Uncategorized

Its easy to ignore your plumbing when taking care of other household responsibilities. Here are some easy tips every homeowner should know to help make sure your plumbing continues to work reliably throughout the coming months:

Water Heaters
First, make sure the temperature setting on your water heater is correct”most experts recommend it stay no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Not only will this reduce the amount of energy the appliance uses, but it will also reduce the chances that scalding will occur.

One of the biggest enemies of a water heater is corrosion, which will make the unit inefficient and reduce its lifespan. Drain a few gallons from the tank to flush out the sediment that leads to corrosion.

If your unit is 15 years or older, consider having it replaced. A newer model will be much more efficient, helping you save money on your energy bill each month.

Other Appliances
Take a close look at the supply hoses that run to your icemaker, washing machine and dishwasher. If you see any signs of leaks or bulges, have the hoses replaced as soon as you can. This is especially important if theyre more than 10 years old. Make sure to use stainless steel replacement hoses, because they are more durable and will pose less of a risk of bursting.

If you have a home with a basement, you more than likely have a sump pump installed. Check the pump so that you know itll be ready to do its job if flooding should occur. Pour a few buckets of water into the sump pit to make sure the pump will activate. It should turn on automatically, discharge the water and then shut off. Consider installing a flood alarm if you havent already, not only in the basement, but in your bathrooms as well.

Bathrooms
Speaking of the bathroom, look at your toilet and check for leaks. You can easily spot an issue by adding some food coloring to the tank. If you see the water in your bowl changing color after about 20 or 30 minutes, that means there is a problem with one of the components in the tank. Most people can replace these components on their own, but call a plumber if youre not comfortable trying to perform this type of job.

Outside the Home
Dont ignore areas surrounding your home while making your plumbing checks. For instance, make sure your gutters, downspouts and yard drains are all clean and clear of debris, such as leaves, sticks and grass clippings. Look at all your vent pipes and make sure there are no bird nests. Also, check all your outdoor faucets, as well as your hose bibs, to confirm water can freely flow through them. If you have a leak in an outdoor faucet, or you notice any sort of leaking inside the home when you turn that faucet on, that could be a sign that a winter freeze cracked the pipe and itll need to be replaced by a professional.

Source: Spartan Plumbing

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Is your kitchen in need of a face-lift? If theres not enough money in the budget to remodel your kitchen, Lowes home designers suggest you browse the aisles of your local home improvement store for ideas and give the room a whole new look with a few cheap and easy makeover options.

Paint the walls. Paint covers a multitude of sins and freshens up even the dullest kitchen. If you make only one change to your kitchen, paint it”and opt for a color different from the old one.

Transform the cabinets. Use a brush or roller to paint wooden cabinets, or if youre a bit braver, apply new wood or vinyl veneers to change the look of laminated cabinets.

Switch out the hardware. Shiny new cabinet and drawer pulls can make a huge difference, and there are hundreds of styles to choose from.

Replace appliance hardware. Spiff up your old stove and oven with new knobs. You can also change out those pans under your stoves burners for a cleaner look overall.

Get a shiny new sink. Choices include stainless steel, enamel-coated cast iron and composites, as well as single bowl or double bowl, top-mount or under-mount models.

Change the faucet. For a fun and inexpensive modification, get a new fixture. A spray attachment can come in handy, as can a faucet with a built-in soap dispenser.

Alter the lighting. A blend of overhead, natural and under-cabinet lighting can make the kitchen glow. Youll finally be able to see what youre cooking. You might also want to add a dimmer switch to your new lighting for times when you want the room a little mellower.

Add some simple new decor. To give your kitchen a new look”say, farmhouse, rustic or modern”buy some framed prints to hang on the walls, and add small design touches such as glass canisters, a cookie jar you love, and a vase or pitcher of flowers. Complete the look and color scheme with new kitchen towels and potholders.

By making some or all of these simple updates, you can revamp your kitchen for cheap!

Published with permission from RISMedia.

When you apply for a mortgage, the lender will take a close look at your financial situation. In some cases, it might make sense to pay off existing debt before applying for a mortgage, but in other instances, it might be better to focus your attention on the down payment.

What a Lender Will Look at
A lender wants to be confident that youll be able to handle any existing debt, plus a mortgage, and that youll manage your finances responsibly. Paying bills on time and keeping your credit utilization ratio relatively low can help you maintain a strong credit score.

The lender will also consider your debt-to-income ratio, which is calculated by adding the minimum monthly payments due for all debts, such as credit cards and auto and student loans, and comparing that figure to your monthly gross income. If you plan to apply for a mortgage with a co-borrower, the lender will consider both your gross incomes and your total monthly debt payments.

How Debt Could Affect Your Ability to Get a Mortgage
Lenders set limits on total debt, including a mortgage. If you have a mountain of debt now, there wouldnt be much room left in your budget to cover a mortgage payment, taxes, homeowners insurance and private mortgage insurance (PMI), if applicable. That means you might not qualify for a large enough mortgage to buy the house you want.

