Over the last five years, Tampa Bay has emerged as a leading destination for build-to-rent (BTR) homes, reaching its peak success last year. Across the U.S., 32 metropolitan areas have completed their BTR inventories over the past five years, yet more than half currently have no new projects in the pipeline. In Tampa Bay alone, the upcoming years will see the addition of over 1,300 new single-family rental homes. By 2023, the area boasted a total of 1,636 rental homes, catapulting Tampa Bay into the top 20 U.S. metros for future BTR developments. Notably, RentCafe places it 10th on their list. Also gaining traction in the BTR sector is North Port, which saw 749 rental homes built from 2019 to 2023, with 994 additional units currently under construction. Among the new developments, The Hadley in North Port is notable. This BTR community, located at 3000 S. Sumter Blvd. near key roads such as Interstate 75 and U.S. Highway 41, will feature 268 units with one-, two-, and three-bedroom options, spread across 25 acres. The community will offer a range of amenities, including a 24-hour fitness center, a resort-style swimming pool, community grilling areas, a pickleball court, a dog park, a pet spa with grooming station, billiards and shuffleboard, a Starbucks coffee bar, and 24-hour emergency service response. Another noteworthy transaction occurred earlier this month in South Hillsborough County, where Oak Haven, a 120-unit townhouse community in Riverview, was sold to Ark Homes for Rent for $31.8 million, translating to $265,000 per unit. Florida stands out in the BTR market, with four cities in the top 20 metros for ongoing BTR construction. Jacksonville leads with 1,836 units, followed by Tampa with 1,352 units, Orlando with 1,147 units, and North Port with 994 units. These cities are poised to add roughly 5,300 rental homes in the near future, indicating robust growth and continuing interest in Florida's build-to-rent market.

Thanksgiving is easily anyone's favorite holiday of the year. With each bite of the glorious roast turkey, spoonfuls of delicious mashed potatoes, gravy, and cranberry sauce, and even a slice of pumpkin pie, we are transported closer to Christmas and the spirit of giving.    But with a great feast comes a huge cleanup, which many are not looking forward to. You may be all set and ready for the Thanksgiving dinner, especially if you’re hosting for the first time in your new home, but have you thought about the subsequent cleaning load?    Here are five easy and quick tips to make the Thanksgiving cleanup process easier and ensure the day’s more enjoyable for you and your loved ones.

What is a gallery wall? A gallery wall is a grouping or collection of paintings, photographs, art prints, and other personal treasures and items that are hung on a wall. Gallery walls are not just a decor trend but a decorating staple. They were able to stand the test of time simply because they are one of the most striking yet cost-effective ways to add a touch of visual interest to an otherwise blank and boring wall.    Furthermore, a gallery wall doesn't just add character and personality to your living space. It’s also a great opportunity to showcase your memories—special family moments, travels, favorite life events—and turn them into a striking piece of art. You can also think of it as a collage of the things or images that you like to look at every day and make you the happiest.   Best places to hang a gallery wall Since a gallery wall is a terrific solution to liven up forgotten spaces, the perfect and most common spots include the blank walls in the living room, especially the space over the couch or under the stairs, hallways, and staircase walls. Other places may include a wall in your home office, above the baby's crib, over a bar cart, above a fireplace mantel, or even on two adjoining walls.   5 Tips For Hanging A Gallery Wall Like an Expert If you recently got your home keys and are looking forward to incorporating your personality into your living spaces, or you're a homeowner who wants to simply refresh your place, these expert tips can help you in curating and designing your gallery wall. If this is the first time you're making a gallery wall, take the time to decide what your theme or subject matter will be so you won’t be overwhelmed with your collection. For personal photos, you may group them by themes, e.g. special family moments, memorable places, travel photos, children’s artworks, etc. If you’re using art or a collection of prints, you can keep your display cohesive by grouping those with the same type of frames, similar artwork, or with the same color theme.    But if you don’t want to get limited by any themes, you can arrange an eclectic mix of all your favorites. You’re also not just limited to photos or prints, as you can add a variety of items such as mirrors, small sculptures, plates, and even plants and unusual objects.   When your collection is ready, you'd want to choose a picture or object that will be your gallery’s center or hero piece. It could be the biggest picture you have or the largest and most stunning art piece. If you’re arranging an eclectic collection, your focal point could be a large mirror, a clock, or any of your largest treasures. Then you could tuck in the smaller pieces all around the largest piece to give it a balanced look, depending also on your chosen layout or template.   If you're hanging photos, remember that frame selection is also important. You decide whether to put them on simple, minimalist frames that will help the art to stand out on its own. Likewise, you can also use different styles of frames with the same color, or opt for similar frames with lots of different colors. Using ornate frames can also add layers of narrative, especially for historic artworks. You can also leave some pieces unframed to create texture and contrast, making the decor more visually appealing.   Take the time to draw out your layout first before you start hammering. This extra step helps take the guesswork out of the process by making sure you got proper spacing and symmetry in your arrangement.    Extra steps to make sure you end up with an aesthetically pleasing gallery wall: Measure your wall space. Lay out all of your possible pieces on the floor first, then measure the overall height and width of the grouping to make sure it'll fit on the wall where you plan to hang it. Trace the outline of the pieces onto a large piece of paper and then cut them out. You can then move them around on the wall with painter’s tape until you’re satisfied with your desired layout. For the spacing around your pieces, design experts suggest allowing 3 to 4 inches between each piece.   For the spacing around your pieces, design experts suggest allowing 3 to 4 inches between each piece. Make sure that there's even distance between frames so that the gallery wall won’t look uneven or messy. Likewise, keep the entire collection between two-thirds to four-fifths of the size of the wall so it won’t look cramped or awkward.

You may not think much about it, but plumbing is an integral part of your home's systems. Plumbing issues such as dripping faucets, leaky pipes, running toilets, or frustratingly low water pressure do happen. Some of these may occur due to regular wear and tear. Unfortunately, some are downright results of poor plumbing practices and maintenance, which could lead to more serious issues including drainage problems and water damage, to name a few.  Here are five mistakes and poor habits that many homeowners make, and some tips on how to avoid them:   Some items should never go down the sink drain, especially oils, fats, and grease. Dumping too much grease down the kitchen sink can clog your drain and do real damage over time. Once the grease has cooled down to a reasonable temperature, simply toss it in the trash or a disposable container. The same goes for other items such as eggshells, coffee grounds, and any food waste.   Another common plumbing mistake of many homeowners and people, in general, is flushing down materials other than toilet paper or natural human waste. While it is usually just common sense that you shouldn't flush things such as feminine hygiene products, baby wipes, cotton swabs, and even toys and other odd items, this is a common problem in homes with children and teenagers.   These types of items may initially go down the toilet perfectly well, but then they’d get stuck somewhere along the drain line. They can cause backups and clogs in your home’s plumbing system that can be difficult to remove, and can even cause flooding that can damage your home entirely. Flushing such materials can also be damaging to the environment since city sewer systems are not equipped to handle them, so it’s best to just dispose of them in the trash. Since children are often curious to see if they can flush toys and other stuff, it’s best to watch over them if they’re playing with toys near the bathroom.   If you're reaching for that commercial drain cleaner too often, thinking that it’s a miracle product that can unclog every drain around your home, it’s probably time to look for an alternative. Commercial drain cleaners, while a short-term solution, can cause bigger problems in the long run. These products contain harsh chemicals that can damage metal traps in your home’s plumbing system, corrode pipe walls, and destroy not only metal pipes but also PVC pipes, which can lead to leaks and costly replacements.   Experts suggest that instead of grabbing a liquid drain cleaner, use natural solutions first such as a mixture of baking soda and vinegar followed by boiling water to loosen up the clog, or alternative products like a drain snake or a power auger. And honestly, if you often find yourself dealing with clogged drains, it might be time to call a local plumber to find the problem quickly.   It's a common mistake for many homeowners and DIYers, thinking that they can leave the water on as long as they work quickly on any water-related project. But this rarely goes as planned, and could result in an even bigger problem: household flooding and possible dripping down to the floors beneath.    This is why it’s critical to turn off the water at the main water shut-off valve or at least turn off the shut-off valve to the fixture you’re planning to work on. Taking those extra few minutes to shut off the water supply could save you thousands of dollars in damage to your property and belongings.    Plumbing repairs take time and money, which is why many homeowners choose to handle some plumbing issues on their own. However, one of the most common mistakes DIYers make is over-tightening faucet supply tubes, pipes, plastic fittings, and bolts that hold down toilets or fixtures. They think that the tighter it is, the better, but that is often not the case. Over-tightening can cause fittings to split, crack, or break altogether, which can also cause a leak. And the worst part of this small error is, it could take weeks for a fitting to completely break, and by then you could be dealing with a leak that could cause major flooding. Likewise, under-tightening can also cause leaks. Check your fixtures and fittings often to see if they were looser than when you installed them.   Bottom line Having a home you can call your own means living up to the responsibilities associated with it, including repair and maintenance. Never ignore minor plumbing issues as they can come back to haunt you. And if you don't feel confident enough to tackle them yourself, it might be best to call a local professional to fix them rather than suffer from a costly and more stressful situation later on. 

