Tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, and floods are well known for the damage they can leave in their wake, but there is another phenomenon that can also wreak havoc while being much tougher to see coming. That’s right, we’re talking about sinkholes.
There will always be new technologies and attractions that vie for our attention, but in recent years, “screen time” and other indoor distractions have become more dominant than ever in capturing our kids’ interest. All parents should want their kids to spend time outdoors for many reasons, but here are just a few benefits: With the school year coming to a close, the time is now to prepare for outdoor activities. If you don’t want your kids glued to their screens all summer, here are a few ideas that just might encourage them to spend more time out of the house. Make Your Yard a DestinationOne reason why some kids have limited enthusiasm for spending time outside is they simply haven’t found “their game” quite yet. If you’re willing to make a small investment and do a little DIY, there are a number of ways to transform your front or backyard from boring, unused space into the talk of the neighborhood. 1. Get a Basketball HoopBasketball is a great source of exercise for all ages, and a hoop can be enjoyed by many people at once or a single person at a time.Whether playing “Horse,” jumping into a one-on-one game,
The classic American home is most often imagined as a nice colonial or Cape Cod house with a white picket fence and a pristine, freshly-cut lawn, all lined up in a cul-de-sac filled with homes taken care of with the exact same attention to detail. There are many aspects of the modern home that are tough to divorce from that classic picture, but despite this fact, one modern movement is attempting to hit the reset button on what a lawn should be. The so-called, “Anti-Lawn Movement” advocates for the removal of a traditional all-grass, low diversity lawn in favor of a more natural option instead. Rather than the uniform, finely-trimmed grass and hedgerow, this means wildflowers, clovers, and a landscape that matches the local region. For many, the results of the Anti-Lawn Movement may feel like an untidy excuse to cut down on regular maintenance, but there may be plenty of other benefits that come with this type of seismic change! To get a better idea of why someone would want to move away from their grass lawns, let’s discuss where today’s lawn came from in the first place and why a change may be in store. Where Did the
Optimism in the housing market among Gen Zers and millennials is on the rise thanks to mortgage rate drops from the Federal Reserve (per reports at Business Insider). While this is great news for those who have been waiting to jump into the housing market, people who are waiting for lower housing prices are likely to be disappointed as mortgage rates are just one piece of the puzzle. A lack of inventory and high demand mean that housing prices aren’t likely to see a substantial change anytime soon, so when is the right time for a new homebuyer to start looking? For many reasons, it might be this spring! The Housing Market is SeasonalIt’s no secret that the housing market is largely seasonal, especially in regions that see a large amount of snow. The hassle of moving during inclement weather obviously isn’t ideal, plus homebuyers can have an inaccurate view of what the home and its neighborhood even looks like if it’s covered in snow. Because of these factors, warm weather tends to bring the busiest time of the year for real estate agents – but this doesn’t necessarily mean summer is the best time for everyone to buy a
Everyone has run into mold from time to time in their bathrooms, in their kitchens, or around leaking appliances. While mold can actually come in many different colors and varieties, the dark fuzzy spots that crop up inside homes are usually easy to take care of without much issue, especially when addressed quickly. However, when left unaddressed, mold can damage and permanently discolor materials that they’ve attached to, as well as negatively impact the health of anyone in the home. In fact, according to healthcare professionals over on Healthline, overexposure to mold can lead to infection, lung inflammation, and other symptoms. Mold thrives in dark, moist, and warm environments, which means that issues in certain lesser trafficked areas of the home can easily get out of hand. If you experience any of the following, schedule a mold inspection to find the root of the problem: Homeowners can keep mold at bay by reducing humidity in their homes, maintaining good ventilation, and cleaning spills quickly. In addition, check and clean out these areas to cover some of mold’s best hiding spots inside the home: Contact your local NPI home inspector to schedule a mold inspection!
