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Why Air Conditioner Maintenance Is a Must

Summer is rapidly approaching, and it’s important to have your home air conditioning running on all cylinders. Most homeowners are used to the issues that come with turning an AC unit back on after the winter, but other problems can rear their heads at any time. Regular maintenance can ensure that your air conditioner from an HVAC system to a window unit can keep the cool air coming well through to the fall.

Keep it clean.

It doesn’t hurt to invest in air conditioner maintenance to help your bottom line. The truth is regular cleaning can have the greatest impact on the life of your system. If you have a window air conditioner, you want to clean or replace your air filters regularly. These filters accrue dust and other allergens over time with use, with those contaminants recycling back into the air. This can trigger allergies, asthma, and other respiratory conditions. Changing filters seasonally is a proper step of a preventive maintenance plan.

If you have a larger HVAC system, be sure to regularly clean ductwork and vents where dust may be building up. If you have a ductless HVAC with an outdoor unit, it’s important to clear away any debris that could be blocking the proper airflow. Shutting down power and taking a garden hose to scrub away any crud on these outdoor systems. This is a simple way to assure that energy efficiency remains paramount, as dust and debris can end up blocking air conditioning, making you run for the thermostat to lower the temperature. This increases energy consumption and puts more pressure on the unit.

Consider indoor air quality.

Lack of maintenance can negatively impact indoor air quality and turn an air conditioner into a breeding ground for mold. Built-up moisture can linger within an HVAC, ductless, or window unit. Along with higher humidity levels, you can easily create mold and mildew. If you notice a musty odor that lingers when you turn your air conditioning on, it’s time to turn off the power and scrub out your system. Soap and water are the easiest solutions for air conditioner maintenance.

This cleaning regimen is a small investment to assure that your AC can provide the comfortable temperature you seek, and a quick inspection can provide some peace of mind. The introduction of outdoor air is also helpful in creating better household ventilation during the cooling season. This can be done through natural means, like opening windows, which obviously translates to energy savings with your air conditioner being turned off. You can also do this through mechanical means through ductless HVAC systems.

Calling in the Pros

While you may fear running up a larger bill with costly repairs, bringing in an HVAC technician is actually a smart thing to do as part of annual maintenance. It’s recommended to have a professional come in and inspect the unit from top to bottom. Regular HVAC maintenance includes checking equipment throughout the unit for any loose or corroding parts. This also includes an inspection of ductwork, evaporator coils, and even the thermostat. It’s also important to have a pro on hand to deal with any replacements or any issues with refrigerants that need to be handled by the proper authorities.

Preventive HVAC maintenance can locate the issues with an air conditioner before becoming more significant and leading to a breakdown. A technician can also make sure that the service life of an HVAC unit or standard air conditioner surpasses the average. Book appointments in advance as part of routine maintenance. This will help build a rapport with a technician who can jump to the rescue in emergency repairs.

2 Common HVAC Mistakes You Should Absolutely Avoid

For every homeowner, one of the most important tasks is monitoring the household’s air system. Both the heating unit and HVAC system are delicate machines requiring year-round upkeep as the seasons change.

However, whether you’re an experienced homeowner or currently moving into your first home, it’s crucial to know the basic rules of maintaining the airflow and integrity of the HVAC system. Here, we will look at two common HVAC mistakes to avoid, helping to give your unit longevity and keep your energy bills low.

1. Air Filters and Ductwork

The first common mistake many homeowners make with their air conditioner is forgetting to change out the dirty air filters. One of the main reasons for poor air conditioning is the airflow blockage caused by a dirty filter. In general, dust, debris, pet dander, and all kinds of allergens can become caught in your AC system’s filters, which can lead to a number of issues. The basic rule of thumb is to replace them every few months.

Keeping in mind that your family’s health is the top priority, remember that a dirty AC filter doesn’t properly prevent dangerous or hazardous natural pollutants from circulating throughout the household. Quite simply, the most important job of your unit’s filter system is to prevent that poor indoor air quality from circulating. If any of your family members have health problems, such as asthma, clean filters are an absolute necessity.

In addition, when your air filters are clogged, it forces you to increase both the use and power of the air conditioner unit. In effect, more energy is being used for the amount of cool air you should already be getting, which quickly increases the amount of money you’re spending on your monthly utility bills.

For this same reason, your air conditioner’s ductwork is of equal importance. While the air filters purify the cool air as passes through the ventilation system, the air ducts are the actual means of airflow distribution for each room of the house. Your duct system gets a lot of daily use, and leaky ducts have a way of releasing the cool air before reaching the targeted areas. Much like a dirty air filter, this will cause less energy efficiency and a higher monthly bill. To play it safe, have a professional HVAC technician inspect your duct system once a year at the very least.

