Guides & Tips - The Brothers Bloom

How to Plan a Top-Notch Event at Your Home

Entertaining at home is a fun way to celebrate with your family and friends. Besides having all your loved ones together in one place, a party at your house puts you in control. You control who shows up, what food and drinks will be served, the playlist, the décor—it’s all in your hands. However, if you don’t plan or find ways to properly accommodate your guests, your reputation as a great host will be tarnished. To make sure yours is the party everyone will be talking about years from now, follow these simple tips.

Who’s on the guest list?

Your guest list might just be the thing that breaks or makes your party. Before you send out your invitations, consider how much space you have, your budget, any dietary restrictions, and your ideal gathering size. If you can manage it, try and keep it to 20 people maximum. Smaller groups are more intimate, which is what you want at your party.

However, if you’re planning a mixer where you’ll have a diverse group of people who ordinarily wouldn’t have talked to each other outside your party, then you might want to plan for a group of about 40. Most importantly, send out your party invitations in advance to allow your guests to add your event to their schedules. No one likes last-minute cancellations, right?

As you send your invites out, also consider your party’s dress code. Most people go into a full-on panic over wardrobe choice when the invitations are vague about the preferred attire. To ease all of these burdens (including yourself), specify the dress code in the party invites. Your guests will be grateful for it.

Do certain areas of your home need a face-lift?

Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, barbeque, or laid-back luncheon, your kitchen, most especially, needs to be functional. Your kitchen area should be big enough to accommodate multiple cooks and stylish enough for your guests to want to hang out in it.

If you’re planning a kitchen remodel, consider an outdoor artisan kitchen design remodel. Outdoor kitchens are growing in popularity for several reasons. These new kitchen types are a great way to keep food odors outside, as some food smells can linger for days. Artisan kitchens are also a great way to add more appliances, storage space (outdoor kitchen cabinets), countertops, a unique backsplash, and extra seating. In this way, you can have an extra space for your guests to mingle.

Take care of your pets.

It’s important to let your guests know that they’ll be coming into a home with pets, just in case they’re scared of animals or have pet allergies. Also, make it clear that your pets aren’t to be fed any party food. This is because most party foods have chocolate, alcohol, onions, and grapes, all of which are toxic to pets.

For added security, make sure that all exit points in your home all secured. Advise your guests not to leave any gates or doors open. Also, make sure that all your entrance and exit points are well supervised. This is important because pets can run away. To avoid having to put out, “have you seen this dog?” fliers on the day after the party, make sure your dog is fitted with a collar on the day of the party.

Custom dog collars are an excellent way to make sure that your dogs are easily identifiable, should they wander away from the party and the team at JoyRide Harness’ can help you make the perfect collar. Theirs are the best custom dog collars on the market, and you can ensure that your pet has a reflective collar with the right fit so that it’s easy to find them in the dark, regardless of what dog breed they are. Their no-pull dog harness is a great option for both big and small dogs because it can be fit to match your dog’s neck size.

With their harness, you can clip your leash for extra support and also include your dog’s personal information such as their name and your phone number. In case your pup slips off at night, there’s a reflective strip on the leash to make your pooch visible in the nighttime, as mentioned, and having your dog’s information on the ID tag will give you more peace of mind during the party.

Clean your home.

Your home directly reflects you are, so, if your home appears dirty, this will probably not be a great look. To avoid all this bad press, plan to have all areas of your home thoroughly cleaned. Also, put away any personal or fragile items that you’re uncomfortable with other people seeing.

To be on the safe side, stock your bathrooms and laundry rooms with extra cleaning supplies like paper towels, wet wipes, a broom, and a sanitizer, in case a guest makes a mess. Also, make sure that you have enough toilet paper stocked.

Most of all, remember to have fun. This is your party, you’ve planned this day, and you must be exhausted. Despite all this, remember why you started. Pull out your most festive stick on nails, give yourself an at-home gel nail manicure, throw on your favorite outfit and have a good time.

