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When you think of remodeling your home, your mind likely jumps immediately to your kitchen or bathrooms. While these are excellent spaces to remodel, there are plenty of other rooms throughout your home that can benefit from a little extra attention.

If youre in need of some inspiration for your next remodeling project, here are three rooms you should definitely consider:

Laundry Room
Laundry rooms are known more for their utilitarian value than their beauty, so it makes sense that theyre not often considered for remodeling. A spruced-up laundry room, however, can allow you to be more productive by getting more laundry done, more easily. For example, you can add automatic laundry detergent dispensers that allow you to use the correct amount of detergent every time. Plus, you can add large countertops so you can prepare clothes more easily for washing and fold them when they’re done. If nothing else, it makes sense to beautify the space where you do one of your least favorite tasks to help make it a little more enjoyable.

Garage
You park your car and store various items there, but, beyond that, your garage probably doesnt demand much of your attention. However, a remodeled garage can provide a multi-purpose space that you can be proud of. Remodelers can add enhanced insulation to make the space usable year-round. Then, with the addition of amenities including speakers, game tables and some comfortable chairs, youll wind up with a great hangout space where everyone will want to congregate.

Mud Room
Given the clean-up that it helps prevent, its a wonder that the mudroom isnt more appreciated. It makes sense, though, given that your mudroom serves as a simple pass-through on the way to a welcoming home. Renovation makes sense, though, to ensure your mudroom stays as clean and organized as possible and thereby helps the rest of your home stay clean, as well. By adding hooks for backpacks and hats, extra shelves for shoes and improved mats to capture dirt, you can make your mudroom just as welcoming as the rest of your home.

When it comes to any repair project, its important to understand the parts of the project you can complete yourself and those you need to hire out. Proper delegation will ensure you can complete your project quickly with minimal interruption to your daily activities. This also ensures that you stay safe as you avoid any aspects of the project that youre not properly equipped to complete. With a quick completion, you may be inspired to renovate even more rooms around your home.

Source: Brooke Chaplan/RISMedias Housecall

Published with permission from RISMedia.

When you become a landlord, stress levels can get very high. In general, the good tenants outnumber the bad ones and you’re able to manage your property profitably. However, there may be tenants who vandalize, are habitually late with the rent or just disappear without notice.

To help reduce or eliminate some of the stressors associated with being a landlord, consider these five tips:

1. Use the Internet to Collect Rent. Collecting rent from difficult tenants is one of the most stressful aspects of the business. Automating the process can make this much easier. Whether you use a pre-made online solution or hire a developer to create one, set up a payment system that accepts credit or debit cards or even automatic bank transfers. This is more convenient for both you and your tenants, and it provides a transaction history for bookkeeping.

2. Outsource Maintenance. Anything beyond a few units can be a headache in maintenance, including painting and cleaning up after sloppy tenants. Hiring a crew to take care of this involves all the problems of recruiting and training employees, managing payroll and benefits, and other concerns.

If you don’t want those additional stresses and don’t need full-time help, outsource these routine maintenance tasks to another company. It may cost a little more than doing the work yourself, but you’ll have more free time and less anxiety.

3. Keep an Emergency Fund. Whether you opt for employees, contractors or the DIY route, you’re still going to pay for repairs and upkeep. Some routine maintenance you can budget for, but events such as careless tenants, storms, litigation or burst pipes are something else. If your insurance policy won’t cover it, or units arent inhabitable, you’re losing money. It’s best to set aside what you can from the very beginning so that one major setback doesn’t cripple your cashflow.

4. Find a Property Manager. You could also pass on your landlord troubles to someone else by hiring a reputable property management company or professional. Those with special training and significant experience may be better suited to handle maintenance, budgets and bad tenants than you are. A manager will cost you money, but eliminate the difficulties of being a landlord while you sit back and take the profits.

5. Tenant Screening. Better tenants mean fewer missed rent payments, less property damage and longer tenant retention. Getting good tenants requires screening each applicant to weed out those who may represent a high risk. Screening requires verifying employment, conducting background checks, checking credit scores, calling references and anything else you consider a good indicator.

Be careful in how you turn prospective renters down to avoid discrimination charges. You also don’t want to be too fussy. If you reject one applicant after another, you’ll wind up missing out on rent. Tenant screening is another time-consuming task you could delegate to a professional service.

Being a landlord has been a great source of income throughout human history. It may be a little more complicated today with all the legalities and paperwork, but it can still be profitable and rewarding if youre thoughtful in spending your time and money.

Source: Dixie Somers/RISMedias Housecall

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Every year, hundreds of people are killed and thousands of others become ill due to carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide detectors can save lives, but many people dont have them in their homes.

What Makes Carbon Monoxide Dangerous?
Carbon monoxide keeps the blood from carrying enough oxygen to vital organs. A person who has been exposed to carbon monoxide may initially experience flu-like symptoms, such as headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, weakness and fatigue. Higher levels of carbon monoxide can cause a person to become disoriented or lose consciousness. Even a small amount of carbon monoxide is dangerous.

Where Does Carbon Monoxide Come from?
Carbon monoxide is produced when carbon-based fuels, such as wood, coal, gasoline, oil, propane and natural gas, are burned. It isnt dangerous in a well-ventilated area, but the gas can cause problems in a confined space.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors Can Save Lives
A carbon monoxide detector will sound an alarm if unsafe levels of the gas are detected. Carbon monoxide may go unnoticed without a detector since it is odorless and colorless.