2. Regular Maintenance Throughout the Year

Perhaps the biggest mistake that most homeowners make when it comes to their air conditioning unit is avoiding preventative maintenance. Scheduling check-ups from an HVAC technician is an important part of responsible HVAC care, yet many people avoid it. This could be for a number of reasons. Some homeowners fear the cost of each HVAC technician’s visit or the potential expenses that may come from discovered problem areas.

However, without a professional’s keen eye, common problems can easily become worse, and significantly more expensive. Likewise, a professional technician can easily notice breakages or leaks within your home’s ventilation, vents, or any other issues that could lead to poor indoor air quality.

The best course of action to avoid expensive HVAC repair is to purchase a maintenance program agreement. For an annual fee, your home would be eligible for multiple visits from an HVAC technician throughout the year. In addition, a technician will monitor your air conditioning unit’s upkeep, clean the ductwork, change out the air filters for you, and make important suggestions regarding the unit’s lifespan. In the event of complete system failure, a professional technician can also advise you on the best and most cost-efficient replacement air conditioning unit. If you’re truly concerned about the longevity of your HVAC system, it may be worth the investment of an ongoing maintenance agreement for your home.

How to Prioritize Rooms When You’re Remodeling Your House

It’s no secret that remodeling is an integral aspect of real estate, helping many people modify their living spaces for various reasons. As a homeowner, you’ll likely want to tackle multiple home improvement projects at a go for convenience’s sake.

However, your limited time and money, as well as your many ideas on improving your house, necessitates prioritizing your home improvement projects. Thankfully, there are specific criteria you can use to decide which projects to tackle over others. Here are some great tips to help you with prioritizing rooms when improving your home.

Consider your home’s value.

Specific home improvements are better investments than others because they contribute more to increasing your home value. Therefore, it’s a good idea to give preference to these projects over their less value-adding counterparts. These days, some of the popular projects that boost home value are bathroom additions, kitchen remodels, patio and deck additions, plumbing updates, and installing energy-efficient insulation. As such, you can invest in these areas over others, especially if you’re considering selling your home in the future since homeowners value these upgrades. If you want to refurbish your kitchen or bathroom, finding the best contractor for the task is essential to guarantee a job well done. Leading remodeling companies such as CMK Construction can handle these concerns.

CMK Construction offers commercial, residential, kitchen, and bathroom remodeling in Tampa, FL. They provide bathroom design services, helping you build various bathroom types, including half baths and master bathrooms. They also conduct bathroom remodel projects like tub and shower conversions, installing new toilets, faucets, showerheads, and sinks. The CMK Construction contractors also help clients realize their dream kitchen spaces, and they can assist with fixing new kitchen cabinets and countertops and complete custom kitchen remodeling. What’s more, they have years of experience in the kitchen and bathroom renovation industries, helping Tampa residents with their remodeling and renovation needs for about 17 years.

Put necessity first.

Necessity should also largely influence which rooms to work on first, so keep this in mind. Necessities are primary living conditions that are non-negotiable to the safety and comfort within your house. Therefore, if the living room has outdated electrical systems, a leaky roof, and an efficient design, it makes sense to work on this space before considering other home areas. Similarly, if your kitchen has non-stop plumbing issues, old tiles, and a cluttered design, you’re better off working on this area’s plumbing, flooring, and design, respectively. Since indoor air quality is vital to your home’s comfort, you should also consider investing in air purifiers to enjoy clean air in all of your rooms. Esteemed home and kitchen retail brands such as Vremi can help with this need.

Vremi offers top-notch, user-friendly, and affordable home and kitchen goods to various customers worldwide. There are many pollutants within the home—like pollen, mold, and pet dander, and even pests like air dust mites that can trigger asthma symptoms and allergies in many people. You can use an air purifier with a HEPA filter to improve indoor air quality within your living spaces, enjoying all the health benefits of fresh air. However, it’s prudent to regularly invest in an air purifier filter to maintain your purifier’s efficiency. Vremi’s air purifier replacement filters have a three-stage filtration system, with HEPA H13 and activated carbon filters that remove microscopic and other airborne particles for cleaner and fresher indoor air. These filters are compatible with the Vremi Premium True HEPA Air Purifier, a powerful air cleaning and odor elimination device that works well in all medium to large rooms.

Factor in your current and future stage in life.