How to Know When to Invest in Furnace Repair

As a homeowner, you want all of your appliances to work as efficiently as possible to save on your monthly bills. The HVAC system works hard throughout the year to keep your home cool and warm with the seasons. When your heating unit isn’t performing at its best, it becomes less efficient and more expensive to run. There are plenty of DIY maintenance tasks you can do for your heater that will save you money on hiring technicians. There are some signs of a malfunctioning furnace that are worth investing in professional repairs.

Why is routine maintenance important?

Never wait until the last minute to maintain your HVAC system. Running a clean, well-adjusted heating system is the best way to keep your home comfortable, save money on electricity, and prolong the life of your heater. You should clean your heating unit annually before cold autumn weather sets in. Failing to keep your heater clean could not only cause it to wear out sooner, but it could pump carbon monoxide into your home. You can do several heater cleaning tasks yourself, but it never hurts to have an HVAC professional do a thorough cleaning and inspection.

While you can save a pretty penny doing your own heater repairs, it’s important to understand the furnace repair requires expertise for many reasons. Mediagistic explains why it pays to work with technicians who have years of experience handling emergency repairs and breakdowns on heating systems. You can quickly fail at your repair attempt if you make the wrong assessment or purchase the wrong parts.

You could nullify your HVAC system’s warranty if repair work isn’t done by licensed service technicians, or make the problem worse. When dealing with a ventilation issue, you cause a carbon monoxide leak if you don’t know what you’re doing. Potential home buyers will want proof that your HVAC system has been maintained. Not having certification of work by professional HVAC contractors could make selling your house difficult.

DIY furnace repair options.

Homeowners often panic when their heating unit won’t turn on. It’s common for a tripped breaker or flipped switch to cause your unit not to turn on. Rather than immediately shopping for a new furnace, simply check the power source. It’s important to check the air filter annually and ensure it’s clean. A dirty air filter restricts airflow and causes the heater to work harder and overheat. Your unit may fail to run if it keeps overheating due to a dirty air filter. You can either clean dirty air filters or replace them if they are worse for wear.

Common signs that it’s best to call a professional.

There are several signs that it’s time to call in an HVAC contractor to assess your furnace and make the necessary repairs. When something in your heating system causes it to cut off before running a full heating cycle, this could be a sign that the fan motor is dying or the heat sensor needs cleaning. If you notice the burner flame color of your gas-powered furnace to be yellow in color, you need to hire an expert. This color indicates that you have a dirty burner and the gas isn’t burning off completely. When your furnace isn’t heating to its potential, it’s possible that carbon monoxide isn’t being vented properly.

Leaks from the roof or plumbing lines can cause your flue lines to rust and corrode. You need a properly functioning flue system to vent the high levels of carbon monoxide produced by a gas furnace. If you notice a huge spike in your monthly utility bills, this could be a sign that your heater isn’t performing well. Professional technicians can assess the performance of your unit and pinpoint what repairs will keep it in peak condition.

Before investing in a company, it’s a smart idea to get a full view of a company’s earnings, operating expenses, debt ratio, interest obligations, and other financial information that serves as an indicator of a company’s investment worth. The times’ interest earned ratio (TIE ratio), or the interest coverage ratio, is a calculation that serves as a measure of a company’s ability to meet its debt obligations. A higher ratio indicates a company’s ability to pay off its interest expense.

Mers In Biz explains how to calculate times interest earned ratio by looking at a company’s earnings before taxes and divide it by the interest expense. You can think of the TIE ratio as a solvency ratio. A high ratio maintained for a long-term basis indicates consistent earnings to cover all current interest expenses.

Keeping up with regular maintenance and repairs is the best way to help your heater perform at its best.

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.

Why You Should Consider New Construction

Homes available on the housing market have varying styles, sizes, price ranges, locations, and ages, enabling home seekers to select the one that matches their needs and preferences the most. While most people can successfully choose the right home, others may not be so fortunate—they may not find a property on the market that’s exactly suited to their desires or needs.

