Posts

After the Home Inspection: When to Request a Repair

June 24, 2019

When housing markets are hot, buyers have to be flexible when it comes to minor defects in a house they want. Because a home might have multiple competitive offers, it’s important to know how to get yours accepted so you can move into your dream home ASAP. While it would be ideal if the seller offered to fix every issue your home inspector finds, that’s not often realistic. Instead, you need to know which items are potential deal-breakers and which repairs can safely be put off until after closing. We’ll show you when you should request repairs to a home you’re looking at buying, and when asking for a repair could needlessly sink the deal. Don’t Sweat Little IssuesBuying a house is a big investment, so it makes sense that you’d want everything perfect. However, that’s not a reasonable expectation. Unless you’re building your home, every house is a used house, and they’re all going to have idiosyncrasies and blemishes that you’ll have to compromise on. What kinds of things are we talking about? Here’s a handy list: 1. Cosmetic Problems: There might be a crack in a tile, some scratched paint or old carpet you’re not a huge fan

Your Guide to Home Composting

June 7, 2019

Composting can be a little intimidating if you’re new to the game. The good news is that it’s definitely not as hard as it looks. If you’re interested in starting to compost at home but haven’t tried it yet, we’ll tell you everything you need to know. Composting 101At its heart, composting is a process of controlled decomposition. Start with a pile of the waste your household naturally creates—stuff like kitchen scraps, paper, coffee grounds and more (we’ll go further into this later)—and eventually you’ll end up with a batch of rich fertilizer you can use to keep your garden plants growing healthy. Here’s where things get trickier. It matters how you store your compost pile, what you include in the pile and in what ratio, and how often you turn the pile. Technically speaking, you don’t need any special tools to get started with composting. However, if you (or your neighbors) don’t really want to spend your days looking at a pile of compost in your yard, you can buy a container that will hide the potential eyesore. Besides hiding your compost pile, many containers are designed to allow for easier turning of the pile, which speeds up the

The Most Important Features for Your Wish List When Searching for an Accessible Home

May 21, 2019

By Patrick Young of the blog AbleUSA.info House hunting isn’t always a straightforward process. From start to finish, there are so many factors to consider. When you’re looking for a home that is accessible, you have a few extra things to keep in mind. Some homes may already have accessibility features, while others may need some modifications. We’re here to help guide you through it all, from getting started to finding the perfect home and getting ready to move in. Getting StartedIf you’re a first-time house hunter, it’s normal to feel a little overwhelmed by the process. Before you start searching in earnest, familiarize yourself with the steps involved. You need to set a budget and understand the costs, brainstorm about what you’re looking for, and get a feel for how long it all takes. Your overall budget will need to include a down payment, mortgage costs, and other expenses like closing costs. To qualify for a mortgage, it’s important to get a copy of your credit report and do as much as you can to improve your credit score. If you have outstanding debt, you need a plan to address it. This isn’t something that happens overnight; however, be

How to Revive a Tired Deck This Summer

May 17, 2019

As we look forward to a summer filled with backyard barbeques and family get-togethers, it’s probably time to take a little time to evaluate your deck. Are your deck boards greying, washed out or covered in moss and leaf debris? If your deck looks like it took a beating last winter, don’t worry—there’s still time to get it looking great in time for company. Just follow these simple steps for cleaning and re-staining your deck and get ready to show it off! 1. Learn the differences between transparent and opaque deck stain.The first thing to realize when it comes to deck stain is that there is no perfect solution; every type of stain has pros and cons, so you just have to pick the one that’s best for you. Deck stains are available on a spectrum, from totally transparent to completely opaque. Transparent deck stains are best for showing off the natural beauty of your wood, so they’re best used on fresh, new boards. There’s a catch though, as these stains let in more UV light and degrade faster than opaque stains. If you don’t mind having to re-stain your deck more often (about every 6 to 24 months), then

5 Must-Ask Questions For Your Home Inspector After the Inspection

May 3, 2019

When you’re in the middle of buying a home, it’s easy to get lost in the process. One thing you shouldn’t overlook is the opportunity to get answers to essential questions from your home inspector. If you’re not sure where to start, we’ve developed this list of must-ask home inspection questions to help you cover all your bases and completely understand your new home. 1. “Can I get an explanation?”Depending on how many issues your inspector finds, it’s common for their report to be 50 to 90 pages long, which can be daunting. While your inspector will make your report as easy to understand as possible, you shouldn’t be afraid to ask for clarification if you need it—after all, this is one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make, so you want to be sure you understand the home’s issues before you buy. As soon as you receive the home inspection report, go through it carefully and mark any sections that you don’t completely understand. Then call your inspector and ask them to address your questions. 2. “Is this a big problem or a small one?”If your inspection report ends up on the longer side, don’t get overwhelmed. Most issues