As a kid, there’s nothing like spending the summer hanging out in your own custom-made treehouse, looking out over the neighborhood like you’re on top of the world. Many homeowners have a nostalgic attachment to their own childhood treehouses or miss the treehouse experience they never had. For the ambitious homeowner looking to get their kids to spend some extra time outside or to give themselves a more unique hideaway, a DIY treehouse project can be an exciting endeavor. However, treehouses can have the unintended effect of harming your tree if you don’t take the right precautions. To create a memorable hideaway that doesn’t sacrifice the health of your tree, keep these points in mind. Note: Check with your local building authority, HOA, and your neighbors before getting started. Certain areas may require special permits, and it’s always a good idea to talk with your neighbors before building something that might block the view! Pick the Perfect TreeNo matter your building practices or your comfort with larger scale projects, the success of a treehouse DIY project lives and dies by whether you’ve identified the right candidate for the foundation. A stable and safe treehouse needs a tree that’s matured, with
Purchasing a home can be one of the most simultaneously exciting and stressful processes anyone will go through. Considering the sizable investment and the long-reaching impact that a closing negotiation can have on both the buyer and the seller, it is completely understandable to lose a couple winks of sleep while worrying about each odd detail of a home’s sale. In these instances, buyers (especially first-time homebuyers) who learn about the need of a home inspection can get a bit antsy through the process, viewing the inspection as a roadblock to their homeownership. This is where a frequently answered question comes into play: How long does a home inspection take? While there may be a typical range of time to expect for a general home inspection, there are a wide array of factors that make this question tough to answer point blank. However, in the interest of easing any concerns, we will take some time today to discuss how long a home inspection takes, what can extend or shorten the process, and why a good home inspector needs this time. To begin, let’s review what a home inspection is and why it is a necessary part of every home’s sale.
A home inspector’s job is to know everything about what makes a home safe, comfortable, and habitable. Modern advancements mean that families are able to live in new jaw-droppingly beautiful environments, even despite their unique challenges. As people stretch the limitations of a modern home, home inspectors are still there to ensure necessary systems function as they should. When it comes to living in a mountain home, owners have to adapt to their surroundings. Whether you’re a new homeowner acclimating to life a little higher above sea level, or you’re a long-time mountain dweller looking for some tips to keep your home running smoother (and to keep costs down), here are some primary maintenance concerns worth tracking. Every Home’s Number One Enemy is Water IntrusionIn most climates, water management easily tops the list for property concerns due to the wide range of issues it can cause. Between poor water run-off, water intrusion, pooling and standing water, the development of mold, mildew, is a primary concern. In areas that have to deal with rain and snow throughout the year, water management becomes an even more important focus. Homeowners can start by regularly cleaning out their gutters and keeping their downspouts free
New homebuyers have so much to consider as they search for their dream home. Outside of architectural style, location, number of bedrooms, or whether it has a multi-car garage, homeowners need to be able to picture life within the house. Can they picture their kids playing in the backyard? Is this the type of place where they can see their family and friends wanting to come and visit? One amenity that has the ability to generate a great deal of excitement and ensure that a new home will be a gathering point for friends and family is the swimming pool. However, there are a lot of added responsibilities that come with managing and maintaining a pool. Whether you’re a homebuyer looking at a property with a pool, or you’re a homeowner who is thinking of making a dynamic addition to their home, here are a few things to consider before getting a pool. The Effects on Your ROIWhen making any major alteration to a property, homeowners should consider what impact that change will have on their property value. Even if the expectation is to stay in the same home for a long time, plans can change quickly! Although conventional wisdom
As people progress in their lives, chances are that they will experience a desire for increased ownership and investment in their living space. For many, this might mean a transition from an apartment to a traditional single-family home. Certainly, a traditional home has many potential draws for a first-time homeowner, but depending on priorities and interests, it would be a mistake not to consider a condominium. Condos are often regarded as a less expensive, more obtainable first home for young people. If you are in the market for home ownership, it would be valuable to review the pros and cons of buying a condo. But first, it’s important to develop a general understanding of how a condominium differs from an apartment or a traditional home. What Is A Condominium? A condominium is a residential complex consisting of separate units, each owned by their respective resident. Often abbreviated as simply “condos,” these units resemble apartments in some ways, often sharing walls with other units. Sometimes they are even located in highrise buildings, with units above or below one another. Condo owners are responsible for the upkeep of their units’ interiors, while they must join their condo’s association to collectively care for
Tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, and floods are well known for the damage they can leave in their wake, but there is another phenomenon that can also wreak havoc while being much tougher to see coming. That’s right, we’re talking about sinkholes.