One effective solution for future homeowners who don’t want the existing homes available on the market is to have their homes built. By having their new home built from the ground up, home seekers will be able to customize their property and ensure that it comes complete with amenities and features suited to their lifestyle, habits, and preferences, and those of their families or prospective roommates.

The idea of owning a brand new property—especially a custom-made one—may be appealing and exciting to some individuals. Others, however, may be unsure if they should go with new construction because they may have concerns regarding the building project. Would a custom-made house cost more? How long does building a house take? Choosing between purchasing an existing home or having a new property built just for you can be an overwhelming decision to make. Described below are reasons why new construction can be beneficial and why you should consider it.

You can choose the location of your new property.

As part of the home buying process, people typically have to decide if they prefer larger cities and more accessible neighborhoods or smaller towns and quieter communities. People who have their homes built will face these same decisions, and neighborhood size and accessibility may be factors that help them determine a good location for buying vacant land and serving as the site of their new home.

People searching for acres of land to own can examine the neighborhood they want to live in and determine how suitable it is to their lifestyle and preferences. Considering the distance between your land and your job, school, hospitals and medical centers, stores, restaurants, other essential establishments, and your family members’ and friends’ homes can be beneficial.

Finding acres of land to buy isn’t an easy task, especially considering that vacant acres typically don’t show up on popular online real estate marketplaces. Due to the exclusion of vacant land from online real estate sites, it can take land buyers more than nine months to locate the perfect piece of land to purchase. However, utilizing a web resource like AcreBin enables land seekers to overcome this gap in the real estate technology marketplace. By connecting with the top U.S. land brokerages and displaying the best land listings available, AcreBin helps people locate the best land worth owning to serve as the site of their new property.

Newly constructed homes allow for more customization.

As the first occupants of the home, people may provide input into their home’s design. For instance, some home builders may let future homeowners choose the type of flooring to use throughout the house or the location of the bedrooms and bathrooms. Likewise, homeowners may get to design their home’s outdoor living space, which could ultimately help them increase their property’s curb appeal.

Homeowners who want to add a patio to make their outdoor space more comfortable or include a fountain to enhance the property’s exterior beauty, for instance, can consult contractors and make such external transformations happen. By relying on the furniture retail store that provides the best outdoor furniture, such as modern outdoor fountains, fireplaces, or tables, new homeowners can make their backyard and home exterior more visually appealing.

A new home is more likely to have efficient systems and technology and require fewer repairs.

Another advantage to new construction is that contractors and other professionals now work with more efficient, durable, and advanced materials when they build properties. A new house with no previous occupants will have a newly built roof, new plumbing systems and pipes, and unused appliances. Essentially, a new construction won’t need the same repairs in the coming years as an older home.

Builders are more likely to equip new properties with features like energy-saving heating and cooling systems, security systems, programmable thermostats, and efficient showerheads. Showers can contribute significantly to residential water consumption and energy use, so an energy-efficient showerhead installation can help people save water, energy, and money. If you can afford more transformations, don’t stop there—consider getting the best shower, shower space, and tub around altogether. For the best shower replacement, revamp your shower walls’ tiles and have your bathrooms equipped with Lux Bath Kohler showers. All Kohler showers have a sleek design that can give your new home the style it deserves; the Kohler Luxstone Shower is the perfect solution for enhancing efficiency and bringing a luxurious feel to your custom home.

Choosing new construction requires patience and planning, but ultimately allows people to prioritize their wants and must-haves for their home’s functionality and exercise their creativity when transforming a new house into a home.

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.

Ways To Save Money on Home Projects and Renovations

As a homeowner, you know how important upgrades and renovations can be to your overall quality of life and home’s value. You likely know how expensive they can get, too. If you’re a homeowner looking to do some renovations, considering taking out a home equity loan for home improvements, or hoping to lower your monthly payments for heating costs, here are a few things to consider that will save you money in the long run.