For homeowners who fall behind on their mortgage payments, mainly due to a sudden financial crisis, such as unemployment and other income loss, unexpected debts, interest rate hikes, or economic downturn, among others — the two main options available are either a short sale or foreclosure.  In both cases, the owner is forced to part with their hard-won investment, turning their homeownership dream into a nightmare.    Let's take a closer look at what these things are, their differences, and which is the better option for any homeowner depending on their situation and timeline.   A short sale occurs when the homeowner or property holder owes more on the mortgage balance than the sale price of the property at the point they want to sell. It happens when the home has substantially depreciated in market value since its purchase. For example, if the homeowner sells a house for $200,000, but still has a remaining mortgage loan balance of $250,000, that would be a short sale. The homeowner or seller is technically “short” by $50,000.   No short sale may happen without the blessing of the lender. Once the short sale is approved by the lender and the property is sold, all proceeds from the sale go to the lender. The homeowner gets nothing and ideally will be free of any financial obligations for the home.    However, one thing to watch out for is the so-called “deficiency judgment”, which the lender can file against the homeowner to make up for the loss. While many states outlaw this practice, it's critical that you read over your paperwork or ask about it to ensure you won’t have any personal liability.   A foreclosure, on the other hand, is a legal process that takes place when a homeowner (or borrower, in this matter) stops making mortgage loan payments for a significant period of time. After three to six months of missed payments, a lender will issue a Notice of Default with the county recorder's office. The notice is to inform the homeowner that foreclosure proceedings have started, and they could be at risk of getting evicted.    After receiving the notice of default, the borrower enters into what’s known as the “pre-foreclosure period”, which can last anywhere from 30 to 120 days. During this time, you’ll have the opportunity to work with your lender to avoid foreclosure, either through any of the following: Paying the past due balance in full; Modifying the mortgage terms and reducing your monthly payments; Selling the home through short sale or deed in lieu of foreclosure.   If the debt isn’t resolved by the end of the pre-foreclosure period, the lender will step in and foreclose on the home. The homeowner will be evicted and a foreclosure auction will be scheduled to sell the house to a third party. If the property isn’t sold at auction, the lender becomes the owner and it’s then considered a bank-owned or real estate-owned property.     SHORT SALE FORECLOSURE Homeowner's involvement Voluntary by the homeowner but requires approval from the lender Involuntary for the homeowner; the lender takes legal action to take control of the property   Speed and timing Typically takes 90 to 120 days or even longer, since the bank won’t approve the sale without a buyer agreeing to its demands Moves along much faster since lenders want to recoup the costs incurred by the unpaid mortgage   Impact on credit score Far less damaging to the borrower’s credit score Will stay on a borrower’s credit report for seven years   Living in the home Homeowners can stay in the home until the sale is completed Homeowners are forced to vacate   Payment terms (for buyers) Can be bought with a mortgage loan Can only be purchased with cash   Method of sale Listed by a real estate agent specializing in short sales Auctioned

As the weather starts to warm up and the flowers begin to bloom, you might be itching to maximize your outdoor living space. Your backyard is an extension of your home and with the right additions, it can become a functional and relaxing oasis where you and your family can relax and enjoy the beautiful weather.  From practical but stylish options such as shade and outdoor lighting to fun and cozy additions like a grilling station and an outdoor bar cart, we're here to provide you with plenty of inspiration to help you create the backyard of your dreams.   1. Exterior lighting Outdoor lighting not only enhances the aesthetics of your space but also improves its functionality. It's an excellent addition if you aim to create a warm and inviting atmosphere so you can enjoy your backyard even after the sun goes down. It can also highlight certain features, such as a tree or plant, a garden or water structure, or any other architectural elements. Various types of exterior lighting options include string lights, lanterns, and even pathway or ground lights. Lovely and warm string lights are a popular choice as they add a whimsical touch to your backyard while also providing ambient lighting. Meanwhile, pathway lights or solar ground lights can guide you and your guests safely through your yard while also adding a decorative element. Lanterns can also provide a warm, cozy glow and are perfect for creating a relaxing ambiance. In addition to enhancing the ambiance, outdoor lighting can also improve the safety and security of your backyard. By illuminating dark areas, you can prevent accidents and tripping hazards. A well-lit backyard is also less attractive to burglars and potential intruders.   2. Hammock If you're looking for a cozy but affordable seating addition, a hammock is just the perfect idea. It can be a relaxing spot to unwind, relax and recharge, and enjoy the outdoors while having your favorite book or hugging a warm cup of coffee. When purchasing a hammock, make sure you choose a high-quality variety that is durable, weather-resistant, and can support your weight. Then you can choose to hang them between two trees or posts or get a standalone hammock with its own frame.   3. Bird feeders and houses Welcome the new spring season into your yard by setting out some bird feeders and houses that will attract a variety of bird species to your backyard, which can be magical to watch and listen to. Since there are many different types of bird feeders and houses to choose from, and each type of feeder attracts different types of birds, it's a good idea to research which would best suit the birds in your area or those you want to attract.  Aside from having a fun and relaxing activity watching the birds as they come and go from your yard, providing food and shelter for these animals can help support the local ecosystem and promote biodiversity in your area.   4. Canopy or shade Since the weather outdoors won't always be ideal — too much sun can be uncomfortable while an unexpected downpour can ruin the fun — creating shade in your backyard is essential. You might want to add an outdoor umbrella, a pergola, or a shade sail to refresh your outdoor living space and keep the area cool.  Outdoor umbrellas are a simple and affordable option that can be easily moved to provide shade where needed. On the other hand, pergolas are a more permanent and stylish option that can add a unique touch to your patio. A shade sail is also an excellent option if you want a modern and sleek look while providing ample shade in specific areas.   5. Privacy screen If the lack of privacy is what's hindering you from enjoying your backyard oasis, consider installing privacy screens or outdoor drapery panels to add style and a little extra seclusion from the outside world (and even from nosey neighbors).  There are many options when it comes to adding privacy screens to your backyard. If you want to keep it simple, go with a self-standing screen with vertical or horizontal wood slats, which you can also decorate with trailing flowers or herb pots. Creating a private and comfortable space allows you to enjoy your backyard to the fullest, especially this spring and summer.   6. Grilling station The warmer weather provides the perfect opportunity to spend more time outdoors, with grilling and barbecues on the side. Setting up a dedicated grilling area spices up your patio and allows you to enjoy outdoor cooking and dining with your family and friends.  Whether you choose to have a simple portable grill or a more elaborate grilling station, it entirely depends on your needs, budget, and yard space. Having an outdoor grill can also provide a fun and enjoyable activity for all ages, with kids helping out in food preparation and adults socializing while the food is cooking. With such a functional addition, expect your backyard to be your new favorite cookout spot filled with wonderful aromas and awesome memories.   7. Outdoor bar cart Elevate your backyard entertaining game even more by adding an outdoor bar cart. It's a fancy and stylish way to mix up drinks without using up precious table space or going inside so you can fully enjoy the beautiful outdoors.  Moreover, it’s mobile and convenient to be moved around your backyard, patio, or pool area as needed, making it easy to serve your guests drinks and snacks wherever they are. Or take it even further by setting up a DIY cocktail station where your guests can mix and customize their drinks, adding a playful and social aspect to your backyard gathering.

Hiring a qualified and trustworthy contractor is one of the most crucial elements of a successful home remodeling project. But finding one isn't easy. Sure, you can ask for recommendations from friends and neighbors, even check online for reviews, but once you’ve put together a list of companies, where do you go from there?  Your home is your haven and one of your biggest investments, so you want to ensure the quality and timeliness of the work. To make a sound decision on which company is the best fit for your project, here are some key questions you can use as a guide during the interview process.   1. How long have you been in this business/industry? You'd want to get a sense of how much experience the company as a whole has with the work that needs to be done. A contracting business that has been in operation in the area for five or 10 years already has a local reputation to uphold and is more likely to have an established network of subcontractors and suppliers, which makes them a safer bet. They typically have a traceable record, and have created systems and controls to ensure their work is on time and of the highest quality. But you don’t want to immediately shrug off a new company either, if the company owner or job foreman has years of experience working in the industry, either for other companies or as independent contractors. If you’re impressed with their credentials, you can start by hiring them first for a small repair to check their quality of work. Just remember to do your research ahead of time and verify the credentials of any contractor you’re considering hiring for the job.   2. Are you licensed and insured? Aside from knowing their years of experience in the industry, you'll want to make sure that your contractor has gone through all of the necessary certifications to handle the job. And having a business license alone isn’t enough, as it only allows them to operate a business, but it doesn’t guarantee that they are licensed. A reputable contractor should have any required state license, workers’ compensation insurance, and liability insurance for the type of work they do. Moreso, they should have that documentation on hand and be more than willing to let you take a look. Regulations may vary from state to state and even county to county, so this is a good question to ask to learn more about the contractor and your state’s specific requirements. Doing so will give you peace of mind knowing that they are licensed and certified in their field of expertise.   3. Who is the designated point of contact and how would you like me to get in touch? Whether it's the company owner, a project manager, or the job foreman, be sure that you identify a designated point of contact, as well as the best way to reach that person. Ask what times he’ll be available to respond to you, and how quickly you should expect a reply. Remember that communication is necessary for a positive and less stressful remodeling experience, so establishing a defined process with the contractor’s team is critical.   4. Will you obtain the necessary permits and set up the required inspections for the job? While not every home improvement project requires permits or inspections, it's a must for large jobs, such as major renovations and anything that involves structural changes. A dependable contractor should not only know what kind of permits you need for the job and how to get them, but they should also be willing to arrange them on your behalf. No work should begin until the permit has been obtained to ensure everything is done to code and your homeowner's insurance can cover your claim if something goes wrong.   5. Who exactly will be doing the work? Since contracting companies often work on multiple projects at a time, it's important to know if they have the workforce to complete the job on time. You should be clear on whether the contractor and their employees will be doing the work or if they’ll be using subcontractors to carry out the project. If they’re using services from another company, you need to know which business they’ve partnered with and who is liable for the work being done, and if the workers are also covered by their liability and worker’s compensation insurance. Also, clarify whether you can expect to see the same people working on your house to handle the job from start to finish. It’s essential that you can be assured about the consistency of the work, and that you can trust the people you will be working with at all stages of the process.   6. What precautions will you take to protect my property? While this may be a touchy topic, asking in advance is necessary. Your contractor should be willing to take reasonable measures to keep your property and belongings damage-free. Depending on the scope of work, be sure to inquire about what specifically he'll do. Are the workers going to wear shoe coverings when they enter the home? Will they use tarps to cover furniture items and surfaces in work areas? They should also be able to recommend certain items that need to be moved to other areas of the house to avoid damage. Moreover, a good contractor will make sure that the end-of-day and end-of-project clean-up is always taken care of.    7. What will be the payment terms and schedule? Another important detail to discuss with your prospective contractor is the payment terms. You should be aware beforehand of exactly how much is due and when. Payments can be organized by due dates or based on completed stages of the project. Be honest and ask what happens if you are late or need more time to make a payment, as well as the available payment methods. One thing you need to remember is that a reliable contractor should never ask you to completely pay upfront. Cash payments are impossible to track and are often requested only by questionable contractors. Safer options include checks, loan financing, and credit cards.

