Around The Home

21

Dec

Around The Home

4 Common Remodeling Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Investing in your home by remodeling or renovating is an excellent way to increase its value. However, a significant renovation project can quickly turn into a disaster, especially for those who are inexperienced. Let's take a look at four of the more common home renovation mistakes that homeowners make and how you can avoid them. Mistake #1: Skipping The Permit Process The first mistake you will want to avoid is undertaking any home renovation without the required permits. While some remodeling projects will not require a permit, others will. Regardless, it is more than worth taking the time to do…

14

Dec

By Lori Blank

Around The Home

Appliance Therapy: What to Do If Your Dishwasher Is Terrible at Cleaning Your Dishes

As kitchen appliances go, there are few loved more than the dishwasher. They can be a major time saver – that is if your dishes are coming out clean. Let's take a quick look at a few steps you can take if your dishwasher is not doing its job. Give It A Good Cleaning It may seem a bit strange to think about having to clean the dishwasher, but they do require maintenance from time to time. Grease, bits of food, and leftover detergent can all build up, leading to reduced performance. Here's one cleaning recipe to try. On the…

07

Dec

By Lori Blank

Home Buyer Tips

First Things First, What To Do Upon Moving Into Your New Home

If you have purchased a new home and are going to move in soon, what are the first few things that you will need to do upon moving into your new home? Moving can be very stressful, but having a checklist can make your move to a new home effortless. Here are 6 easy steps that can eliminate any frustration and help you feel safe and secure: Change Your AddressYou will need to change your address for all magazine subscriptions, bills, and other services. You can update your mailing address online or visit your local post office to find out…

05

Dec

By Lori Blank

Around The Home

Home Improvement Shortcuts That Can Lead to Disaster — and How to Avoid Them

Are you starting to get the renovation itch? With spring on the way, you might be tempted to launch those home improvement projects that you contemplated over the winter. However, as with any project, you will want to get things right. Let's take a look at four renovation shortcuts that can lead to disaster and the steps you can take to avoid them. Shortcut #1: Not Understanding Your Home's Structure Before you undertake any renovation involving your home's structure, you must be confident that you know exactly what is where. For example, do you know what is inside of your…

19

Oct

By Lori Blank

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Selling Your Home

Flaws You Cannot Hide By Staging Your Home

1. Structural Issues:Staging might make a home look beautiful, but it won't hide structural problems like foundation issues, plumbing leaks, or a damaged roof. These are issues that can't be disguised with a fresh coat of paint or strategically placed furniture. It's crucial to address these problems before putting your home on the market. 2. Strong Odors:Staging can help create a pleasant ambiance with the use of scents and air fresheners, but it can't mask persistent, unpleasant odors. Lingering pet smells, cigarette smoke, mold, or other foul odors are instant turn-offs for potential buyers. 3. Outdated Features:Staging can distract from…

28

Sep

By Lori Blank

Around The Home

Kids Moving Out of the House? Here Are 3 Tips for Creating a Warm, Welcoming Guest Bedroom

If you're a homeowner with children, at some point, you'll be saying goodbye. They'll move off to college or to start their career and adult life. As children move out, you'll discover that you have extra bedrooms and other living spaces that will need a new purpose. Let's take a look at three ways that you can transform an unused bedroom into a welcoming place for guests to stay. Get Started With A Deep Clean The first thing you'll want to do is engage in a top-to-bottom deep clean of the room. Get everything out of the room so that…

12

Apr

By lizlaurenb

Around The Home

Pamper Your Pet With These Five Awesome Pet-friendly Home Upgrades

A great addition to many families is the beloved pet, but beyond the regular treats and pillows, there are plenty of ways to spoil your pet and let them know how much you love them. If you're looking for some neat concepts for your favorite pooch, here are some unique ideas you may want to try out. A Relaxing, Personal Place Many animals will gravitate towards your new couch, but by giving them their own special spot, you can make them happy and keep your living room looking great at the same time. Instead of a second-hand pillow, buy them…

22

Mar

By lizlaurenb

Around The Home

Expecting a Newborn? Baby-proof Your Home With This Quick and Easy Checklist

It's a very exciting time for most parents when their kids begin to crawl, but it can also be much more difficult to watch over your child and ensure their safety. If your child is starting to get along on their own and you're preparing to baby proof, here are the main areas and items you'll want to watch out for. Clearing Away The Crib There's no place your child is going to spend more time, so ensure that there are no toys left in their crib when they're going to sleep. You'll also want to stay away from fluffy…

08

Mar

By lizlaurenb

Around The Home

Tired of Waiting for Summer? 3 DIY Projects That Will Keep You Busy Until the Weather Warms Up

Do you find yourself staring out the window, longing for an early sunrise, hot days and late evenings? With spring just around the corner, it might feel like summer is a lifetime away. However, the good news is that you can be productive around the home while you wait for summer to arrive. Let's take a quick look at three easy do-it-yourself projects that will keep you busy until the summer sun is shining. Add A Splash Of Spring-y Color As long as you are willing to do the prep work, painting is one of the most straightforward home improvement…

30

Dec

By lizlaurenb

Around The Home

Creative Holiday Storage Solutions

Every holiday season when you get out the decorations, there always seems to be a period of organization where you need to untangle lights, sort out the broken ornaments and just get all of the trimmings in order. Next year, skip the hassle of sifting through everything. The year-to-year holiday storage strategies below will help make next December's decorating easy. Hide Paper Up High Utilize a space that is always vacant — the ceiling of your closet. Attach two strings of wire from the front wall above your closet door to the back wall. Make them parallel to each other…