Maintaining Heating and Cooling Systems

Maintaining heating and cooling systems is the best way to keep costs low when it comes to your home. Many people wait too long to clean their furnaces, change their filters, and unclog their air ducts. This leaves them in the position of using space heaters or alternative methods of heating the home that can lead to higher costs. Like it or not, space heaters require high operation and maintenance costs, so pushing off a furnace cleaning could mean higher expenses by using a temporary electric heater.

To save money on your heating and cooling systems, consider putting your home systems on an annual rotation. By timing regular maintenance right, you’ll be able to get discounts, too. Instead of waiting until that busy time of year at the end of spring to have your central air looked at, consider having your air conditioning checked in winter. Do your heating maintenance in the hot summer months to save money, too. Whether your home is a fixer-upper or a new home, staying on top of these regular maintenance tasks in the off-season will add up to big savings.

Timing Your Financing

If you’re considering financing a home renovation through a home equity loan or personal loan, you’ll want to pay attention to interest rates. There’s no reason to pay a higher rate when you could secure the lowest rate in watching the market. A great way to save money is to have your ideas for any remodeling project lined up and ready to go but to hold off on applying for a loan until interest rates are low.

Start with making a list of priorities. Put money away each month for any renovations you’ll need for your home. You can even begin buying the tools and supplies you’ll need for any home improvement project ahead of time. When interest rates are low, look for online lenders who can give you the best rate for your project. Even if this means a wait between financing and when the work can begin, you’ll be glad your new loan is at a lower rate and that the money you save can go back into a savings account for future projects.

Affordable DIY Projects

Many people have great luck saving money on home improvement projects by doing them themselves. If you’re handy or have friends or family members capable of tackling a home renovation or home improvement project, it could be worth doing a little research on YouTube, blogs, and other online platforms to get ideas of ways you could tackle your next project yourself. The average contractor charges upwards of $40 an hour for a basic job. By making those easier improvements and changes yourself, you’ll save bundles on labor.

If considering taking on a DIY project, it’s important to look into the prices of lumber and other supplies. Due to the global pandemic, much of the building industry has been impacted by shutdowns in the United States. For this reason, lumber and many other construction supplies are up by as much as fifty percent in some places. Factoring this in now could help you time your project.

At the end of the day, your home is likely your biggest investment. By taking time to research ways to save money to make improvements, you’ll be doing more than adding value to your home. Giving yourself peace of mind, improving your quality of life, and finding creative ways to personalize your space is just a few of the perks the right improvement plan can buy.

Home Improvement Projects You Should Add to Your List

If you and your partner have currently stuck at home thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, you may be running out of ideas for ways to keep things special. After all, most of the days have started to blend together, even if you’re working remotely, and that can make it difficult to think about how to really live in the present moment. If your significant other has a birthday coming up or your anniversary is approaching, you may be tempted to really pull out all the stops in order to get the best gift possible.

That being said, it can be hard enough to know how to buy gifts for your significant other when you’re not facing a global pandemic, much less when you’re in the middle of one. In these sorts of situations, the perfect gift might actually be something more focused on domesticity than on something flashy that can be wrapped in a gift box. After all, many people think that the best gift is the gift that keeps on giving, and what could be more in line with that sort of philosophy than a home renovation project? If you’re looking for a great gift to give your partner, consider the gift idea of adding some home improvement projects to your honey-do list. Here are just a few project ideas to get you and your partner started.

Upgrade your home’s lighting.

Depending on your home’s electrical needs, you may find that some outlets or overhead lights aren’t what they used to be. At the same time, replacing the design, shape, or even color of your lighting can ultimately be the exact kind of transformative home improvement project to really add some excitement to your home. If you’re not the best electrician, it can make a lot of sense to hire an electrical contractor to handle any rewiring or installation of new electrical systems to support this kind of gift. You can pick the residental electrical contractor out ahead of time and then have your significant other picks out the new light fixtures. Especially if you’re looking for the right gift for Valentine’s Day, changing the lighting in your bedroom to be a little more romantic can be a great gift idea‚Äîespecially if you put the power of choice in your partner’s hands.

