​Are you currently making plans to put your home on the market? For many homeowners, selling their homes involves some advanced preparation and work so that they can achieve the best price possible. But should you invest a lot of money remodeling your home just so that you can get more money for it? Spending a fortune won’t always increase the value of your property that much so this is definitely something to research beforehand. To help you with this, here are a few things to consider:
 
Location plays a major role when it comes to your home's value so keep that in mind when deciding the type of work you want to do to the home and how much to spend on it with the purpose of selling it. Naturally, you will want your house to stand out, but it should still be in keeping with the other homes in the area.
 
Many homebuyers these days are attracted to a neutral color palette, so when choosing wall paint or bigger, expensive items like kitchen appliances, it would be best to go with more neutral tones that appeal to a wide range of prospective buyers instead of just a few.
 
Another big expense that many homeowners feel will increase their home's selling power is a backyard swimming pool. While it is true that this will appeal to some, it can also put off just as many people. This is because of the extra maintenance costs that a swimming pool will incur. It can also be because of the dangers often associated with backyard swimming pools, especially when a family has young children.
 
As we can see, there are many things you can do to your home to get it ready to sell, but before you start any work make sure it will work out to be a wise investment of time and money and increase the value of your home.

​Wood burners are an excellent addition to a home and can provide a great deal of warmth and comfort. Of course, just like any other appliance, they must be used in the way they are intended and be regularly maintained. So, what are some simple ways to keep your wood burning stove working optimally?
 
First of all, it's good to be aware of what you should and shouldn’t burn in a wood burner. As the name implies, a wood-burning stove is intended for burning wood. With this in mind, avoid burning other items like coal in the stove as coal burns much hotter than wood and could present a danger. You should also avoid burning certain types of wood as they become hazardous and release toxic fumes. An example of these is plywood, particleboard, and painted or pressure-treated wood. You will also want to avoid burning plastic items, colored paper, and gift wrap in the stove for the same reasons.
 
So, what kinds of wood are best for your wood-burning stove? Dry wood is always preferable to freshly cut wood because it contains a lot less water and so will burn hotter. You may also want to choose one type of wood to start the fire and another to keep the fire going. Softwoods like pine are good for starting a fire because they tend to ignite quickly, after you can change to hardwoods such as ash and hickory which tend to burn cleaner and hotter. You may also find it helpful to cut them into smaller logs.
 
Never forget safety when using a wood-burning stove. It is important to have the right number of smoke detectors for the size of your home and test them every month to ensure they are working correctly. Dispose of ashes safely by placing them in a metal receptacle filled with water. Finally, make sure you have the wood-burning stove and stovepipe inspected regularly as dangerous creosote can accumulate in the stovepipe.

​With 2020 soon to be behind us perhaps you are starting to make your plans for next year. Maybe you are thinking about moving to a new house and selling your current home. If this is your plan, it can be helpful to prepare now for what will be involved. For example, one important step to buying and selling a home is a home inspection, but what is the cost of a home inspection? And, what determines the price?
 
The video that accompanies this blog will help to answer these questions for you. Of course, there are many factors to consider when determining the price of a home inspection and this video will also help you to understand why. We are ready to answer any further questions you may have so please don’t hesitate to contact us. 
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​In this article, we are going to look at some ways to enhance the security of your home’s exterior doors. While these suggestions may seem rather simple, especially given the amount of high-tech security options available these days, they will give you an idea of how susceptible to break-ins your exterior doors are.
 
How well constructed are the exterior doors of the home? Ideally, they should be built using solid materials and have a steel or solid wooden core. Don’t forget the need for regular maintenance as well and check that they are not starting to warp, rot, develop cracks, or displaying any other signs of disrepair.
 
The door lock plays a fundamental role in its security so make sure you choose a good quality deadbolt lock. Many homeowners also like to put a chain on their front door for added security and, while this can be a good idea, it should never be used instead of the deadbolt. Bump keys are often used by intruders to enter a home so if you have a pin-tumbler lock on your door you may want to consider installing a bump-resistant lock.
 
Glass paneling in exterior doors can be both aesthetically pleasing and allow more natural light into the home, but they could also become a security risk. Whatever lock is used for this kind of door, make sure that it is one that would be difficult for a thief to access and open if the glass was smashed. The same principle is true for doors that have dog or cat flaps, etc.
 
So, although there are so many high-tech ways to make our homes secure these days, why not take a bit of time to check some of the more obvious security features?

​If we dwelled on the large numbers of dust mites that are normally present in a home, we would be horrified, but the truth is that most of the time they are completely harmless, and we don’t notice them. For others, however, dust mites cause allergies and misery leading to the best remedies for getting rid of them. Before considering a chemical approach, try these options first:
 
Dust mites flourish in humid conditions so keep humidity levels as low as possible. Air conditioning or even electric blankets can help with this.
 
A regular dusting and vacuum throughout the house will do a lot to lower dust mite numbers. Use a lightly damp cloth when dusting to avoid surface redistribution. If you can, use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter which stops dust from entering back into the air. It’s a good idea to include soft furnishings and textiles every time you vacuum as well.
 
Bed linens are another place where you will find large populations of dust mites. Washing the bedding in cool temperatures will not get rid of them completely so make sure the water temperature is no less than 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Another option is to place them in the dryer at a high temperature for 10 minutes.
 
