Brown Spots On Bedroom Wall
Downsizing Your Home? Don't Make These 11 Mistakes
Whether you've decided to eliminate debt from your life, or finally convert that school bus to be free to live that nomadic lifestyle on the road, you're now ready to downsize your home. But before you start downsizing the family home, it's important to understand that there are many potential missteps along the way. This guide will help you navigate common mistakes so that you can make the most of your new, downsized lifestyle. 1) Not setting goals before downsizing your home While the financial benefits of moving into a smaller space can be plentiful, it's important to set goals before you begin downsizing the family home. Here are the most popular reasons for downsizing your home: ● Combat debt - The number one financial reason to downsize is because of the power it gives you to attack your debt head-on. Selling your current home and moving into a smaller one allows you to put the proceeds from your home sale towards your new home, reducing your mortgage payments or eliminating them altogether.. How much easier it would be to pay off other high-interest debts if you didn't have to worry about a mortgage? ● Turbo-charge your retirement fund - Even if you don't have debts to pay off, you'll still need to consider saving for retirement sooner rather than later. But if the bulk of your income is going toward your current mortgage and bills, that's easier said than done. By downsizing your home, you can afford a larger monthly contribution to your retirement savings. ● Pay off your mortgage instantly - Depending on the amount that you still owe on your current mortgage, you could use the proceeds from selling your home to buy a smaller one in cash. Just think about how much money you'd be saving if you eliminated your mortgage payments. ● Saving money after retirement - Once you've retired you'll most likely be living on a fixed income dependent on your savings, investments, and social security benefits. Downsizing will allow you to not only shrink your mortgage payments but also reduces many of the costs with home ownership, since smaller homes cost less to maintain than larger ones. This will also stretch your retirement savings out further than if you were to stay in a home that is too expensive for your retirement budget. ● Reducing home upkeep and maintenance - Downsizing can provide physical benefits as well as financial. The older you get, the harder it'll become to regularly complete chores around your home and yard. By downsizing, you'll also reduce the amount of maintenance and upkeep your home requires. 2) Ignoring hidden costs Although you'll be saving money on your mortgage and utilities by downsizing, that doesn't mean you can throw financial caution to the wind. When you're house shopping, make sure that the home you're considering either doesn't require extensive repairs or maintenance or at least make sure that you can comfortably afford them. Also, ensure that your new home doesn't come bundled with expensive property taxes and/or HOA fees that might eat into your savings. And if your downsize is taking you to more expensive markets, like homes for sale in New York , be sure to factor in the potential increase in the cost of living as well. 3) Forgetting to budget for your move As you begin to realize how much money you'll save by downsizing, don't forget about the costs associated with moving to a new location. While you may be thinking about cutting your costs by doing all the moving yourself, take a moment to consider hiring a moving company. Not only would you have someone to pack, move, and unpack your belongings, but most movers provide insurance, meaning that you'll be reimbursed should anything break. Since you're already selling your current home and buying a smaller one, you should also think about downsizing all your belongings as well. 4) Not determining your lifestyle needs After setting your goals, take some time to figure out what features you'd like to have in your new home. This is especially important when you're downsizing as you'll have less living space. If you're downsizing because your kids have gone to college, then make sure that your new home will permit the lifestyle you want and that whatever belongings you're taking with you will fit.hat king-sized bed might not fit in your new condo. 5) Paying for rooms you won't use When you stop to think about which rooms you use the most in your home, it's probably pretty simple: the living room, kitchen, a bedroom, and a bathroom. If you're not using your dining room, den, and third or fourth bedroom, why even have them at all? By thinking about what rooms you currently do and do not use, you can simplify your search for a downsized home. The same tactic can be applied to your yard. If you find yourself spending little of your free time enjoying your yard—rather just maintaining it—then consider looking for a new home either with a smaller yard or without one. 6) Being unorganized Good organization is key to any move but it will prove especially useful when you're downsizing your home. So take some time to look through your garage, closets, and spare rooms for anything that's collecting dust. That sword you bought at the renaissance fair eight years ago might be awesome but do you really want to keep holding on to it?. Start by rounding up these sorts of belongings and then work your way through old clothes, toys, old appliances, etc., and separate them into three piles: keep, maybe, and donate. If you find that you still need help with organizing for your move, reach out to a professional home organizer for assistance. They are experts in helping you decide what you should keep and what you should get rid of. They can also help you get organized in your new home as well, something that will prove vital to making the most of your downsizing efforts. 