There will always be new technologies and attractions that vie for our attention, but in recent years, “screen time” and other indoor distractions have become more dominant than ever in capturing our kids’ interest. All parents should want their kids to spend time outdoors for many reasons, but here are just a few benefits: With the school year coming to a close, the time is now to prepare for outdoor activities. If you don’t want your kids glued to their screens all summer, here are a few ideas that just might encourage them to spend more time out of the house. Make Your Yard a DestinationOne reason why some kids have limited enthusiasm for spending time outside is they simply haven’t found “their game” quite yet. If you’re willing to make a small investment and do a little DIY, there are a number of ways to transform your front or backyard from boring, unused space into the talk of the neighborhood. 1. Get a Basketball HoopBasketball is a great source of exercise for all ages, and a hoop can be enjoyed by many people at once or a single person at a time.Whether playing “Horse,” jumping into a one-on-one game,
The classic American home is most often imagined as a nice colonial or Cape Cod house with a white picket fence and a pristine, freshly-cut lawn, all lined up in a cul-de-sac filled with homes taken care of with the exact same attention to detail. There are many aspects of the modern home that are tough to divorce from that classic picture, but despite this fact, one modern movement is attempting to hit the reset button on what a lawn should be. The so-called, “Anti-Lawn Movement” advocates for the removal of a traditional all-grass, low diversity lawn in favor of a more natural option instead. Rather than the uniform, finely-trimmed grass and hedgerow, this means wildflowers, clovers, and a landscape that matches the local region. For many, the results of the Anti-Lawn Movement may feel like an untidy excuse to cut down on regular maintenance, but there may be plenty of other benefits that come with this type of seismic change! To get a better idea of why someone would want to move away from their grass lawns, let’s discuss where today’s lawn came from in the first place and why a change may be in store. Where Did the
Optimism in the housing market among Gen Zers and millennials is on the rise thanks to mortgage rate drops from the Federal Reserve (per reports at Business Insider). While this is great news for those who have been waiting to jump into the housing market, people who are waiting for lower housing prices are likely to be disappointed as mortgage rates are just one piece of the puzzle. A lack of inventory and high demand mean that housing prices aren’t likely to see a substantial change anytime soon, so when is the right time for a new homebuyer to start looking? For many reasons, it might be this spring! The Housing Market is SeasonalIt’s no secret that the housing market is largely seasonal, especially in regions that see a large amount of snow. The hassle of moving during inclement weather obviously isn’t ideal, plus homebuyers can have an inaccurate view of what the home and its neighborhood even looks like if it’s covered in snow. Because of these factors, warm weather tends to bring the busiest time of the year for real estate agents – but this doesn’t necessarily mean summer is the best time for everyone to buy a
Everyone has run into mold from time to time in their bathrooms, in their kitchens, or around leaking appliances. While mold can actually come in many different colors and varieties, the dark fuzzy spots that crop up inside homes are usually easy to take care of without much issue, especially when addressed quickly. However, when left unaddressed, mold can damage and permanently discolor materials that they’ve attached to, as well as negatively impact the health of anyone in the home. In fact, according to healthcare professionals over on Healthline, overexposure to mold can lead to infection, lung inflammation, and other symptoms. Mold thrives in dark, moist, and warm environments, which means that issues in certain lesser trafficked areas of the home can easily get out of hand. If you experience any of the following, schedule a mold inspection to find the root of the problem: Homeowners can keep mold at bay by reducing humidity in their homes, maintaining good ventilation, and cleaning spills quickly. In addition, check and clean out these areas to cover some of mold’s best hiding spots inside the home: Contact your local NPI home inspector to schedule a mold inspection!