Whether you have a modest closet or a luxurious walk-in, you just have to be smart and creative when it comes to maximizing your closet storage. You also don't need to spend thousands of dollars to create a more decluttered, more manageable space for your clothes that add confidence to yourself every day.  These simple but practical organization techniques can go a long way, and some of them won't cost you anything but your time and effort.   The first step to organizing your closet is to go through your belongings and purge your clothing, shoes, accessories, and any other items. See if any of them match these criteria: anything that's out of style anything that doesn’t fit anymore anything you haven’t worn in a year (‘cause you likely won’t be wearing them again) anything uncomfortable when worn; anything that no longer works for you. If your items match any of the descriptions above, it may be time to donate, sell, recycle, or toss them away. Experts recommend doing an edit of your closet at least twice a year: before spring and summer, and again before fall and winter. This allows you to streamline your wardrobe and stay on top of what you already have, especially if you’ve only got a minimal space to work with.  Also, have designated storage for those that you want to donate or sell later on, especially for clothes that are still in good shape. Otherwise, any clothing that has stains or holes can be repurposed into old rags or tossed into the trash.   If you're thinking of a new way to make your clothes look neater and tidier while saving up valuable closet space, try the file-folding method made famous by world-renowned tidying expert Marie Kondo. Instead of stacking your folded clothes on top of each other, fold them in half once more and stack them up vertically so they’re side-by-side like files in a filing cabinet. It’s an efficient way to arrange your clothes as they’re folded the same way. Also, no more ripping through your drawers in search of your favorite shirt because it’s now easier to find what you’re looking for.    Space-saving hangers can be a godsend for closets with limited hanging space. If you haven't already, swap your mismatched wire and plastic hangers with slender hangers that will allow you to fit more onto rods. It’s even better if you want them in similar colors, or assign a color for each type of clothing, to add more style. Just save the wooden hangers for heavier items and also padded hangers for winter sweaters. Vertical hangers or those with tiers are fabulous for stacking lighter pieces of clothing and even for hanging several pairs of pants. It’s a small and inexpensive investment that can greatly impact on the overall look and functionality of your wardrobe.   If you have a smaller closet and decluttering isn't enough, you need to think of clever ways to create more storage space. One trick is to use larger suitcases to store items you don’t necessarily need daily. It’s ideal for off-season clothes, especially those bulky, cold-weather items you won’t be wearing in warmer months, or resort wear and other travel items you might not need right away. You can also use rolling storage bins that fit under your bed so your closet will have more space for the part of your wardrobe you're wearing regularly.   Lastly, speaking of making the most of all of your closet space, why not use the front of your closet door as well as the back? Consider adding hanging organizers, but instead of the usual clear plastic pouches, opt for more stylish options that are pretty enough to hang outside the closet, as well as the inside. These storage solutions are perfect for keeping your shoes, accessories, wallets, and all your favorite daily items organized for easy access so you don't have to go digging through your closet to find them. Plus, they also make good use of otherwise unused door space.

It's the season of gifts, food, decorations, a lot of festivities, and of course- burglaries. Wait, what? Unfortunately, it’s the less cheerful reality of the holiday season. According to the FBI, 18 percent of home burglaries happen in December, and police only solve 13 percent of them. And if you’re going away on a holiday vacation, the last thing you’d want is to find that your place has been ransacked, with your valuable items missing. Criminals are already on the prowl, so it won't hurt to be extra cautious. We’ve compiled a list of simple but savvy ways to safeguard your property against theft and break-ins during the holidays.   While you're out having the time of your life somewhere, burglars can have the time of their life looting your place. So if you’re planning to travel this holiday season, keep your plans off your social media networks. Burglars can be technologically savvy nowadays, and divulging too much information online about your trip compromises your home security and makes you an easy target for them. They can quickly identify you or your family and search for your home address, even if you think you have the highest level of security on your Facebook or Instagram accounts. No matter how excited you are, wait until you are home before posting about your vacation so you won’t broadcast your absence. If you want to give updates to your family or close friends, give them a call. Also, adjust your privacy settings and confirm your location services are in manual mode so you won’t broadcast your location.   It's a sight many of us are probably looking forward to this time of year—a wonderful Christmas tree all lit up, with lots of pretty wrapped gifts underneath. But putting these festive decorations next to a window or other areas that are highly visible to the street is also a sight good enough for burglars to window-shop. It’s a visual invitation for them to size up your home and break in, especially once you’re away. Minimize temptation by making sure you set up the tree and gifts away from windows or other places with a view. If the front room is your best choice, use thick curtains or blinds to conceal your home’s interior and block the view from the outside. You may also consider hiding gifts temporarily, only taking them out in time for the opening of presents.   ‘Tis the season of gift giving and holiday shopping. And we know how joyful it is to get that spectacular flatscreen TV you've been saving for months, the latest laptop model, or any other big-ticket items that come in branded packaging and boxes. However, make sure you pay attention to how you dispose of your trash. Never leave empty boxes on the curb, unless you want to unintentionally advertise to everyone who drives down your block (including opportunistic burglars) that you’ve got a new TV. If you’re not mindful, burglars don’t need to see the inside of your home to know what valuables you have and what they can get their hands on. So wait until garbage day until you can discard boxes of expensive items. Or better yet, see if you can break down the boxes into smaller pieces and conceal them in an opaque trash bag. Burglars are always on the lookout for such garbage items, so don’t send them an invitation to go in.   If you're expecting packages this holiday season but won’t be home to receive them, don’t make the mistake of sticking a note on your front door telling the delivery company to just leave the packages on your porch. Doing so only gives burglars the assurance that you’re gone. A report revealed that almost 1 in 7 Americans have fallen victim to package theft or what they call “porch pirates.” A smart move would be to contact the shipping company directly and give them special instructions about where to leave packages. If you’ve done all your holiday shopping and will be receiving lots of deliveries, you may also want to invest in a secure parcel drop box to keep on your porch.   With family and friends coming and going this holiday season, it's tempting to have a spare key hidden in an inconspicuous place around your home to make it easier for them to let themselves in. Did we mention under the potted plants or inside a fake outdoor socket? Well, that is a huge no-no! Experienced home invaders know all the best key-hiding spots, and you’re giving them an easy way to get in once they get their hands on your key. So stop hiding your spare keys around the house, or better yet, get rid of them altogether.   Are you going out of town for the holidays? Make your home look like someone is there, even if it's empty. Take advantage of smart home technology to control lights, TVs, and more from anywhere. Having lights on a timer is also preferable because you can turn them on automatically at specific times. Or better yet, invest in a monitored home security system, which can work perfectly with motion sensor lights. Maintaining a presence even when you’re gone will help reduce the chances of your home being the next target.   Even with all the aforementioned precautions in place, a lack of visible activity in the home, especially for a long time, is likely to raise a burglar's suspicions sooner or later. This is why it’s best to make arrangements with a trusted friend or neighbor and have them drop by to check in on your home. You can ask them to keep an eye on your house and report any suspicious activity while you’re gone. Depending on what applies to you, you can also pay someone to shovel your walkways if it snows, collect your mail and packages, take out the trash, and more.

Whether you are renovating to make your space more comfortable, to increase your home's value, or just trying the style you always wanted from Pinterest, one of the biggest obstacles you can face when updating your home is staying within your budget. Budgeting for any remodeling project can be challenging. In fact, in the 2021-2022 study by Houzz, 34 percent of homeowners exceeded their budget, and they did so for a variety of reasons. The top two reasons they cited include finding that the products or services were more costly than expected and that the project was more complex. Want to avoid these mistakes made by homeowners? We have listed these four expert tips to help keep your project as close to budget as possible.   It can be tempting to do the legwork yourself, so you can save money, especially if you know you have got enough time on your hands. However, the DIY route may not be cheaper than you thought it would be. Your lack of know-how can be costly, and you could spend more on a botched job. Especially for plumbing, electrical, or structural work, it will be safer and cheaper to pay a licensed and experienced professional to do the job right. Also, trust that professionals know the best brands to work with and can achieve the look you are aiming for while still getting the most bang for your buck. But while it is better to leave the job to the pros, there are some things you can do to prepare your space before a crew comes, especially if you are paying them per hour. Depending on the remodel, you can tidy up the area and clean surfaces, pack up and move furniture and other decors out of the construction zone to make their job go more smoothly.   Experts recommend hiring a general contractor for medium- to large-scale remodeling projects. A general contractor knows who will do the best work for the best price, and they will know when to schedule them to avoid wasting dollars on inefficient use of time. Plus, sticking to a single contractor ensures the quality of work and materials will be consistent. To get the best deal, obtain bids from at least three different traders. While it is not unusual for their quotes to differ in certain areas, this is an excellent opportunity to learn about their good and bad points and different approaches to the same work. Moreso, you can be wary if a bid is too good to be true, which could be a red flag that the contractor is either lying to you or is inexperienced. If you decide not to choose a general contractor and hire individual workers yourself, get at least three quotes for each service performed so you can better compare their prices and scope of work.   No matter how big or small the remodeling project is, careful and detailed planning is the best way to avoid expensive problems down the road. Remember that the cost of renovations does not only include the materials and contractor/labor fees. Further, consider the little things, such as the costs for any necessary permits, sales tax, delivery charges, shipping charges, and even cleaning materials. Getting a detailed breakdown of the costs upfront means you can see how the different elements of your project add up to the total price. If you are working with a good contractor, expect that you will get a detailed quote. They will also take the time to sit down with you and discuss the entire project, creating a step-by-step plan. This is also the best time to make all the decisions, especially regarding the materials and finishes you want. And once the plan is complete, stick to it so you will not make last-minute changes when you are stressed, which is a surefire way to get your budget out of control.   Even if you are an optimistic homeowner, part of the planning stage is to have a plan for the unexpected. According to the Houzz study, one of the biggest reasons homeowners went over budget was because the project turned out to be more complex than expected. When your contractor opens a wall, they could find some necessary electrical work. If you have an older home, there is a critical risk of getting things that need updating, including plumbing, electrical, and wall material issues or even discovering mold and asbestos, that could jeopardize your family's health and safety. Hence, regardless of the budget you arrive at, it is safer to have an additional 10-25 percent buffer to cover any surprise expenses and delays. You will get peace of mind knowing that you have the funds just in case you need money to fix whatever is discovered wrong at short notice. Besides, experts say this cash cushion, more often than not, comes in handy.