7) Taking too much physical media with you There's a good chance that when you downsize, you won't have room for all those old photo albums anymore. While you may want to hold onto some of the physical copies for sentimental reasons, the majority of those photos can be digitized. By uploading your photos to a hard drive, cloud service, or DVD, you'll save space and also protect them from any future wear and tear as well. You can also digitize old CDs, DVDs, cassettes, VHS, photo slides, film strips, and documents as well. While you should hold onto the physical copies of things like birth certificates and social security cards, most other documents can and should be scanned and uploaded to a hard drive or cloud service instead to save space. 8) Trying to take all of your furniture with you While your two-story home is more than capable of housing all of your furniture, your new home won't prove quite so spacious. So before you start loading king size beds or sectional sofas onto a moving truck, keep the limitations of your new home in mind. Also, furniture that is too large for a room will only make a room look smaller, so you may want to consider getting a new couch that will truly work in your new space. If you're feeling intimidated by the process of selecting and placing new furniture, consider hiring an interior designer. By doing so, you'll be getting someone who is an expert at squeezing the most potential out of a room and budget while also making sure it fits your taste and lifestyle. 9) Skimping on storage In addition to saving important documents that you don't require frequent access to, a storage unit is a great option for saving sentimental items like an old onesie that your child has long since outgrown or seasonal items like winter coats. Whether you're downsizing temporarily or for the long haul, renting a storage unit is a great option for those items that you don't have space for but just can't bring yourself to get rid of. 10) Not creating a downsizing schedule Moving is a ton of work, even before you add downsizing to the mix. Avoid getting too stressed out by the process by remembering to take it one step at a time. Set a timeline for yourself and create a schedule accordingly, rather than attempting to tackle everything all at once. By creating a downsizing schedule, you'll stay better organized throughout this process while also reducing stress. 11) Choosing the wrong type of home When you've made up your mind to begin downsizing your home, you'll then need to consider what type of home you want to move into. The type of home you decide on will depend on factors like your finances, health requirements, and the type of lifestyle you're seeking. With that in mind, check out our rundown of the types of homes you may consider downsizing to and why they might be for you. Single-Story Moving into a smaller, single-story home will prove to be the most familiar option for those downsizing out of their larger, two-story home. This option proves best for anyone looking to maintain a similar lifestyle to what they currently have. A single-story home will also provide you with more square footage than a condo, tiny home, houseboat, or van but will still require the most maintenance and upkeep compared to other downsizing options. Condos What you give up in terms of square footage when you move into a condo,more than makes up for in location. Buying a condo allows you to live downtown in a major city where purchasing a house may not be financially viable. Living in a condo also means you'll be able to take advantage of amenities like a swimming pool, gym, tennis court, shuffleboard, etc. You also won't have a yard to take care of either and major structural repairs are usually covered by HOA fees. A condo is a great downsizing option for those looking to live a more urban lifestyle, close to restaurants, bars, and shopping. The limited maintenance also means that condos are a great option for anyone who is retired or soon to be retired. Tiny House Buying a tiny house is trending these days because they're affordable and eco-friendly. In fact, while the median sale price of homes in the U.S. housing market is $312,500, the average tiny home costs between $30,000 to $40,000. And if you're anything like most tiny home owners, you won't have a home loan, meaning you'll save on mortgage payments as well. You'll also be paying significantly less in heating, cooling, and electricity costs, so you'll be saving money and reducing your carbon footprint at the same time. With the combination of savings and environmental-friendliness, tiny homes are a great option for anyone looking to help their wallet and the environment. Houseboat Do you like the idea of combining a tiny home with a maritime lifestyle? If so, then a houseboat may be for you. Clocking in at an average of 600 square feet , houseboats typically provide the space of a large tiny home or smaller condo, but with the added benefit of waves lulling you to sleep. Houseboat living provides many of the financial benefits of tiny homes like low upfront cost, little to no mortgage, more affordable utilities, as well as some of the benefits of condos such as amenities like a pool, laundry facility, and easy access to grocery stores. Living on a boat does, however, require you to spend additional fees on maintenance as your home's hull will need to be cleaned once or twice a year and repairs do not come cheap as they require specialized labor. If you feel the pros of a nautical lifestyle outweigh the maintenance fees, then a floating home may be for you. Van Life The beautiful thing about living in a van is that it allows you to go on road trips whenever you want, and if you don't like your neighbors it's easy to move. Van life also allows you to spend more time outdoors, something that should appeal to anyone interested in reconnecting with mother nature. Monthly expenses are also extremely low, you just need to be willing to commit yourself to a minimalist and nomadic lifestyle. Originally published on Redfin
17 Mistakes to Avoid When Selling Your House
By Ryan Smith • 18 Mar, 2020 •
