by mwonfor | Jun 24, 2022 | Community, Homeowners, Seasonal
When the weather warms up, there is no better place to be than relaxing on your deck or patio. It’s a perfect place to enjoy the summer weather. Here are a few tips to improve the deck and prepare your outdoor living spaces for the summer.
Install a Classic Pergola
Building a vine-covered pergola in your yard is an attractive way to add shade to a patio or deck. Use wood beams to build the frame and lattice for walls. The filtered sunlight created by the latticework overhead provides a calm, relaxing environment that is perfect for backyard entertaining.
Add Lighting to Improve the Deck
An easy way to transform your deck or patio is by adding lights. Install string lights overhead to add a festive look to your outdoor getaway. Add solar-powered deck post lights or an outdoor fireplace to brighten the space.
Rustic Deck and Patio Improvements
Rustic furniture and accent pieces give the deck, porch, or patio an authentic feel. Weathered wooden and cast-iron furniture go together perfectly. If you’re into DIY projects, there are various options for upcycled pallet furniture to build for your deck.
Island Deck
A deck in the middle of the backyard offers an escape a short distance from the house. Enjoy relaxing outdoors and entertaining friends and neighbors while being surrounded by the beauty of your backyard. Purchase lounge furniture and a patio umbrella to provide shade from the sun.
Build a Gazebo for the Grill
Build a gazebo to house your grill and provide space to show off your grilling skills in comfort. The shade from the gazebo protects you from the sun and keeps you cool while cooking on a hot grill. Add comfortable furniture to make it an ideal place to hang out with friends for your backyard cookout.
Improve Your Deck With a Living Wall
Create a living wall to give yourself more privacy from the neighbors. Add hanging flower baskets or install herb plants with a dripping irrigation system to a privacy fence or wooden wall. A garden wall adds color and fragrance to the area around the deck, courtyard, or patio.
Summer is a great time to get outdoors and into nature with friends and family. With these deck and patio ideas, you’ll make time outside more enjoyable. Simple touches will transform the backyard into a fun and attractive place your neighbors will envy.
American Home Inspection Services provides inspection services in Southeast Michigan. Contact us to schedule an appointment.
by mwonfor | May 26, 2022 | Community, Home Maintenance, Homeowners
If your home feels disorganized and cluttered, you may feel more stressed than usual. It’s hard to relax and unwind when it seems there is always something to clean up. Here are a few tips to help you reorganize your house. You’ll create functional and tidy living spaces.
Prioritize the Most Pressing Projects
Make a checklist of the areas that need to be organized. Determine the most important room, closet, or space to organize and start there. Having a plan before beginning your decluttering and organization work is helpful. Create a list of cleaning products or storage containers you’ll need to complete the job.
Lighten the Work Load to Reorganize Your House
Before reorganizing, do a sweep of each space and purge items you don’t want or need. Don’t hold on to things that no longer serve you. Gather useful items in cardboard boxes and donate them to a charity of your choice next time you run errands. There is no point in spending time organizing things you don’t need.
Budget Your Time
Use a chore chart or calendar to schedule time for cleaning each area in your home. Try to estimate the amount of time you’ll need and put it on the calendar. If you only have 15 minutes, clean a single kitchen drawer. A free weekend may be enough time to reorganize the garage.
As you complete an area, check it off the list. Seeing your progress is often an incentive to continue the work of decluttering and organizing.
Store Items Appropriately to Reorganize Your House
Make sure things are stored where they belong. It doesn’t make sense to store your bed sheets in a cabinet above the refrigerator. Don’t keep extra bottles of dishwashing liquid in your bedroom closet. You are more likely to put things where they belong and find things when you need them if your organizational system is logical and convenient.
Use Vertical Space
You’ll save floor space by getting creative with your storage. Use over-the-door shoe racks, hanging organizers, hooks, and pegboards. Especially if you have a smaller home, making use of vertical space helps you preserve square footage and keep your living areas open.
Clean As You Reorganize Your House
When you declutter and organize, this provides a perfect opportunity to dust the bookshelf and wipe fingerprints off the coffee table. When reorganizing an area, remove everything and clean the space. Wipe the walls, dust surfaces, and make repairs if needed. You’ll be able to organize and store your belongings in a clean room.
Maintain the Organization
Just as important as organizing your whole house is maintaining the organization. After the entire home is organized, upkeep is easy. Set aside 15-20 minutes per day to put things back where they belong. Use labels on boxes, bins, and totes, so your family members know exactly where things go. Your house will stay organized, and you’ll feel less stress when you’re at home.
