Your home is a huge investment when you buy it, plus monthly operating costs like utility bills. We help you spend less, get more value & build homeowner equity like a savings account.
You've probably never hung a door or shingled a roof. That’s why problems are scary. We share concepts, terminology so you can make smart decisions about your home ... with confidence!
With Pinterest, Houzz and so many shows about home improvements, it's natural to have a wish list. We share our ideas, your homeowner stories and support you in achieving your dreams.
When a large company like Nationstar Mortgage LLC (dba Mr. Cooper) sends you a letter telling you flood insurance is required for your house, you likely assume they're telling you the truth. Unfortunately they might not be telling the truth and by sharing my personal flood insurance nightmare, you might save a lot of money!
Homes likely to flood absolutely need flood insurance …
Water mitigation is the process of preventing or reversing damage caused by water in a building. When my house flooded, the insurance company sent out their preferred water mitigation company. Sadly they failed to follow the standard steps used to dry out a house quickly, resulting in mold!
Here's what my house looked like when the water mitigation company arrived.
With a flooded house, you have to depend on professionals but …
When you buy a house you focus on the mortgage, property taxes and homeowner insurance. These costs won't tell you the true cost of home ownership. Imagine how you would handle a $500 water bill or an electric bill exceeding $700. It's time to track homeowner expenses starting now!
The problem is looking at individual expenses [Save More…]
Cabinets, countertops and appliances are the biggest expenses when remodeling a kitchen. That's why most homeowners pick neutral colors that will look great for many years. A backsplash is the easiest way to add more color with paint, tile or stone. Manufacturers are now offering appliance finishes that can also add color. We'll explore the colored stainless and bright colors available today.
Most people have heard a few stories about mold, often stories about toxic mold making people sick. There are many types of mold so mold testing is the critical first step in any mold remediation process. Yesterday my flooded house was tested for mold using air sample and swab testing techniques. Before the mold team left, they told me the mold cleaning products I could use to wipe down or wash personal belongings.
Air sampling mold test in quilt room …
Every house has baseboard which is installed when a house is built. You might replace your baseboard when remodeling or refinishing your floors. If your house floods, replacing baseboard will be one of the many things needed to return your home to it's pre-flood condition. The big question is when to remove the baseboard?
Decorative baseboard can dress up a room …
Unless you've lived through a remodeling project, you probably aren't familiar with what is hiding behind baseboards. [Learn More …]
Our home is where we relax and enjoy life with our family. Home is where we feel safe … but how safe are we? This article explores what we touch in our homes to identify what we need to clean more often. Why? The Coronavirus is highly contagious. To minimize how one person can pass the virus to another, we need to learn what to clean and what to avoid touching in our homes.
Remember why you bought your current home? But now there are things you'd like to change. The big question is should you remodel or move to the house of your dreams.
Deciding to remodel or move is a huge decision. There are the obvious financial factors to think about. Even more important [Start Dreaming …]
We spend more time at home around the holidays. We put a lot of time into cleaning, decorating, baking and cooking. Why not capture these special holiday memories with photos you can enjoy the rest of the year? Then you can take your favorite photos and make a holiday memory book (Mixbook, Walmart, Costco and more).
Decorate your tree with people you love …
Let's take this idea a step further. Instead of rushing around and doing everything yourself, why not invite guests to join you for a tree decorating party or an afternoon baking cookies? That's how you can turn chores into holiday memories [Start Dreaming …]