Selling your house can be both exciting and stressful, especially if it's your first time. Regardless of why you decided to sell your home, there are a number of pitfalls you can easily fall into, making your home selling experience less than ideal. Luckily, we've put together a list of the most common home selling mistakes people make so you can sell your home knowing you have your bases covered. Underestimating the cost of selling your house While you should ultimately profit from the sale of your home, many home sellers forget about the costs associated with selling a house. For starters, you should expect to use five to six percent of the total sale price of your home to cover the commissions of both the seller and buyer agents. For example, if you sell your home for $300,000 you could wind up paying upwards of $18,000 in commission. Furthermore, this hefty cost doesn't include possible concessions homebuyers might want you to make during the negotiation phase, such as making repairs suggested by a home inspector. Not budgeting for your move When you consider the moving process, you have two options: hiring a moving company or borrow your buddy's truck and doing it yourself. By hiring a moving company, rather than doing it yourself, you're getting someone who will pack, move, and then unpack your belongings. This means that a full-service mover can be well worth the investment when you're preoccupied with all of the other tasks associated with selling your home. Not to mention,when you hire movers your belongings are insured so you're covered if anything breaks. Selling a house you owe more on than what it's worth If you still have a remaining balance on your mortgage, you'll most likely use a portion of the sale proceeds of your home to pay off the existing mortgage. Make sure you don't owe more on your mortgage than what your house is actually worth or you won't make enough money on the sale to pay off your mortgage. The best option is almost always to wait on selling your home so that it can build more equity. This way you can sell your home and buy a new one without having two mortgages at the same time. Pricing your home incorrectly If you price your home too high, your home may fall into seller's limbo, sitting on the market for what feels like an eternity. On the other hand, if you price too low then you will likely sell your home quickly but you risk missing out on a significant amount of money. The first step to understanding how much your home is worth is utilizing an online calculator . Afterward, meet with your real estate agent to discuss a good pricing strategy for your home. They will look at other comparable properties in your neighborhood that sold recently as well as bring keen insights into what the housing market is currently doing. Together, you'll determine a good starting price as well as a pricing strategy that will incentivise buyers if your house begins to sit on the market for too long. Skipping a pre-listing home inspection Selling a house is stressful enough, even when everything goes right. But if a homebuyer hires an inspector who catches an issue like mold, pests, or a cracked foundation, then your stress levels will multiply as you risk losing a potential sale entirely. Given the affordability of home inspections, there's not much reason to avoid them. Getting a pre-listing home inspection will put your mind at ease as you'll either know that your home is in sound condition or you'll be able to tackle problems before homebuyers have the chance to bring them up during the negotiation phase. If an issue does arise, you can either fix it or you can let buyers know and then make a concession during the negotiation phase by reducing the price of your home accordingly. Not refinishing hardwood floors or cleaning your carpet If you're reading this at home, look down. How do your floors look? Even if they don't look terrible, there's a pretty good chance they're starting to show their age. Since potential buyers are going to be inspecting every aspect of your home, you should start thinking of refinishing your hardwood floors and cleaning your carpet. Whether you're selling in Atlanta or Bend , the best time to have your carpet cleaned or hardwood floors refinished is right before you stage your home. Since you'll already be moving most (or all) of your furniture to either a new home or a storage unit, this is a great time to get your floors done and make them a selling point to potential homebuyers. Not staging your home for a quick sale The main point of staging your home is to allow potential homebuyers the chance to picture themselves living in your space. They get to see a home with furniture and art that's arranged in a way that highlights key features of your home, rather than an empty house that echoes every sound. Staging your home pays off too as 21 percent of agents told the National Association of Realtors that staging a home increased its' sale price by as much as 10 percent, making it a worthwhile investment. Forgoing professional real estate photos With the advent of cameras on smartphones, everyone likes to think of themselves as a photographer these days. Even though that picture you took of your dinner last week looked like it could be featured in advertisements, you're still probably not ready to take your own real estate photos. A real estate photographer will make sure that your home looks great when you list it because not only do they have the equipment, they understand the angles that best sell a home. If you have a large home, a stunning view you want to show off, or a large amount of land, you may also want to consider having aerial photos taken of your home. The views that drones are able to capture are impressive and can help show off your home in a way that will make sure it stands out from other houses in your area that are on the market. Even better, drone technology makes this option more affordable than ever before, allowing you to get a lot more bang for your buck. Trying to sell a poorly lit home You want to show your home in the best light, so take the time to really gauge the quality of your lighting by closing your curtains/blinds and looking at each room as though you're a potential homebuyer. Make a note of any rooms that are poorly lit or just seem dark and then call