Having kids doesn’t mean home improvements need to go on the back burner. While children can’t help with every project, letting them help when the project meets their skill level will not only help them feel included, but it will also turn household projects into fun activities that everyone can enjoy. Here are a few projects that are kid-friendly!

Painting a Room

While the final layer should be done by an adult, letting the kids help with the undercoat is a great way to include them. They will get to feel like they played a part in making a change in your home and will be able to see that room and know they helped to make it new. If your kids are a little older, you may consider letting them help paint their room or letting them have a free wall to design as they wish.

Plant a Garden

Starting small with a window box, letting children help planting a garden has endless benefits. While teaching them the basics of gardening, they can also learn about the plants you choose and follow along on their journey of growth. Letting kids help can give them a sense of ownership while also playing in dirt. Does it get much better than that?

Cleaning Drains

While your first thought might be that this could be dangerous, don’t worry! You can clean your drains without using harsh store-bought chemicals. Your kids can help mix the non-toxic ingredients and you can turn it into a science experiment! You will just need to mix a cup of baking soda, half a cup of salt, and 1/4 cup cream of tartar. Let the kids pour half the mixture down the drain and then you can pour 2 cups of boiling water immediately after.

Doors don’t talk — but they can say a lot. Your front door is the first thing visitors will see, and it may say more about you than you think! If reading that made you think you might need to update your door or even replace it, now is the time to consider your options.

Steel, fiberglass and wood are the most popular material choices for exterior front doors. There are several styles that combine these materials like a fiberglass door with a wood frame. Here is a brief overview to help guide you toward a door that sends the message you want to be saying!

Steel

If security is your priority, a steel door might be best for you. Usually the least expensive option, steel doors start around $150 for a paneled door. The downside is that a steel door system with sidelights and stellar hardware can rival that of a quality solid-wood door system. Steel doors come in a variety of finishes and typically come as part of a pre-hung door system.

Wood

Solid-wood doors are the most expensive option but are a popular choice because of their versatility. Natural finish doors come in oak, cherry, walnut, mahogany, maple, fire and pine as well as paint-grade doors usually made of pine or western hemlock. A standard-size, six-panel pine door will cost around $600; similarly sized hardwood doors are considerably more expensive. A complete wood door system can cost close to $5,000 and only increase in price if additional items are added. If you love wood but not the price tag, consider a stock door with a wood-veneer skin.

Fiberglass-composite

Fiberglass-composite doors are gaining popularity for their durability and low maintenance. Fiberglass is much less susceptible to dings and dents and have wood grain texturing and can be stained to match natural woods. These doors usually come as complete entry systems with the frame. Depending on the investment you want to make, they can start at $200 for a door with no glazing or hardware but can cost upward of $4000 for a fully loaded fiberglass entry system.

It is hard to believe that 2020 is a little over 100 days away. With a new year approaching quickly, now is the time to start thinking about how you want to update your space in 2021. If you’re wondering how the design trends are looking for the new year, here is a great place to start!

Less Is More

After Marie Kondo took over last year, there is no surprise that the idea of ‘less is more’ is trending in the decor space. Take the time to check each space in your home and ensure your decor is intentional. Make sure all of your belongings have a place and that they all serve a purpose.

Scandinavian and Japanese style

Both cultures celebrate minimalism while also encouraging functionality. With white shades dominating spaces in this style, you will also find natural woods and materials in large spaces that are open and bright. 

Personalization

One of the most marked trends in interior design is focused on the personalization of your space. Take into account what you already love when creating spaces in your home without worrying about what others consider stylish or up-to-date. Let your creativity shine through your space.

A Touch of Color

Neutrals are great in most settings, but a pop of color allows you to add personality to your space. Yellow shades add warmth while blue shades give a sharpness and can be used to enhance certain elements of a room. If you want to introduce a little color, use colors inspired by nature.

While you may not think about your roof every day, you want to make sure that your roof stays in good shape and remains leak free. To do so, regular inspections need to be performed. But how often should that happen? According to the National Roofing Contractors Association, you should check your roof at least twice of year, during fall and spring. The mild weather of those seasons can help make inspecting the roof easier and it also allows you to ensure that your roof will be prepared potential seasonal weather hazards. While it may not be easy to complete an inspection as often as recommended, doing so will help prevent minor roof damage from leading to serious problems.