Landscape your backyard or outdoor space.

As a result of quarantining measures, it looks like even after the population is vaccinated a lot more activities are going to happen outdoors. A great gift idea is thus looking into adding a swimming pool or hot tub to your backyard. Especially if you host a lot of outdoor gatherings, having a swimming pool can make your backyard a really popular destination in the neighborhood. When looking for a swimming pool or hot tub service to ensure that your gift idea isn’t going to break the bank, a good idea is to look for a local pool contractor to see what sorts of rates they can give you. Just head to Google and search “swimming pool contractor in Hamilton, NJ” (or wherever you and your partner are located), and see what sorts of options you may have.

Replace your outdated appliances.

The kitchen is one of the most commonly upgraded areas of the home, and for good reason. That being said, if you’re a homeowner who’s been using your kitchen for years, you may feel like it’s in the need of a facelift. Upgrading outdated appliances to get better versions can be a great way to increase the style and functionality of a home and its kitchen. Whether that means top-of-the-line finishes or just getting rid of your ugly white stove for a stainless steel version, replacing your outdated appliances is a great Christmas gift or Valentine’s Day treat.

5 Home Upgrades Worth the Investment

Spring is almost here, which means summer isn’t far behind. Summer is prime-time for a few time-honored traditions like going to the beach, hosting barbecues, embarking on road trips, and taking time for home repairs and upgrades. Renovating might be the least enticing of summer traditions, but it’s the one that will pay off the most in the long run.

If you and your spouse are planning to undertake some home improvements this coming summer, it’s important to develop a plan and prioritize the different aspects of your home improvements. If this is your first time dealing with home repairs and upgrades, you could be in for quite a surprise. Indeed, the process can be daunting, but it’s necessary and rewarding when complete. Continue reading to find out which five home upgrades are worth the investment.

1. Electrical Wiring

Often, homeowners are unaware of the real condition of their homes. If you live in an older home, you should have an electrician inspect your wiring to make sure it’s up to date. You’d be surprised how many old houses have outdated wiring that would no longer meet code regulations.

Corbin is one of the most trusted providers of electrical services in Marlboro, NJ. They have years of experience doing all types of electrical work and providing excellent customer service. If you live in the Raritan Valley region of New Jersey, Corbin is an electrical contractor you can trust to meet your electrical needs.

2. Foundation

The foundation is one of the most critical parts of your home. If you begin to notice mold and cracks in your basement wall, it could be a sign that your foundation has been compromised.

Foundation problems can pop up from the middle of nowhere and change the entire structure of your home. Premier Wall Anchor and Waterproofing is one of the leading providers of basement and foundation repair in Stow, OH. Don’t let a wet basement cut into your quality time with your family when you can let the basement guys handle everything from foundation repair to basement waterproofing.

3. In-Ground Swimming Pool

Few things are as much fun as running out of your back door and jumping into a refreshing swimming pool on a hot summer day. You may feel like the summer is a long way away, but if you start working on your backyard paradise now, it could be ready by the time the mercury starts climbing.

It will take two or three months to complete your backyard swimming hole, but while the contractors are working, it’s the perfect time for planning a road trip with your spouse. The house isn’t a very fun place to be when it’s a construction site, so a long road trip is a perfect excuse to get away until the pool and other renovations are complete.

4. Roofing

The only thing that might be more concerning than a wet basement is a leaky roof. Your roof is second in importance only to your home’s foundation. If you shop around, you can find a roofing contractor with a reputation for doing great work and offering their customers a fair price. You can also use your home equity to help cover the price of your roof replacement.

5. Kitchen

If there’s one room in the house that the whole family cherishes, it’s the kitchen. It’s also one of the parts of the home to which prospective homebuyers the most attention, which makes it a potentially lucrative renovation choice if you should choose to sell your home in the future.

