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If your home has a basement, there are many things you can do to make use of the extra space. From simple storage to a functional living space, finished or unfinished, the possibilities are endless.

Here are five ways you can utilize your basement.

Apartment
Whether your basement is already finished or you plan to remodel, turning the space into a guest or in-law apartment combines functionality and value in your home. Include a full kitchen or a kitchenette, as well as a bathroom. If possible, a separate entrance would be ideal, especially if you plan to rent it out, which can help cover mortgage payments or other home expenses.

Game Room
Adding an air hockey table, foosball table or other games is a great way to make use of this space. Create a pool room with comfortable seating and a bar for a fun and luxurious place to relax. Bring in classic arcade-style games, like PacMan or a pinball machine, for a nostalgic and kid-friendly hang out.

Den
If youre looking to create more of a family space, a den is a great choice. Dedicate this to your family as a space where you can come together, relax and bond. Add a projector for movie nights and a stack of board games for a family night in. Even use your den to host parties, watch big sporting events or celebrate holidays without taking over the main living area upstairs.

Studio
Are you or someone in your family an artist or musician? If so, you can turn your basement into a studio. Bring in whatever materials you may need, from easels and paint to recording equipment and soundproof walls. With this private space, you can dedicate yourself to your art whether its a career or just a hobby.

Storage
Of course, if you decide to skip the renovations or remodels, you can still utilize this space. Store your holiday decorations, seasonal items, spare linens, personal items and so much more in an easily accessible room. Your basement can also be home to your washer and dryer or even a spare refrigerator or freezer to hold extra food and drinks. And if you host parties or holidays often, you can keep spare tables, chairs, platters and more without feeling overwhelmed in your main living space and keeping your garage clear.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

The dripping of water from a faulty faucet isnt really loud, but it can be so annoying that it seems deafening. Plus, every drip is a reminder that youre wasting water, and money, which can make sleeping even more difficult.

Luckily, fixing a leaky faucet is often an easy job that just about anyone can do. Heres how:

Turn off the Water
Underneath your sink is a valve that brings water to your faucet. Turn it to the right to stop the supply of water. If by some chance there isnt a valve here, turn off the water for the entire house.

Remove the Handle
Start by taking off decorative parts of knobs, which you can do with a flat-head screwdriver. Then, use a screwdriver to remove the screw underneath the cover. If the screw is behind the handle, use a hex key or Allen wrench to remove it.

Take Out the Cartridge
The cartridge is a part of your faucet that turns with the handle, thus controlling the flow of water. You can loosen it with a crescent wrench. Some faucets may require the use of a specialized tool to loosen the cartridge. Check your owners manual. If you no longer have it, you can likely find information about your faucet model online.

Install the New Cartridge
Replacing the O-ring and washer may make the repair, but keep in mind that the new O-ring or washer needs to be a precise fit. Or, you can replace the cartridge itself. To buy the right cartridge, you should know the faucets manufacturer and model number. You can also bring your old cartridge to a home repair store.

Reassemble the Faucet
Tighten the packing nut with a crescent, but dont make it too tight. Then put back the handle. Turn the water for the faucet back on and test the faucet, both hot and cold water, for a few minutes each.

If, as you go along, you discover a different problem, or making this repair doesnt end the leak, it may be time to call in a professional.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

The kitchen is the heart and hub of any home. While you may spend most of your time in other rooms, the state of the kitchen is sure to reflect in all areas of your life. A messy and cluttered kitchen makes it difficult to have family dinners, healthy, home-cooked meals and can be an all around stressor. If youre ready to clean out your kitchen, but dont know where to start, these tips are for you.

Vet Your Spice Rack
If your spice rack is overrun, its time to toss anything unnecessary. Ground spices generally last only six months. Spice doesnt necessarily expire the same way other foods can, but it does start to lose its potency overtime. Keep your meals fresh and tasty while decluttering your counters and pantry by discarding any old spices. An easy way to test if a spice is old? Simply sniff them; if they dont smell as fresh as they used to, they likely wont pack a punch in your next dish.

Rethink Your Seasonal Items
Those extra-special Christmas dishes that you havent used for fear of breaking or the fondue pot that you swear you will use for a party someday should not take up space in your kitchen. Decide if you truly plan to use them or if its just wishful thinking. If the item isnt useful or overly sentimental, it may be time to pass it along to a new owner. If you just cant part with it, move it to a storage spot. Consider also storing seasonal items you do use. Since you dont need them everyday, youll save room for the items you do use consistently.

