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10 Ideas to Update Your Kitchen
The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in any home. It's where you cook and prepare meals, host friends and neighbors, and spend time with your family. If the kitchen is outdated, it’s time to make some improvements. Here are a few ideas to update your kitchen...
5 Reasons to Hire a Real Estate Agent
When buying a home, having the right real estate agent on your side can make all the difference. Real estate agents understand the ins and outs of the process, and they have access to resources that ordinary buyers don't. They can save you time and money while...
3 Ways to Boost Property Value
As a homeowner, you want your property to retain or increase in value over time. Fortunately, many projects can help increase the value of your home. From simple DIY tasks to complete renovations, here are a few projects you can do to make sure that your home is worth...
Facts About Energy-Efficient Doors for Your Home
Purchasing an energy-efficient door for your entryway helps reduce a home’s energy consumption. Depending on the climate and location, certain types of doors can be more effective than others. Having energy-efficient doors installed reduces heating and cooling costs,...
5 Ways to Promote Wellness at Home
It's no secret that our homes can significantly impact our physical and mental health. From the air we breathe to the things we touch and the noise levels we tolerate, many health hazards are found within our own four walls. Of course, we can't control everything in...
8 Ways to Prevent a Chimney Fire
Many homeowners enjoy building a fire in the fireplace when the weather gets cooler. While the fire is a cozy supplemental heat source, it’s essential to be aware of the dangers of a chimney fire. Fire can occur in the chimney when leaves, pine needles, creosote, or...
5 Steps to Paint Like a Pro
Painting is a great way to update your home without spending a lot of money. If you've never painted before, the project might feel a little daunting. We will walk you through the steps to paint like a pro. 1. Choose the Right Paint The first step to painting like a...
4 Common Concerns in Older Homes
Regardless of the quality of workmanship and the materials used during construction, specific components of a home can begin to fail with age. Below we’ll look at a few of the most common concerns in older homes. Talk to your home inspector if you are considering...
5 Ways to Allergy-Proof Your Home
If you or a member of your household suffers from allergies, there is a good chance that dust, pet dander, pollen, and mold trigger a reaction. While you may be unable to prevent allergies outdoors, a few measures can help you allergy-proof your home. How to...
If Your Home Smells Funny, Check These 4 Places
Sometimes, it can be challenging to figure out the source of the weird smell. Whether it’s the smell of rotten eggs, dirty laundry, pets, or wet socks, many everyday activities can cause your home to have an unpleasant odor. If you think your home smells funny, check...
4 Summertime Home Improvement Projects
For most people, summertime is about bare feet, beaches, and endless barbeques. However, it’s also an ideal time of year for homeowners to take on summertime home improvement projects. The warm, long days make summer the perfect season to complete home improvement...
6 Tips for Moving With Your Family
Moving is never easy, but moving with children adds another layer of complexity. It’s not easy to keep the kids occupied while you pack. You may struggle to explain why they have to leave their home and friends behind. Here are 6 helpful tips for moving with your...
5 Ways to Extend the Lifespans of Appliances in Your Home
Unfortunately, the appliances around your home are not designed to last forever. Appliances are expensive, costing hundreds or thousands of dollars, so you want them to last as long as possible. There are things you can do to make the most of appliances. Here are a...
7 Ways to Prepare Your Home For Spring
Are you fed up with winter and ready for warmer weather? If so, now's the time to prepare your home for spring. Even if it's still chilly outside, there are many things you can do both inside and outside your home to get it ready for the change of seasons. 7 Ways to...
6 Non-Toxic Houseplants That Are Safe for Children and Pets
Houseplants improve indoor air quality and can help reduce stress. However, when there are kids and pets in the home, it’s important to choose plant varieties that are safe. Some popular houseplants are toxic if consumed. If you enjoy caring for plants in your home,...
Fire Safety Tips for the Home
You’ve worked hard to make your home a comfortable place to live, and keeping your family safe goes hand in hand with that. One of the biggest threats to any home is fire. Every year, there are hundreds of thousands of fires that cause damage to or destroy homes....
7 Innovative Kitchen Storage Ideas
Keeping Your Kitchen Organized If you have a small kitchen, finding adequate storage can be challenging. While remodeling to create more room seems like an excellent solution, it may not be practical or possible. Learn to use the space you have efficiently. Here are a...
6 HVAC Maintenance Tips to Keep Your System Running its Best
Maintaining Your HVAC System The HVAC system has a big impact on the quality of air in your home. Maintaining the system is essential to keep it running at its best. An HVAC system is expensive, and the last thing you want is to have issues in the middle of summer or...
5 Fall Home Improvement Ideas
Getting Your Home Ready for Fall As the leaves begin to turn, many homeowners begin making their fall home improvement lists in preparation for the coming months ahead. It's important that your home is in great shape while also functional and safe for your family....