Whatever the reason behind your move, whether you're buying your first home, you’ve got a new job in a different city, or you want to be closer to your loved ones and relatives, among others, relocating is no small venture. There are many factors to consider: finding the time and energy to pack up all your belongings and choosing a reliable moving service to safely transport your items. And while it is exciting, it can also be overwhelming, stressful, and expensive. Moving expenses can get out of control if you don’t plan them out properly.   Trying to save money during your move is not just about reducing costs but also about avoiding unnecessary extra charges. Imagine using part of your hard-earned money to decorate your new home instead of throwing it away on expenses that may be avoidable in the first place. So here's a bunch of tips to keep costs down from the minute you decide to move right up to moving day itself. 1. Create a moving strategy. One of the smartest ways to reduce costs when moving is organization. As soon as you get to know you’re going to move, list down all the things you’re supposed to do. Go through your rooms and jot down what you have and what you’re taking with you. If you’ve decided to use a professional moving company, allow enough time to find the best movers and negotiate with them to avail of their services at affordable costs. Lastly, ensure you have a backup plan in place because there is always a chance that your timeline and move-in date could go awry at the last minute.   2. Research and compare the prices of moving companies. You don't want to wait until the last minute to look for movers, as you may end up accepting any price quote they give you due to being in a hurry. Be critical and do your research about the reliability of each mover before booking them. Be mindful of red flags, especially those who offer low deals that are too good to be true. Since no two movers quote similar prices, it’s preferable to get in-home estimates from at least three companies. Make sure that the relocation expert performs on-site and in-person cost estimates to make them as accurate as possible. Then compare the moving quotes you receive in terms of these three things: price, services, and terms and conditions. Once you select the right mover that fits your needs and budget, don’t be afraid to ask about discounts and negotiate for a lower price.   3. Read all the fine print. Once you've decided which professional moving company you’re going to hire, make sure to examine the movers’ contracts carefully. Some movers are notorious for hidden fees, so be vigilant and read all the fine print. Take a long, hard look at the extra fees and add-ons attached to your estimate to make sure you’re not being overcharged for something you don’t need. Likewise, don’t forget to consider your insurance and liability options carefully.   4. Choose a cheaper date and time for your move. Another good cost-saving technique when relocating is to schedule your move during the off-season, if possible. Summer tends to be the busiest season for moving when demand for movers is highest, especially in the months of June, July, and August. Likewise, movers quote high prices during weekends and month-ends since many people move during this period due to being off from work and end of lease or rent contracts. So if you can choose to move during the off-peak season or midweek or mid-month days when demand is typically the lowest, you can avoid paying unnecessarily high charges. Also, movers will be able to completely focus on your relocation job without being in a hurry to move on to the next one.   5. Purge and declutter your belongings before packing. If you really want to avoid unnecessary costs when moving, follow this rule: the fewer things you have to take along with you, the less you'll have to pay. If you declutter before moving, you will also need fewer packing boxes and supplies and cut down on costs if you need to store your items. So get rid of unwanted items—unworn clothing, out-of-date electronics, furniture that won’t fit your new space, etc. —as early as possible to make your life so much easier on moving day. Choose the items suitable for resale, then decide whether to have a local garage sale or sell them online. For those items that don’t sell donating is the way to go.   6. Seek out free moving supplies and pack everything yourself. Moving supplies, including boxes, tape, and bubble wrap, aren't cheap! Their cost can add up if you don’t plan ahead and get creative on where you source them. Since you have assessed your belongings, see if there are items in your home that you can use to pack some of your stuff. Using soft furnishings, blankets, towels, clothing, and any other materials to protect your items doubles up as smart packing instead of wasting money on bubble wrap that you are just going to throw away. You can also seek free moving supplies from various stores, online marketplaces, community groups, and friends. Lastly, you should be able to pack most of your things by yourself. If you’re going to consider professional packing services, it would be cheaper if it would only be for special and valuable items such as pianos, antique furniture, paintings, etc.   7. Prepare and disassemble furniture and other bulky items beforehand. Preparing your large furniture and other bulky items before moving day is also a great way to save on shifting charges. Packers and movers may charge additional prices to dismantle appliances, like refrigerators or air conditioning units. If you know how to do it the right way, you could save on disassembling costs by doing it yourself. But if you don't have the knowledge and skill, leave it to the pros and book their services in advance. They’ll use the necessary tools and follow proper guidelines to avoid damage to your furniture. Preparing these things ahead of time will be more cost-effective, rather than expecting the team to move items that won’t make it through the door and to disassemble without previously agreeing to it on moving day.

If you're a homeowner, aside from lounging by a swimming pool or throwing a few backyard barbecues, the warmer months are also the perfect time to tackle some improvement projects around your house and yard. The beautiful weather conditions give you ample time to assess, repair, and make upgrades that can help increase the overall value of your home, especially if you plan to sell your house anytime soon. If you're still unsure about what projects to start with and are seeking inspiration, here are some of the most popular and cost-efficient projects to add to your list this summer.   1. Pressure wash your outdoor surfaces. If you're looking for a quick and inexpensive home improvement task, nothing beats an old-fashioned power washing to give your outdoor areas a much-needed refresh.  Pressure washing your home’s siding, driveways, walkways, deck, or patio can help remove any dirt, grime, mud, mold, and mildew built up over winter and spring. Not only will this make your house appear brand new and improve your curb appeal, but it will also make your abode a more enjoyable place to relax and entertain this summer. Generally, you can hire a professional to do the pressure washing or do it yourself. Although, you may be better off calling a professional if your home is particularly large or grimy, as they have the necessary personnel and equipment to do a more efficient job.  If you think you can do this chore on your own but don’t have a pressure washer or the budget to buy, you can often rent one from your local home center or hardware store at an affordable price. As you clean your home’s exteriors, make sure to use caution. Strictly adhere to the sprayer’s instructions to avoid damage, especially when pressure washing delicate surfaces such as painted siding or wood decks.   2. Clean and repair your gutters. Gutters are critical in channeling water away from your roof and your home's foundation. When a gutter is clogged, water backs up, which can lead to a wide array of water damage, pest infestation, and even result in broken gutters.  While not the most fun or creative, cleaning out your gutters and downspouts at the start of summer will help protect your home against summer showers and prepare it for the colder months ahead. Before removing debris, have your equipment ready—a sturdy ladder, a bucket, a gutter scoop, and a pair of heavy-duty gloves. Afterward, spray down the gutters with a water hose to eliminate any leaves, bugs, or dirt left behind. You may also choose to hire a local gutter cleaning service if you aren’t confident about doing the cleaning yourself.  If your home’s gutters are already old, sagging, or leaking, they might need to be replaced instead of just being repaired. A new gutter system will not only protect your home against future storms but can also dramatically improve its curb appeal without making a dent in your wallet.   3. Spruce up your deck. If you haven't done so already, summer is also the perfect time to give your deck, porch, or patio some TLC. They can take a beating during the cold-weather months, and if you had a hard time sprucing it up in the spring, summer is a great time to revive them. Aside from pressure washing (with care!), clear out cracks, crevices, and spaces between boards using a putty knife, then remove old stains to prepare for refinishing. Once your deck is clean, allow ample time for the surface to dry before applying the proper stain to enhance its look.  And while you’re at it, consider cleaning and painting your outdoor furniture to make it look as good as new. You can also think of other ways to make your space a dreamy oasis perfect for those summer barbecues or backyard celebrations.   4. Upgrade your windows and window treatments. Summer is the ideal time to replace your old, worn-out, or damaged windows. While this home improvement project may sound like a huge undertaking, it can also have big benefits. This will improve your home's energy efficiency and resale value but can also give you long-term savings from heating and cooling costs.  When you install new windows, the first step is to remove the old ones, which means that your living space will be drafty during installation. With that in mind, it’s best to do this when temperatures are still mild. Upgrade your windows by installing dual-pane models that will not only ensure that street noise and inefficient air conditioning and heating are eliminated, but will also improve your home’s appearance.  Furthermore, the right window treatments can also help keep your house cool, especially during the dog days of summer. There are numerous options to choose from when selecting window treatments: blackout curtains, blinds, window shutters, motorized roller blades, etc. Aside from cutting down on dangerous UV light and blinding glare, it can also improve the overall look and feel of your home.    5. Install or update your ceiling fans. Even if your home has central air conditioning, ceiling fans are a more reasonable way to keep cool this summer, as they can efficiently increase the air movement within your home. Not only that, a high-quality fan that's also Energy Star-rated can make your home more energy-efficient.  Installing or updating your fans is one of the cheapest DIY home maintenance projects you can accomplish over the weekend. Installation costs $246 on average, according to the 2022 data from Homeadvisor, and usually runs between $144 and $352. Meanwhile, residential fans typically cost around $50 to $1,400 and come in a variety of decorative styles and colors that will compliment your home.    While summer provides the ideal weather condition to accomplish many home maintenance projects suitable for your needs and budget, remember to be wary of hot temperatures, especially when working outdoors.  