Assessing your current and future stages in life is also essential to prioritize your home improvements. If you live in a starter home, you generally won’t have to conduct major remodels, besides adding new kitchen appliances or updating your bathrooms. You can also indulge yourself with fancy additions like hot tubs in your bathrooms and converting a room into a home theater when planning for life as an empty nester. Also, you are better off focusing on kitchen and family area expansions and improvements if you’re expecting a growing family. If you’re retiring at home, you can also prioritize areas like the bathroom, master bedroom, and living room for improved accessibility. Your present and future are always vital considerations in life, so it isn’t surprising to see many people interested in astrology as they make these decisions. Trusted experts such as Ask Astrology will come in handy when seeking expert insights on all things related to your Zodiac sign.

Ask Astrology is a team of astrologists, experts, and enthusiasts that helps you learn more about astrology, besides offering answers to various astrology-related questions. Their article on what you dislike about your sun sign enables you to understand your Zodiac sign’s downsides and how you can navigate them. For example, a Sagittarius loves spontaneity but may end up being too blunt at times. Geminis may be prone to too much multitasking, Scorpios are too intense, Virgos obsess over perfection, and Pisces often struggle with emotional expression. Knowing these flaws is essential to find ways around them or unapologetically embrace them as central to your personality.

Consider your budget.

Budgets are always constraining, so you must consider how much money you have to spend before deciding which rooms are worth the investment. Since the kitchen is an integral part of the home for many busy families, you can consider several amenities to add to your kitchen to simplify your family’s life. Appliances and gadgets like refrigerators, dishwashers, and coffee makers are necessary, alongside organizational kitchen amenities like drawers to store utensils and saucepans.

If you intend to use a particular home space for something urgent, it also makes sense to spend money on that room over others. For example, if you’re looking to start a cannabis cooking show, your kitchen must be your first remodeling project. Many people are cooking cannabis-infused dishes like pot brownies to enjoy CBD’s many health benefits. CBD or cannabidiol is a cannabis plant derivative that is widely popular nowadays, commonly used in making products like tinctures, gummies, and cannabis edibles. If you’re trying CBD for the first time, be sure to ask a doctor before eating any pot brownies in the first place.

Remodeling is essential to homeowners worldwide, who must consider various factors to determine which rooms to improve over others. The above-listed points are helpful guidelines worth remembering to prioritize rooms when remodeling your house.

How Much Buying a House Really Costs

Homeownership is a celebrated milestone for several people in America and beyond. For many, purchasing your own home is the crowning moment in the rite of passage to adulthood. It’s also the most significant financial investment many people will ever make in their lives.

There are numerous perks to owning a home, but it’s a costly endeavor. Although every home has a price tag, the actual costs of acquiring a house often exceed the price on the listing. Therefore, it’s essential to know about all these extra costs before committing to a long-term purchase. Below are some insights into expenses you should be prepared for when buying a home.

Down Payment

Your down payment is almost always the first financial consideration you should factor in when estimating how much your home will cost. It’s a portion of the sales price you must pay upfront when purchasing a home. Then, the rest of the sales price will be financed by your mortgage plan. Traditionally, 20% of your home’s total cost is widely considered the gold standard for down payments. Major financial institutions like credit unions and banks offer government-insured and conventional loans, and your choice will significantly impact how much down payment is required to kick-start the home buying process. However, several financial experts advise that the more money you set aside for your down payment, the better. Since homes are significant residential real estate investments, some organizations have taken up property maintenance and management upon acquisition to ensure long-term profitability. Reputable real estate management companies such as Venterra Realty are great examples of such businesses.

Venterra Realty Inc. is a property management company that oversees many apartment homes and communities in 11 major US cities across the southern United States. Their properties house more than 35,000 residents and 11,000 pets. John Foresi and Andrew Stewart established Venterra Realty in 2001 to provide quality real estate management services to clients. The company specializes in identifying, financing, developing, managing, and acquiring multi-family apartment communities. John Foresi from Venterra Realty credits Venterra’s success to their award-winning company culture and dedicated, passionate, and caring employees. Foresi, the CEO of Venterra Realty, also praises the Venterra team’s commitment to improving residents’ lives by guaranteeing industry-leading customer experiences. Venterra Realty self-manages all of your property management aspects because they regard operational control as vital to their efficacy. What’s more, they use industry-leading technology in the property management industry, maintaining high-efficiency standards that benefit residents, investors, and employees.

Closing Costs

Closing costs are third-party and lender fees that you must pay at the end of a house buying transaction. They account for approximately 2% to 5% of the home’s overall purchase price. You can negotiate these fees as part of your offer, and the costs are typically split between the seller and buyer. These prices usually include appraisal fees that must be paid to an appraiser who provides your lender with your home’s market value estimate. Home inspectors who evaluate your house’s condition to determine whether it’s in good condition will also need to be paid inspection fees for their services.