American Home Inspection Services offers inspections to homebuyers and sellers in Southeast Michigan. Contact us to request an appointment.
by mwonfor | Apr 29, 2022 | Community, Homeowners, Safe and Healthy Home
Homeowners are surprised to learn that intruders often enter through the front door. Protecting a home is just as important as maintaining it. With better security options, you can protect your home from break-ins. Here are a few tips to improve front door security.
Improve Front Door Security
One of the most effective ways to strengthen an entry against break-ins is to reinforce the door frame and install a deadbolt that reaches further into the frame than a standard lock. To further boost security, install a smart lock that sends alerts when the door opens and lets you lock your door remotely.
Security hinges are a simple and efficient upgrade to your front door security for those with outswing doors. An intruder cannot open the hinges from outside without proper tools.
Renovate your entrance by replacing the door with an enhanced solid core version. A solid core door adds weight and extra strength. A stable door prevents intrusion and is excellent for safeguarding against the elements.
Non-Invasive Security Options
If you’re looking for a less permanent solution, defend your home with a horizontal security bar. Unlike a traditional barricade, drilling holes into the wall is unnecessary. A security bar fits any standard door opening and is not complicated to install. These blockades are handy for rental homes and apartments where modifications might cost you your security deposit.
A video doorbell is a fantastic way to monitor your front door. They are easy to install and use. Video doorbells are available as a single unit or a system that allows you to monitor multiple locations. This smart technology will enable you to monitor your home’s entrances from anywhere you have access to a smartphone.
Motion-sensing lights detect movement at the front door. These lights automatically turn on and can deter would-be burglars. Because many break-ins occur after dark, motion-sensing lights provide peace of mind while you’re asleep or away.
Regardless of what components you use to secure your home, options exist for your specific needs. There are many possibilities to protect your home, from deadbolts and motion lights to new hinges and smart security.
American Home Inspection Services provides inspections to customers in Southeast Michigan. Contact us to schedule our services.
by mwonfor | Mar 31, 2022 | Community, Homeowners
Selling a home involves a lot of planning and decision-making, which can sometimes make it hard to know where to start. Here are five tips to sell your house quickly and at an excellent price.
Order a Pre-Listing Inspection
Before putting your home on the market, order a pre-listing inspection. This type of inspection typically costs a few hundred dollars, but it is a wise investment. A professional home inspection reveals underlying issues that may affect your chances of selling the house. If you are not aware of these issues, you cannot make repairs or price the home accordingly. Major problems with a property may deter buyers after they tour the house and order an inspection.
Hire a Professional Realtor to Sell Your House
Selling a house can be complicated, especially if you haven’t done it before. This is why it is helpful to hire a real estate agent whose track record of sales demonstrates they have the knowledge and training to market a property while representing the seller’s best interests. Make sure your agent is familiar with your neighborhood and understands the local housing market.
The real estate agent lists the home, does most of the paperwork, reviews the buyer’s offers, communicates with the buyer’s agent, and handles the negotiations and closing details.
Choose the Best Time
The best times to sell your house are summer and spring since families want to move before the school year begins, and the nice weather makes home inspections and viewings easier. However, buyers can be more selective during these seasons due to increased inventory. Research how to sell your house during different seasons, and you’ll be prepared for all weather conditions.
Talk with your agent about when you prefer to sell and determine the best time to list the property.
How to Sell Your House: Price the Property
Pricing your home is a critical step that requires research of current real estate trends. Gain insight into what your home is worth by comparing the prices of other similar houses in your neighborhood. Taking into account the results of the pre-listing inspection, work with your agent to price the home. The better condition your home is in, the more offers you will get, and the easier it is to negotiate the price. However, the asking price must be fair and accurate.
The Drawbacks of Selling Your House on Your Own
In a “For Sale by Owner”(FSBO) listing, the owner supervises and manages all parts of the transaction. You will not have to pay a listing agent’s commission since you are doing the work yourself. As the seller, you determine the asking price, handle the marketing, negotiate with buyers, and navigate the contracts and paperwork on your own. Without professional representation, you risk your home sitting on the market and getting less favorable offers.
American Home Inspection Services provides inspections to customers in Southeast Michigan. Contact us to schedule our services.
by mwonfor | Feb 7, 2022 | Community, Home Maintenance, Homeowners
If you enjoy updating your living spaces, here are a few ideas for DIY home improvement. Customize your home and boost its functionality inside and out with these projects.