If you're planning to put your house on the market anytime soon, the biggest task isn’t to address repairs or start renovations, as these require lengthy planning since they can be time-consuming and costly.  The main task you should prioritize as a potential home seller is decluttering. It’s actually free, and you can do it way ahead of time. It’s best to do it in advance even if you’re not much of a hoarder, as you must have accumulated too much stuff after living in your house for years.  Not only can paring down your belongings help you when it's time for your move, but it can also save you money and potential headaches. Still not convinced? Here are five huge reasons why decluttering is crucial in your home selling journey.   The greatest benefit of decluttering, even if you're still deciding whether or not to list your home for sale, is that your home instantly looks more spacious and appealing. It all boils down to perception. No matter how big your home’s actual footage is, excessive furniture, decor, and clutter can make your place cramped and untidy. All of these elements also make the home unattractive to potential buyers.  So if your house already feels smaller than it really is, it’s time to get serious about decluttering and organizing. Keep only the necessary furniture and decor that will define your space and highlight your home’s best features without being distracting. If you have too much furniture, you can put it in storage for the time being. Think of the phrase “less is more,” especially if you’re thinking of hiring a staging company to show your home. It makes a difference in your buyers’ perception of how big your house feels. Likewise, it is easier to clean a decluttered home. Air circulation is also improved, so it smells cleaner. And because the smell is one of the first things potential buyers will notice when entering your home, it’s a huge deal breaker.   It may be tempting to store everything away in your closets and cupboards but resist doing this. Too much stuff in your cabinets makes it seem as though your house doesn't have enough storage space.  And storage is a top concern for serious buyers. They will want to open up closets, cabinets, and drawers to see how much storage the home has. You might have hidden your items from plain sight, but when buyers see cabinets full of stuff like miscellaneous food containers, it will give them the impression that there’s not a lot of storage in your home. Show off your storage space by emptying them or leaving them two-thirds empty. You may throw away, donate, or sell things you don’t want to take with you when you move. You can also rent a storage unit and put everything in there temporarily as you’re sorting through your belongings.   Decluttering can also help you identify potential problems in your home that can be deal breakers for many potential buyers. Where there is clutter, it's likely that pests are also around, such as ants, spiders, and rodents. By decluttering ahead of time, you can easily spot these pests and get rid of them. Moreover, you can deal with issues like cracks in the wall, mold growth, bad paint jobs, leaky pipelines, and other minor repairs when you start to lessen your stuff. By removing bulky furniture, you can locate where many of these problems could be potentially hiding. Decluttering before listing your home for sale will give you plenty of time to address these issues, so you can improve your home’s value and ask for a competitive selling price from buyers.   When you start your decluttering process with the goal of selling, you must see your home through the eyes of potential buyers. When a buyer views your property, they can easily get distracted if there's too much clutter. Instead of focusing on the home’s features and selling points (and even its flaws and potential problems which could affect the sale), they may pay more attention to items such as your furniture and personal belongings. You want buyers to fall in love with the house, not with your stuff that could be going with you when you move. Aiming to make your home a neutral space by removing most of your personalized items will make it easier for potential buyers to imagine themselves and their things in the home. Since there are fewer distractions, buyers can easily visualize themselves living there without being reminded that it’s someone else’s home.    Taking the time to organize and declutter before listing your home will aid in simplifying your move. Sorting through your stuff ahead of time will prepare you to finish packing when the time comes. Doing this will make your future move much less stressful and overwhelming. Especially if you have called your property your home for a while, it can be emotionally difficult to move out when the time comes. Dealing with your clutter beforehand will help you reevaluate your items, so you won't spend the extra money or energy to move things you don’t even use or want anymore.  And when you start to see your home changing after packing and throwing away items, it becomes less and less your home and more of a place where you’re getting ready for your next adventure. After all, the memories will always stay with you, and you can cherish them forever. And you’ll be thankful you put in the work beforehand because aside from becoming emotionally prepared for the complicated moving process, your home will also be more attractive to buyers.

Searching for inspiration to help you organize your home isn't difficult nowadays. There is already an abundance of tips, tricks, and strategies from TV shows, magazines, and the internet to motivate you into taking on such a challenging task. The images of tidy closets or a perfectly organized pantry inspire you to rush out and purchase the same baskets and bins, thinking you will get the same pretty and stylish results. See? That’s where the problem starts. The truth is, not all organizing tips are as helpful as they appear. Some may even cause more work for you in the long run, making it more of a hassle. Without further ado, here are three popular home organization tactics that should help better arrange your home but could have the opposite effect instead.   1. Decanting everything into a container. Decanting is a term used to describe the practice of removing foods from their original, disposable packaging and placing them into permanent jars or containers, typically clear to easily identify the contents. And who doesn't love looking at pantry staples like rice, pasta, cereal, or spices in beautiful containers? It is the ultimate sign of a fully organized pantry. But, even if this is a storage solution that often does work, it isn’t practical for everyone. Decanting can be exhausting and very time-consuming. It adds difficulty to the already tedious job of putting the groceries away. And if you have an active lifestyle, decanting your everyday pantry items may not be the best use of your time. The better tip: Be realistic. Remember that there’s no need to add stress to your day because something might look nicer in a different container. If you don’t enjoy the idea of decanting or want to make better use of your time, find some middle ground to keep your pantry looking great without getting yourself overwhelmed. Just choose the essential items to transfer into large, clear containers, such as rice or pasta, so you can better keep stock of your inventory. Other items, such as snack foods, are better left in their original packaging to be arranged in baskets. Just eliminate their outer box to save more room in your storage. If you're a busy home cook who loves your herbs and spices, you might want to only decant the ones that you use often so you can display them on your counter. For others, you can leave them in their original packaging and store them away. Or simply store them in the jars that they come in, instead of transferring them into matching display containers.   2. Color-coding everything. Color-coded clothing? Gorgeous. Color-blocked books? Vibrant and looks straight out of design magazines. And yet, even though the color-coding system is popular and visually appealing, it is extremely impractical and high-maintenance. You'll have to keep up with the color code of your clothes after every laundry. Similarly, it could be a pain to place the books back in order every time you use them, making your shelves less usable. The better tip: It might be easier to organize your closet by category or group your clothing by season. And unless you’re aiming for a statement bookshelf, you can group the books in your home library by genre or author. Or skip any organizing system and lean more towards other aesthetically pleasing but still functional ways to display your books, such as adding some greenery or using creative bookends.   3. Buying storage organizers without a plan. We think those storage containers, bins, or boxes are the ultimate solution to controlling and organizing the clutter in our homes. And sometimes, just looking at them is satisfying enough that you're tempted to buy! However, one of the biggest organizing mistakes you can make is purchasing any of these items without making a plan first. There might be millions of pretty jars or lovely baskets out there, but they won’t make sense if they won’t fit your needs and situation, as well as the storage spaces in your home. The better tip: Think things through before buying. Make sure you’ve sorted through your items first so you can plan accordingly. It’ll give you a clear idea of what size, shape, and color of item you’re looking for, and if the item fits your needs. You can plan out where everything should live, rather than get overwhelmed with a variety of storage solutions that you’ll have no idea what to put and where to place.   Bottom line Remember that while many of those organizational solutions look great in photos, they don't work well in real life. And the best organizing systems are the ones that make sense to you, even if they might not appeal to others, especially since we’re talking about your personal space, which is your home.

A roof is one of the least thought of components of a home, but it's undoubtedly one of the most important. That lovely front porch or lush garden may be the first features that catch your attention when you drive by a home or during house-hunting. However, you shouldn’t fail to notice the roof as well, considering that it makes up a third of the exterior view of your home (or even more) and is a huge part of your curb appeal. And we're here to tell you four reasons why having a healthy, well-maintained roof over a home is critical, and how to tell if it already screams maintenance and extra attention. Roofs are a fundamental element to your home, which is probably one of your largest investments. Because the roof connects the interior of your home to the outside world, it serves as a barrier against inclement weather conditions. A healthy roof guards you against snow, hail, rain, ice, sun, even from branches and debris. If your roof is in poor condition, it can leave your home susceptible to considerable weather damage. Even tiny leaks could lead to mold, mildew, and other similar water problems that could damage your home systems and your health.   Aside from braving the elements, a properly ventilated and insulated roof will save you money on heating and cooling. The seals in your roof are what helps in keeping in your climate-controlled air. It releases humidity and heat from your home, which can be as damaging as rain from the outside. A roof in top shape is key to cooler summer temperatures and warmer winter ones inside your home. And when your home's indoor temperature is steady, it doesn’t only make it more comfortable but can also significantly cut down your energy costs.   A healthy roof makes the rest of your home relatively safer. This is why many homeowners insurance providers consider the age, condition, material, and shape of your roof when determining your insurance coverage and costs. Remember that this benefit may not work in all situations and still depends on various factors.  For example, if you take the initiative to improve the quality of your house and opt for a complete roof replacement, the insurer will likely lower your premiums. Some companies may also provide discounts, which can give you substantial savings. But if the insurance company schedules a roof inspection and enforces a roof replacement, your rates will likely remain the same or could even go up. Likewise, homeowners living on the coast where there's the constant threat of hurricanes, thus prompting multiple insurance claims for roof repairs, could result in an insurance rate increase instead of the opposite.   A strong and well-maintained roof is a prominent feature that can improve the appearance of your home. Even if you have no plans to sell soon, a roof that looks “taken care of” increases your curb appeal. If you decide to list your home, it's a good selling point as it can significantly increase your home’s value.  Since it’s a conspicuous element of the house, prospective buyers can easily see any visible signs of wear and tear that could deter them from buying. It will prompt them to assume that there might be other areas of the home that are being neglected.    Curling, damaged, loose, or missing shingles - These are clear signs that your roof needs some serious repairs, especially after a storm or other natural disasters. Light coming from the attic - Daylight coming from the roof boards means your roof has holes. Address this immediately by calling the pros to reduce water damage in the home. Stains - Notice some ugly black streaks on your roof? They may be dirt, soot, or mold. However, this can be an indication of algae and moss damage, which degrades the shingles and may cause water damage. It could compromise the health of your roof if the damage becomes widespread. How old is your roof? In general, roofs last about 20-30 years. However, the actual lifespan of your roof depends on several factors, such as the roofing material, quality of installation, environmental conditions, among others. The older your roof, the more likely it is to experience issues, so plan ahead if yours is already nearing its life expectancy and a roof replacement is more necessary than just repairs.