an electrician so that you can have some additional lighting installed. Even worse than a poorly lit room, however, is when the lights don't work at all. Sometimes the light bulb is just burnt out, while other times the socket itself is in need of repair. Consider calling an electrician before you begin showing your home to make sure it's shining its brightest. Potential buyers (and your bank account) will thank you for the investment. Not making your home energy efficient If you'd like to spend less on your utility bills, you aren't alone. A study by the National Association of Realtors found that 33 percent of homebuyers see high-efficiency HVAC systems as an important factor when looking at a new home. If you have an older home, you should look into either retrofitting or replacing your HVAC unit altogether as your current system might be using a lot more energy than it needs to be. This will ensure that you have a system that is meeting your home's needs, while also lowering your utility bill. If you're committed to energy-efficiency then there are a few extra things you can do. These options include making sure your home is properly insulated, ensuring that you don't have any leaky air ducts, and buying a smart thermostat. Whichever route you pursue, having an energy-efficient HVAC system will make your house stand out from the competition. Not cleaning your house before trying to sell it Most of us would probably be lying if we said our homes weren't overdue for a good cleaning, so don't forget to check this box before listing your home for sale. There's nothing more off-putting during a home tour than realizing the house is dirty, and potential homebuyers may wonder what else you've been neglecting. By hiring a professional cleaning company, you'll guarantee that not only is your home spotless but that you're going to make a great impression on homebuyers when they tour your house. Not addressing the exterior of your house Over the years, your home's exterior has taken a beating from the elements. With everything mother nature throws at it every year, the paint on your home's exterior and the stain on your deck have likely lost a bit of their luster. So before listing, be sure to pressure wash your house first. In addition to making sure your house looks its best in the listing photos, you will also enhance the overall curb appeal when buyers eventually show up for a tour. In addition to pressure washing your house and deck, you can also take the time to pressure wash your garage door, fence, patio, driveway, and any walkways you may have. You never got around to repainting One of the first things a potential buyer will notice when they pull up to your home is the paint. If you want to make a good first impression, then you'll need to ensure that your home is painted an inviting color and that the quality of your paint job is top-notch. While the job of repainting your house might take a few days, the value of painting your house before selling will be well worth the effort. A recent study found that painting the exterior of your home has a 51 percent return on investment. Don't stop with the exterior though! We've all seen some pretty questionable color choices on the walls of homes. If you happen to have a lime green or bright purple wall, you'll want to repaint them to be a more buyer-friendly neutral color. Doing so will make it easier for buyers to be able to picture themselves living in your home as it makes them think of your walls as a blank canvas. Selling a home with a yard in need of some TLC The other way to make a great first impression is by wowing potential buyers with your yard. Start by cleaning up anything that may be cluttering your yard, porch, or pathways (things like gardening equipment or a child's bicycle). Then you can move onto mowing the lawn, weeding your garden, and planting some new flowers. If your yard has a damaged pathway, you may also want to think about fixing or even replacing it as well. If these touch-ups seem like a lot to tackle while you're trying to sell your home, don't be afraid to hire a landscaper as the cost is well worth it. A study by Turf Magazine found that a home's value tended to increase by as much as 10 to 12 percent after making upgrades to the landscaping. You have mismatched appliances Maybe your black stove died a couple of years ago and you replaced it with a brand new stainless steel one. Or maybe you swapped out that white kitchen faucet you always hated with a copper one that caught your eye. Either way, the result is mismatched appliances. While it won't necessarily impact the overall sale price of your home, many homebuyers are going to find the mismatched color scheme off-putting, so consider making some changes before you sell. The best way to proceed is to decide which kitchen appliances are your favorite and base the color scheme off of them. So if that fancy new stove you bought last year is stainless steel, then make sure your other appliances are too. Luckily, many appliance manufacturers offer discounts if you purchase multiple appliances with them at once. Lingering during a home tour Nobody likes a lingerer, especially when they also happen to be the owner of the home you're currently touring. If you don't leave the home during a showing, then potential buyers feel awkward as they attempt to discuss what they like and dislike about the house. You also prevent your listing agent from being able to do their job to the best of their abilities as you're naturally going to want to answer any questions the buyers have rather than leaving those questions to your agent. So instead of staying in your home during a showing, try taking the opportunity to go shopping, run errands, or visit some friends instead. Your agent will thank you. Taking a Lowball Offer Personally Regardless of your reasons for moving, the fact that you've probably lived in your home for years means that you have a lot of strong feelings attached to it. So when you receive a lowball offer, it's natural to be offended. Instead of walking away, send them back a counteroffer that you and your real estate agent think is fair. If they really are interested, then you'll be glad you didn't let your emotions get the better of you. Originally published on Redfin