Preventing minor problems from turning into major ones will also save you money in the future. Your bi-yearly check can be done yourself unless you find reason for concern. Here are some things to look out for when doing a DIY inspection:

• Broken or missing shingles

• Cracked or curling caulk

• Patches of moss/lichen

• Worn or peeling plastic rubber boots around pipes or other roof projections

• Cracked or rusted spots on metal flashings

• Shingles that are blistering, cracking or buckling

• Loose, cracked or rusted gutters

• Crumbling or missing chimney mortar

• Tree branches or other large debris

If during your own inspection you notice any cracked or rusted flashings or gutters, crumbling or missing chimney mortar, sunken spots in the roof, or several shingles that are buckling, cracking or missing, you should call a roofing company. A professional roofer can inspect both the inside and outside of your roof and give you peace of mind about the safety of your roof and your home.

Not sure who to call? Reach out to us and we can send you in the right direction!

Shades of tan were all the rage for years. It was impossible to find a home that had any ‘modern’ paint styles when wood finishes and brown decor were everywhere. Over the last half decade, there was a major shift to sleek white or gray walls paired with metal finishes. While it seemed like that trend would stick around for a while, it seems that home decor is slowly shifting back to earthy tones. If you love those hues or soft pastels, here are some colors that might inspire your next paint job!

Earth Tones

2020 has been the time to let nature inspire design. As many of us look for more ways to unplug in the time of COVID, shades of chestnut, burgundy, and deep olive green can offer a natural element to your indoor space. Try adding a dark earth tone to an accent wall as an easy way to introduce color into a neutral room.

Delicate Pastels

Soft pastels such as pale pinks, greens, and blues can bring peace to a space and give your eyes a chance to relax. Pastel colors with gray undertones can help diffuse the color saturation, making it softer on the eye. Try pastels on cabinetry, interior doors, or a bathroom vanity where the area already has neutral tones.

If you are considering becoming a property investor, you may wonder why you should buy a rental and what indicators to look for when trying to find a property. Here are some signs to look for if you are on the fence about investing in a rental that indicate it is a great time to buy!

Low Interest Rates

When mortgage rates drop, it is much easier to make a property produce income. The best place to figure out what kind of interest rate you will get for an investment property is with a lender. Check in with them to figure out how to start the process, and contact an agent to help you start viewing potential properties.

Home Equity

Check in with a local Realtor to see how much your current home is worth! Some investment properties require a high down payment, but low-interest rates, refinancing and knowing your home value can make a difference. For example, if you need to borrow 10%, many homes in good markets can appreciate 10% of their value in just a year, depending on the condition and the location. Chat with a lender to see if you can qualify, and check in with your current mortgage company to discuss your plan.

Scarcity of Units

Do you live in a location where rental units are in high-demand? Maybe your city is growing and the demand for a space to rent is higher than the available properties. If that is the case, now is the best time to find a property to purchase for rental purposes.

Return Rate

If the rate of return in your county is growing, it might be a good time to invest in property. If there is a yearly increase, you can make significant gains over time.

Ultimately, talking to professionals can help you decide if now is the right time to invest in rental properties!

If you have paint cans stacking up in your basement or closet because you aren’t sure whether to keep them or how to dispose of them, you’ve come to the right place! First, you will want to determine if the paint is still good or not. Any solvent-based paint typically has a 15-year shelf life. If you are able to stir it, it’s probably okay to keep for touch ups. Latex paint has a 10-year shelf life. If there is any way it could have frozen in storage, it may not be usable. You can test to see by stirring and brushing the paint onto newspaper. If there are lumps, the paint needs tossed.

Next, you’ll decide what you actually want to keep. If your walls are no longer that color, it is likely time to get rid of that paint. If it is a color still in your home, it will be good to hang on to for touch-ups and repainting in the future. If there are any loose lids, be sure to seal them carefully. If you have the information, now would be a great time to label them with color name, number and date of purchase.

If you have good paint that you can’t use, offer it to family, friends and neighbors, or call a local paint contractor. Some charities take paint too, especially those that do work helping the elderly with home renovations.

Now that you’ve handled paint you want to keep or donate, it is time to dispose of what is left. Disposal is dependent on the type of paint. One gallon of paint can contaminate thousands of gallons of water, harm fish and aquatic plant life and eventually poison the food chain.

For latex and acrylic paints, you can solidify these paints and throw them away with the household trash depending on the municipality. To do this, mix your paint with a clay-based cat litter at a ratio of two parts litter to one part paint. Do this in a well-ventilated area, away from pets and children. Many hardware stores carry additives to put into your paint to solidify it for disposal.

