How do you keep your home safe?

Angie is a coffee-fueled writer, artist-wanna-be, and over-worker who currently resides in a tiny fixer-upper near Salt Lake City with her boyfriend and 70lb rescue pittie. She works full time in Customer Service/Computers, part-time in retail and fashion, goes to school part-time on and off, maintains this and another couple of blogs, as well as volunteers with rescue dogs. In her free time, what little of it there is, she likes to read, play nerd games, craft and create art, and spend time with all of the awesome people in her life.

Selling Your Home? Make Sure These Rooms are in Tip-Top Shape!

December 5, 2016 by Angie 1 Comment

If you are a homeowner, then you might be on the lookout for ways to add value to your home. After all, you have invested heavily in your home. You want to know that if you needed to sell it, that you’d get a good return on that investment. Then you can move onwards and upwards. Which is what it is all about isn’t it? But what are the rooms that will help to add value to your home? Here are a few ideas for you. Then if you are planning any renovations, you can choose the ones that will make the most difference.

Bathroom

Having a bathroom that is clean, fresh and easy to use is really appealing when it comes to selling your home. Buyers know that bathrooms are a big deal to have to look after or to renovate. So if they don’t have to make changes, it means that they will offer a price similar to what the house is valued at. If they have to factor in bathroom renovations, then it would most likely result in them offering a lower asking price. So getting your bathroom up to a really resaleable level is a good idea.

Extensions

People want to know that they are getting more for their money. So if the home has been extended in any way, then it is really appealing to them. Extra rooms like a conservatory or orangery can make such a difference. Extra reception rooms are what can seal the deal for a lot of potential buyers. It helps them to decide between the home or not. If there is only one reception room, it can put buyers off. Particularly if they have children. So if you are thinking of extending, then as long as you’ve got the money to do it, it could really pay off.

Kitchen

Like the bathroom, the kitchen can add value. It adds much more appeal to potential buyers too. There aren’t many people that are looking for a specific project to buy. They want to move in and just get on with life. So if they know they’d have to redo the whole kitchen, it can put them off. And like with the bathroom, it can put them off even making an offer, or making a much-reduced offer. So think about your kitchen and it’s current appeal. If you are planning to sell up anytime soon, then it could be a good idea to make a few changes. Even just a lick of paint on the units or changing the flooring could make a massive difference.

Loft Conversions

One of the biggest ways to add value to a home is to make a loft conversion. It can make a massive difference and really affect the overall look and feel of the home. Converting a loft space into a liveable area gives the home appeal to people it might not have previously. It would have more appeal to families, for instance. So if you are looking to extend, this could be one of the best ways to do that.

Are you selling your home?

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Consider These Home Improvement Factors to Avoid Disaster

October 6, 2016 by Angie Leave a Comment

Buying a home can be one of the most stressful things you do. But living in that home while tackling renovation and home improvement projects can be even more tough. No one warns you about that before you decide to embark on the process. However, we all want to improve our home in some way. Be that extending it to create more space or just simply decorating it more towards your tastes. Whatever the improvement may be, we are all subject to disasters occurring. So avoid any potential problems by taking into account some of these factors.

Check the Structure of Your Property

Your home may be old, or fairly new, but at some point, you are going to need to consider the foundation and structure of your property. Even more so if you plan to change the property structurally. This is when getting companies like Edens Structural Solutions to come and check things over could be very sensible. Doing this avoids any potential disasters when work begins on the improvements you wish to make.

Ensure You Have Good Plans in Place Before Taking on Any Work

All improvements need a degree of planning. If you are decorating your home, you may plan the colors you wish to use, if you are extending then you may have something more complicated. Getting an architect to draw up plans with a new floor plan and guideline will be vital for the process of building that extension. In some cases permission needs to be granted, and so good plans will enable that process to run smoothly.

Consider Your Budget Before Spending Gets Out of Control

No one likes to talk about the finances. But no matter what the improvement to your property is there will be some cost attached to it. So before anything happens, make sure you consider what your budget is. When it comes to home improvements, the costs can quickly skyrocket. Especially when there aren’t plans to take certain factors into considerations. This is when it might be worth having a contingency fund in place for unforeseen circumstances. However, budgeting correctly in the first instance should help you avoid any problems in regards to cost further down the line.

Consider Designs that Will Stand the Test of Time

We know improvements cost money. So when it comes to the design side of things like new kitchens or bathrooms, try and choose something that will stand the test of time. The last thing anyone wants it to have to go through this process all over again sooner than expected. Making decisions like this wisely will also help when it comes to selling your property. Ensuring that your design choices will appeal to the masses.