Every homeowner is faced with a huge truth: their home's systems and appliances don’t last forever. Every major appliance has an average life expectancy, although it depends greatly on its usage and maintenance. And with many of us spending more time at home in recent years due to the pandemic, extra use may shorten their lifespan even more. Once their parts stop working, they’re bound to require some costly repairs and replacements, which could be agonizing to any homeowner. Contractors and builders calculate an average lifespan for each appliance, based on experiences on when systems and appliances failed in the past. The majority of the data included here is from the Study of Life Expectancy of Home Components by the National Association of Home Builders. They provide a decent guesstimate by compiling life-cycle data from scores of product manufacturers and testing labs. However, it's important to note that the lifespans for most major appliances have decreased significantly over the last few years, mainly because of the complexity of many smart models. Also, many appliances are often replaced long before they are worn out by newer products that are more desirable in terms of style and technology. Knowing the age of your household systems and appliances, along with their expected life spans, is an excellent way for you to plan for routine maintenance and prepare against hefty replacement bills that could make a huge dent in your budget.  For home buyers, it’s also a good idea to factor the age of appliances and home systems into your decision making. Outdated appliances are very costly to deal with, the last thing you’d want is to be stuck with an expensive appliance repair or system replacement bill after you complete the sale and just moved in.   Ranges, whether gas or electric, are generally one of the more durable appliances in your kitchen, which is why these can last somewhere around 13 to 15 years. It's often the body or the electric control unit that goes bad before the cooking units. Or the style becomes dated, triggering the desire for a new appliance. Although these appliances are being used often in preparing delicious meals, therefore subjected to a lot of heat and grease, many homeowners still forget to do regular maintenance on them. This could lead to more expenses and fire hazards when they only have simple maintenance schedules. Tips to make it last longer:  Regularly clean the stovetop and grates using a mild soap/detergent, warm water, and sponge. Avoid using abrasives and inserting sharp objects. Clean the oven once or twice a year. Just be careful when cleaning underneath oven knobs by removing the knobs first. Your refrigerator is one of the most expensive but hardest working appliances in your home. And even though they constantly operate for 24 hours a day, they can still be expected to run for 10 to 15 years or more, depending on type and brand. Compact fridges have a relatively shorter lifespan, averaging for only 8 years. Freezers, on the other hand, will last anywhere from 12 to 20 years. Tips to make it last longer:  Clean your refrigerator's condenser coils and check the door seals regularly. Wipe down handles and dispenser controls daily to remove bacteria.  Provide enough space for proper airflow and to avoid overworking the appliance. Due to its intense work of grinding food matter into particles small enough to flush down the drain pipes, garbage disposals have a relatively short lifespan. It might last as little as 8 years, but regular maintenance can last as much as 12 years.  And while it's difficult to see when is the time to replace it, watch out for signs including weird metal clanging noises, frequent clogging, unpleasant odors, and water leakage. Have it checked as soon as you can to help you prepare for any possible repairs. Tips to make it last longer:  Regularly clearing debris from the bottom of the disposal will help keep odors at bay. Just make sure that the disposal is unplugged or turned off before doing anything. Avoid putting things like coffee grounds, eggshells, animal bones, any kind of fat, grease, or oil, or any hard and fibrous foods down the garbage disposal. Microwaves have one of the shortest life expectancies among major kitchen appliances, which can easily be attributed to most homes getting a lot of mileage out of a single unit. Most brands on average need an upgrade every nine years or less.  Look out for some surefire signs that a microwave oven is nearing the end of its life, including unpleasant odors, faulty keypads, and chipped or damaged parts. And even if it remains functional after using it for almost a decade, it's recommended that you upgrade it for a newer, more energy-efficient model to save you money in the long run. Tips to make it last longer:  Since microwaves are easy to clean, do it frequently by wiping down the inside to clean it of food splatter. Remove the carousel tray and clean it in the sink. Also, clean the area underneath the carousel to ensure smooth rotation. Run the microwave only when food or liquids are inside; never run the microwave when it is empty. Use the appliance only for its intended purpose, such as quick-heating tasks, and leave the heavy work for your conventional oven instead. Your oven is typically one of the longest lasting appliances in your kitchen. A gas oven will generally last around 15 years, while an electric oven will last around 13 years. As with most household appliances, regular checks and simple maintenance can keep your oven looking and working its best. Tips to make it last longer:  Clean your oven seasonally, especially after using it on any big holiday cooking marathon (aka Thanksgiving or Christmas). Follow the manufacturer's directions for cleaning. You can also rely on a paste of baking soda and water to be used as a mild abrasive, or clean using a commercial oven cleaner following its instructions. Dishwashers have a life expectancy of about 9 years but can last longer with proper maintenance and less usage. Obviously, the more you use it, the sooner it will wear out, especially if build-up occurs due to improper cleaning. And once a dishwasher breaks down, it's wiser to replace than repair even if it hasn’t been with you for around its average lifespan. Tips to make it last longer:  Clean its filter regularly. Keep an eye on the bottom of the appliance to make sure that it is properly draining. Remove food scraps, plastic bits, bones, or anything else that could clog the filter or drain lines. Don the rubber gloves and wash the dishes by hand once in a while to avoid wearing out your dishwasher. Water heaters typically last about a decade or more with proper maintenance. Tankless water heaters last more than 20 years, while an electric or gas tank water heater has a life expectancy of about 10-11 years. How can you know how old your water heater is? You can tell just by looking at the serial number on the tank to know exactly when it was created. If your tank is older than a decade, and you haven't flushed the sediment out of the bottom and live in a state with hard water (i.e., water with lots of minerals), you could be looking at a replacement. Likewise, any signs of rust in the water or of moisture around the heater show different issues that might require replacing the unit. Tips to make it last longer:  To reach its average life expectancy, water heaters need annual descaling to prevent sediment buildups, especially if your area uses hard water. Failing to do so can cause damage to the heat exchanger, which isn’t usually covered by a manufacturer’s warranty. A so-called sacrificial anode rod, a corrosion-control device in your water heater, should be replaced every three to five years to significantly extend its lifespan. You can expect your washing machine to last up to 10 years, although this time frame depends on the machine's design and how well it’s been maintained. If it starts to work less efficiently and you’ve had it for almost a decade, sometimes repairing it only to last you a few more years could be more costly than replacing it with a new model.  Tips to make it last longer:  Both front load and top load washers should be cleaned monthly to remove detergent residue that traps soil and bacteria. Similar to the dishwasher, excessive soap is the leading cause of washer issues. Use the right type and amount of detergent to avoid build-ups in the machine, which can cause the tub to smell musty and damage the gaskets, seals, and bearings.  Check the water hoses regularly to assure that there are no kinks or rips. Avoid overloading the machine. Whether electric or gas, most dryers will last around 13 years, longer than the life expectancy of washers.  Tips to make it last longer:  Remember that a clogged trap is the top reason for stress on your dryer. So no matter how tempting it is to skip cleaning the lint trap between loads, clean it after every use. Remove and clean debris from both the screen and the vent leading to the outside. The buildup in there will impair the operation of your dryer. Cleaning out your exhaust vent every year or two can go a long way toward extending the dryer's life span. Never put soiled clothes in the dryer. Make sure to wash the dryer ducts annually. One of the largest systems in your home, and one of the most important for your comfort all year round, is your heating and cooling system. If you have a typical HVAC system, your air conditioner and furnace will both last an average of 15 to 20 years. Most thermostats generally last about a decade, but can last longer depending on the make, model, and type. Tips to make it last longer:  Aside from proper maintenance, cleaning and replacing air filters regularly can help keep your HVAC system running smoothly for as long as possible. Avoid overworking your air conditioning units.