If you’re considering selling your home and you really want to wow home buyers, you should give your kitchen a makeover. These days, many people prefer open kitchens with an island with cabinets in the center and space for dining. Upgrading your kitchen to fit the current trends and demand is something that could not only make your family happier but could also make your home more alluring when you’re ready to place it on the market.

4 Tips for an Easy Move to a New State

The year 2020 brought with it many surprising developments or the United States economy and the lifestyles of many Americans. With the COVID-19 pandemic ushering in a new age of working from home, homeowners are considering packing up their belongings and moving to a state they’d never lived in before. Maybe you’ve always had a thing for the Pacific Northwest or the Florida Keys, but your big-city East Coast job kept you in the Tri-state area. Well, no longer.

Now, if you want to make Oregon your new home, you can. Sure, you’ll need to do some research into Oregon charter schools instead of public schools for your kids, but there’s nothing else keeping you from the greenery of the Oregon forests. So, what do you need to keep in mind to move to a new state? Let’s look at four great things to be mindful of as you gear up to find a new home.

1. Find reliable general contractors in your new region.

Buying a new home often entails a certain amount of renovations, and that’s true wherever you’re moving to. It’s a good idea to head to your new area and scope out the home before moving in. That’s a great way to clarify any renovations that need doing, like work on the exterior or laying new tile floors, and get them done by reliable general contractors before you move. To find a contractor you can trust to do a remodel while you keep tabs from afar, use the web, and read plenty of reviews. Also, if you know someone in the city or town you’re moving to, consider asking them to be a point person for your remodel team to speak to.

2. Find out if your new home comes with appliances.

While it’s common practice to rent a home with appliances, that’s not always the case for a new home. That being said, some sellers are willing to sell their used appliances or fixtures for a discount simply because it saves them the trouble and cost of moving a refrigerator or dishwasher. If you don’t want to move the appliances from your current home clear across the country, ask your realtor about this option.

3. It’s a good idea to think about the weather, too.

If this is your first home in the State of Oregon or any other state, you may not be prepared for the weather conditions you’ll be encountering. For example, when you think about the Sunshine State, you may not be thinking about hurricanes, but hurricane season is a real (and dangerous!) fixture of Floridian’s life. Read up on home renovation tips for Florida homeowners and ensure that any home renovation projects include provisions for extreme weather, like floods and hurricanes. You should also make sure that your homeowner’s insurance includes coverage for damage caused by hurricanes or floods.

Virtual schools still need to be good schools.

If you have kids who you’re moving to a new city, keep them in mind when you’re thinking about buying a new home. There’s a difference between charter schools, public schools, and public charter schools. Even if your kids have been attending virtual schools for a year now, they should still be included in any conversations about choosing frameworks for their education. After all, they’ll be the ones sitting in front of a Chromebook and doing the actual schoolwork.

Wherever you’re moving to, the best way to find a new house is to do your research and keep the conversation about this new era an open one. Remember, this is a grand adventure, so even if you experience some hiccups on the way, it’s all part of the journey.

Why It’s a Good Idea To Open a Franchise Location

It seems like everywhere you turn these days, someone is launching a startup and praying that it’s a unicorn, like Facebook or Uber. It’s the age of the entrepreneur, and it’s an exciting time to be alive if you have big business ideas. With that being said, not every startup will make a profit. Actually, most small businesses fail within the first five years, leaving the entrepreneurs who launched them without much to offer the lenders who backed the project.

How can you make sure that your startup is a success and even see some serious profit margins sooner rather than later? One part of it is pulling yourself up by your bootstraps, but another part is hedging your bets in a smart way. Did you know that you don’t have to start a small business from scratch to be a business owner? It’s true. Franchisees are business owners, too, and they have an easier time getting venture capital for their projects. If you’re considering getting into a franchise, here are some reasons why that’s a great idea for a successful startup.