Designate the Job of Project Manager to Someone You Trust

Finally, ensure that you enlist the help of someone you trust. If you are not project managing the improvements yourself than having a contractor in place will ensure that you stay on plan and to budget. It’s always best to have one person accountable, be that yourself or an organisation.

Planning any home improvement?

I hope these factors help you avoid disaster in any of your future home improvement projects. 🙂

Make Your Home Safe And Secure With These Essential Tips

September 7, 2016 by Angie 9 Comments

It’s a sad fact that in today’s world we have to think about making sure our homes, and the things in them, are safe and secure. Too many people take opportunities to earn a quick buck and burglary is one of the ways they do it. Homes that have no security measures in place are the ones that are mostly likely to be targeted. While this isn’t meant to scare you, what I hope it might do is make you more aware of your security measures in place for your home. Which is why I thought I would share with you some of the most common ways to make sure your home is safe and secure.

Install a Security Alarm

One of the most popular ways to protect your home is to add a security alarm. This is something that gets wired throughout your home. Often, the alarm will be triggered by a door or window being opened or smashed. Or by someone activating a movement detector in some of the rooms of your home. An alarm system is fitted to the exterior of your property. A lot of the time this is enough to put off anyone daring to try and enter your home. If they are triggered a loud alarm noise will be activated, alerting anyone in that area that something untoward is occurring. Some modern day systems even the owners aware through an app on their smartphones.

Do you feel secure in your home? Here are some tips to help that safety be a reality…

Think About Adding Shutters

Adding roller shutters to windows, doors and garages is a great way to add additional protection to your home. You can protect your home with roller shutters using high quality materials. Not only do they protect against potential burglaries, but also from harsh weather conditions. As well as being a visual deterrent. Some roller shutter systems can have an automatic lock down procedure. It’s a great addition to any home, and also can help in other ways like saving money on energy bills or offering additional privacy.

Get a Pet Dog

You may think that this point is a bit of a joke, but a pet dog can be a huge deterrent for people entering your property. A dog can bark and warn off potential burglars. A lot of people also have a fear of dogs so it would put off many people. You don’t have to have your dog patrolling your front lawn, though. Even if they stay inside, a sticker mentioning you had a dog could be all it takes. This would also help if the dog were with you and away from the home.

A pet dog can be a huge deterrent for people entering your property…

Make More Use of Your Perimeter

A lot of houses have an outdoor perimeter. So a great way to make your home more safe and secure is to utilize this with high fences and walls. Of course, you don’t want them to be too high where it may affect sun coverage, etc. But it could be enough to warn off anyone attempting to enter your property without permission. Especially if you add a gated entry as well.

Consider Security Cameras

A more popular trend occurring is the use of security cameras. Especially as some brands and companies have apps that can link to your smartphone. This enables you to keep an eye on your home even when you are not there. You can make them as discrete or obvious as you want them to be. However, installing security cameras can be quite costly. So you need to decide whether the investment is warranted in the area you live.

Get Into the Right Habits

A lot of the time, people will capitalise on the little mistakes that some homeowners can make. For example, not locking doors or windows. Often some people may leave their home with a window wide open. These tend to be in forgotten rooms or at the back of the house where you are likely to miss it. However, this is where opportunists such as burglars will take advantage.

The right habits can make your home much more secure.

Get the Community Involved

Finally, it’s always worth considering speaking to neighbours and the local community. Houses and people are better secured when you have others looking out for you. This is where a common neighbourhood watch or community group could be formed. All with the same purpose of protecting your area and homes. This is where good relationships with your neighbours could work in your favour. Especially when the time comes to take vacations.

How do you feel safe and secure?

I hope these tips helps you keep your home safe and secure in the future.

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9 Easy Ways To Make Your Home More Eco-Friendly

July 25, 2016 by Angie 14 Comments

Making your home more eco-friendly can only ever be a good thing. We need to look after our planet, and it is our responsibility to make the that are changes required ourselves. Here are 9 easy (and cost-effective) ways to make your home greener, without making compromises. Not only will the environment thank you, but your monthly bills might be a bit friendlier as well!

Replace Light Bulbs

Energy efficient light bulbs are an easy and cheap way of saving energy and money. While they are slightly more expensive to purchase, they last much longer than normal light bulbs, making them more cost-effective in the long run and much more eco-friendly.

Unplug

Almost all appliances can be turned off at the plug, so whether it’s the television or the kettle, avoiding leavings things on standby can save energy and money.