Most New Year's resolutions are about self-improvement—learning a new skill or hobby, eating healthier, or hitting the gym. If you’re a homeowner, it’s a no-brainer that you also want to improve your home and keep it in its best shape. Your living space has a much bigger impact on your life than you might realize, so what better way to improve your life than by making your home more appealing and comfortable? In the spirit of new beginnings, we've come up with a list of goals you can adopt to make a lasting difference in your home and eventually, in your life.   1. Start an emergency fund. Life is unpredictable, with or without a global pandemic. Many unexpected costs can easily make your finances go awry. This is especially true when it comes to owning a home. If you suddenly need to fix a leaky roof or a broken water heater, an emergency fund can help save you from stress so you can plan your next steps accordingly. To offset the next emergency (house-related or not), experts recommend putting aside three to six months' worth of living expenses. While that may sound like a big number, you can always start somewhere. Start small by tucking away any extra money you can get. You can also make your emergency fund part of your household budget this new year.   2. Make a home inventory. After taking countless family holiday photos, it's time to start taking snapshots of your belongings and creating a home inventory. A home inventory is a record of all your personal possessions along with their approximate financial value. Because it documents all your belongings, you’ll know exactly what’s missing or damaged after an unfortunate event such as a break-in or a natural disaster. Moreso, it can be valuable so you can get your claim settled quickly and more accurately. If you already have a home inventory, just make sure that it’s up to date by removing items you no longer have and adding new items as you acquire them.   3. Review and update your homeowners insurance. The new year is a great time to get your finances in order, especially in areas in your home where you can save. If you haven't done it yet, review your homeowners insurance policy to make sure your coverage is up to date with your needs and you’re not overpaying. If you’ve made certain improvements to your home within the last year, you’ll want to check with your insurance agent to see if you qualify for some discounts. On the other hand, if you live in a flood-prone area, it might be time to be strategic and consider flood insurance to protect your property.   4. Make on-time payments on your mortgage. Take control of your financial life this year by ensuring that your mortgage payments—and even all other payments, for that matter—are always on time. Set up an automatic payment through your bank so you won't stress about late payments just in case you get caught up with your busy lifestyle. Your credit score will also thank you as you prove you’re a responsible borrower whenever you’re making timely payments.   5. Find ways to be more energy efficient. According to energystar.gov, a typical American family spends $2,060 a year on their home's utility bills. And while that's more than $171 a month on average, the amount you spend on your utilities depends on several factors, including where you live and how large your home is. Make a goal this year to find small ways to reduce your energy consumption and eventually cut down on your energy costs. Little steps such as switching off the lights when leaving a room, turning off power strips, and appliances when not in use, swapping off incandescent light bulbs to LEDs, adding a programmable thermostat, etc... can help you become more energy efficient. There’s no need to think about big-ticket items such as solar panels or hybrid cars to make a difference. Just staying committed and being mindful can go a long way to lowering your energy bills.   6. Work out a realistic cleaning plan. Who doesn't dream of living in a house that’s spotless all day long? If you haven’t got any house help, that’s just close to impossible. So to keep yourself from being overwhelmed by cleaning and organization, this year, devise a realistic cleaning plan depending on your habits and lifestyle. Will you devote a portion of your weekends to cleaning? Or will you take some time on select nights to tidy up? You may break up cleaning tasks into small daily activities and enlist the help of your family so you can get the job done quickly and have a lot more time for other leisure activities. Whatever schedule works best for you, just remember to stick with it as part of your New Year’s resolution for your home.   7. Prepare an emergency kit. Having an emergency survival kit gives you and your family a better chance in case the day ever comes that you need to shelter in place or evacuate after a disaster. Your emergency kit should have enough food and water to last for at least three days. It should also include a change of clothes; some cash, chargers, maps, emergency radios, flashlights, medications, and first-aid supplies, and a copy of important documents like IDs, among others. Make sure to place your emergency bag in a place where you can easily get it should you need it.   8. Address small repairs immediately. Things like clogged gutters, cracking and peeling caulk, leaky faucets, faulty door locks, among others, are often neglected or pushed down the list of other tasks. But small nuisances, when left unchecked, can necessitate big repairs that could cost you a lot of money down the line. Make it a part of your New Year's resolutions to address such repairs as soon as possible to lessen these pain points around your home.   9. Set up a home maintenance calendar. In continuation with the above topic, creating a home repair and maintenance schedule is an excellent addition to this list. So sit down, assess your house, and make a list of anything that will eventually need to be repaired or replaced. How old is your roof? How about your water heater? When was the last time you had the air conditioning unit inspected? Your HVAC, furnace, water heater, and other appliances, need to be serviced and cleaned as the seasons change. Planning for preventative maintenance can help you avoid costly repairs that could result from overlooked wear and tear. Be smart and thorough when plotting out your schedule, and don't forget to keep your budget in mind when scheduling any repairs. You can start saving for those big upkeep costs as early as now to prevent nasty surprises in your finances later on.

The home buying and selling journey is a massive undertaking for anyone. It takes plenty of time, expertise, negotiation, patience, and sometimes, even a little bit of luck. And as far as luck goes, many follow these superstitions still, even when it comes to real estate. And since it's the season of holidays and festivities, we thought we’d touch on a lighter but equally interesting topic around the subject.  Let's take a look at these ten most common beliefs and traditions that anyone might be curious about, even those who aren’t superstitious. Are you familiar with any of these?   Here's a moving day tradition that’s been important in many countries. New homeowners bring a carb or starch (either bread or rice; whatever is a staple in their place) together with salt when entering their house for the first time and before bringing anything else into it. Bread or rice represents the idea of prosperity so that the homeowners will never know hunger. Meanwhile, salt is believed to keep their lives filled with flavor and brings luxury.  Other homeowners further this tradition by sprinkling some salt at the doorway to prevent evil spirits from entering. But since this means you need to sweep it after, it’ll bring us to the next superstition.   According to popular belief, you shouldn't bring an old broom into your new home. The old broom sweeps all negative energy and experiences from your previous home into your next home, including all of the bad luck you want to leave behind. Even if you aren’t superstitious, a nice, new broom signifies a fresh start, and you won’t be bringing all the dirt and dust to your next home.   Are you moving soon? You may want to pay attention to the day you move. According to Indian tradition, it's important to choose an ‘auspicious day’ to move into your new house. Rainy days, as well as a Friday and a Saturday, are considered unlucky and may prevent you from settling into your new home. On the other hand, Thursday is considered the luckiest day to move. This belief even applies to those who want to put their house on the market. Other Western culture superstitions claim that April, July, and November are the most unlucky months to move.   Smudging is a Native American ceremony where a sacred plant (often sage) is lit, allowing it to smolder and release its aromatic smoke throughout the new dwelling. Smudging cleanses the home and drives away evil spirits and negative energy lingering. The ritual ends with a blessing, mantra, or prayer to bring in new energy. Some sellers also do this to bring good luck and sell their homes quickly.   Another popular superstition is scattering coins around the living room to ensure prosperity. Some homeowners even place coins in the corner of every room, believing it will bring financial good fortune.    The most popular superstition held to help home sellers sell faster is burying a statue of St. Joseph. St. Joseph is considered the patron saint of families, working people, and house sellers and buyers. He was a working man and a skilled carpenter, which may account for him being the patron saint of workers and things to do with houses and real estate.  Although selling your home quickly at top dollar is achieved through the expertise of an experienced real estate agent with professional marketing strategies, some sellers believe they will have a quick sale after burying a statue of St. Joseph. This statue is buried upside down (this way he will want to get out faster) near the sale sign, facing the house. Prayers are said to him for a speedy and favorable sale. Once the home has sold with his aid, dig him up and place him in a position of honor in the new home.   Have a friend who recently got the keys to their new home or a new neighbor just moved next door? If you're thinking of what to give them as a housewarming gift, you can cross knives off your list. Bringing a gift of knives is a no-no as it is believed that their sharp edges will sever your friendship or could cause a bad relationship between neighbors.   As strange as it sounds, a southern legend claims that painting your front porch blue will ward off ghosts and spirits. The reason for this was the belief that ghosts were unable to cross water. Since they mistake the blue porch for water, they stay away.   If you don't want Thor to accidentally burn your house down with a streak of lightning, it is believed that placing an acorn on a windowsill would protect it.   Whether you're already a homeowner or you’re soon-to-be, at some point, you’re likely to do a renovation project that will require you to use a ladder to reach high areas. Did you know that many people avoid walking under ladders for fear of the bad luck it will bring? Another popular superstition dating back to the medieval period involves ladders. Walking under a ladder is unlucky because of its connection to the symbol of the gallows. The gallows were where the hangings took place, so people wanted to avoid that fate, and superstition was born.