Add Color with Paint
Whether you choose to paint the trim, doors, or the entire room, painting is a DIY home improvement that can completely change your environment. If you want to add color to complement the furniture or the walls, paint the trim or crown molding in the room. To make your home stand out in your neighborhood, paint the front door a bold new color.
You’ll find sample cards at your local home improvement store so you can compare colors with the furniture and décor of your home. To make a room seem larger, use lighter colors such as a cool grey, taupe, or white. Lighter colors also make a room feel brighter, enhancing natural light from the windows.
DIY Home Improvement: Storage
It can feel like there is never enough storage space in most homes. Install floating shelves, build an entryway bench, and use furniture that has cabinets and drawers built-in.
You can customize shelving to fit the nooks and crannies around your home. Organize the mudroom with a bench, cubbies, and hooks to store umbrellas, jackets, hats, and car keys. Purchase or construct furniture that can be used as additional storage. You can find plans for ottomans, benches, and window seats that open so blankets, magazines, and children’s toys can be stashed inside.
Personalize Outdoor Spaces as Part of Your DIY Home Improvement
If you have a patio or a deck, this is a great space to test your DIY skills. Sand the wooden decking boards and apply a fresh coat of paint or stain. If you notice boards that are warped or rotting, replace them.
Another idea to improve your outdoor space is to build a pergola. This is a simple structure that adds shade over a deck or patio. It provides a place to relax on warm, sunny days. Pergola kits are available online or at your local home improvement store. These structures are easy to build, and the kits include thorough instructions.
Water Filters
Installing a water filter is an easy project to promote wellness at home. A filter provides clean, refreshing water and reduces plastic bottle waste. You can install water-filtration systems under the sink or directly onto the faucet. The most accessible style of filter is a simple pitcher that removes contaminants and can be stored in the refrigerator. These are inexpensive and effective and don’t require installation.
American Home Inspection Services provides inspections to customers in Southeast Michigan. Contact us to schedule our services.
by mwonfor | Dec 9, 2021 | Community, Homeowners, Safe and Healthy Home, Seasonal
The holidays involve decorating, entertaining guests, and cooking delicious meals. While these activities help set a festive mood, they also pose hidden risks. Here are a few tips for safety during the holidays.
Lighting Safety During the Holidays
Conduct a thorough inspection of your lights before hanging them and replace any light strands with damaged cords or bulbs. When changing bulbs, use bulbs with the correct wattage to avoid an electrical problem.
Once you have confirmed the lighting is in good condition, be careful to not overload outlets or extension cords when plugging in lights. Keep children and pets away from light strands to avoid accidents. Finally, when you leave home or go to bed, switch off the holiday lights to help prevent an electrical fire.
Holiday Tree Safety Tips
A freshly cut tree is less susceptible to catching fire. Be sure to water the holiday tree and keep it away from open flames. Place the tree on a stable surface to prevent it from tipping over and causing injury. If you opt to purchase an artificial tree rather than a freshly cut one, make sure it’s labeled as “fire-resistant.”
Cooking Safety During the Holidays
Unattended cooking is a common cause of fires in the United States, and the winter holidays are the peak season for house fires. Prevent a fire by closely monitoring your oven and stove and never leaving the area when food is cooking. Clean spills right away to avoid slips and falls in the kitchen.
Fireplace Safety Tips
Gathering around a fireplace is an excellent way to keep warm and cozy. Make sure the flue is open before starting the fire. Use seasoned wood as fuel. Don’t burn wrapping paper or cardboard boxes in the fireplace. These materials can burn out of control and emit toxic fumes that are harmful to your health. Keep flammable objects like curtains, furniture, and rugs several feet from the fireplace.
Outdoor Safety Tips
Safety during the holidays isn’t limited to inside the house. Take safety measures outdoors, too. Keep the walkways and front porch safe and easy to navigate by shoveling snow and using ice-melt. Doing so will reduce the risk of injuries from falls.
Tips for Home Security
While you’re busy enjoying the holiday, burglars may be watching your home. Deter burglars by keeping curtains closed and bringing packages inside promptly. Use motion-sensing lighting to illuminate the yard after dark.
When you’re away for the holidays, ask a trusted neighbor to monitor your house for suspicious activity. Put the indoor lights on a timer to create the appearance that someone is home. Don’t post announcements online that you’ll be out-of-town. You compromise your home’s safety when you broadcast that it’s unoccupied.
The holidays are a time to relax and enjoy yourself, but it’s important to stay safe and well. Follow these tips for safety during the holidays.
American Home Inspection Services offers home inspections in southeast Michigan. Contact us to schedule our services.