Turn Off the Tap

Turning off taps when not using them is also a simple way of making your home more eco-friendly. Don’t leave them running when brushing your teeth, and only using the amount that you need in your kettle. Water efficient shower heads are also available and products that make your toilet use less water per flush. Not only does this help the environment, but it will cut down on metered water bills.

Most of us have experience with drought, or know someone who does, save water. Turn off the tap…

Wash at 30

More washing products and companies are promoting the benefits of washing at a lower temperature now. It is just as efficient as washing at a higher temperature, but saves energy and is gentler on your clothing. Try a product specifically for this and turn the temperature down.

Use Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products

There are loads of cleaning products and supplies now they are organic and safer for the environment. Whether you are buying products yourself or using home cleaning services, try to use ones which are free of chemicals and are non-toxic.

Install A Water Butt

A water butt can be really useful and efficient in saving water usage, especially if you live in an area with heavy rainfall. This water can be used to water plants and clean outside spaces, cutting down on costs.

Insulate Your Home

Insulating your home is another easy and obvious solution for making your house more eco-friendly. You can try it yourself; the supplies are easy to purchase, or call a company in to do the work for you. Heating bills will be cut in the cooler months, saving energy and costs.

Energy Efficient Appliances

While you don’t need to go out and purchase all new things for your home, when it comes to replacing older products check the labels for their energy efficiency. Kettles, microwaves, hoovers and TV’s are all available in a range of energy efficiency. So, while some are more expensive, they could save you in the long run.

How often do you unplug appliances when you leave? It could save you tons of money!

Recycle

Recycling is something we can all do to help the environment. Check local authorities for what they take and when, and set up a system for sorting your trash. If you have a big clear out, taking materials to tips and dumping grounds, and make sure they’re all disposed of safely and correctly. If you’re unsure how to dispose of something, contact your local city green team (most cities have one, if yours doesn’t-check at county or state level) to see how, when, and where to dispose of certain items. Some cities, like mine, have a curbside pickup program that they run once or twice per year-it’s been so handy!

How are you being more eco-friendly at home?

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Is Your Home Prepared For Bad Weather?

May 6, 2016 by Angie 9 Comments

You might think that all that bad weather is behind us now. Summer is almost here! You’re probably right but we both know bad weather can arrive in any season at any time of the year. You shouldn’t just hope that everything is going to be okay. It might not be. Instead, you need to make sure that your home is prepared for the worst of the weather. On this post, I’m going to look at ways you can make sure you have your home prepared and your property is ready for the worst weather the elements can bring.

Checking Your Water Heater

It’s worth checking your water heater at least twice a year. By doing this, you can make sure that you catch a repair early. This is going to limit the cost of the repair by a huge amount. As well as that, when your water heater is damaged, it uses more energy. This means if the weather does take a turn and you’re using your heater a lot, it’s going to cost you a fortune. If your heater does need a repair, that can be arranged online. A company such as Pink Plumbing Co could arrange this for you but you may want to browse a few different companies online. That way, you can guarantee you’re getting the best deal.

Look At Your Windows

The next thing that you want to look at in your home is your windows. If these water between the glass? This likely means that the seal. When this happens your windows aren’t doing the job of keeping your home insulated. Instead, cold air will be seeping in, and warm air will be flowing out. Again, that’s going to make your energy bill a lot more expensive. You can get your windows replaced, or a cheaper option is to buy some thick curtains. If you want to save money, and it’s just one window, this is the best advice I can give.

Get A Smart Thermostat Control

If you get a thermostat control, you’ll have more, you guessed it, control, over the heating in your home. It’s a lot better than controlling it at your heater for a couple of reasons. First, the latest tech allows you to alter the temperature in each room. That means you’ll save on power because you won’t be using it as much. But you can also set it to the exact temperature that you want. You’ll be able to reach the optimum point of comfort in your home.

Portable Battery

Finally, we know the worst thing about bad weather don’t we? It tends to knock out the power leaving you with no electricity, and you’re stuck in the dark. Sure you can buy candles but you’ve still got nothing to do. Luckily, you can buy an emergency battery for your home. That will get you through a long power cut and out the other side without suffering in the dark singing.

I know, you’re probably thinking you don’t need to worry about any of this right now. But it’s better to do it when you don’t need it rather than wait until you do.

Is your home prepared?