Air purifiers can be a great help in homes with allergy sufferers but it's good to be aware that these will only help with airborne dust mites. Since dust mites are not usually found in the air, though, an air purifier will not remove them completely.

​Extreme weather conditions that bring with them heavy flooding are becoming a common occurrence nowadays. This means that being prepared for emergencies is essential. If your home floods, you will, no doubt, wish to get back to normal as quickly as possible. So, what are some of the first things you should do if your home floods?
 
It will be very tempting to want to start clearing up debris straight away but, before you do, it is very important to document the damage to your property. Take plenty of photos so that you have evidence of the flooding (you will likely need these later).
 
Another thing that should be done right away is to contact your insurance company as there may be a time limit for submitting your claim. You will also need to hold on to all your receipts for money spent on anything that is related to the flood. Remember, it will be very expensive to get your home back to its pre-flood condition.
 
If you live in an area that is declared a Major Disaster Zone, then contact FEMA. They are available to provide you with the assistance you require.
 
Your property will need to be inspected in order to assess the amount of damage it has. There may be a lot more damage than you realize so to help you with this, contact a certified home inspector who can advise you on the amount of damage to your home.
 
We hope none of you have to deal with a flooded home but it’s always a good idea to be prepared.
 

​If you are about to start the home buying process it’s good to have in mind a list of questions about the condition of the property you are looking at. One of those questions should be, is there a history of fire damage? Why is it important to know this? Walking through the home may not give you any clue that there has been a fire, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it is in good shape.
 
To give you a better idea of the kind of damage you may find with a previously fire-damaged home, please enjoy the following video. We know how important it is to find out the true condition of a house before you make a final decision on it. With such a big investment, it is worth the time and effort.
 
If you would like assistance with any of your home inspection concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

​If you have recently taken up gardening and want to start a compost pile, it's important to know the best way to handle and take care of it so that you can enjoy its benefits while avoiding the hazards. What hazards? Well, compost produces dangerous pathogens that, if handled incorrectly, could cause a number of health issues. Here are a few simple tips for helping you to avoid these dangers:
 
It should go without saying, (but we are going to say it anyway) that thoroughly washing your hands after handling compost is extremely important. It can be very easy to forget to do this, especially if you continue with some other form of gardening immediately after handling it.
 
Compost can be combustible, so you need to know how to store it correctly. It should be kept in a container that will allow for a good amount of airflow.
 
To reduce the risk of spreading the dangerous pathogens found in compost, try to have as little contact with it as you can. Always wear protective clothing, suitable footwear, and a good pair of gloves when handling compost and be sure to take off all these items before going into the house.
 
To break down compost you have to till it. If this is something you will be doing manually, its very important to wear the type of mask that will prevent you from inhaling any unhealthy spores, which result from rotting matter being thrown into the air. You may find it best to avoid tilling altogether on windy days as this will increase your risk of exposure.
 
Knowing how to handle compost the right way will help you to remain healthy and enjoy the benefits that are also associated with it.

When its hot outside there can be nothing better than lounging next to your own backyard swimming pool. A swimming pool can be a place of fun, especially for children, but to keep it that way it’s also necessary to be extremely vigilant when it comes to safety.
 
It’s a sad fact that each year a large number of young ones, in particular those under age 5, lose their lives from accidental drowning. This can happen so fast that before anyone notices a child is missing, they may already have drowned. With this in mind, here are some backyard pool safety recommendations:
 
A pool barrier is one of the best safety measures you can take. While this can take the form of a wall or fencing, etc. the most important thing is that it prevents a child from accessing the swimming pool unsupervised. The barrier must also prevent a child from being able to crawl under or go over it. You will also want to remember that a barrier is not just required for in-ground pools but also for above ground pools, spas, and hot tubs.
 
Can the exterior walls of the home act as a pool barrier? Yes, they can but safety measures should be taken to ensure that any doors or windows leading directly to the pool are locked and secured. To make sure that no one goes through these doors or windows without your knowledge, it’s a good idea to have alarms fitted to them that will sound a warning if someone exits or enters through them. It is also best if the alarm warning sound is distinct and loud enough so that it can be heard in all areas of the home.
 
Yes, a backyard pool can be a source of fun and relaxation, but every care should be taken to ensure that it remains a safe place.

The difference between a cold, unappealing space, and one that is warm and inviting is very often a matter of strategically placed lighting. While the usual method to do this is with electrical lighting, what about the use of natural light? This is a method called Daylighting which, as the name suggests, incorporates natural light to illuminate some of the darker areas of a home. What are some ways of doing this?


Perhaps one of the more common ways to incorporate daylight into a dark space is with the use of skylights. Although these types of windows work very well, make sure you choose ones that are double-paned and check that the flashing is done correctly.


Clerestory windows are another way to take advantage of natural light. These windows are short but wide and are positioned high on a wall, this way sunlight can pour into a room in the winter months, adding light and heat. However, it prevents too much sun through the summer months because of the roof overhang.


Another way to add natural light into a dark space is with light tubes. These are coated using a highly reflective material that allows sunlight to channel through them. They are also fitted with a lens designed to amplify low-level light and reduce the intensity of the sun at midday. As daylight enters the home through the tubes it does so through a diffuser that distributes the light evenly.


To summarize, if you are thinking of renovating your home or having one constructed, why not think about incorporating some of these methods, taking advantage of this natural light resource, and at the same time increasing the home's energy efficiency?
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