For oil-based paints, you will need to check if there is a scheduled household waste collection day in your community. You can also bring paints to a specified collection site along with other toxic products you want to get rid of, such as paint removers, used solvents, pesticides and herbicides and you can get that information from your local community waste programs. If your community does not offer this service, call your County Extension Home Economics Agent, the local waste management agency, your area’s water treatment plant or the local landfill, and ask what the procedure is for where you live.

While it might not be the first thing on your list, there are quite a few reasons why you should several important documents before making any property purchase. Those include your title abstract, the title insurance policy with schedule of exclusions, the survey while you walk the property lines, and any homeowners’ association documents. You may inspected a property and everything looked great, so you didn’t look at the county plat or have a survey done and rushed to buy it. Then after closing, you see something you thought was a part of your land and turns out it is not.

The truth is that in almost every circumstance, there is a potential for issues to arise if important documents aren’t all reviewed thoroughly before purchasing property. There is a chance you may be okay with dealing with that issue yourself, but wouldn’t you like to know about it before you choose to purchase?

When you are purchasing a property using a multiple listing service transaction, the escrow company being used usually provides you with information on the legal rights and responsibilities that come with your new home or land. They may also provide a plat of the property, which will show property boundaries.

Your Schedule of Exclusions will be provided by your title insurance company alongside your insurance. You need to read that list of exclusions and make sure you review any issues. You typically receive all these documents in a packet after you are going into escrow. Make sure you read them! Review them with your agent, insurance officer, and potentially a lawyer if needed. You are making one of the largest purchases you might ever make. Use your knowledge to protect yourself and your purchase.

Every day, the world presents us with new technology. It seems like there isn’t much left that technology can’t do. Thankfully, with every advancement, many items have become more affordable. While a high-tech home may not be the choice for everyone, there are plenty of budget-friendly options to try out if you are interested in making your home a little bit more accessible. Here are 6 items to try:

1. Smart Speakers

   Setting reminders, asking questions, and playing music on demand has never been so easy! Smart speakers are capable of making lists for you, looking up recipes, and so much more.

2. Smart Plugs

   Left the coffee pot plugged in and need to turn it off, but you aren’t home? Smart plugs allow you to turn off (and on) something plugged in from your phone. These are also great for lighting systems like lamps or even holiday lights.

3. Smart Doorbells

   Smart doorbells are an incredible investment. Monitor who is ringing your doorbell, when packages are dropped off, and so much more all with your phone!

4. Smart Locks

   Lost keys? Need to let someone in to water your plants while you are out of town? Smart Locks allow you to use your phone to lock and unlock your door, or just use a keypad!

5. Smart Switches

   Smart switches allow you to turn lights off and on with your phone. Next time you forget to turn off the kitchen light and you are already in bed, smart switches can save the day!

6. Smart Bulbs

   Adjust the brightness of color in any room when you install smart bulbs. Great for kids or rooms where you want to be able to dim the lights!

As the days get shorter and shorter, you’re probably spending more time curled up on the couch than you were on those long summer days. Instead of letting the cold weather get you down, take the time to turn your space into a warm and cozy escape from the outdoors. Here are some tips to turn your house from cold to cozy.

Bake Your Favorite Dessert

Not only will the smell fill your home with sweet, warm scents but baking and the process it requires can fill your home with joy. Plus, you have a great snack to cuddle up with the couch!

Light Some Candles

Lighting candles will add to your comfy atmosphere. They will give soft light and welcoming scents for every corner of your home.

Add Texture To Your Decor

The right decor can make your space even more inviting. Plush cushions and throws paired with the perfect cable-knit blankets will make you and your guests want to spend the weekends binge-watching from the couch.

Have Guests Over

Instead of locking yourself in alone this winter, make sure you invite guests over to enjoy your cozy home with you! Have them bring their favorite snack or winter beverage and share your coziness.

Perfect A Winter Beverage

The best thing to have with your baked goods is a warm beverage to enjoy. Crock-Pot hot chocolate and apple cider is great for the kids and hot toddies or mulled wine will warm you up quick!

Make A Winter Playlist

The final step to making your space cozy this season is making the perfect playlist to play in the background while you are snuggled in. Grab your mulled wine + fresh cookies and enjoy the sounds of the winter from the comfort of your cozy home!