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How to Cope with a Home Disaster

May 5, 2016 by Angie 8 Comments

We all take a lot of pride in our homes. We work hard to create a stylish, safe and comfortable home for our families. We clean and we refresh the decor regularly to ensure it looks beautiful all year round. But when disaster strikes, it can feel like we’ll never get back the home we once loved. A home disaster such as water damage, smoke damage, and vandalism can cause a lot of heartbreak as well as a lot of work to fix.

But it can be fixed. And you can reclaim your beautiful home. Think of it as an opportunity to start afresh. You can try new things and even make it better than it ever was. It could be your chance to shine. Don’t despair. Find the professionals you need to help restore your home. Call the insurance company to determine your budget. And let’s get busy.

How to Cope with a Home Disaster

Water damage restoration can take longer to manage than smoke damage or vandalism. This is due to the extra time needed for things to dry out. Floods can also bring harmful bacteria into your home. You’ll need a professional team to come in and manage this for you. It is essential your home is safe and clean before you consider a remodel or decorating.

See What Can Be Salvaged

You may have been able to salvage some of your prized possessions. These may now be in storage, or tucked away in another room. There is often a story of survival and luck around items that have been successfully recovered from a damaged home. You may want to design your interior around such an item, or find a special place for it when the time comes. You may not feel like celebrating right now, but the success of your restoration will be worthy of it.

Start Planning Early

There are many apps and online interior decorator services you can try while you wait for your home to be cleaned up. Start one room at a time. You can coordinate your color palettes, choose new furniture, and even look at flooring. There is plenty to do, so careful planning is required. If you’ve never tackled project management before, why not speak to your insurance company to see what they recommend? Some insurance providers take all of this on for you. This means you only need to approve colors and patterns!

Look on the Bright Side

While your home is being repaired, you may be living in a hotel or other rented accommodation. It can be difficult to care for your family without all your creature comforts. But this is only temporary. Like a vacation, it can be fun and exciting. Staying positive in the face of so many challenges is really important for your family. So do things you wouldn’t normally do at home. Eat meals on the sofa. Get a takeaway or two. Take a day trip. Soon you’ll all be home and back to your old routines.

It’s not easy to keep your chin up when your home has been damaged. You may have lost some precious items that simply cannot be replaced. Now is the time to start again, ready to make some more wonderful memories. Make your home beautiful again.

Have you ever had to deal with a home disaster?

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Avoiding The Nightmare Situations Water Can Cause In Your Home

March 25, 2016 by Angie Leave a Comment

Of the all the problems you can have in your property, I think the catalyst for the worst ones is water. Water damage can cause nightmares in your home as you’re about to discover and that’s why I think this post is important. On here you’re going to find everything you need to know about protecting your home from wet weather. Believe me, it can cause more issues than you have probably imagined. So, let’s look at a few of them and what they can build into.

Garden Flooding

For many people garden flooding isn’t going to be a big deal. So what if water builds up on your grass. It’s not the end of the world is it? It might be a little bit of an eyesore but it’s nothing to worry about, right? Actually, it is something that should bring concern because if water is building you have high soil density. If that’s the case, you’re going to find water building up underneath the ground as well. Heavy rain could cause that build to push against the foundations of your home. If you have an attic you might find dampness on the walls. Or, worse, flooding in the basement. When this happens it’s going to create a whole heap of other issues. Elite Water Damage covers all the problems you might experience. But we’re still going to look into them in a little detail.

Dampness

In itself, dampness isn’t a major problem. You’ve probably noticed a little dampness around your windows if you have excellent insulation. But what damp causes is mold and that’s a big issue. If you get mold in your home you might, again, think it’s just an eyesore. But mold can be dangerous and it can grow out of control. People often make the mistake of thinking mold is just like dirt. It can be rubbed off and that will be the end of the issue. But this isn’t the case at all. Mold releases spores into the atmosphere that can be harmful, particularly to young children. It’s not the only issue dampness brings either.

Infestations

If you have dampness then eventually, you’re going to start getting mold. Once you’ve got mold you’re going to attract something else to your home you really don’t want. That’s an infestation of bugs. Termites in particular love damp, rotting walls. You may think you can handle an eyesore. But I doubt you want bugs crawling over the walls of your home. That’s exactly what could happen if you don’t do something about water damage.

Solutions

Ideally, you want to stop these issues before they become a problem. You don’t want to wait until they become something that you have to deal with. One thing you can do is buy a dehumidifier for your home and put it in the affected room. This will soak up the water and leave the place free from mold. If you are experiencing flooding in the basement you might also want to use a water pump. That way you can get the water out as quickly as it enters.

I hope you realize now the full extent of damage that water could do to your home.