Property survey fees may also be necessary if your lender requires a surveyor to determine your home’s legal boundaries and lot size. Prepaid taxes and insurance, home warranties, title search and title insurance, loan origination, and transfer tax fees are other petty costs that should constitute your entire budget to ensure that you close successfully. As a result, you can consider accessing more cash to help you close by leveraging services such as your local pawn shop. These pawn shop services offer you money for your jewelry, antiques, and other valuables. Pawnbrokers also provide pawn loans that require you to exchange items as collateral for cash, and you can even trade items for merchandise like musical instruments or sporting equipment.

Mortgage Payments

Unless you paid in full for your house upfront, monthly mortgage payments are expenses that you should consider when budgeting for a home purchase. Several factors contribute to how much you’ll pay, including the amount of money you borrowed to purchase your home (principal). Interest rates are also essential, and these costs are the fees your lender charges for the loans they give you to buy your house. Mortgage interest rates often fluctuate, but many borrowers pay below 3% for a thirty-year fixed loan. Homeowners insurance, property taxes levied by the government to fund local services, and HOA dues also influence how much your monthly mortgage payment will be.

You may also need to pay Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) if your down payment is less than the 20% standard. These premiums secure lenders if you default on repayment. You can pay an upfront sum and continue to defray the balance with premiums that are lumped in with your monthly payments until the remaining principal balance on your mortgage falls below 80% of your home’s value. Consequently, it’s a good idea to set up financial goals that can help you meet your monthly mortgage payments. For example, you can use a savings goal calculator to determine how much money to contribute monthly to reach your savings goal of having your monthly mortgage payment ready every month.

Reserves

First-time homebuyers are particularly unfamiliar with reserves when buying their properties. Reserves aren’t necessarily a cost you must incur when purchasing your home, but these funds are necessary monies you should have in the bank after paying your closing costs and down payments. Several mortgage companies don’t want borrowers to deplete their savings after buying their homes, so they ask to see reserves that can last you for at least two months. This way, they’re more confident in your ability to make good on your monthly payments. Many financial experts suggest three to six months of emergency fund savings when buying your home, so keep this in mind. The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the need for emergency savings, as it has hit the global economy hard. Thankfully, vaccines are now available but now’s the right time to conduct COVID-19 testing if you’re a business owner. Some labs offer COVID-19 tests for large groups like employees and conference attendees, so consider partnering with them for fast and reliable COVID-19 tests and results.

There are several costs beyond the mere price tag of a home listed for sale. The points above are examples of some expenses you should plan for to avoid being overwhelmed when closing your home purchase.

Smart Tips To Weatherproof Your Home

Weatherproofing your home is crucial as Mother Nature has the habit of pulling up surprises. The seasons are ever-changing. One day, it’s cold; the next day, it’s too hot or too windy. Whichever way, it doesn’t have to impair your comfort as long as you’re ready for whatever nature has in store. What’s more, you don’t have to start making emergency fixes that will likely cost more than expected. That said, check out these smart tips to weatherproof your home.

1. Inspect your roof periodically.

Year in, year out, your roof endures many pressures from outdoor elements. As a homeowner, you’ll be making a huge mistake to assume everything is fine. On the contrary, the weather has its way of causing havoc on your roof. Believe it or not, water from rain or dissolved ice is a common culprit. That’s why protecting your roof is vital because water can destroy furniture, electronic appliances. The good news is that you can spot water damage early by looking out for discolored patches on your ceiling before the damage gets bigger or the water starts coming in.

Some roof checks might not be an easy DIY job so that you might need the help of professionals. They’ll look out for loosed shingles and protruding nails. Remember roofers are busy and offer costlier service during winter, so make this move earlier before winter or the rain arrives.

2. Inspect your heating system.

The last challenge you want to face is a heating problem, especially if you live in a cold climate and the winter decides to bite hard. According to the United States Fire Administration, heating systems are one of the major causes of fire in residential buildings. Therefore, staying warm isn’t only the goal here, but keeping safe as well. If you don’t know what to look out for, let the experts come in to do a comprehensive check. They likely suggest you install heat pumps. If you already have an air source heat pump installed, you may need to update high-efficiency heat pumps that provide heating in icy climatic regions. With this, you’ll stay well protected from the Armageddon of winters.

3. Don’t forget your garden.

If you have flowers outside your home, the changing weather means you may need to take steps to keep your plants safe from unforeseen harsh winter conditions. Furthermore, having trees around your home is great as they help break the wind and beautify your surroundings. However, strong winds can break tree branches. That could mean a couple of hundreds or thousands of dollars in damage as tree branches can destroy your roof and car. Also, you might need professional help to detach large tree branches.

4. Seal windows and doors.

Cold outdoor air can leak into your home via windows and doors during winter. This can potentially decrease your energy savings as you’ll require more warm air from the heaters. The best option is to seal your doors and windows, a simple DIY job that you can carry out with a naked flame from a candle. Place the lit candle close to the doors and windows, and observe if the flames aren’t steady.