Living in A Flood Zone
By nat rosasco • 17 Mar, 2020 •
A flood zone is an area that's more likely than others to become inundated in case of a flood. There are different levels of flood zones, but whether yours is low or high, you still need to prepare your home for the worst. The first step for that is knowing whether you live in a flood zone, and we'll help you with that today! 1. Consult the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) FEMA provides a simple tool you can use to know whether you live in a flood zone or not. All you need to do is type in your address, and it will let you know. The Flood Map Service Center will inform you about floodways, flood zones, and your home's risk level. You'll also find infrastructural and topographical information about your area. The map may seem a bit confusing at first but take your time and you'll find it's not difficult to read and it provides a ton of useful information. If you're thinking of purchasing a certain property, we recommend you consult FEMA beforehand! 2. Invest in Flood Insurance If you do live in a flood zone, the next logical step is to invest in flood insurance as standard homeowner's insurance policies don't cover flood damage. However, they're a lot more common than, say, fires, so you need to consider it. Especially if you live in a flood zone, no matter the risk level. Do your research and get flood insurance quotes from different insurers. This way you can find the cheapest option and still protect your property. 3. Get a Flood Sensor for Your Home One of the most effective ways of preventing flooding in your home is getting a flood sensor. This device will let you know if there are any water leaks you need to deal with, whether that's from your washing machine, water heater, or any other source. You can kill two birds with one stone by getting a security system that includes water detectors so you can keep your property secure from threats and water at the same time. 4. Track the Changes in Your Area New construction and changes in flood zone designations, flood plain, and topography change over time. That's why you should check in with FEMA and track changes in your area every five years or so. You can set up a reminder in your calendar or try to match it with milestone birthdays or anniversaries so you don't forget. Tracking these changes will allow you to be prepared over time and it can help you prevent flooding in your home a lot more effectively. As you can see, living in a flood zone isn't always the best option, especially when considering buying a new property in one, but it is quite possible to still be happy there. All you need to do is be aware of what you're up against and be responsible about it by preparing and keeping track of changes. Determining whether you live in a flood zone is easy and quick. After that, it's up to you to make the right decisions, such as purchasing flood insurance and preparing for the worst, just in case!
How to Prevent Moisture-Related Pest Problems
By nat rosasco • 17 Mar, 2020 •
Many types of pests are attracted to moisture, not to mention it can also cause mold growth and lead to severe structural damage. Some of the most common pests attracted by moisture are ants, cockroaches, camel crickets, springtails and booklice, just to mention a few. This is reason enough to keep the moisture both inside, outside and underneath your home to a minimum. Here are a few tips to help you do that! Inside To reduce moisture inside the home, the first thing you need to do is fix any leaks. Sometimes they don't make themselves noticed, but that's what maintenance is for! Make sure you periodically check under the sinks, around the toilets, etc., to catch wet spots. Even slow leaks can lead to huge problems, so make sure your home is free of them. It's also important you inspect caulking around your showers and tubs, because holes or breaks in the caulk will allow water to accumulate under the floor, behind the tub, or in wall voids. You must keep humidity levels low as well, so make sure you use a dehumidifier or fans to circulate the air, especially in basements. Outside To prevent moisture outside your home, you should maintain your gutters so they always work properly. Otherwise they will clog and attract mosquitoes, cockroaches, ants, and more. You should also keep your bushes and trees trimmed because vegetation traps moisture, which will attract pests. Plus, heavy vegetation will allow pests to avoid pesticide areas and get into the house. Pine straw and mulch use around the house shouldn't be excessive, because it can trap moisture and harbor pests. It's also important to eliminate any standing water around the foundation as well as standing water on trashcans, old flower pots, etc. Additionally, make sure your sprinkler projects the water away from the house! Underneath If there's a crawlspace in your home, you need to make sure it's maintained dry and free of any debris. Your crawlspace will be healthy as long as you keep it dry, which means your home will also be healthy. If there's moisture in your crawlspace, it will be very inviting to termites and other pests that can compromise the integrity of your structure. Moisture in the crawlspace of your home can also lead to fungi that destroys wood, which will lead to serious rot. As you can see, keeping your home nice and dry is not difficult at all. All it takes is the right kind of maintenance. Do this inside, outside and underneath your home, and you should never have to deal with annoying pests that are really expensive to remove. Being a responsible homeowner means you have to protect your home from humidity, which can cause a lot of damage on its own, and the problems it can bring with it. Make sure you catch any leaks before they become a problem, keep your vegetation to a minimum, and keep your crawlspace dry, among other things. This way, you'll avoid moisture-related pests successfully!
