Posts from March 2014

With all of this winter weather, it's a great time to think about spring and home projects to beat the snowy blues! But, let's take the ideas outside. With better weather on the way, here are some great ideas for outdoor projects around the home.

One of the most popular ideas is to turn a patio or deck into a comfortable outdoor living. With that being said, it's important to consider color outside. Neutral tones have a tendency to blend in with the outside and black can become very hot to sit or lay on when in direct sunlight. Think about brighter tones like reds, yellows and greens for chairs, cushions and tables that will bring a splash of fun to any outdoor area.  You can also add outdoor lights and paper lanterns in bright colors as well. 

Lights don't have to be added just because there is a special occasion – they can really bring character and warmth to an outdoor living area.  Also, it can make an outdoor area safer by providing lighting for any family,...

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Break ins are something that can happen to anyone, on any street and in any town. It's an unfortunate reality we face. There are ways to combat and prevent break ins and here are some useful tips.

Deadbolts have proven to be quite a deterrent for the past 50 years. The introduction of electronic security systems, which are now in a quarter of all homes have also helped bring down the number of burglaries annually. However, in 2006, over 1.5 million homes were burglarized. To add insult to injury, it is difficult tracking down burglars and bringing them to justice.

There are many things to consider when trying to protect yourself and your home. There is a much greater chance of a break in during the day and close to 40 percent of all burglaries are not forced entry types. This means that a burglar was able to find a way to get into the house by walking, crawling or climbing.

There are things that you may be doing that could attract burglars. Such as leaving it...

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There are a lot of expenses that come with homeownership. Some of these expenses may appear to be useless but are actually very important, such as homeowners insurance. What the heck is it anyway and what is used for? This is your first lesson in Homeowners Insurance 101.

Homeowners insurance is essential. This insurance covers issues that happens to your home or belongings such as in the case of a natural disaster. This insurance is not required by law but in most cases mortgage lenders to require a policy in order to loan money to you for a home purchase.  Even the purchase of a condo may also require some sort of homeowners coverage. Homeowners can cover things such as an injury of a house guest at a dinner party or tornado damage.  There could be a lot of reasons that you would need it. 

There are different policies depending on what kind of home, including renters, mobile homes, and even older homes. It's important to point out that homeowners policies don't...

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