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The yard is one of the first things people notice when they arrive at your home for a visit. It’s also something that you and your neighbors see every day. A well-maintained yard can add curb appeal to your home and can even increase your property’s value.

If you’ve been neglecting your yard, summer is an excellent time to tackle some projects you have been postponing. Many of them can be completed in a weekend, leaving you with a clean and vibrant-looking yard that is perfect for summer barbecues.

Clean Up
Overgrown grass and unruly shrubs can detract from the appearance of an otherwise beautiful property. Take some time to mow the lawn and collect the clippings. If your bushes need a trim, you can do that yourself, provided you have the right tools and skills. If you dont, ask a neighbor to loan you tools and give you some pointers.

If you have a garden, pull up any weeds you see. If you don’t have a garden, you can plant some flowers to line the walkway to the house or place flowers in planters to create a more manicured look.

Check the trees in your yard for signs of disease or decay. Unhealthy trees look unappealing and can also create safety hazards since they can fall in a storm and damage the house or a car or injure a person. It’s best to leave tree pruning and removal to professionals.

Mark the Path
Make sure the pathway from your driveway or the street to your house is clear. If you have a paved walkway, check to see if any of the stones need to be cleaned, repaired or replaced”an easy task you can do yourself. If your house doesn’t have a clearly defined path to the front door, you can have pavers installed to create an inviting walkway. Place a welcome mat outside your door to add some color and make guests feel at home.

Install a Fence
If your neighbors don’t take care of their yard, it can detract from the curb appeal you’re trying to create at your own home. If you’re tired of looking at your neighbors overgrown grass, you can install a fence around your property. This can be done in as little as a day or two. Be sure to research your local ordinances, find out exactly where your property line is located and obtain any necessary permits first.

Quickly Improve Your Homes Appearance
You want your house to have curb appeal that makes guests feel welcome. Improving the appearance of your yard can also make it easier to attract buyers if you plan to put your house on the market. Sprucing up the yard can deliver immediate benefits, but it doesn’t need to take up a lot of time. You can breathe new life into your yard in just a weekend.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

If you have a damp basement, you may notice mold, mildew, damp areas, a musty odor or salt deposits on the floor and/or walls. If the basement has windows, you may see condensation. You may notice pools of water on the walls or floor, water stains or blisters on the walls or rotting columns.

Possible Sources of Basement Moisture Problems and What to Do About Them
A basement is cooler than the rest of the house. Cool air cannot hold as much moisture as warm air. Warm, moist air can condense in a cool basement. If you have a washer and dryer, a kitchen or a bathroom downstairs, moisture that is released can condense and make the basement damp. You may be able to address the issue by improving ventilation and air circulation with vents and fans.

Water can also seep into a basement through the foundation and condense. You can have a contractor add insulation to create a barrier to keep moisture out.

If you see water in the basement, there may be an internal leak coming from a pipe, toilet, sink, stove, washer or dishwasher. If a pipe leads to an unused sink in the basement, water can gradually leak out of the pipe and into a wall. You may need to hire a plumber to make repairs.

Your yard should be graded or sloped so that water runs away from the house. If the grading is off, water can cause cracks in the foundation. Water can then seep into the basement and cause interior damage. A structural engineer can inspect the foundation and advise you on how to fix the problem. You may need to use dirt to change the grading to redirect water away from the house, preventing further damage in the future.

Gutters and downspouts should direct rainwater and melted snow away from your house. If your house doesnt have gutters, you may need to have some installed. If your existing gutters arent doing a good enough job of carrying water away from the house, you may need to have them repaired or replaced.

If the problem in your basement is due to a lack of sub-surface drainage, you may need to install a sump pump to address it. A professional may need to tear up the floor to install a drainage system. If your house already has a sump pump, it may need to be repaired.

Get Professional Help to Address a Basement Moisture Problem
Moisture in your basement can cause structural problems and mold that can affect your familys health. A house with a moisture problem in the basement can also be difficult to sell. If you notice signs of moisture in your homes basement, hire a contractor or a plumber to identify the cause and make any necessary repairs.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

If youre thinking about making home renovations, you may have a long list of projects you would like to tackle. Figuring out where to begin can be difficult when each item on your wish list seems important. In many cases, starting on the outside of your home is the best choice.

Reasons to Fix the Exterior First
Focusing on exterior repairs and renovations could protect your familys health, make the house safer and lower the cost of homeownership. For example, a leaky roof could lead to interior water damage and mold. Drafts around windows and doors and damaged siding could cause you to waste money on heating and air conditioning bills. Replacing those parts of the house could lower your utility bills.

There is another reason to fix exterior problems before you start upgrading the inside. Your homes envelope (roof, siding, windows and doors) protects it from the elements. It would be a shame to spend money on new flooring, cabinets and other interior renovations, only to have them damaged by a roof leak.

Where to Begin
If you plan to sell your home in the future, focus on projects that would give you a good return on investment and help you attract prospective buyers. Energy efficiency is a priority for environmentally conscious homebuyers and for families who are on a tight budget. A new roof or siding and energy-efficient windows and doors could make your home stand out when compared to other houses without similar recent upgrades.

Potential buyers want a house that wont require major repairs in the near future. If you put your home on the market with an old roof, damaged siding and inefficient windows, you could struggle to find a buyer, even if you had spent tens of thousands of dollars to spruce up the interior.

Curb appeal is critically important when selling a house. You only get one chance to make a first impression. Potential buyers who are unimpressed by the appearance of a house often dont bother to come inside and look around.

If the siding is in good condition but the color is fading, a fresh coat of paint might be enough to make it look like new. Fixing up the yard could also make a big difference. Cutting the grass is an obvious step, but trimming bushes, pruning trees and planting a garden could all improve your homes curb appeal.

Spend Your Renovation Dollars Wisely
Like most homeowners, you probably have a limited amount of money available for home improvements, so you need to prioritize projects that could make your home safer and more energy efficient and help you sell it in the future. Although the interior is important, focusing on the outside of the house first might yield greater benefits in the long run.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

If you need money for home improvements, tuition or another purpose, you might be able to secure funds through a second mortgage.

How Does a Second Mortgage Work?

A second mortgage is a loan that allows a homeowner to borrow against the value of their house by using it as collateral.

One option is to receive a lump sum of money to be repaid over a period of time. Another is to open a home equity line of credit.

Before getting a second mortgage, be sure to weigh the decision carefully.

Falling behind on your payments could put you at risk of foreclosure.

A second mortgage should only be used for a legitimate purpose that will benefit you in the long run.

Published with permission from RISMedia.