Home inspections are an important part of buying a new home. Certainly, you want to join the inspector at some point, whether at the beginning or at a point she or he specifies. Here are three pointers to get the most benefit from the inspection. Dress Appropriately Avoid showing up in shorts and sandals. You…

Electrical updates offer you an affordable, personalized home. Find out how a professional electrician can use dimmer switches to tailor lighting to your specific needs and reduce your monthly energy bills. Reduced Energy Usage A dimmer switch allows you to adjust the level of lighting from compatible light fixtures and bulbs. This allows you to…

With colder weather comes the chance for outdoor faucets to freeze. This can be a big problem that can even affect the interior of your home. Here are 4 steps to prepare your faucets for the chilly temps. 1) Locate all outdoor faucets and remove hoses. Drain all moisture from the hoses and store in…

Electricity is a wonderful thing. It brings all of the fun electronic gadgets around a home to life. To enjoy the convenience of your TV, refrigerator, washing machine, mobile device and computer safely, here are a few electrical safety tips: • Don’t plug more than one cooking or heating device into the same outlet •…

There’s something gratifying about a clean refrigerator. The inside of your fridge isn’t the only part that needs frequent attention, though. Make sure the coils stay dust-free, too. This easy home maintenance task has a couple of great benefits. First, cleaning the coils improves your refrigerator’s efficiency. It doesn’t have to work as hard and…

On your quest to totally eradicate dust and allergens from your home, there’s one spot that often gets overlooked: underneath large appliances. Taking the time during home maintenance to get rid of accumulated dirt pays off big time for air quality, especially if anyone in your family has allergies. Tools That Make The Job Easier…

Calling a plumber every time you clog the toilet is not only impractical but expensive too. If you reach for the plunger only to find it isn’t handy there are other ways to fix the clog. If the clog is made up of organic matter or toilet paper, it should be easy to remove. Here…

Homemade Remedies If a flood infiltrates your home, you’ve got to do much more than simply remove the water. You also want to clean the water so you don’t find mold growth later on. Fortunately, there are some simple strategies you can try on your own. Applying bleach to the floor, walls and ceiling is…

There are many things your home inspector can check during his or her visit, and all inspectors have their own lists of the basics to look for. Making your own checklist can help your inspector do a more thorough job that gets you the information you need before you buy the home. When you make…

If the home you own, or the one you are planning to buy, has a buried oil tank you need to know! Depending on the situation, there may be some environmental cleanup costs associated with it. If you are buying a home this could be something to use when negotiating price. It isn’t always easy…

On your quest to totally eradicate dust and allergens from your home, there’s one spot that often gets overlooked: underneath large appliances. Taking the time during home maintenance to get rid of accumulated dirt pays off big time for air quality, especially if anyone in your family has allergies. Tools That Make The Job Easier…

When it comes to home maintenance tips, there are plenty. However, very few are as important as those pertaining to the maintenance of your roof. Your roof protects your home’s interior and your belongings from the elements and helps to maintain the integrity of your home’s structure. For this reason, you want to ensure it…

If you are a first-time homebuyer, you probably have heard that you may need a home inspection. Some homeowners choose to forego the inspection in favor of time and money. What these homebuyers may not realize, however, is that a home inspector can protect your financial investment. Home Inspectors Search for Expensive Repairs Home inspectors…

When you are shopping for a home for the first time, it helps to have people in your corner who can answer the myriad of questions you have. A home inspector should be one of those people. The inspector checks the house you’ve chosen to make sure the foundation is secure and the roof is…

Flex line or corrugated stainless steel tubing is a popular way to supply gas to residences. Anyone who has gas entering their homes should be aware of the hazards that come with unmaintained lines. Explosions and gas leaks are no joke. It’s important for you to stay as careful as possible. One way to ensure…

Installing a backup generator is a choice every homeowner should consider. Similar to insurance, many people feel better knowing that they are covered in the event of a power outage. While a generator offers convenience and peace of mind, there are certain situations that make it an absolute necessity. For example, if you rely on…

If you plan to have a home inspection, this is a great first step to making the right choice with your first home. While some home inspections can be long, there is a great reason for this. A long inspection means that your home inspector is going to be thorough. Should You Stay? You should…

Here are some quick tips to help you track down difficult leaks. However, you’ll need to enlist a friend. Step 1 Go up to the roof with a garden hose and start low. Spray water on the area right above where you think the leak is coming from inside. Step 2 Your friend’s job is…

Sometimes, finding ways to spend less each month may be hidden where you least suspect it. An efficient water heater could keep your energy and water bills down. If you want to follow some smart home maintenance tips, keep an eye on this important appliance. Time To Flush It You may not think much about…

If you are planning to sell a house this summer (or any season, really), it is important to consider all the benefits you can get from a pre-listing inspection. While it may seem unnecessary, especially when a potential buyer will likely have their own inspection, having one done yourself can alert you to issues you…