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Natural stone is prized for its appealing look and impressive durability. For some homeowners, it makes an obvious choice for floors, most commonly seen in kitchens, bathrooms and foyers. The hard part, however, can be picking out the right one. If youre considering installing natural stone floors in your home, heres what you should know beforehand.

Luxurious Options
Chances are theres an option thats right for your home no matter what your preferred style is. Slate floors can work well in a rustic setting but are equally suited to modern interiors with a black or gray color scheme. Marble is, of course, a timeless favorite for a decidedly upscale aesthetic, whereas travertine floors are perfect for creating a look thats formal, yet warm. Limestone and sandstone are two other popular choices that can contribute to an earthy aesthetic with beige- and cream-colored tones. If youre struggling to find the right shade or texture, granite is always an excellent material that comes in a wide range of colors and patterns.

Grading Factors
Aside from appearance, there are a variety of grades and ratings assigned to natural stone that will help you to determine the most practical option. For floors, important factors to consider are strength, abrasion resistance, stain resistance and absorption rating (for your countertops, youll also want to check if the stone is sensitive to acids). Depending on the quality of the stone, these grades can vary, though the most common weakness for different types of natural stone is absorption rating. While granite and slate tend to fair the best in this category, sealants can help to protect other natural stones from absorption and staining.

Outdoor Applications
If youre planning to use natural stone for your new terrace or patio, there are other factors to take into account, such as freeze-thaw cycling. When water is absorbed and temperatures drop below freezing point, the water will turn to ice and expand, which then cracks the stone. Coefficient of friction is another one to keep in mind, as this corresponds to the traction that youll feel, which is especially important when walking on this surface in the rain.

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If you are looking for a new home and have limited funds, a foreclosed property might be a bargain. Foreclosed homes are often sold below market price. If you find one in good condition, you may be able to get a lot more house than you would otherwise be able to afford, but you need to consider all potential expenses.

Dont Forget About Closing Costs
Closing costs are fees to process a mortgage, perform a title search and satisfy other requirements to transfer ownership of a property. They typically total about 2 to 5 percent of the sale price, depending on the location and the companies involved in each aspect of the process, and are usually paid by the buyer.

When purchasing a house, people sometimes dont think about closing costs or are surprised at how high the total figure turns out to be. Closing costs will still be required if you buy a house in foreclosure, but you might be able to lower or avoid them, depending on the circumstances.

Whats the Condition of the Property?
A vacant property is subject to neglect, vandalism and theft. Homeowners who are facing foreclosure have even been known to vandalize their own homes out of anger before being evicted.

A foreclosed property is sold as-is. A bank may pay for repairs to make a home inhabitable, but other problems are left for the new owner to handle. A bank selling a foreclosed property may not be aware of all problems and may not disclose problems even if it knows about them.

The Seller May Be Willing to Negotiate on Closing Costs
If a significant amount of time has passed since the lender foreclosed on the property, the company is probably eager to get the house off its hands. Every day that a property sits vacant, its condition can deteriorate, which can make it harder to sell. If the lender has struggled to find a buyer, it might be willing to pay some or all of the closing costs as an incentive for you to buy the property.

If the seller wont budge on closing costs, your mortgage lender might be willing to roll them into the total amount of your loan. That means youd have a higher monthly payment and possibly also a higher interest rate. If you are short on cash now, however, you might be willing to accept the greater long-term costs to buy the house you want, especially if youre getting it below market rate.

Get Professional Advice
Buying a house in foreclosure may be a smart move, depending on the amount of work the house needs and the cost. If you decide to purchase a house that has been on the market for a while, you may be able to negotiate an agreement with the seller to reduce or eliminate your closing costs. Discuss the specifics with your real estate agent, and ask for advice on how to proceed.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Roof damage can occur suddenly”for example, if shingles are blown off in a storm”or a small leak can gradually grow larger. A leaky roof can affect the inside of your house as well as the foundation. It can also affect your familys health by causing mold that can trigger allergic reactions and lead to breathing problems. Many homeowners are unaware of roof damage until they notice leaks inside the house, but there are often warning signs much earlier. Detecting problems quickly can minimize damage and repair bills.

Have Your Roof Inspected
Regularly inspecting your roof can help you identify problems before they get too serious. If you dont feel comfortable inspecting your roof yourself, hire a professional roofer. The person conducting the inspection should pay particular attention to the flashing, since that is where most roof leaks occur, as well as missing or damaged shingles.

Check the Interior of Your House
Walk around the upper floor of your home and check the ceiling and walls for any signs of water damage. Moisture may cause brown, yellow or grey stains. You might also notice that the paint on the ceiling or walls is peeling or bubbling.

If your house has an attic, check to see if the rafters are damp. If they are, that could indicate that the roof needs repairs or that there is a ventilation problem. If the vents are blocked, that can lead to moisture damage. Removing any objects that are blocking the vents might be enough to solve the problem.

Make Sure Your Gutters Are Clean
If snow on the roof melts and then water runs down to the gutters and refreezes, it can form an ice dam. That can then cause water to seep beneath roof shingles and inside the house. Keeping your gutters clear can prevent this scenario. If you notice an ice dam, call a roofer to get rid of the ice and see if it caused damage to the roof.

Monitor Your Utility Bills
A damaged roof can allow warm air to escape from your home in the winter and cool air to escape in the summer. If youve noticed that your utility bills significantly rose recently for no apparent reason, your roof might be damaged.

Check for Signs of Problems
Roof damage isnt always obvious, but you might be able to spot signs if you know what to look for. If you notice any of these issues, call a roofing company to schedule an inspection. A professional will be able to identify damage, understand its severity and make any necessary repairs. You should also check your roof yourself or have it inspected by a professional on a regular basis so problems can be identified and repaired before they get worse.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Here are just a few reasons why a state-of-the-art smart irrigation system is worth installing.

Weather Responsive

A smart system will receive local weather data and adjust the watering schedule accordingly.

Reduce Water Consumption

Smart sprinklers reduce your water consumption, making them an eco-friendly option that will lower your monthly bill.

Mobile Control

If you do need to make manual updates to your lawns watering schedule, smart systems can easily be controlled through an app on your smartphone.

Easy Installation

Installing these systems is usually as easy as purchasing a smart controller thats compatible with your current irrigation system.

Published with permission from RISMedia.