5 Upgrades for a Healthier Home
There are ways to make your home a healthier place to live. You want to keep your family safe, so put these upgrades for a healthier home into place. Add Carbon Monoxide Detectors Most homes have at least some smoke detectors installed, but carbon monoxide detectors...
5 Ideas for Garage Storage
Your garage can be a useful place for storage or a cluttered mess. By incorporating handy garage storage solutions, you’ll be able to fit more things in the garage and keep them organized. Use these 5 ideas for garage storage. Garage Storage With Pegboard Pegboard on...
5 Things to Look for in Your Home Inspection Report
When you’re in the market for a new home, you hope to find the perfect property for your family. Order a home inspection to better understand the condition of the house. A professional will examine the property for issues with the construction, household systems, and...
5 Ways to Reduce Cooling Costs
During the summer, most homeowners see their energy bills rise as the air conditioning works to maintain a cool temperature. There are ways to keep your home cool and use less energy. Follow these easy tips to reduce cooling costs this summer. Use a Programmable...
6 Easy Ways to Be a Better Homeowner
Owning a home brings with it a lot of responsibilities. By paying attention to things ranging from basic maintenance, fire safety, trash disposal, and the health and safety of the overall neighborhood, you'll be a better homeowner and a better neighbor. Take Care of...
Easy Home Renovation Projects You Can DIY
Quick and Easy Home Renovations Renovating your home is manageable when you focus on smaller spaces and projects. Check out these fun, inexpensive, and easy home renovation projects you can complete in a day. Revamp the Entryway The front porch and entrance are the...
Smart Tips to Sell Your House Faster
Putting a house on the market can be a time-consuming and stressful process. If you're on a tight schedule to get into a new home, hire a real estate agent for guidance and use these tips to help you sell your house faster. Curb Appeal is Important to Sell Your House...
7 Basic Tools Every Homeowner Needs
Whether you have recently become a homeowner or have lived in your house for a while now, you’ll always have projects to complete. From mounting a television on the wall and assembling furniture, to hanging art and patching nail holes, you’ll find that any job is...
How to Prepare for a Power Outage
It may be due to bad weather, scheduled maintenance on the power grid, or even because of a car accident, but at some point, you will lose power to your home. Don’t be caught off-guard. Make a plan to deal with an emergency situation and take steps to prepare for a...
4 Ways to Declutter Your Home
A clean and tidy home is more relaxing to live in and easier to clean. Make an effort this year to get rid of belongings you no longer use or need. Your living spaces will feel larger when they’re less crowded. The home will become a less stressful place to spend...
10 Ways to Keep Your Fireplace Safe This Winter
Once the weather turns cold, people are eager to start the first fire of the season in their fireplaces. Before starting your first fire of the year, you need to know how to keep your fireplace safe. Follow the ten tips below for before, during, and after your fire to...
6 Signs of Plumbing Issues at Home
Plumbing issues at home are simple to fix or disruptive and costly, and it can be hard for the average homeowner to determine the difference between the two. Often, plumbing problems go unnoticed until there’s obvious damage. Here is a list of 6 signs of plumbing...
4 Ways to Babyproof Your Home
Having a baby in your home presents a special kind of challenge. Whether there's a new baby in your family or one is just coming for a visit, your living spaces need to be modified to accommodate a baby. Taking steps to babyproof your home is essential to an infant's...
Smoke Detector Placement in the Home
Smoke detectors save lives and can reduce property damage in the event of a fire. Each year, thousands of fire-related deaths occur, mostly in homes with missing or inoperable alarms. A smoke detector gives an early warning of danger to your and your family members,...
12 Things Homeowners Need to Know
When you buy a home you become responsible for maintaining the property. If you lived in an apartment previously, you could call your landlord or property manager to handle any repairs. In your own home, upkeep is one of your jobs. When purchasing a house, here are a...
4 Homemade Cleaning Supplies Made from Simple Ingredients
Homemade cleaning supplies can be just as effective as those sold at the store. Plus, they are often less expensive to make and safer than store-bought products. Let's look at four cleaners you can make at home using items out of your pantry. Before you start, there...
6 Ways to Plan for a New Fence
Installing your own fence is a cost-effective way to add privacy and value to any yard. There are several things to do ahead of the actual construction that will make the project go smoother. Follow these six steps when you plan for a new fence. 1. Contact the Local...
Reasons to Request an 11th Month Warranty Inspection
Moving into a newly-constructed home, you may think that repairs won’t be needed for years to come. However, it’s common for new homes to show defects within the first year. That’s why you need to be vigilant and make good use of your builder’s warranty. Here are a...
5 Ways to Make a Healthy and Safe Home for You and Your Family
Your family's well-being is likely always on your mind. Many of your decisions involve keeping them healthy and safe: from what you cook for dinner, the car you drive, the rules you set, and much more. There are several things you can do to maintain a healthy and safe...
