Building A New Home – Subdivisions
When selecting a site for your new home, first determine if you want to build in an existing, developed subdivision or on undeveloped rural property. There are different questions to ask for each. Here we’ll discuss developed subdivisions. When thinking of an existing development, before making a final decision, research how the immediate area […]
What Every Homeowner Should Know About Plumbing
Know the location of the main water shut-off valve; it’s usually by the water meter. Also know where additional shut-off valves are for your water heater, water softener, clothes washer, dishwasher and all kitchen and bathroom sinks. Test those shut-off valves once each year to make sure they operate properly. If you notice dripping […]
Building A New Home – Pre-Site Selection
You really can’t start to design a home without knowing the land it will be on, so the home building process actually starts with looking for land. It’s your first and most important decision and a little forethought will be helpful before looking through the paper or driving around looking for subdivisions. Before you […]
Monthly Home Maintenance Tips – July
General walk through; trim shrubs and weed gardens, check for disconnected downspout extensions. Check/add salt to water softener. Check smoke and fire alarms. Change/clean air filter in furnace if using central air. Caulk cracks and reseal asphalt driveway, if applicable. Run drain cleaner through all drain lines and consider having the […]
Automatic Garage Door Systems – What You Should Know
If you own or are buying a home with an automatic garage door opener, take a good look and see how it was installed. The installation of a garage door opening system is one of the more common tasks attempted by the homeowner with varying degrees of success. The worst jobs are usually obvious […]
Do I Need A Building Permit?
Typically not the first question that comes to mind when homeowners decide to remodel their home, a Building Permit is often overlooked. Depending on where you live, the answer to this question can be found by calling your city or township building inspector. In many municipalities, when your project involves an addition or […]
Preparing Your Home For Sale – The Interior
In Part 1 we talked about some exterior tips to enhance the “curb appeal” of your home as a prospective buyer’s first impression starts to develop within 15 seconds after arriving at your property. Inside your home, natural light should always be maximized. Keep windows cleaned, open drapes and blinds and make sure all […]
Preparing Your Home For Sale – The Exterior
A home seller typically has one main concern when deciding to put a property on the market – how to get the best price in the shortest time frame. Put on your buyer’s shoes when thinking about your home and don’t underestimate the impact small details can have about the perceived condition of your home. […]
Thinking Of New Carpeting? Part 2
In Part 1 we talked about several things to consider when looking to purchase new carpet. Here are some other carpet facts: With respect to carpet color, different dye lots used in the manufacture may cause your carpeting to be a slightly different shade than the sample you selected. This is normal and should […]
Thinking Of New Carpeting? Part 1
The more you know, the more prepared you’ll be to get the best value. First, measure the widest point of the room(s) you want to carpet. Make sure you include any door openings or steps. Take the length times the width and divide by 9. This will give you the approximate number of square […]