Spring Exterior Home Inspections
By nat rosasco • 17 Mar, 2020 •
Fall and Winter often come with extreme weather conditions such as ice, wind, storms, freezing rain, snow and intense cold. These conditions can leave our homes with various and sometimes unseen damage. And now that Spring is almost here, it is the time for homeowners to inspect their homes to see if there are any parts of the exterior that require repair or replacement. Proper spring exterior home inspections will not only preserve your home, but it will also improve its value. Given this, here are the crucial spring exterior home inspections that you should consider: Foundations Start the inspections with the foundations by checking if any of the areas are dampened. Also, focus on the cracks and observe if they go deep into the ground to affect the foundations. You must understand that dampness and cracks can allow water infiltrate the foundation of your home; hence, you must pay attention to these things. Doors and windows Are there any cracks in the windows or doors? Is the window screen in good condition? Are the frames strong? As it gets warmer, you'll want to allow fresh air in and keep bugs out. You need to check the windows and doors to detect if the extreme weather of the Fall and Winter have damaged them. Depending on their conditions, your Spring inspections may call for replacement or repairs of the doors and windows. Siding Extreme weather conditions can force the siding to become discolored, loose, broken or cracked. These issues can give water an opportunity to come into your home; thereby, causing several serious problems. So, make sure that you inspect the siding as you prepare your home for Spring. Roof As expected, the roof is one of the major victims of snow, storms, freezing rain and other conditions. Therefore, once the Spring comes, you should quickly act by inspecting whether your roof is intact or not. Pay attention to the seals around the flashing and chimney, shingles, roofing sheets, and other areas. Check the corners of the roof to see if they need some repairs or not. Downspouts and Gutters Gutters and downspouts are known to be responsible for a lot of damage to the foundations of houses as they can allow water to enter and wreak havoc. Therefore, homeowners must inspect them as they prepare their house for the Spring. Look for any debris around the downspouts and gutter. Also, check if the water is draining from the foundation of the house or not. Balconies, Railings, and Staircases Most wooden staircases, railings, and balconies are susceptible to molds, mildew, moss and other organisms that are capable of destroying them over time. Those made with metals are at risk of rusting while concrete ones can crumble or crack. Any problems with the balcony, railing, and staircases can damage them or lead to a fall, which you need to avoid. Overall, conducting Spring exterior home inspections is just the start to avert the potential dangers of the damages that Fall and Winter might have caused. Don't hesitate to call a professional if you find a problem with your home. Call Classic Handyman @ 847-651-5847 for more tips and help with exterior home repairs!
Repurposing Old Doors
By nat rosasco • 12 Mar, 2020 •
The majority of old doors have high-quality, vintage materials that ensure that they can last for a long time. However, for many reasons, you may need to remove or replace them with modern, energy-saving options. But this doesn't mean you should throw away your old doors as you can easily repurpose them. Repurposing these old doors will not only transform them into useful items, but it will also save you lots of money. So, here are some creative DIY ideas for repurposed doors: • Pot rack Do you need an extra storage space to keep your pots and other portable utensils? If yes, turn your old doors into a pot rack. This DIY idea is easy as you can simply hang the door from the ceiling. Find some screw to hook the anchor into the door and you already have a pot rack. • Beverage station Transform your old doors into a lovely beverage station that you can keep outdoor or indoor. To make the old door look awesome and become fully functional, you will need to combine a galvanized tray with it. • Bookshelf Depending on the size of your old door, you can repurpose it to become a rustic bookshelf. Although there are different styles of bookshelves you can choose, you may have to cut the door into various pieces and bring them together to make a door. You can make the shelf to stand on itself or just fix it to the wall. • Full-length mirror Another option is using your repurposed door to make a full-length mirror. Remove the bottom panel of the door and place a mirror inside it. You can choose to repaint the doors to make it look better. This piece will be perfect for your bedroom or bathroom. • Porch swing If you want to have an item that you and your loved ones can sit on while having fun in your leisure time, turn your old doors into a porch swing. Along with the old doors, you will need to get newel posts to create a swing. • Tabletop Old doors with strong woods are the best for making tabletops. You don't have to cut the doors; just sand or repaint it to make it have a more aesthetic appearance. Then get a base that is suitable for the door. Voila! You have a beautiful and useful tabletop. • Coat rack If you find yourself hanging various accessories such as belts, coats, and hats on your doors, your old doors can come in handy at this point. Cut out a part of your old doors and embellish it with various hanging bars or hooks. You can nail it to the wall in the entryway, room or other places to hang your coats and other accessories. • Door display shelf Consider decorating your entryway with repurposed doors. All you have to do is to turn the old doors into a shelf. Add a mirror and other items to it for a more eye-catching appearance. So, which of these DIY ideas for repurposed doors do you like?