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Super Easy Ways to Add Value to Your Home

February 9, 2016 by Angie 13 Comments

In today’s economy, when it comes to selling your home, you need to ensure that you get every penny you can for it. Whether you’re thinking of selling soon or sometime in the distant future, thinking of simple ways to add value is important. While often you hear that the only ways to add value are by making big expensive changes, that’s not the case. Believe it or not, adding value can be relatively wallet-friendly, it’s just a case of knowing the areas of invest in. The best ways of adding value to your property are also, often the simplest, as you’re about to find out.

Landscape Your Garden

One area that many of us fail to realize is important when it comes to adding value to our homes is our garden. The truth is, if a realtor comes to your home and sees a garden that is unkempt, this will affect the value that they recommend for your property. It will also affect the amount that your property will sell for and how many people view it.

That’s why, if you want to get a good price for your house, it’s crucial you take the time to beautify your backyard. If you’re not someone with a green thumb, don’t stress, you can always hire a gardener to landscape your yard for you. It doesn’t have to be a garden that’s expensive to keep looking good, just an outdoor space that’s smart and stylish.

Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

One of the number one things on most buyers lists of essentials is a property that’s energy efficient. While some changes can be rather pricey to make, most of them are more than worth the cost in terms of the value they’ll add. Consult an energy efficiency expert and ask them to point out any areas of your home that need to be upgraded to boost your property’s efficiency.

Common areas that often need to be upgraded tend to vary, depending on the property. However, boilers, for example, often need to be changed – old ones use almost twice as much energy as new ones. Single pane windows, for instance, often need to be upgraded to double glazed windows. Seek advice from an energy saving expert about the best upgrades to make and you can add a lot of value to your home. Today, energy efficient homes sell incredibly quickly and always tend to go for the asking price.

Facelift your Fixtures and Fittings

If any of the fixtures or fittings in your homes don’t match, it’s important to change that. Visit your local DIY store and pick up matching doors for your kitchen cupboards, as well as lampshades for your lounge that match. To buyers, a cohesive property makes a big difference. That’s why it’s important that you ensure all your fixtures and fittings match. To give your property’s value a boost, it’s a good idea to give your fixtures an update.

So there you have it, adding value to your home doesn’t have to be expensive or difficult, does it? It’s just a case of thinking about what buyers want and finding a way to make your home meet those expectations.

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Simple Things You Can Do Today to Save Energy

February 2, 2016 by Angie 23 Comments

Saving on energy has never been more of a win-win situation than it is today. Each time you lower your energy and utility bills, you are putting more money back into your bank account to spend on anything that you like. Lower energy bills also mean a lower amount of energy consumed, which also helps to reduce your carbon footprint by reducing the amount of harmful emissions released into the environment. The best thing about becoming more energy efficient is that there’s no need to completely overhaul your home, as there are many simple, easy and effective things which you can do with little investment or DIY to save energy at home.

Use Energy Efficient Appliances

Home appliances need replacing every once in a while, and if you are shopping for new appliances, be sure to look for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star label before you make a purchase. Appliances which are Energy Star certified use between 10-50% less energy and water than conventional machines, and although they may cost more to buy initially, they can definitely save you much more than that extra cost in the long run.

Use Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs

One of the simplest and least expensive changes which you can make in your home in order to reduce your energy usage is change your light bulbs. According to Energy Star, qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs cost just a few dollars, but save homeowners around $30 over the lifetime of the bulb. These light bulbs use around seventy-five percent less energy than conventional light bulks, and last around ten times longer as well.

Install a Programmable Thermostat

Nobody likes to come home from a full day of work to a freezing home, however leaving the heating system on all day to ensure that the house is warm for your arrival is simply not economical. However, installing a programmable thermostat will allow you to adjust the temperature in the home to your schedule, keeping it warm and comfortable only when you need it to be. If you don’t already adjust your thermostat accordingly during the day, installing a programmable thermostat could save you up to fifteen percent on your heating costs.

Seal Air Leaks

Although the majority of homeowners put a lot of effort into making sure that their home has enough insulation, it’s also important to look for any small gaps and cracks which could cause air to leak into and out of your property. By improving insulation and also sealing any air leaks, commonly found around doors and windows, you could potentially save up to ten percent of your home’s annual energy bill. If searching for leaks seems like quite a daunting task, contact your energy provider to enquire about whether or not you are eligible for a free energy audit.

Keeping your eye out for better rates from different energy providers can also help to keep your energy costs as low as possible! Check out the great range of energy companies in Alberta which you can compare.

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