Four Signs You’ve Outgrown Your Current Home

It’s not uncommon for couples with growing families to trade in their compact cars for something roomier, like a mini-van. The same thing happens with homes. Sometimes families simply outgrow them.

How can you tell if that’s happening with your property? Here are some sure-fire signs:

1) You need more space. This is the most common reason people upgrade to a new home. They need more room. For any number of reasons, you might want an extra bedroom, a larger living room, a bigger backyard, or a more spacious kitchen. Rather than put up with feeling cramped, consider exploring the extra space a new home can provide.

 2) A renovation won’t fix it. Sometimes, when a property doesn’t fit its owners’ needs anymore, they consider a renovation. For…

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The Importance of Depersonalizing your Home

When a buyer views your home for sale, they want to visualize themselves living there. They want to imagine cooking in the kitchen, relaxing in the living room, and enjoying get-togethers with family and friends.

However, when they see a baseball trophy on the mantle with your name on it, that visualization crumbles. That’s why it’s smart to depersonalize your home as much as possible when selling.

You don’t have to go too far. Simply do what you can to remove items that scream “We live here!” Consider stowing items such as:

1) Trophies, diplomas, certificates and anything else with a name prominently displayed on it.

2) Personal and family pictures.

3) Mementos, knickknacks and other items of a personal nature.

4) Notes, pictures,…

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Save energy and money

If you want to reduce your home energy costs, the easiest way is to turn the thermostat up or down. In fact, you probably won’t notice a difference of 2 degrees either way — and the savings can be substantial.

However, if you want to lower your bill even further each month, here are some additional tips that are relatively easy to implement:

1) Plug or fix the drafts. Even in newer homes, air filtration can occur at windows and doors. So, check around your home for drafts. Windy or cold days are the best days to check. Then, get any drafts you find repaired or, at least, temporarily plugged.

2) Check the attic. Heat rises and can escape through the attic. So, once a year, check the attic insulation for thin or bare spots. The insulation…

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How to minimize water damage

It’s amazing how much damage water can cause. Just two gallons of water from a burst pipe or overflowing toilet can wreak havoc throughout your home and necessitate thousands of dollars in repairs. Ouch!

What should you do at the first sign of water leakage?

  1. First, stop the source. Turn off the nearest water valve. If you can’t find it, turn off the main water valve to your home.
  2. Next, do everything you can to soak up as much water as possible. If necessary, lift carpeting. Pay particular attention to water settling next to walls or inside ductwork. Get these areas dry as quickly as possible.
  3. Contain the water. This is important. Do your best to prevent water from infiltrating other rooms to prevent further damage. Once the…

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