Pair Down Your Dinnerware
Most households dont need a dish set for 12. If youre not regularly hosting dinner parties, you may benefit from donating or storing your additional dinnerware. Keep four of everything for households of two and a little more for larger families. You will cut down on dishes in the evening (since no one will simply reach for a clean plate instead of doing dishes) and you will save space in your cabinets. A win-win solution.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

If you own a house, you need homeowners insurance to pay for repairs or stolen belongings. Many people believe that homeowners insurance will cover any necessary repairs, but it actually applies only in limited circumstances. A home warranty can provide protection in other cases.

What Does Homeowners Insurance Cover?
Homeowners insurance will pay for losses caused by a covered peril, such as a storm, fire, theft or vandalism, up to the policys limits. Depending on the coverage you choose, your policy may cover replacement cost, which is the amount of money required to purchase a new identical or substantially similar item, or actual cash value, which takes depreciation into account.

What Does a Home Warranty Cover?
A home warranty is not insurance, but rather a contract that a homeowner signs with a home warranty company. It will pay to repair or replace a broken appliance that is not covered by a separate manufacturers warranty.

A home warranty may cover major systems, such as HVAC, electrical and plumbing, as well as major appliances, such as a refrigerator, stove, oven, washer and dryer. Many companies offer basic plans with limited coverage and allow homeowners to add optional coverage for an additional fee. A home warranty may only pay to repair or replace appliances or parts in certain circumstances, and a broken appliance will not necessarily be replaced with one that was made by the same manufacturer or that has the same features.

Home warranties often exclude coverage for appliances or systems that werent well maintained. If you bought a house and the previous owner didnt take care of something, a home warranty might not cover repairs even if you performed all recommended maintenance after you purchased the house.

Who Makes Repairs?
Some warranties allow homeowners to choose a repair company, while others work with a network of service providers. When a homeowner files a claim, the home warranty company sends a local contractor to the home to inspect the problem, decide whether repairs are required and covered by the warranty and complete covered repairs.

How Much Does a Home Warranty Cost?
The cost of a home warranty depends on the type and size of the home, the location and the coverage chosen. The homeowner must pay a service fee when a contractor comes to inspect a problem, whether the issue is covered by the warranty or not. If two different types of contractors, such as a plumber and an electrician, are needed to complete repairs, the homeowner may have to pay a fee for each.

Is a Home Warranty Right for You?
Even if you have homeowners insurance, there are a lot of things it wont cover. A home warranty can protect you from large and unexpected repair bills. Before choosing a home warranty, research several companies and find out what each of their planscover and how much the premiums and service fees would be so you can make an informed decision.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

If you want to buy a house and youll need to take out a mortgage, getting your credit score as high as possible should be a top priority before you begin searching for a home. Your credit score will be used to set your interest rate, so be sure to stay on top of it.

Check Your Credit Reports for Errors
Start by requesting copies of your credit reports from the three credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Check them for inaccurate information and dispute any errors. Its important to check all three credit reports since the bureaus may have different information.

Pay Down Debt
Your credit utilization ratio is calculated by dividing the sum of your credit card balances by the sum of your credit limits to arrive at a percentage. A lower utilization ratio will translate into a higher credit score.

If youre using a lot of your available credit, work on paying down your debt. You can do that by cutting expenses, looking for a second job or side gig, applying gifts or income tax refunds to your credit card bills, selling some of your belongings or consolidating high-interest credit card balances into one loan with a lower interest rate.

Pay Bills on Time
Your payment history is another important piece of your credit score. Late payments, accounts in collection, bankruptcies and other derogatory marks can stay on your credit report and affect your score for different periods of time. Pay your bills on time each month. If you have any past-due bills, pay them off or contact the companies and work out repayment plans.

Keep Old Accounts Open
Credit bureaus consider the length of your credit history when calculating your score. If you have old credit cards that you dont use often, dont close the accounts. That would shorten the length of your credit history and would also reduce your available credit and increase your credit utilization ratio. Keep old accounts in good standing by making occasional purchases.

Be Careful With New Credit
Applying for a new credit card could be helpful, especially if it would allow you to transfer high-interest balances to take advantage of a lower rate. Just dont apply for too many new accounts in a short period of time. That could hurt your credit score since lenders might think you were struggling financially or couldnt handle credit responsibly.

Give Yourself Time to Work on Your Credit
The length of time it will take to raise your credit score and how much you will be able to increase it will depend on your current score, your payment history, your debt level, your income and how much you can afford to apply toward existing debts each month. Think of boosting your credit score as a medium- to long-term endeavor. Create a plan to address any problems so you can achieve your goal of owning a home.

Published with permission from RISMedia.