Home Ownership

Home ownership is one of the most rewarding responsibilities of a person’s life. That’s why it’s so important to consistently add value and keep up with regular maintenance. Whether you’re a new owner, keeping up with your current home, or looking to sell, prioritizing tasks can be daunting. We aim to help figure out what is most impactful to your home with expert advice. We cover all types of DIY and contracted projects. Check out the articles below for a wide range of answers to common homeowner questions!

Must Read Articles About Home Ownership :

What's it Worth to You? How to Add Value to Your Home

It doesn't matter if you're about to say goodbye or you're just settling in for the long-haul: your home means something to you. That's why it's worth adding enjoyment value to your home as well as potential upgrades for a higher resale price at the end of it. Whether you want to spruce up your home to make the most of it or add to an imminent resale price, try these simple tips to create more value from your property.

A Maintained Home is a Happy Home: The Top Home Maintenance Tips Everyone Should Know

When it comes to home maintenance, you should abide by the one to four percent rule. This rule states you should spend between one and four percent of your home’s value each year on repairs and maintenance. You may wonder what type of repairs you should focus on to keep your home well maintained. This can vary based on the house, it’s age and other factors, and there are some general guidelines you can use. Regardless of if you build or buy, keeping your home properly maintained is a must.

Remarkable Health Benefits of Being Organized

Of course, too many things lying around has clear health hazards, such as tripping over toys in the middle of the night. Nevertheless, clutter causes many internal problems which – although less obvious than the Lego maze strewn across your family room floor – are quite impactful on your life. Read on to learn five reasons why getting organized is vital to your overall well-being.

Evaluate Your House for a Deck

In the summertime when the living is easy, there’s nothing quite like a deck for cooking out, entertaining, or simply relaxing. In addition to boosting outdoor living space, a deck can be an asset when you sell your home. Planning a successful deck requires careful consideration of your site, your budget, and the features you should — or shouldn’t — include. Here are some planning priorities to bear in mind.

Recent Home Ownership Articles:

April Showers Bring May Flowers

If you’re (like me), spending rainy days, anxiously waiting for the April showers to bring May flowers, why not put that time to good use, researching various species of plant, landscaping techniques and general gardening advice? There are plenty of resources, including your local plant nursery, the internet, (The DIY Network web-site is my favorite) and many books at the library. When all else fails, repeat after me…… April Showers April showers bring May flowers, That is what the... [Read More]

Cleaning House: Secrets of a Truly Deep Clean

By: Jane Hoback - Reprinted from HouseLogic.com with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Deep clean your house and you’ll brighten rooms and help maintain your home’s value. De-bug the light fixtures See that bug burial ground within your overhead fixtures? Turn off the lights and carefully remove fixture covers, dump out flies and wash with hot soapy water. While you’re up there, dust bulbs. Dry everything thoroughly before replacing the cover. Vacuum heat vents an... [Read More]

Tips to Make Your Roof Last as Long as Possible

By: Jeanne Huber - Reprinted from HouseLogic.com with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Whether your roof is brand-new or years old, here's what you need to do to keep it in the best possible shape for the longest possible time. Clean the Gutters Ruined paint on siding and a wet basement are typical problems caused by clogged gutters, but it might surprise you to learn that the overflow can also go upward. When leaves pile too deeply in gutters, water c... [Read More]

5 Tips to Prepare Your Home for Sale

By: G. M. Filsko - Reprinted from HouseLogic.com with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Working to get your home ship-shape for showings will increase its value and shorten your sales time. 1. Have a home inspection Be proactive by arranging for a pre-sale home inspection. For $250 to $400, an inspector will warn you about troubles that could make potential buyers balk. Make repairs before putting your home on the market. In some states, you may have to disclose what... [Read More]

9 Ways to Increase Daylighting to Fend Off Seasonal Affective Disorder

By: Dave Toht - Reprinted from HouseLogic.com with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Adding skylights, solar light tubes, windows, and other means of daylighting can brighten your winter and help alleviate symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). What’s seasonal affective disorder? Bears aren’t the only ones with the urge to hibernate. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a big-time case of the winter blues -- a very real type of depression. It affects as much ... [Read More]

Checking insulation for air leaks

The recent cold spell we've been having is giving all of us homeowners the opportunity to check our houses for air infiltration locations. I myself have taken some time to check around windows and doors and any other locations where cold air can penetrate. Windows and doors are prime areas of concern so make time to check these. If you find faulty seals make a list of the materials you need to replace and if you have areas that caulking needs redone, make a list of those areas as well. ... [Read More]

Person shoveling snow off their driveway

Snow Shoveling: Tools, Techniques, and Tips to Save Your Back

By Douglas Trattner - Reprinted from HouseLogic.com with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Shoveling is hard enough. Don’t compound the drudgery with the wrong shovel and bad shoveling techniques, both of which can put a serious strain on your back and even your heart. When buying a new snow shovel, common sense says that the larger the shovel scoop, the quicker the work. But that doesn’t mean you should automatically shop for the biggest bucket. Snow, parti... [Read More]

Heating and Air Conditioning System Winter Maintenance

Taking time to prepare your heating and air conditioning system for winter can cut costs and add years to the life of your furnace. Here are a few tips: Examine your HVAC unit Check your heating and cooling system for the harsh winter weather. Have a professional perform a full inspection of all belts, motors and other components. Change the Filter It’s a small step, but changing your filter every month is one of the best things you can do to increase your sys... [Read More]

How to Clean Up After Thanksgiving in Half the Time

By: Lisa Kaplan Gordon – Reprinted from HouseLogic.com with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. The Pilgrims were on to something when they planned a Thanksgiving potluck; here are other good ideas that’ll simplify your T-Day kitchen cleanup. Want something to be thankful for? Check out these tips that’ll make your Thanksgiving kitchen cleanup faster and easier — and will give you more time to enjoy family and friends. Plan a potluck: The first Thanksgiving was a... [Read More]

Importance of Water Dispersion

As we enter autumn it is important to take note of where your down spouts are dispersing water around your house. You want to make sure that you have them extended and running water away from your foundation walls. Some people remove their downspout extensions during this time of year and this can be a mistake. During fall, there is an increased tendency for the ground to remain saturated and moist due to lower temperatures. This along with gutters dumping rain directly aro... [Read More]