The damage a storm causes to your home can leave you feeling lost and devastated. Concerns about securing your family's safety, restoring your property, and getting your life back together can be completely overwhelming. And with destructive storms becoming more and more common, it pays to have a strategy to help you deal with the damage.  This is why it's critical to know the important steps you need to take in the wake of a major storm. It can help you move along with the restoration process faster so you can return to normalcy as quickly as possible.   1. Prioritize safety above all else. Whether your house sustained significant wind damage, was struck by lightning, or even got flooded, the aftermath of a storm can pose further serious dangers and injuries. The first thing you have to do is to make sure you and your loved ones are safe and unharmed. Don't take unnecessary risks inspecting your property and taking photos of the damage, as it can be done at a later, safer time.  Be mindful of potentially hazardous situations such as downed power lines, jagged windows, caved-in roofing materials, flooding or standing water, collapsed walls, and even problems with a gas line. Also keep an eye out for broken glass, exposed nails, displaced screws, and other sharp objects that are also common from storm damage. Consider evacuating or arranging a temporary place for you and your family, especially if the roof of your property is unstable or part of the wall has collapsed.   2. Assess and document the damage. Once you think it's safe enough to move around your home, it’s time to inspect the entire area and assess the damage. This can be a highly emotional process, seeing your precious home destroyed, but documenting the damage must be done before contacting your insurance company. This is so you can provide the necessary evidence for your insurance claim, particularly if your policy only covers certain types of damage. Grab your camera or smartphone and start taking photos and capturing videos of any interior and exterior damage to the home. Since your house could have structural damage, always exercise caution during the inspection. To make sure your pictures are very detailed, take the time to go through each room and in all areas of your property (as long as it’s safe), taking note of both big and small issues, including any of the following: Any holes or leaks in the roof; loose, missing, or broken shingles; dents on vents and gutters Broken windows and doors Basement flooding Moisture damage Fire damage Exposed power lines Damaged or broken appliances and furniture, primarily due to water damage Loss or destruction of personal items, since most homeowner’s insurance policies include personal property coverage up to a scheduled limit. It will also be helpful if you’ve taken photographs of your house and property before a storm hit. This way, you’ll be able to compare your photos of the damage with what it looked like before, and your insurance company won’t question whether or not you’re blaming the storm for pre-existing damage. So if you’re concerned about a storm that’s coming or that hasn’t hit yet, take photos of the normal state of your home so you’ll have them on hand if the worst occurs.   3. Contact your insurance agent/company. Once you've taken photos of the damage your home incurred, call your insurance company or agent as soon as possible and explain your situation. Discuss the damage and provide the photos you took along with proper documentation. Your agent will be able to guide you through the next steps in making a claim by providing you with a claim number and a local list of emergency service providers in case you need it.  Following this, the company will send out an adjuster to evaluate the extent of the damage so that payment for repairs can be issued. It’s critical that you’re around when the adjuster comes so you can go over all the issues with them, which will help them provide an accurate claim estimate. They’ll tell you what and how much of the damage will be covered once you’ve paid your plan’s deductible. Just remember that most homeowner’s insurance policies won’t cover flood damage, so contact your flood insurance company if your home has flooded. If you don't have flood insurance, you might be stuck paying for the damage yourself.   4. Get in touch with your mortgage servicer. Aside from your insurance company, you should also contact your mortgage servicer—the company you send your monthly mortgage payments to (it might not be your original mortgage lender), as soon as possible to talk about available mortgage relief options.  If the disaster makes it difficult or even impossible to make your monthly house payments, make sure you talk with your mortgage servicer first to avoid being charged late fees, which could cause your credit score to fall. Ask if they could offer mortgage forbearance, which allows you to make partial payments or stop making your payments for an agreed-upon time. A forbearance usually lasts up to six months and can be extended up to another six months.   5. Look for federal disaster assistance. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides a variety of assistance to homeowners who were affected by storm damage. You can get help with temporary housing, repairs, meals for your family, and filing insurance claims. If your area was declared a storm disaster area, you may be eligible for low-cost loans to help restore your property back to normal. Even if you do have a solid insurance policy, you may still qualify for more federal disaster assistance. You will be required to file documents in order to receive these loans.   6. Prevent any further damage. Once you're sure the storm has passed, you can start cleaning up the debris and do a few necessary emergency repairs to stop any further damage from occurring. Just remember to do it as safely as possible, and try not to make any extensive and permanent repairs before an insurance adjuster has had a chance to assess the damage. Remove any debris from your yard, deck, and patio, and even from the roof and gutters. If there are holes in your roof or your windows are broken, be sure to cover them as quickly as possible so that wind and rain do not seep in. Make sure the downspouts are working to keep water away from your foundation and property. If there’s clogged or standing water somewhere, try to get rid of the clog on your own to prevent mold growth, which can be hazardous to you and your family’s health. Your insurance agent could also help you contact a local restoration service provider who will aid in tackling storm damage and getting your property back to normal. Secure any valuable items that are at risk of being damaged while the restoration process is ongoing.   7. Keep all receipts for repairs made. Make sure to save all receipts for materials and labor, and keep records of all additional expenses. This is to ensure you receive fair reimbursement. Keeping good documentation and staying organized with your paperwork is critical for any claim to your homeowner's insurance to avoid headaches and potential problems later. Familiarize yourself with what your homeowner’s insurance policy covers if your home is damaged by a disaster. Also, make sure you review and update your contact information with your insurance company.

There are several reasons why homeowners choose to DIY various home repair projects. It might be due to budget limitations, to save money, or just to enjoy a good challenge and proudly build sweat equity. However, substantial tasks are considered too technical, too difficult, or just too unsafe to be tackled by anyone untrained. Oftentimes, one wrong move when handling them can result in serious damage that could cost a small fortune to fix. If you've got plans to sell your current home, you might also have to disclose any unpermitted work to potential buyers, which can hurt your sales price. Here we discuss some guidelines on what home maintenance and repair jobs are best left to the hands of professionals who have the critical knowledge and experience, so you can avoid wasting more time and money in the long run.   While changing your lightbulbs is simple, any other complicated tasks that involve working with electrical circuits, wiring issues, or running new cables throughout your home should be left in the hands of a licensed electrician. Working on your home's electrical system is extremely dangerous, especially if you don’t know what you’re doing. For starters, you could end up with fried appliances and faulty connections. But worst case scenarios include accidents that can cause electrocution or start fires, putting both your safety and your home at a huge risk. Doing it the wrong way can also create problems in the future when you try to sell your home. Even though you can read or view tutorials online, there’s no way to know for sure whether they are appropriate for your situation. And even if you can buy the materials you need, that doesn’t mean you can install them correctly. There are very strict codes in place when it comes to where and how electrical switches, outlets, and appliances should be installed. Moreover, you need appropriate permits and to have your work inspected. Once you end up calling out the pros because you can’t get the work done, there’s a chance that they will not work on homeowner purchased materials due to warranty issues. Similar to electrical issues, plumbing issues can also be tricky to handle. Plumbing involves a delicate network of pipes that need to be installed in a specific way to ensure everything works properly. Any DIY home repair that causes burst pipes or leaks could open the door for potential water damage. When these leaks or broken pipes are found within walls, or difficult to detect, it can become a serious issue.  This is why anything bigger than cleaning clogged sinks and bathtub drains should be handled by a plumber. It's even relatively cheaper to hire a professional plumber for small tasks, like installing a new faucet or shower, from the start than to contact them once the DIY installation has gone awry. Water damage can be very costly to repair. Likewise, a leak caused by improperly installed toilets or bathtubs could also lead to hazardous mold, rotting wood, structural damage, and more—all of which are much more pricey to repair than contacting a plumber in the first place. It's an exciting scenario often played out in many home renovation shows: homeowners holding a sledgehammer to knock down a wall, usually dividing the kitchen and dining room, to give way for an open floor plan.  In reality, however, you might need to think twice before ripping out any wall by yourself. Some walls are called “load-bearing walls,” which means they distribute the weight of the house, ceiling, and roof across more surface area. Ripping out a wall like this could cause serious structural damage to your home. Some walls could also be supporting another part of the house, or have electrical, plumbing, or HVAC materials nestled inside, which means there’s a huge possibility of running into or damaging any of these materials. Even if that wall may not be load-bearing, it’s also important to take into account where your ceiling joists are located because your wall might also be supplying their support. These are challenges that are best handled by a licensed and insured contractor, preferably by a structural engineer or architect, as they can help determine the best ways to address the issue. Also remember that these kinds of work require special permits, and doing so sans permit could result in a hefty fine. Whether it's carpet, wood, or tile, there’s much more to flooring than ripping up the old and replacing them with new ones. There are several steps involved, especially in preparing the surface. You could find the previous flooring material damaged or in serious need of staining. You shouldn’t even be surprised if you find the subfloor to be cracked and rotten, which certainly is the first thing to address before doing anything else.  If you’re eyeing DIY tile work, for instance, remember that there’s a lot more to it than laying the tiles in a straight line. Many things could go wrong, from choosing the right kind of tiles, measuring and cutting them to fit around corners and obstacles, as well as grouting and sealing. Of course, it could also take up far longer than it should, wasting your time that could be better spent on other things. Any roofing repair job, such as replacing missing shingles or any damaged materials, is another home maintenance project where many things have the potential to go wrong when done without the help of a professional. One wrong move or loose tile could send you over the edge, causing fall-related injuries. The roof is what protects your home from the elements, and one mistake in an attempt to fix it could also result in roof leaks, wrong shingle placement, and improper insulation. In addition, poorly executed roofing work will likely look uneven and be very noticeable from the outside, which will affect your home's curb appeal, and consequently, your resale value. While you can watch and learn from online videos, it’s better to rely on the expertise of a trusted roofer to ensure that everything is done well and on time. These professionals are equipped with complete safety gear and know-how so they can work safely on your roof. They also have the experience to completely patch or replace parts of your roof so that you don’t run the risk of water damage and even mold in the future. DIY painting your home's interior walls is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to transform a room and give it an instant makeover. Exterior painting, however, has its own set of challenges that are best handled by experts. It requires extensive prep and even repair work, which could depend on many factors, including your home’s siding material, height, design, when was it last painted, and others. If you don’t complete this prep work properly, you could compromise your exterior paint job. The best professional exterior painters will make sure to identify any areas where the exterior of your home has been compromised, either with water damage, wet or dry rot, or any other issues that would cause problems with the new paint job. These repairs should be addressed first or else the new paint will crack and bubble, which could bring further damage to your home. Plus, exterior painting requires long, tedious hours outside in the sun and many trips going up and down the ladders or scaffolding. This goes especially true for taller homes, or those with ornate styles where accessibility could be an issue. Even if you’re an experienced handyperson, you need to consider your safety and whether it’s more worth it to paint your house yourself or hire an expert instead. While it might be tempting to trim or remove a few trees from your property all by yourself in an attempt to save money, it's not as easy as you think. The drawbacks could outweigh the advantages, especially when there’s a possibility of injury from falling or electrocution. Cutting trees safely involves a lot of math, science, and experience that only a professional tree trimmer, arborist, or tree surgeon could provide. Their trained eyes know where the danger lies or which branches are rotten or weak, and they have specialized safety tools, equipment, and safety training in climbing. Trimming or removing trees, especially those near power lines, is a job that’s always better left to the hands of experts.