Prepare your home for summer: Part 2 [Video]

Welcome back! Here are more tips for getting your home ready for the hot months of summer. Arguably, among the few negative aspects of summer, none are quite as irritating as insect bites and stings. You’ll want to check for the same kind of cracks and gaps in your walls, attic, foundation, doors and windows that cause air leakage – as they also let bugs in. For an extra layer of protection, spray the areas you just caulked or weather-stripped with a pesticide that’s safe for home use, on both the inside and outside. If you don’t relish the idea of handling all these tasks yourself, though, you may simply want to bring a home inspection professional to assess every aspect of your house and recommend the best course of action. Thanks for watching!

Top deficiencies uncovered during home inspections: Part 4 [Video]

Both buyers and sellers should welcome home inspections. They identify key areas of improvement, making the home buying and selling process more transparent. Here are the final two deficiencies inspectors may uncover during the process: Poor electrical wiring can be a serious fire hazard. Some of the most common electrical problems are overburdened systems, exposed wires, risky extension cords, and splice wires. Hire a professional electrician to fix these problems right away. Home inspections may also find examples of inadequate upkeep or general wear and tear. This may include raggedy carpet, scratched flooring, peeling paint, landscaping issues, and crumbling driveways or walkways. Thanks for watching our series!

Top deficiencies uncovered during home inspections: Part 3 [Video]

Home inspections are the ideal process to know either what you’re getting into as a home buyer, or know what to fix as a seller. Here are two more top problems discovered during these inspections: If homeowners don’t pay attention to their heating and cooling system, they may become clogged, dirty, or a general safety hazard. Inspectors can point this issue out and homeowners may choose to get their ducts clean, upgrade certain components, or install a new HVAC system altogether. Poor plumbing is another main cause for concern for home buyers and sellers. Clear signs of this issue include poor water pressure, leaks, and slow drainage. Thanks for watching! Tune in later for the last part in this series.

Top deficiencies uncovered during home inspections: Part 2 [Video]

Home inspections can make homeowners nervous, especially if they don’t know what to expect. Here are two more common problems professionals uncover during these inspections: Any type of water damage should be an instant red flag for any homeowner. This includes everything from damp basements to clogged gutters to leaky pipes. Home buyers don’t want to invest in a house that may have serious water problems in a few years, so make sure to address it right away. Next, inspectors frequently discover structural flaws. This issue may include cracks in the foundation, broken window frames, and creaky doors. Thanks for watching! Tune in later for the third part in this series.

Top deficiencies uncovered during home inspections: Part 1 [Video]

Buying or selling a home can be a stressful process for most people. Home inspections provide the peace of mind buyers need to know they’re making the right investment, while sellers can conduct minor to major repairs to boost their sale price. The following series will cover the top deficiencies home inspectors uncover during their work. First, drainage or grading issues are a serious, yet common problem. When water does not properly drain away from your home, it can get trapped in your basement and foundation. In most cases, installing effective gutters will direct water away from your home. Next, leaky or improperly built roofs are another concern. This problem could vary in terms of severity from simple loose shingles to significant water or mold damage. Most realtors say a new or repaired roof can boost your sell price quite a bit. Thanks for watching! Tune in later for the second part in this series.

4 tips for preparing your lawn for spring [Video]

Even though Old Man Winter maintains his icy grip across the much of the country, spring isn’t too far away! And it’s never too early to begin getting your lawn ready for the new season. We’ve compiled a list of four helpful tips for getting your lawn looking it’s very best for the warmer weather ahead:

Make the most of that mid-winter thaw by getting out there and raking your lawn and removing any dead leaves and other debris that you can find. Raking can also help stimulate the grass and begin the post-winter growing process.

Start spreading fertilizer on your grass, which can help your grass to begin growing again. Just be sure to wait until the snow and ice thaw! It can also help to use pre-emergent, which stops the growth of crabgrass.

Take a close look at your trees and see if you can see any dead branches. If you do observe dead branches, consider starting the trimming process, ideally with the help of a professional. Dead branches can pose a threat to your safety and property, so it is important to take action before the leaves start growing again.

The best way to deal with weeds is to take steps to stop them from growing in the first place! Spread herbicides around after the final winter thaw and remove any weeds that you already see growing.

Thanks for watching! Enjoy gardening!

3 cost-effective ways to increase your home’s value [Video]

Hi there! Are you looking for way’s to increase your home’s value on a limited budget? Look no further, as we’ve got three surefire strategies that can help you sell your home for more money, without breaking the bank. 

Homes that look better on the inside tend to sell for more, so start decorating! Paint typically starts at around $20, and it can make all the difference. What are you waiting for? Break out the brushes and get painting!

Bathrooms and kitchens are important when it comes to making a sale, and if your bathroom and kitchen spaces are a little outdated, it can be a big issue. A great way to make more money on your home is to give these spaces a facelift. If your budget is really tight, even small changes like painting cupboards and installing more modern fixtures can help.

Take a look at your lawn. Is it dull and uninspiring? If the answer is yes, it could be eroding your home’s value. Simple ways to spruce up your lawn include planting flowers or trees, ensuring that the grass remains mowed, and adding furniture such as tables and chairs.

And there you go! Three tips for boosting home value that won’t break the bank. Thanks for watching!

Remodel your kitchen and bathroom to maximize value [Video]

What rooms are most important in the eyes of homebuyers? The kitchen and master bathroom, according to Trulia, which means sellers need to spend time renovating them to make sure they look their best.

Remodeling a kitchen can be a massive project to take on, and everyone has their own favorite characteristics. The source suggested gleaning insight from neighboring homes currently for sale—this will help you figure out whether granite or flagstone is the better option.

When it comes to the bathroom, don’t wipe it down to a clean slate. Instead, Trulia recommended shifting your focus to smaller projects, like updating the faucets and even the towel rack. These are small but noteworthy changes that don’t make the space too flashy, but instead provide the bit of modernization buyers are always on the prowl for.

Thanks for watching, tune in next time for more home improvement tips!

US housing market bouncing back [Video]

After 2008, the housing market took multiple blows as homeowners defaulted on loans, residential values dipped drastically and a lack of job creation led to a stagnant sector. Since then, The Wall Street Journal reported that home buying has bounced back.

Roughly 5.5 million homes were sold in May of 2016, the most since February of 2007, according to available data gathered by the National Association of Realtors. Even with the jump in sales, the average home still sells $40,000 less now than it did in 2005.

The low national unemployment rate suggests these trends will continue, making it a competitive market for sellers. Get a step up on the competition and have your home inspected so you can obtain the price valuation you’re looking for.

Thanks for watching, tune in next time for more news.

Ways to heat your home this winter [Video]

Hello again, and welcome back. Today we’ll look at a few of the different ways to heat your home this winter.

First up are furnaces and boilers. Furnaces heat air and spread it around your home through vents, while boilers are similar – except they heat water instead, typically spreading it around your home through radiators. These are the most common ways to heat homes, and they are relatively reliable and affordable.

Next is the fireplace. There are a few versions today, including the traditional wood-burning model and the gas fireplace. Which you prefer is up to you, but gas is typically easier to maintain, and both provide the ambiance that you know and love.

So which one is right for your home? It depends on your budget, preferences and region in which you live. Consult a trusted professional, and make sure you have your heating system inspected before the winter.