You should have at least one carbon monoxide detector on each floor of your home (including the attic and basement if you have them), near each bedroom, and in or near an attached garage. Dont put a detector near a window, in a humid area or in a place where it could be exposed to direct sunlight.

Some carbon monoxide detectors are battery operated or plug into wall outlets, while other models can be connected to a home security system or monitored through a smartphone app. Choose carbon monoxide detectors approved by Underwriters Laboratories or another safety certification organization, check them as recommended by the manufacturer and replace the batteries when necessary.

If a carbon monoxide detector goes off, get all people and animals out of the house and into fresh air immediately. If anyone has flu-like symptoms, call an ambulance. Dont re-enter the house until the authorities have told you its safe. If you dont know why the carbon monoxide detector went off and officials arent able to determine the cause, have any appliances that burn carbon-based fuel inspected and repaired or replaced if necessary.

How to Prevent the Release of Carbon Monoxide
Have your heating system, chimney and fuel-burning appliances regularly inspected and maintained. Dont use a stove or oven to heat your home or use a grill or stove designed for outdoor use indoors. Dont warm up your car in the garage, even if the door is open, because carbon monoxide can build up to dangerous levels. Pull your car out of the garage before warming it up. Dont run any gas-powered equipment indoors unless the area is well ventilated.

Protect Your Family
Carbon monoxide can be produced by common appliances that are found in virtually all homes. The gas can be lethal, and it often goes undetected until its too late. If you dont have carbon monoxide detectors in your home, install them to keep your family safe.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Buying and moving into a new home is exciting, but it also requires a lot of attention to detail, from closing the deal to figuring out the logistics of getting all your belongings from point A to point B. Amid all the excitement, planning and unpacking, many new homeowners overlook one essential factor: the security of their new house.

If youre moving, consider these six tips from the home security experts at ADT to help keep your family and your property safe and secure:

Change the Locks. You never know who lived in your property before you moved in. Do yourself a favor and change the locks regardless of the situation.

Transfer or Invest in a Security System. Theres no better way to ensure your home is secure 24/7 than installing a home security system. Burglar-proof your house by adding video surveillance and motion sensors for complete security. If theres already a security system in the house, have it properly looked over and reactivated. If youd like to bring the security system that you’re currently using to your new house, consider relocation services.

Install Indoor and Outdoor Lighting. Dont stand out as the new neighbor by being the only dim house on the street at night. Keep your family protected by making your house look occupied at all times using light automation.

Keep Your Outside Area in Excellent Condition. Did you know burglars see the exterior of your property as a bullseye? If your lawn is unkempt or you have large shrubbery, burglars will see that as an invitation to break in.

Talk With the Neighbors. Having trusted neighbors can immediately make living in a new place much safer. They may be able to help keep your house look occupied while youre away by simply picking up the newspaper, shoveling your walkway, etc.

Remind Your Kids to Be Cautious. Moving to a new neighborhood means a lot of unfamiliar faces for you and your family. Make sure your children are aware that they should never let a stranger into the house, leave the garage door up when they come in or go exploring too far until youre more familiar with the area.

By taking care of these security measures when moving, you can turn your focus to truly enjoying your new, safe home.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

If youre someone who isnt happy with their current mortgage”whether its because you heard of someone having a better rate, you realized the payments are too large or you want to pay your home off quicker, then its probably time to look into a mortgage refinance.

Simply put, a mortgage refinance replaces your current home loan with a new one and can be done to reduce the interest rate, cut monthly payments or tap into their homes equity.

And you dont need to be years into a mortgage to refinance. If it makes sense financially, you can refinance at any time.

Still, there are some mistakes that those going through the process make. Here are some things to avoid.

Being Unprepared:
Once you get the ball rolling, dont stall. If your new lender gets in touch asking for information, dont waste time looking for documents and financial info”send it to them right away so everything goes smoothly. If youre busy at work or about to embark on a family vacation, wait until you have opportune time to get things started.

Jumping at the First Offer:
One of the reasons youre looking to refinance is because youre not happy. But even if the first lender that comes along offers you better rates, dont just say yes. Shop around for the best deal, and even check in with your current lender to see if they can do something to make your mortgage more appealing. They might be willing to work with you, saving you some paperwork and time.

 

Waiting too long:
If you hear about a good rate from a friend or see a special deal being promoted, do your due diligence but dont wait too long before making a decision. Try to get everything done in a couple of days and check out as many lenders as possible. You dont want rates to rise or something to change before you pull the trigger.

 

Not Thinking About Closing Costs:
During any refinance, keep in mind that youre likely to be responsible for new closing costs, including a loan application fee, appraisal fees, title fees and attorneys fees. Be sure you have this money on hand and make sure that these new fees dont impact the value you are getting overall from the refinance.

 

Adding on to Loan Term:
When refinancing, some homeowners decide to add to the number of years of their loan term, lowering their monthly payments but increasing the total amount of interest over time. Conversely, lowering the terms by five or 10 years can save you a lot, so if you want to change the years, make it lower.

By making smart decisions, your refinancing can be a smooth experience.

Published with permission from RISMedia.