How to Clean Outside Your House the Right Way

April 30, 2019

Spring cleaning season is in full swing, but if you’re like a lot of people you don’t pay a lot of attention to the outside of your house. Sure, you can get away with just focusing on the inside, but if you’re thinking about selling your house any time soon, it pays to spruce up your home’s exterior, too. From power-washing your driveway to taking care of mildewed siding, here are our top tips for cleaning the outside of your house for maximum curb appeal. 1. Start By SurveyingIf it’s been a while since you’ve taken stock of what’s happening with your home’s exterior, start by taking a little walk around the yard, taking note of areas that need attention. Pay special mind to areas of wood rot, mildew, loose fixtures, shifted downspouts or fallen tree branches (these you can clean up as you go). Once you have a list put together of areas that need cleaning, fixing or touching up, it’s time to strategize your cleaning methods. 2. Windows and Power-WashingIf your windows are dirty (and let’s face it, they probably will be), your first thought might be to drag out the power-washer. To be sure, a power washer

How You Can DIY Common Fixes Around the Home

April 18, 2019

By Bret Engle of the blog DIYGuys.net Hiring a contractor for every small thing that happens around the home can quickly add up. Instead, it’s wise to know what you can do yourself and what truly needs a professional hand. Here are some tips and tricks to mastering basic DIY projects around your property. When to Consider ProfessionalsGranted, going through video after video on YouTube isn’t exactly a recipe for a fun evening or weekend. Furthermore, you may also be frustrated in your efforts to find a DIY solution relevant to your problem. If this proves to be the case, there are many professional avenues you have at your disposal. You can go online to find reputable contractors and be on your way to having your maintenance done. Unclogging DrainsClogged drains, whether in the kitchen or bathroom, can pose as many risks as they do inconveniences. Yet, dealing with it is accessible enough that it can be achieved with just a few household products, such as baking soda and vinegar. Using natural options is preferable to chemical cleaners, as these are harmful to the environment and can degrade your plumbing. An organic solution will displace any accumulated grime and debris

The Best Way to Polish Wood Floors

April 5, 2019

Hardwood floors have topped homebuyers’ most wanted lists for some time now and remain a major selling point for prospective buyers. While they’re known for being more durable and easier to maintain than carpet, hardwood floors still need upkeep and TLC to stay looking new. Here’s the best technique for polishing your hardwood floors so they look their best for years to come. How Often to Polish Hardwood FloorsThere IS such a thing as polishing hardwood floors too often. Over-polishing will only lead to a sticky buildup and create the perfect trap for dust, dirt and grime. The idea behind polishing floors is to fill in any scratches, protect the finish from future damage and of course, achieve that shiny, sparkling clean look. The best schedule for polishing hardwood floors is once every two to four months. 1. Remove rugs and furniture.First, remove the rugs from the room whose floors you’re ready to polish. Then, the more furniture you can completely remove from the room, the better. Grab a friend, and remove all furniture if possible, or push it as close to the edges of the room as you can. 2. Vacuum floors thoroughly.Before you start polishing, you’ll want to

5 Spring Cleaning Tips You Shouldn’t Follow

March 13, 2019

The first day of spring is right around the corner, and you know what that means—it’s time to come out of hibernation and get your place spic and span. There’s no shortage of spring cleaning tips scattered across the internet, but which ones should you really follow? We’ll show which ones you need to avoid and what to do instead to save you time and money. 1. Dousing Carpet StainsWhen you spill wine on the carpet, your first impulse might be to dilute, dilute, dilute to keep the stain from ruining the fibers. This is actually one of the worst things you can do. Instead of saturating the stain with water or carpet cleaner, which can break down carpet fibers and push staining material down into the pad and underlayment, focus on blotting the stain. You’ll draw liquid out of the carpet fibers this way, and you can repeat by lightly misting the area with water or cleaner until the stain is gone. 2. Lemons in the Garbage DisposalThis is one of those myths that’s hard to shake—after all, who doesn’t like the idea of refreshing their disposal with lemon? The problem is this: the same acid that cuts through

Common Home Fixes: When You Can DIY and When to Hire a Pro

March 6, 2019

By Bret Engle of the blog DIYGuys.net Being a homeowner can be confusing these days, at least when it comes to DIY projects. With so many shows, guides, and experts seemingly ready to walk you through the most difficult of undertakings, is there any limit to what the average homeowner can do? Well, in actuality, there are a number of jobs where most people are better off connecting with a pro, and here’s how to determine what projects those are, as well as what you should expect to pay for them. Before You Jump InThe last thing you need is to be tripping over supplies and materials while you’re in work mode, and neither do you want a contractor damaging your belongings. Whether you DIY or hire a professional, consider budgeting for a storage space to boost elbow room. As an example, you can rent a 10’x10′ self-storage unit for just $20 at Affordable Family Storage on L Street in Omaha. It’s a smart and inexpensive option for preventing both injuries and broken belongings, so include that when crafting your project budget. Timelines and LimitationsWhen it comes to home repairs, having a good understanding of your personal skills and abilities