Move it around the door and window frame to ensure you don’t miss any spot. You can seal it by yourself with a weather seal or hire a handyman for the job. You’ll not only keep the cold out but also drop energy costs by 25%‚Äîsince you’ll be retaining more heat while your heating system may be off for a while.

This is a great move, especially if you have small children or pets in the home. Many pet owners don’t know that their furry friends or companions can also get very cold in the winter and need a lot of veterinary care. Like humans, they’re also susceptible to cold weather that causes allergy symptoms, frostbite,s and hypothermia. However, if you’re considering adopting a pet, this shouldn’t stop you. Pets are a great company and are so much fun when you can’t go outdoors in the harsh winter. So, should you get a pet? Definitely yes. Very likely, most dog owners will agree.

5. Use heat reflective paint.

Weatherproofing isn’t for the winter seasons only. If you live in places like Australia and the tropics, temperatures can get a little mean. You can adopt heat reflective paint on your room and walls to keep things a bit cool. These paints can reflect above 70% of solar radiation. What’s more, if you’re cool indoors, you don’t have to use the cooling system all the time, which can reduce your energy consumption significantly.

Preparing for a Major Move With a Child With Disabilities

Moving is stressful under any circumstance, but if you have a child under your care who’s differently abled, the stress can be compounded. There’s a lot more preparation and work that goes into ensuring a smooth move with your child. It’s even more important to keep track of everything and sequence your relocation in a thoughtful way.

Children are already sensitive to change, and for a child with disabilities, change can be even more difficult, especially if it’s your first time moving. Even with the same belongings, a new place can feel scary at first. Moving cross-country for a job might feel impossible right now, but with help and preparation, you’ll be able to make your child feel comfortable in no time. Here are a few tips that will aid you in a major move with a child who is differently abled.

Create a bond with a new doctor beforehand.

Your child’s health is of the utmost importance to you. Due to how frequently your child has to interface with medical professionals, your child may be hesitant about leaving a doctor with whom he or she has a strong relationship. Doctors have to get up close to children with disabilities, so trust is extremely valuable and important.

Once you’ve figured out the city you’ll be moving to, it’s a good idea to take the time to find an office that specializes in helping children just like yours. For example, if your child has hearing loss or is deaf, finding a location with pediatric audiology that’s a convenient drive from your home is a necessity. It may even help you determine what neighborhoods you should be buying in if you’re not familiar with the area.

Before making the big move, schedule an appointment, so your child can get familiar with the new pediatric audiologist or whatever specialist they’ll be seeing. That way, you can ensure that you like the doctor and that your child is starting to get comfortable with the idea of seeing this new person for their important check-ins. This step is important even with newborns, so you can feel confident about the switch.

Work with a realtor from the start.

If you’re moving to a new area, contacting a real estate agent from the beginning can reduce your stress. You may have specific needs from your new home, like a ramp for your child’s wheelchair or a one-level ranch style house for easy mobility. With an agent, you won’t waste your time on websites looking for homes that aren’t going to work or that will get snapped off the market before you can make an offer. If your agent finds a place they think will work for you, your child, and your finances, they’ll be able to check the place out first and send pictures.

Your agent can sometimes see listings before they’re public, which means you can put an offer and down payment on a perfect home purchase and potentially avoid a bidding war. Overall, working with a realtor is a great idea because they can provide you with mortgage payment calculators and a checklist for first-home buyers, so you’re making an informed purchase and understand the paperwork that’s in store.

Make the move a positive experience.

No matter how much anxiety you’re feeling about the move, it’s best to stay calm for your child. Children often take social cues off their parents in order for them to process experiences. If you act upset about leaving, they’re more likely to be upset. However, if you make the move an exciting adventure and use positive reinforcement, they’re more likely to make an easier transition. Your family members and friends can help you out with this by watching your child during stressful moments, so they’re not overstimulated. It’s also helpful to give your son or daughter something to commemorate the move.

Bribery is usually frowned upon in regard to child-rearing, but there are some small gift ideas that are perfect for the occasion that will help your child feel more confident about the move. For example, one gift idea is that you can give them a “moving buddy.” A stuffed animal can act as a new friend and confidant in a different environment.

Prep the new house before relocating your child.

Your best option for moving with a child who’s differently abled is to prepare the space as much as possible before moving in. Make sure any medical equipment you need will already be there, so you don’t have to run around trying to find what box it’s in. If your child is younger, get the shelves put up that display their favorite possessions, and have their bedroom fully prepared, so their first impression of their private space is positive. If you need to downsize their toys, instead of throwing them out, which might cause your child stress during a time of change, try using a self-storage unit until they’re feeling a little more comfortable letting go of old items.