As a kid, there’s nothing like spending the summer hanging out in your own custom-made treehouse, looking out over the neighborhood like you’re on top of the world. Many homeowners have a nostalgic attachment to their own childhood treehouses or miss the treehouse experience they never had. For the ambitious homeowner looking to get their kids to spend some extra time outside or to give themselves a more unique hideaway, a DIY treehouse project can be an exciting endeavor. However, treehouses can have the unintended effect of harming your tree if you don’t take the right precautions. To create a memorable hideaway that doesn’t sacrifice the health of your tree, keep these points in mind. Note: Check with your local building authority, HOA, and your neighbors before getting started. Certain areas may require special permits, and it’s always a good idea to talk with your neighbors before building something that might block the view! Pick the Perfect TreeNo matter your building practices or your comfort with larger scale projects, the success of a treehouse DIY project lives and dies by whether you’ve identified the right candidate for the foundation. A stable and safe treehouse needs a tree that’s matured, with
Purchasing a home can be one of the most simultaneously exciting and stressful processes anyone will go through. Considering the sizable investment and the long-reaching impact that a closing negotiation can have on both the buyer and the seller, it is completely understandable to lose a couple winks of sleep while worrying about each odd detail of a home’s sale. In these instances, buyers (especially first-time homebuyers) who learn about the need of a home inspection can get a bit antsy through the process, viewing the inspection as a roadblock to their homeownership. This is where a frequently answered question comes into play: How long does a home inspection take? While there may be a typical range of time to expect for a general home inspection, there are a wide array of factors that make this question tough to answer point blank. However, in the interest of easing any concerns, we will take some time today to discuss how long a home inspection takes, what can extend or shorten the process, and why a good home inspector needs this time. To begin, let’s review what a home inspection is and why it is a necessary part of every home’s sale.
A home inspector’s job is to know everything about what makes a home safe, comfortable, and habitable. Modern advancements mean that families are able to live in new jaw-droppingly beautiful environments, even despite their unique challenges. As people stretch the limitations of a modern home, home inspectors are still there to ensure necessary systems function as they should. When it comes to living in a mountain home, owners have to adapt to their surroundings. Whether you’re a new homeowner acclimating to life a little higher above sea level, or you’re a long-time mountain dweller looking for some tips to keep your home running smoother (and to keep costs down), here are some primary maintenance concerns worth tracking. Every Home’s Number One Enemy is Water IntrusionIn most climates, water management easily tops the list for property concerns due to the wide range of issues it can cause. Between poor water run-off, water intrusion, pooling and standing water, the development of mold, mildew, is a primary concern. In areas that have to deal with rain and snow throughout the year, water management becomes an even more important focus. Homeowners can start by regularly cleaning out their gutters and keeping their downspouts free
New homebuyers have so much to consider as they search for their dream home. Outside of architectural style, location, number of bedrooms, or whether it has a multi-car garage, homeowners need to be able to picture life within the house. Can they picture their kids playing in the backyard? Is this the type of place where they can see their family and friends wanting to come and visit? One amenity that has the ability to generate a great deal of excitement and ensure that a new home will be a gathering point for friends and family is the swimming pool. However, there are a lot of added responsibilities that come with managing and maintaining a pool. Whether you’re a homebuyer looking at a property with a pool, or you’re a homeowner who is thinking of making a dynamic addition to their home, here are a few things to consider before getting a pool. The Effects on Your ROIWhen making any major alteration to a property, homeowners should consider what impact that change will have on their property value. Even if the expectation is to stay in the same home for a long time, plans can change quickly! Although conventional wisdom
As people progress in their lives, chances are that they will experience a desire for increased ownership and investment in their living space. For many, this might mean a transition from an apartment to a traditional single-family home. Certainly, a traditional home has many potential draws for a first-time homeowner, but depending on priorities and interests, it would be a mistake not to consider a condominium. Condos are often regarded as a less expensive, more obtainable first home for young people. If you are in the market for home ownership, it would be valuable to review the pros and cons of buying a condo. But first, it’s important to develop a general understanding of how a condominium differs from an apartment or a traditional home. What Is A Condominium? A condominium is a residential complex consisting of separate units, each owned by their respective resident. Often abbreviated as simply “condos,” these units resemble apartments in some ways, often sharing walls with other units. Sometimes they are even located in highrise buildings, with units above or below one another. Condo owners are responsible for the upkeep of their units’ interiors, while they must join their condo’s association to collectively care for