Putting Out A Grease Fire
By nat rosasco • 12 Mar, 2020 •
Grease fires happen when cooking oil or grease gets too hot. These fires are incredibly dangerous because their fuel source is a liquid that can pop and spill onto you and surrounding surfaces extremely quickly and become out of control in as little as 30 seconds. The most important thing you could do to prevent a fire in the kitchen is patience. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says that unattended cooking is the primary source of home cooking fires. Remain by the cooktop the entire time you are cooking in order to always be prepared for the unexpected. Slowly heat oil to the desired temperature and turn off the burner is you suspect it is getting too hot. If a fire does unfortunately break out, follow the steps below to safely extinguish it. If you are unsuccessful in putting out the fire yourself, leave the house. Staying to attempt to extinguish a fire after the other occupants are out isn't something you should strive for except if you are the fire department. Steps To Put Out A Grease Fire • Don't use water on grease fire. Water will only make this kind of fire worse, causing it to boil and spread everywhere. • Call 911. There's no motivation to pause and the fire department can generally return to their station should you be able to get the fire out without their assistance. • Cover with the pan lid. The most effortless approach to extinguish a grease fire is to cover it using a pan lid. Be cautious with glass lids; they can crack from the extraordinary warmth of an open fire. • Use Baking soda. Grease fires can be covered with baking soda; however, it takes a lot of baking soda to work. • Dry fire extinguisher. A dry substance fire extinguisher can also work, yet it will damage your kitchen and food. Class K fire extinguishers are accessible to put out grease and other kitchen fires; however, they're typically just found in the commercial kitchens. Common Kitchen Ingredients For Putting Out A Grease Fire If grease catches fire in your kitchen, first attempt to eliminate the heat source by cutting gas or power to your oven or appliance. Next, try to cover the fire by expelling oxygen, covering the pot or pan with a non-flammable baking pan or metal lid. There are also common cooking ingredients you could use in your attempts as well Baking Soda Baking soda releases carbon dioxide, covering flames. Be that as it may, it takes quite a large amount to work. The box of baking soda in the fridge might not cut it, put something aside a larger amount for a fire. Salt Salt is an incredible absorber of warmth for its volume. A moderate sum – about a cup – could help in extinguishing a conventional size of the grease fire. Tips For Preventing Grease Fire • Stay in your kitchen while you're boiling, frying, or grilling food. The primary source of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking. • Be alert and don't utilize the stove or stovetop on the off chance that you are sleepy or have consumed liquor. • Keep things away from the stove or oven that could easily catch fire, such as towels and pot holders. • Remove as much moisture as could reasonably be expected from the food before putting it in hot oil. Try not to put frozen food into hot grease. • Keep the grease at the recommended temperature. In case you see any smoke or the oil smells, it means that it is excessively hot. Promptly turn off the burner to let it cool down. • Heat the oil to temperature slowly. • Add food to pots and pans gently to avoid splatter. • Keep a lid close to the pan you're cooking with, so it is available if a fire begins. • Don't allow children to play near the stove while cooking. Your most suitable option for battling a kitchen fire is proper preparation. On your next shopping trip, remember to restock the shelves but also add a fire extinguisher to the shopping cart - the right one - before you suffer a greater fire.
How to Make a Home Inventory and Why It's Important
By nat rosasco • 12 Mar, 2020 •
Having a home inventory can be a lifesaver if you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to replace personal property after a loss. Should you ever need to make a homeowners or renters insurance claim, having a current and detailed inventory of your belongings will make the claims process much easier and faster. Making a home inventory can seem a little overwhelming and just a little bit annoying when you first consider it. However, there's a process you can follow and tools you can use to make the task run smoother so you can get the job done quicker than you thought. Here's how you can make a home inventory without losing your mind! 1. Use Spreadsheets Noting things down yourself or taking pictures is one way to go about it. But a better way to make a home inventory consists of using spreadsheets. These are available on Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, and OpenOffice. This tool will allow you to make your home inventory easily and it will save you time. You can save the photos and receipts in a folder, and it's recommended you record video clips of each room and store them as well. 2. Make a List of Everything You Own Yes, making a home inventory will require you to make a list of everything you own. However, you don't have to do this all at once. Focus on one room at the time and write down every object in each room. It's a good idea to come up with categories for the objects and make notes on the condition, model, and estimated value of each item. 3. Take Pictures and Record You can use your own smartphone for this or a digital camera if you have it. What's important is that you take a picture of each item and also record the room briefly. As you're recording, open drawers and closets so everything is shown, and narrate what each item is and how much they're worth. Don't forget to also record storage areas, as well as the laundry room, basement, attic, tool shed, etc. 4. Gather All Important Paperwork Replacing financial documents, records, and legal documents is a huge pain. Avoid it by gathering all your important paperwork and organizing it so you can keep it all in one place. 5. Make a Separate List for Valuables Valuables such as high-end electronics and gadgets, collectibles, jewelry, antiques, etc., should all be listed separately. Be as thorough as possible and provide make, model, serial number, value, purchase date, location, and take multiple photos. Why Home Inventories Are Important The fact is that no one is able to list every single item in their home from memory. In fact, most people own more things than they're aware of. It's easy to remember the things we use every day, but what about everything that's stored or the things we don't use that often? Every single thing you own, whether you use it on the daily or not, is regarded as your personal property when it comes to insurance purposes. If your home is destroyed by a natural disaster, fire, floor or robbery, having a home inventory will make your insurance claim run a lot smoother. Once you put it together, make sure you keep important information about the items in your home in one place and somewhere it can't be destroyed, such as Cloud Storage or Evernote.