Your life understandably revolves around your child. Even if your child is differently abled, there are still ways to make a big move. By finding your child’s new doctor, working with a realtor, and keeping the situation positive, you and your child are sure to have a great move.

Home Upgrade Pros and Cons

Home upgrades can be critical to overall comfort and quality of life. They can add to your home’s value and even make a sales listing all the more marketable. At the same time, it can be difficult to know how to prioritize home upgrades. If you’re considering home upgrades and aren’t sure where to start, read on for some home improvement pros and cons.

Heating and Cooling Repairs and Upgrades

Start with the basics. For example, when considering pros and cons of a hot water pump upgrade or installation, be sure to give your heating and cooling technicians a call. They’ll be able to help you navigate what you need for your home climate controls, including when it comes to hot water. While upgrading a water heater might not sound like a whole lot of fun, think of the long, hot showers you can soon depend on and you may change your mind. By working with heating and cooling HVAC technicians in all areas of upgrading your home climate and hot water heater, you’ll be living in a more comfortable space in no time.

The pros for staying on top of your heating and cooling needs are obvious. From hot water on demand to faucets, heaters, and air conditioning systems you can depend on, attending to plumbing and other needs is a must before thinking about less important homeowner updates and improvements.

The cons to focusing first on your tankless heater or worrying about energy efficiency are, of course, the money you may have to spend. But attending to these needs may not be as expensive as you think. The best way to find out is to call the professionals. You’ll thank yourself for it in the long run. Having the numbers will help you reach your final decision.

Renovations and Home Improvements

Before you worry about buying gifts for your girlfriend to celebrate an upcoming anniversary, consider ways you can make your home perfect for that anniversary dinner. From a kitchen remodel or overhaul to tiny tweaks like fresh coats of paint or a new baseboard, the upgrade options are only limited by your imagination and finances.

The pros of going through each room in your home to decide which upgrades to start with include making better use of your space, increasing your home’s overall value, and making your home more comfortable. The con to exploring upgrade options is that it’s often difficult to know where to start. If this is a challenge for you and your home climate needs are taken care of, think about the rooms you use most. Or, if your goal is to sell your home down the road, start with the kitchen and bathroom, as these often selling points for potential buyers.

Considering Long Term Payoffs

The pros of upgrading your home generally boil down to the long term payoffs. That is, in keeping your home up to date and in good repair, you’re adding to your home’s value. But there are other ways to look at your home’s value too. If you don’t plan to sell, think about ways you can add value to your home with upgrades that may not mean more financial value, but the quality of life. Having dependable hot water for showers and baths, for instance. A redone living room where you can have a romantic date night. Something as simple as turning a finished basement into a family game room or reconstructing the number of bedrooms and making bigger spaces by knocking down walls could be a great option for your lifestyle.

The cons of home upgrades come with the time and energy it takes to get the job done. On top of financial costs, the best thing you can do when deciding whether or not to upgrade your home is to take a hard look at the numbers and your overall budget. Some projects just aren’t worth it and are better saved for another time.

In the end, the good news is that it’s up to you to weigh the pros and cons of any home improvements, repairs, or renovations. Whether you’ve been in your home for a long time and have already weighed your best options, or if your home is new, a little research ahead of time, solid planning, and reaching out to professionals will help you to decide what’s right for you.

Should You Turn Your Home Into a Rental Property?

The decision to reimagine your home as a rental property is one that more and more homeowners in the United States are making. Rental income is a major source of free capital and helps float homeowners through difficult financial times—like the current situation we’re living through with the coronavirus pandemic.

Your home is likely your most valuable asset, but its worth isn’t contained simply to the appraised monetary value assigned to the property or the comfort that you derive from it as its resident. Your home can be leveraged to create additional purchasing power when it comes to real estate transactions or renovation work that you hope to conduct on your home. If you’re considering the option to turn your house into a rental, there are some important factors to consider and a number of key changes to make in order to leverage the property in order to generate a new source of income for the foreseeable future to help buoy you through these tough times. Here are a few tips to help with the process.

Understand the benefits and risks associated with the transformation.

When you list your home on the market as a rental property, there are certain obligations that you must meet as a landlord. Your tenants will expect a high-quality home that doesn’t present any immediate points of danger, such as exposed wiring or a faulty roof, water heater, or kitchen sink. Consulting with a personal injury lawyer Denver, CO is often a great way to understand the obligations that you’ll need to meet as a new landlord entering the industry. An attorney can help guide you through the renovations that must be made in order to safely list the property as well as any obligations that you may be liable for after a lease agreement is signed between you and your renter.