It’s easier to find lenders to cover cash flow.

The first and most important, reason why it’s a good idea to be a franchisee is simply that it’s easier to do. Lenders, whether traditional financial institutions, the SBA (Small Business Administration), or other lenders are more likely to back your project because it’s not a brand-new concept. Many startup entrepreneurs spend ages searching for an angel investor in the early stages of a startup, while franchisees can turn to dedicated franchise revenue loans to get off the ground. This means that you don’t have to put as much of your own money into the launch, and you can still be the founder of your own business. That’s not to say that starting a small business that’s a franchise isn’t hard work—it is. It just means it’s easier to get a leg up on your startup.

You can rely on the wisdom of the franchisor.

You’re not starting from scratch, and that’s great for a lot of reasons. The franchisor has already figured out a business plan that works. They have a successful business. You’re just joining the party, and you can rely on the wisdom of the franchisor to serve as a compass. Instead of perusing a guide to bootstrapping a business, you can leave your bootstraps where they are and learn from the playbook the franchisor gives you when you buy into the business.

There are tools to keep your own business safe online.

If you’re concerned about online safety for your new business, that’s good. There are far too many crooked folks online just waiting to steal sensitive information from you and your customers. Any advisor would tell you that investing in IPv4 addresses will keep you safer than relying on the IP address that comes with your laptop. Actually, the most updated IP addresses are IPv6, but IPv4 addresses are still in high demand—as long as they’re scrubbed clean. When you buy an IP address for your business, it’s like owning your startup office space instead of renting it—it’s just more secure. It’s worth spending money on the kind of security you can buy with an IPv4 address block.

Starting a business will take hard work and a lot of money. That’s just the way it goes. However, you don’t have to go the hardest route and put all the business cash flow on your credit card. Be smart. Turn to a dedicated franchise lender, and get a business loan to make your entrepreneurial dreams come true.

What’s Wrong With Your Heat Pump or Furnace?

Your heat pump or furnace heats your home and keeps your family cozy and warm during the long winter months. So, if there’s only cold air coming out of the vents, and your home is suddenly freezing, you may have a problem. The problem could be with your thermostat or even your ductwork that carries the hot air to the vents to heat your home.

Either way, you need your heat pump and furnace to blow out warm air, not cold air, which leaves you and your family freezing and prone to getting sick. In this article, you’ll find a few tips for figuring out what could be wrong with your heat pump or furnace to help you out.

Your heat pump or furnace isn’t turning on.

Your heat pump or furnace should blow warm air through your vents, but if the heat pump or furnace won’t even turn on, that’s not going to happen. With your heat pump or your furnace, it could be a few different things. Your thermostat could be broken, or it may even be that your circuit breakers have tripped. Try checking these things first; then, if that doesn’t do the trick, it’s probably best to call in an HVAC technician to take a look at the unit for you.

Your system is short-cycling.

If you wake up one morning, sit at the table with your coffee, then start glancing through an article on grooming and lifestyle tips for taking years off your looks, only to notice that your heat pump or furnace is starting and stopping, then starting and stopping again in short amounts of time, then your system could be short-cycling. From dirty air filters to your thermostat needing to be reset, there are many reasons that this could be happening. If you can’t figure out the problem by changing the air filter and reprogramming the thermostat, it’s time to call in the technicians before the problem gets more serious.

Your furnace or heat pump is running constantly.

If your electric bills have suddenly shot through the roof, it could be because your furnace or heat pump is constantly running. A few reasons this could be happening include the weather being unusually cold, a problem with your thermostat, or even a broken compressor. Your thermostat could be set to the incorrect setting, or your limit switch be on the fritz as well. It’s best to call in an HVAC professional to inspect the unit and find the problem. Once the technician fixes the problem, your electric bills should start to go down.

You have an older furnace or heat pump.