What Should You Do?
Since a lender will look at your monthly minimum debt payments to decide how much to loan you for a mortgage, reducing your monthly payments might help you get a bigger loan. You could do that by paying off some or all of your debt, or by consolidating or transferring credit card balances.

On the other hand, if you put down at least 20 percent of the purchase price, you wouldnt have to pay for PMI. That could save you hundreds of dollars per month. A large down payment could also help you get a mortgage with a low interest rate.

If you have a substantial amount of money that you can put toward a down payment or paying down debt, take the interest rates on your current debts into account. If your existing obligations have relatively low interest rates, you might be better off putting down as much as you can to avoid a high mortgage interest rate and PMI. If you have high-interest credit cards, youd likely be better off paying off those debts since a mortgage would have a lower interest rate.

Crunch the Numbers
When deciding whether to pay off existing debt before buying a house, consider your current debt balances, minimum payments and interest rates, as well as your debt-to-income ratio, credit score and the approximate price of a house you want to buy. An online calculator can help you estimate how much of a mortgage you could qualify for with different debt levels and down payment amounts.

This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

If youre in the market for buying your first home, chances are you have some money saved but you might be worrying a bit about having enough for the down payment. This is especially true for millennials just a few years into the workforce who probably are just learning why their parents always told them to save some of their paycheck each week.

Sure, the prospect of saving enough might be difficult to digest when youre eager to get house hunting, which is why sometimes it makes sense to explore some other means to get the money.

Below are some helpful hints to find the down payment you need.

Family:
Deep down you might be too proud to ask your parents for a handout, but thats probably the easiest way for you to get the money you need. And many parents probably had a similar experience when they were first starting out and looking for money. Arrange a loan with interest (if your parents insist!) and be prepared to invite them over for next years Thanksgiving.

Keep in mind that if a family member provides the money, a lender will ask them to sign a form called a gift letter, attesting to the relationship. The lender may also require mom and dad to explain where they got the money and prove that they are financially able to make such a gift.

401k or IRA:
Chances are, you might have the money you need already, only its tied up in your companys retirement plan. If you have a 401k or an IRA, first-time homebuyers are able to borrow as much as $10,000 for a down payment on a house without incurring a penalty. And if youre self-employed, you can actually take out as much as $50,000 from your SEP retirement fund as long as you pay yourself back over five years at a low interest rate.

Wedding Gifts:
Many millennials looking for their first home are often newly married or planning a wedding in the near future. If this is the case, you can make donating to your down payment as part of your wedding registry. Numerous mortgage companies allow brides and grooms to set up a down payment registry and many guests will think its a great way to celebrate the joining of two people they love. Besides, who uses a toaster anymore anyway?

Grants:
Do some research and look for down payment assistance and community redevelopment programs, which offer affordable housing opportunities to first-time homebuyers, low-income and moderate-income individuals and families who wish to achieve homeownership.

If you find that none of the above will work for your circumstances, theres always the old fashioned saving for a rainy day. Try putting aside 10 percent of your paycheck each week and make your lunch instead of going out. Forget that vacation and walk or ride your bike instead of using the car. It may seem like a lot, but the sacrifice will be well worth it when you are in your very own home.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

As a child, being sent to your room used to be a punishment. These days, however, its more like a reward, as high-end homeowners are giving their kids rooms the luxury treatment. For many parents, theres no price you can put on creating a space where the little ones will play and let their imaginations run wild. If youre looking to channel your inner-child while designing, here are a few exciting features that the kids will love having in their rooms.

Built-In Bunk Beds
When it comes to the childrens room, built-in bunk beds are the ultimate design feature. Theyre a practical use of space, especially if your kids are sharing a room, and you can also have a trundle bed underneath for when their friends sleepover. For grandparents, having a bunk room that all the grandchildren can share when theyre visiting is sure to keep them coming back.

Climbing Wall
Kid-sized climbing walls have quickly become a popular feature in childrens rooms and for good reason. Theyre easy enough for any avid DIYer to install and give kids an exciting way to burn their energy while also improving problem solving skills and building confidence. Of course, be sure to take the proper safety precautions and place mats below the climbing area.

Loft Area
When youre a kid, having a loft in your room is like having your own multi-floor living space. It doesnt require particularly high ceilings to give them a little nook above their bed where they can keep toys and build forts. Another option is to use the loft as a work space for them and put a desk where they can do their homework. You can also incorporate fun ways for them to come down, like a slide or firemans pole.

Swinging Chair
These days, there are tons of different features for kids rooms that you can hang from the ceiling, like swings, chairs or even a pod where they can curl up with a book. Its the perfect way to give their room a playful vibe that they can grow into while keeping it stylish.

Published with permission from RISMedia.