The Uses of Thermal Imaging in Home Inspections
Thermal imaging, also called infrared imaging, is a modern technology that displays the heat signature of items or areas. Thermal imaging in home inspections helps a home inspector detect issues that cannot be seen with the naked eye. The infrared camera displays...
Uses for HEPA Filters in Your Home
Clean air is essential, and filters are the go-to technology for trapping particles and making the air safer to breathe. The HEPA filter is among the most effective of these options. If you're thinking about an air filtration system, read on to learn how HEPA filters...
Benefits of Drones in Home Inspections
Drones are often used in commercial and government settings. They’re also great for surveying properties and assessing damage after natural disasters, and they’re helpful in identifying possible damage in your home. Drones in home inspections have many advantages and...
4 Reasons to Get a Home Inspection on New Construction
Newly constructed homes appeal to homebuyers because they don’t have wear and tear from a previous owner. Even though the building is brand new, there can still be defects with workmanship and materials. If you're in the process of building your dream home, there are...
5 Cleaning Tips for Pet Owners
Many people feel that pets improve their quality of life. However, keeping your house clean becomes more of a challenge when you own pets. These cleaning tips for pet owners help you battle pet hair and dirt around the house. Cleaning Tips for Pet Owners: Invest in a...
8 Chemicals in Your Home That Could Be Affecting Your Health
Chemicals in your home can cause health problems. Read on to learn if you are unknowingly exposing your family to harmful chemicals. Many of the products that we use in our homes contain toxic chemicals. Here are 8 chemicals in your home that can affect your health....
How to Buy a House in 7 Steps
The journey to homeownership can be stressful, unpredictable, and discouraging. This article explains how to buy a house so you can plan accordingly and make the process easier. Follow These Steps for How to Buy a House 1. Finding a Real-Estate or Buyer’s Agent...
4 Major Benefits of a Pre-Listing Home Inspection
There are steps that many home sellers will take before putting their house on the market. Preparing the interior of the home for showing, improving curb appeal, looking for a listing agent, and ordering a home inspection. The benefits of a pre-listing home inspection...
5 Ways to Reduce Humidity in the Home
High indoor humidity makes your house uncomfortable. Elevated levels of humidity make it easy for mold and mildew to thrive. Use an inexpensive device called a hygrometer to measure the humidity level in your home. An ideal indoor humidity level is between 30 and 50...
Tips to Improve Curb Appeal of Your Home
If you are planning to sell your home, you want to leave a good first impression with potential buyers. The first thing that a home buyer will see, either online or in person, is your home's exterior. Here are some tips to improve curb appeal, attract buyers, and...
Which Home Water Filter is Right for You?
How to Choose a Home Water Filter All tap water is different. The quality of municipal water varies from place to place and can fluctuate over time. Cities disinfect tap water with chlorine, which is not good to ingest. Contaminants from industrial run-off, pollution,...
Four Signs That it’s Time for a Roof Replacement
Your roof plays a vital role in your home’s overall condition. A roof helps maintain comfortable indoor temperatures, protects the interior from pest and rodent infestation, and protects from damage related to the elements. The condition of your roof also impacts curb...
Improve Home Indoor Air Quality in Four Easy Steps
While many people assume that indoor air quality is superior to polluted air outdoors, the opposite can be true. Pollution is generated indoors from cooking and cleaning activities, or it can enter the home from outdoors. Since most homes are well-sealed, indoor air...
5 Easy Ways to Heat Your Home More Efficiently
No matter where you live, heating your home during the winter months can take a toll on any budget. The average American household spends roughly $2,100 on utility bills in any given year, much of it on temperature control. These tips will allow you to heat your home...
3 Signs of Mold In Your Home and How To Fix Your Mold Problem
Sometimes issues in your home may not be obvious, for example, mold. Mold produces spores that spread throughout the air. While you may not know that your house has mold, your body sure will. Coughing, runny nose, red eyes, sneezing, and skin irritation are all common...
7 Ways to Make Your Home Ready for Fall
The Best Ways to Get Your Home Ready for Fall With the falling leaves and cooler nights that come with the end of summer, it's best to already have your home prepared for the next season. Follow these seven tips to get your home ready for fall. 1. Give Your Lawn Extra...
How to Save Water During Summer
Save Water During Summer with These Three Tips Summer brings hotter temperatures and as a result, we often use more water than at any other time of the year. Conserving water, especially during the summer, is something that everyone should try to do. By following...
What You Should Know About Lead-Based Paint in Homes
Homes constructed prior to 1978 could have lead-based paint inside or outside of them. Lead poses health risks, but there are ways to test for lead and safely remove the paint. It's important to know if the property has any lead-based paint because lead poisoning can...
Virginia Certified Home Inspectors
Virginia Certified New Residential Structure (NRS) Inspectors