Your unit may be just past its prime. Though most furnaces and heat pumps are built to last for quite a few years, if they aren’t maintained properly, or their shelf life is reached, you’re going to start having problems. If you’re putting more money into your unit than it would cost to replace it, then it might be time to bite the bullet, pull out the money and order a new system. There are signs that you need to replace your unit; if you find that you have more than two of the signs, it’s time to call an HVAC professional in to see about a replacement unit. A reliable, reputable HVAC technician can truthfully tell you if you’re better off replacing instead of repairing your unit and help you find the best option for your home.

These are just a few problems you could have with your furnace or heat pump over the years. If you find that you’re spending more on repairs than the unit is worth, it might be time to spring for a replacement unit instead.

What You Should Know When You Buy a House

Buying a house is one of the most exciting milestones in a person’s life. The peace of mind that comes with knowing you and your family have a safe place to spend your lives together is immeasurable. For many, a home is a perfect way to show stability in their lives or offer a fresh start when needed. Although this process is fun and exciting to most, there are still things you should know before buying a house. Here, we’ll discuss a few things you should keep in mind to help make your home buying experience more beneficial.

Choosing a great real estate agent is the perfect place to start.

You may see a home that piques your interest as you’re driving down the road or looking online. The neighborhood may be beautiful, and the layout could be perfect for your needs, but there’s much more involved in purchasing the house of your dreams. Possibly the most important piece of the home buying puzzle is the real estate company you work with.

Before asking about the plumbing or taking photographs to share on your social network, getting pricing settled on something you can afford is a must. With a great real estate agent at your side, this is made more achievable. The right agents will take your needs, budget, and credit score all into account when helping you find the right home. This is often the best way to get you and your family into the perfect place without tons of unwanted hassles.

Know exactly what you’re getting into with the home you choose.

A home’s condition is something everyone should take into account when buying a house. If your plans are to purchase a fixer-upper to give yourself a project to work on, then repairs may not be as important to you, but those who are looking for a living space for their family immediately need to question everything. A great way to gather the information you need is to be curious when doing walkthroughs or visiting an open house.

You may feel odd asking about electrical issues, plumbing problems such as burst pipes, or toilet troubles when speaking with agents, but don’t let this sway you from getting the answers you need. For example, asking about plumbing in Brisbane Northside before you move in gives you ample time to choose the best local plumbing services to get your home in order. The real estate team handling the sale may even have great suggestions for local Brisbane companies, such as RPG plumbing, to handle all your needed repairs and upkeep.

Keeping your affairs in order may help you afford the costs of your new home.

Troubles appear in everyone’s lives from time to time. Unfortunately, certain issues may be costly and can leave you struggling with unexpected costs or fees. In some cases, this may leave you with issues covering your mortgage payment or the costs of renovating your new home.

People have been known to get high and drive. When being arrested or charged for these types of impairments while operating a vehicle, fines and heavy costs can be involved. Whether you were under the influence of marijuana or your blood alcohol content was too high, the legality issues involved can leave you paying out more money than you intended.

Having a well-maintained savings account can help you in this situation, but the best way to stay on top of unwanted problems with bills is to keep your affairs in order and avoid a dangerous level of impairment when on the road. No driver wants a DUI on their record or the worries of what they could lose in the process of dealing with such an unfortunate incident. This is especially true for new homeowners who are now obligated to a mortgage payment.

Making memories is the best part of a new home.

In a new home, every member of the family will want to make memories last by taking photographs. When relocating, it’s important to know your local connectivity, so you can put your cloud storage service to good use. The same can be said for other online subscriptions such as your Google account, Google Photos, Dropbox, or Photoshop. Staying connected to these subscriptions through your iOS device or Microsoft OneDrive will allow you unlimited storage and the best cloud for photos. This will make it easier to share those memorable moments in your new home.

These few things are simply a few of those you should know before deciding to move. If the time has come for you and your family to relocate, then you need to research, talk, and plan out everything about this exciting adventure properly. This will make the moving process easier and starting life in your new home better.