Having legal help during this process is the best way to ensure that you’re covered when it comes to injuries and accidents on the property. You’d hate to think that the environment you’re providing is unsafe for residents or visitors, but what’s worse is the possibility of your culpability in the event of an injury without even being present for the activities involved. Start here in order to ensure your peace of mind against potential legal action or liability in the future. Adding a CPR and first aid certification online to your resume can often be a great way to help mitigate these risks. The coursework can help in your own personal life, but it will also clue you in to any potentially hazardous elements within the confines of your newly outfitted rental home and property. Keeping on the lookout for these liabilities is critical to finding success in the real estate market.

Follow up with high-quality upgrades to attract great tenants.

Making use of the highest quality upgrades available on the home is a great way to improve the rental price that your home can fetch on the open market. Increasing the value of your property will help you boost the rent and the resale value of the home. Eventually, you’ll want to sell the property, and the more you’re able to tack on, the better your bottom line will look!

Adding top-rated storm windows in Florida is a great way to lock in this measure of value in any home. Florida’s weather is a consistent stream of stormy conditions throughout the year. During the summertime, Floridians have to deal with nearly daily thunderstorms in the afternoons, and later in the fall, they batten down the hatches to outlast numerous hurricanes that are blown through and nearby the peninsula. Storm windows are a must-have on any Florida home. New homes are often built with these as a standard inclusion, but older residences may not have yet made the upgrade to this higher level of protection.

The more high-end upgrades you include in the home, the more you can expect to earn on the backend. However, this must obviously be offset against the upfront costs of a string of renovations. Hiring a general contractor to oversee the project and install a number of upgrades all at once is often the best way to lock in great rates on your whole home upgrades. The American renovation industry is worth more than $400 billion a year. Therefore, finding a professional contractor with years of experience managing a team of subcontractors and organizing each component of the work is easier to accomplish than you might think.

Keep your finances in check.

On the subject of payments, maintaining your books to the highest standard is also essential when considering converting your home into a rental property. Leasing your home is a great way to bring in additional cash, but it can be hard to keep track of all your incoming and outgoing expenses associated with the project, especially for new landlords. Utilizing a bank reconciliation solution is the best way to keep track of all these different line items in your books.

Reconciliation software and firms specialize in keeping proper track of the expenses and incoming payments in your bookkeeping. This task can quickly become overwhelming for those new to the industry, and reconciliation is the all-important process of matching expenses and payments with receipts. Traditionally, this can take hours, even for small businesses or single property rental owners. With the help of an outsourced solution to this time-consuming task, you can rest assured that your expenses will always be accounted for and your books correct. Maintaining a tight handle on your finances is critical to understanding whether you’re on target to make a profit or not. Focusing on this essential task early on is critical in creating a winning strategy that will help you break even and then turn a profit faster than ever.

Converting your home into a rental property is a great way to build a new cash infusion into your personal finances. Make sure you understand your obligations as a new landlord, and then enjoy the new influx of capital.

5 Things to Inspect Before Buying a Home

Buying a home is truly exciting but, even so, various challenges that come with being a homeowner are overwhelming to handle. For example, the inspection process for home buying is extensive and multi-faceted. For these reasons, you’re stuck not only navigating your finances throughout the house search but also left sifting through lists upon lists of things inspect before you commit to the purchase of the home. Keep in mind that though this process has its obstacles, there are ways to prioritize your inspection process. Here are five important things to inspect and consider before buying your new home.

1. Look at the outdoor spaces.

One cost that adds up in the purchase of a new home is the yard. If the yard of the home you’re interested in is badly maintained it’s an expensive and time-consuming feat to chip away at. You want to make sure the front and backyard of the house is nicely taken care of so that you don’t have to spend most of your time getting the outside looking right instead of focusing on the interior. Just a few examples of expenses that can occur with outdoor spaces include grass cutting, installation of sod, porch renovations, landscaping, and even brick paving. By choosing a home that passes this outdoors inspection you can focus on making the interior into the home your dreams.

2. Test out the appliances.

According to Avalon Gallery, there are great ways to test your appliances in the home. This way, you can see if you should follow through with repairs or simply replace entire appliance units. As a homeowner, this is a key part of the inspection, because buying new household appliances quickly add up. If the home you’re interested in comes with the appliances then you want to make sure they work before you’re stuck with a non-functioning refrigerator or stove. Plus, if you’re paying more for this special machinery coming with the place, you have to make sure it works to get your money’s worth on the sale of the home.

