structure, it could cost you far more money – and a potential home sale – in the future. 7. Skimping on good materials. During a home renovation, you want to get the most for your money. But that doesn’t mean you should buy cheap materials simply to achieve a certain look. While they might be appealing at first, lower quality materials probably won’t last, which could cost you more in the long run. 8. Choosing the cheapest contractor. Like good materials, a good contractor can make your home renovation project last. When you’re ready to renovate, be sure to choose a reputable contractor. Otherwise, you could be paying for repairs – or a total redo – when it comes time to sell. 9. Thinking you don’t need a permit. This is especially true if you’re completing your spring home renovation projects by yourself. Be sure to check local regulations before demo day. If you make renovations without a needed permit, you could be fined or even asked to tear down your work! 10. Being the biggest home in the neighborhood. Finally, remember that while your renovations are meant to add beauty and value to your home, they do not need to make it the showiest home in your neighborhood. In fact, if your home is the biggest or most expensive in your neighborhood, you might not recoup your investments when you go to sell.    

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5 Ways Couples Can Manage Finances Together

When most couples plan things they can do together, managing money might not make it to the top of the list. But maybe it should! Dealing with your finances can cause major strain for anyone and on any relationship. Here are five ways for couples to come together to successfully manage their money: 1. Avoid keeping secrets. Honesty is the best policy for many aspects of a relationship, and nothing could be truer when it comes to your finances. Whether you’re talking about your debts, credit score or savings goals, it is always a good idea to keep an open, honest dialogue with your partner. Hiding any part of your financial history could lead to major problems for your financial situation – and your relationship. 2. Create and keep a budget together. Once you’ve got an open dialogue to discuss your financial situation, you can start working on it together. A good first step in financial management is building a budget that you both can follow. Include your earnings, bills and projected expenditures. Don’t be afraid to make it a little fun too. Allot some extras for date nights and reward yourselves for good financial behavior from time to time! 3. Share responsibilities. In any relationship, no one partner should take on all the financial responsibilities. Make it a team effort when it comes to money matters. Have a conversation about who is responsible for paying each bill and how much each partner will contribute. Being transparent about your shared roles will help improve your financial situation – oh, and your relationship!  4. Use available technological tools. Know that you and your partner are not in your financial situation alone – not only do you have each other, but you also can rely on today’s technology to help keep you on track. Use trustworthy money management apps and software for everything from help with creating your budget and paying your bills to tracking your spending and saving money. 5. Do what works best for you. When it comes to holding separate accounts or creating a joint account, there are a lot of opinions on what is best for couples. However, both methods can bring success. If you and your partner are honest about your financial matters, don’t worry about how other couples make it work. When it comes to separate or joint accounts, decide what you’re both comfortable with and make it work for you! A healthy financial situation can make for an even healthier relationship. So, take some time to work on your finances with your partner. You might just reach new financial goals and new heights in your relationship!  

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