Paying for Emergency Home Repairs
By nat rosasco • 28 Feb, 2020 •
Every homeowner knows that maintaining a home requires a lot of planned and unplanned expenses. Some of the major unplanned expenses you may need to deal with are emergency home repairs. Unfortunately, they sometimes come at the time when you are not financially buoyant. Regardless of when they come, you cannot avoid these repairs; hence, it is essential to look for ways to finance the emergency home repairs. What Counts as an Emergency Repair? Here are some of the major issues that can be regarded as emergency repairs: • Repairs of burst or broken pipes or other plumbing problems • Home foundation repairs • Sewer line repairs • Roof replacement or repair • Water heater replacement or repair Different Ways to Pay If you want to pay for emergency home repairs, check out the following vital ways. • Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) HELOC provides homeowners with equity from the value of their homes. This payment means is easy to access and can cover for the majority of emergency home repairs. However, you need to be careful so that you don't risk losing your home as a result of a failure to repay. • Community development programs Depending on where you stay, local and state governments, financial agencies and other institutions offer programs that help to pay for emergency home repairs. Notably, some of these programs have eligibility criteria, so you need to be certain you qualify before applying. • Homeowners insurance claim In some cases, your insurance policy may provide some forms of cover for your emergency home repairs. Therefore, check the policy again to be certain whether it covers the repairs you need or not. • Cash-out refinance To ensure that your debt is simplified, you can look at the option of a cash-out refinance. This payment option allows you to roll several debts into one; thus, making it easier for you to repay the loan. • Credit card Credit cards can always come in handy when you have home repairs to deal with as soon as possible. Most financial institutions will be ready to offer you credit cards if you can prove your ability to repay. Nonetheless, be cautious as many credit cards come with high-interest rates that will require an extended period to pay off. • Disaster relief If an earthquake, flood or storm led to home damage, relief organizations may be able to provide you with the assistance you need. The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Red Cross are just some of the major organizations that can help you in this regard. Although you may not get enough funds for full restoration of the damaged home, you will get what you need to make the home safe and livable. How to Be More Prepared in the Future for Emergency Home Repairs To deal with emergency home repairs in the future, it is essential to be well prepared so that you don't have to be in disarray when the inevitable happens. The following tips can be useful in preparing for emergency home repairs. • Have a personal plan for emergency home repair • Create a funding plan that you can easily access whenever there is an emergency • Understand the relief options that you can utilize anytime you need to repair your home • Have a list of trusted home contractors that you can rely on whenever there is a need for emergency home repairs
Spring Flooding: 5 Prevention Tips for Homeowners
By nat rosasco • 19 Feb, 2020 •
Spring is a lovely time of the year, but it comes with melting snow and heavy rain, which is why flooding can become a major concern for homeowners. Don't worry, though, because if you apply these prevention tips, you'll be much better prepared and you'll keep your home nice and dry! 1. Know Your Area There are some basic things you need to know about your area, and this is particularly important if you've recently moved into a new area. You need to know whether the water table is high in the area, if your property is located on a flood plain, and whether your neighborhood has been flooded in the past. This will help you have a better idea of the kind of preparations you need to have in place once Spring comes. 2. Backyard Drainage The main causes for Spring floods are melting snow and heavy rainstorms, that's why your backyard drainage needs to be well-kept and optimized for the season. The last thing you want is for water to build up in your backyard, so you must take the necessary steps. It's difficult to plan for this when you're landscaping in the Summer, but always keep in mind that backyard drainage is important. 3. Deal with Clogged Drainage A huge part of drainage maintenance is keeping it unclogged so it can do its job efficiently, especially during Spring flood season. The only way to avoid your drains from getting clogged is by checking them regularly and making sure you deal with slow drainage issues as soon as possible. The longer you wait to deal with issues like these, the worse the issue will become. 4. Keep Your Downspouts and Gutters Clean Spring rains can get heavy, so you need your downspouts and gutters nice and clean so they can channel the water effectively into the right places. In fact, downspouts and gutter maintenance should be a part of your regular maintenance routine. This will prevent broken gutters, which will contribute to the flooding. 5. Maintain Your Sump Pump If you don't keep up with your sump pump's maintenance, it can cause flooding and water to back up. As a responsible homeowner, you need to make sure the intake valve is not blocked and that the sump pit is unclogged. This should be a part of your regular house maintenance routine. It's also a good idea to have a backup generator for the sump pump since it runs on electricity. That way, if a Spring flood causes power outages, your home will still be protected. It's not at all difficult for homeowners to prevent damage from Spring floods. All you need to do is keep up with your home maintenance routine and make sure all the essential things are considered, such as your gutters, downspouts, drainage, and sump pump. If you have neglected your house for a while and you have no idea about the state of your drainage, gutters, etc., make sure you call a professional to come assess your home and help you take the right preventive steps for this spring! Call Classic Handyman @ 847-651-5847 for more tips and help preparing your home for potential floods!
Source: https://www.classichandymanco.com/black-stains
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