3. Check out all entrances and exits.

This might seem like a no-brainer, but it’s critical to make sure all of the entrances and exits to your home are well inspected. By ensuring places like windows, crawl spaces, attics, doorways, and even basement barriers are well fitted and have the right type of insulation installed, you can save yourself time and money. When your spaces of entrance and exit do not have enough insulation, you’ll end up paying a lot more on your energy bills.

Attic insulation is one item on this list of things to consider. To stop air leaks and save yourself money and improve your energy efficiency you need to make sure that your insulation is keeping any heat from escaping your home. Proper attic insulation is important in a variety of climates. In a warm climate, you need insulation to protect you from the humidity and moisture which are the perfect breeding grounds for mold and mildew. On the other hand, cold climate poses a different threat. Without the right insulation, you’ll be racking up energy bills as you struggle to keep your house warm. Before you jump the gun and make the purchase, just be sure to check the insulation levels of the home before you buy it.

4. Look for potential water damage risks.

Another costly fix within a home is water damage. This kind of damage commonly occurs in the basement from flooding and leaks. However, water damage can also occur in areas where moisture content is higher like a bathroom. If your home has water damage then you might need to replace wood in the infrastructure, floorboards, and even floor joists. By ensuring that your inspector agrees that there are no signs of water damage, you can save yourself some money on expensive work.

5. Thoroughly read the contract.

Last up on the list is to read your contract before you sign it. The contract will show you the fine details of your sale. For example, you can see if your inspector agrees to pay for repairs that may come after the inspection. You can also see if they will simply pay back the inspection fee you likely paid for their services if something goes wrong. Overall, look at the fine details of your contract and negotiate prior if applicable, because once it’s in writing you can’t go back.

All in all, you’re now ready to buy your new home. With these inspection criteria in mind, you will confidently move forward with the search. In no time, you’ll be well prepared to buy and inspect as you eagerly begin your adventure as a new homeowner.

3 Tips for Child-Proofing Your Garage

Having a baby brings many changes to your life. In order to get ready for a new baby, you have to buy clothing and supplies, attend regular prenatal doctor visits, and carefully baby-proof your home. Baby-proofing can be a tedious task because many everyday items are potential dangers to your baby. As your child gets older you have to child-proof your house even more thoroughly and in different areas because if your child is starting to walk, there’s no telling what they could get their hands on. One area that is crucial to child-proof is the garage. Here are some things to note as you work on child-proofing your garage.

1. Make sure that your garage floor is safe.

The garage can be a fun open space for your kids to play, but if your concrete floor has no coating or is unfinished it can become a hazard. TSR Concrete Coatings offers epoxy, polyurea, and metallic floor coatings for your garage. The innovative TSR concrete coatings can be installed and ready in a single day, making it a convenient option for protecting your concrete floor and your children.

Without a concrete coating, garage floors are rough and porous. With little children running around and playing, there’s a high risk of falling and risking injuries and abrasions if the concrete is left exposed. The concrete floor in your garage can also be absorbant because it is porous. This means that any accidental spills or substances that drip from your vehicle may be absorbed and pose a threat to your children.

TSR concrete coatings are formulated to be durable. They are resistant to water, chemicals, abrasions, and sun damage. TSR also offers textured concrete coatings that make your concrete floor slip-resistant as well. As temperatures rise, TSR’s floor finishes can expand and contract in order to preserve the integrity of the protective coat. TSR’s skilled team of full-service concrete coat installers can give your garage floor a beautiful and durable epoxy coat with the color of your choice in just a single day. TSR offers free no-obligation residential floor coatings estimate for potential customers who want to protect their garage and their children.

2. Lock up the chemicals.

We often tend to use our garages as additional storage, especially for things that we wouldn’t want to bring inside our homes. This is fine as long as these items are stored safely. Any cleaning products, toxic chemicals, or other dangerous materials that are not locked up are extremely hazardous to young children. While kids are learning and growing they have a tendency to put anything within their reach in their mouths. By putting any unsecured chemicals in their mouths, children ingest the toxins, some of which could possibly be fatal.

You should use your own best judgment as a parent when it comes to securing any dangerous substances. Using high shelves, putting a padlock on cabinets, and adding a waterproof epoxy coating on your concrete floor are all good starting points for keeping your child safe from toxic chemicals.

3. Test your garage door.

As a homeowner with a garage, you’ve probably been told to occasionally test your garage door and it’s safety mechanisms, but as a parent, it’s essential to do these checks often. According to the nonprofit organization Consumer Reports, the best way to test your garage door is by placing a block that is two inches high in the path of your closing garage door. Automatic garage doors have a built-in sensor that will cause the door to bounce back and reverse if something is in the way. If your door doesn’t reverse while performing this test, do not use the garage door’s automatic opener until you have the sensors looked at by a professional. You can still open and close your garage door manually to ensure that your children are safe while the door is in motion.