Sometimes it is hard to keep your home refreshed or up to date in the today's market. We showcase some home tips we think could be helpful before you choose to sell, or if you would just like to keep your home maintained.

It seems we are constantly reading about burglaries and break ins. Burglars don’t just steal your stuff; they steal your peace of mind. While this is the sort of thing you think will never happen to you, it’s worth the time and effort to make sure you’re not a target. Below are five strategies to help secure your home against a break-in.

1. Use Landscaping As A Barrier

Purposefully place plants in spots that create a natural barrier to your home. Plant thorny rose bushes in front of bedroom windows and remove overgrown shrubs that provide coverage for creepers. Also, trim back any tree branches that might make an open upstairs window accessible.

2. Put In A Security Alarm

While a loud alarm might not stop a burglar from quickly grabbing the…

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We have not received our first bit of snow this year yet! With these easy tips, you can be prepared for these storms.

Stay Warm

Losing power means losing heat, and that can be a pain for obvious reasons. The first step is to dress warm. Lots of light layers keep you warmer than one big coat. Wear a hat or a hood - your body loses most of its heat through your head. You're in your house, no one is judging you. It’s also important to insulate your house. Put extra weather stripping or towels under the door and windows. You don’t want any drafts getting in.

Keep Your Water Running

It’s important to keep the water running. The water in the pipes will freeze much faster if it isn’t moving. So go to each faucet and tap and turn them on just a little…

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According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 10% of air leaks out of the average house through the windows. Also, Energy Star estimated homeowners could save an annual 7-15% on their energy bills by replacing their own windows with more efficient models.

If you live in an old home, it might not be possible to replace all of the windows in your home. But there are still come inexpensive ways to insulate your windows.

Apply Rubber Weather Sealing

You'll be able to find some inexpensive strips of rubber weather sealing that is self adhesive at your local hardware store. You can cut a long strip down to fit your window and then peel it off and stick it to the frame in order to close gaps and keep out drafts. This is a cheap solution, but it can be…

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As the weather starts to turn a little colder and your yard goes into hibernation, the pests that used to live outdoors will want to take up residence in your warm, cozy home. Getting bugs out of your home is not only a headache, but also means that you’ll be spraying a variety of chemicals throughout your home.

Pesticides Can Be As Bad As Pests

Conventional pesticides usually get the job done, but they have been shown to negatively affect people and their pets. Children are especially sensitive to the chemicals as their organs, nervous and immune systems are still developing. Moral of the story, the fewer harsh chemicals you use, the better for your health.

Most Professionals Have Natural Options

Many professional pest control companies have…

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As homeowners, we are always searching for ways to enhance our home and aesthetic value. Don't despair if you are short on cash. You can still have a beautiful home. Sometimes a little elbow grease is a decent replacement for extravagant money, and other times you can get great deals by shopping around for items that are costly. 

Floors

Wooden floors look great but before you pay an arm and a leg, know that there is no hard data to support that hardwood flooring provides greater resale value to a house than other types of floor coverings. (x) Liz Weintraub, from About's Guide to Home Buying and Selling, says: notably bamboo and Brazilian cherry will provide greater intrinsic value to a home. 

Go Green

It's no surprise that we - and everyone -…

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Get out the soaking bucket and scraping tool, wallpaper is coming back into style. Wallpaper is going to help you accomplish a fashionable living space faster and easier than you could have imagined. It's time to get with the trends, and give your home a quick and easy facelift!

A World Of Design With Wallpaper

With many patterns and styles available, suddenly your home's imperfections can easily be hidden. You can give the small room in your home a facelift with a wallpaper pattern with vertical stripes, instantly making the room feel larger. Or you can suddenly have the accent wall you've always dreamed of but have been to afraid to commit to, creating a focal point behind the bed in your master bedroom, or behind the sofa in the living room. Or…

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Even the most aesthetically pleasing homes can have mold issues. A type of fungus that thrives on moisture, mold can trigger symptoms such as itching eyes, asthma attacks and bouts of sneezing or coughing. As a result of the possible health issues, mold is the sort of problem that should be dealt with prior to listing a home.

For those who are in the market to buy a home or those who are under contract - should hire a licensed professional to conduct a mold test. Here is a rundown of five places in the home where mold could be hiding.

Not On The Kitchen Menu

We all have saved leftovers; however, not all of us remember what is in our fridges and forget. WhatsCookingAmerica says it best, "While most molds prefer warmer temperatures, they can grow…

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Access to clean water is a privilege that, unfortunately, many people still take for granted. Cutting down on consumption whenever possible is something that everyone can do to live a little greener.

Making Sure Your Home Holds Water

Ensure your home is free of water leaks. Make your way through your home, and properly shut off the water at all fixtures and faucets - including air-cooling systems and other devices that use water. Read your water meter, wait two hours (without using any water), and check it again. If your water meter gives you two different readings, you are losing water somewhere, and the problem needs farther investigating. Most issues are easily repaired or upgraded, but sometimes a fresh efficient start may be a simpler…

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While most homeowners are vigilant about regularly wiping down surfaces, disinfecting bathrooms, dusting furniture and mopping floors, there are many nooks and crannies that don’t receive as much attention. That’s why April is the perfect month to do an annual overhaul on your home.

Below is a spring cleaning checklist to help you knock it out:

Living Room

  • Wash curtains and throw pillows.
  • Take rugs outside and beat them.
  • Vacuum and spot clean sofas.
  • Dust lampshades.
  • Wipe down the television and all other electronics. 

Kitchen

  • Organize and clean cabinets.
  • Sort pantry and discard items past their due date
  • Go through your refrigerator. Take everything out, wipe down shelves and throw out anything that has expired.
    • …

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It seems like a wise investment to purchase an older, tad run-down property and you have the chance to fix it up and turn it into the home of your dreams or for resell. However, the renovation project that appears a quick montage in your imagination will actually take several months or years and thousands of dollars in real life. How can you make sure that you are making the right choice for you?

One of the main advantages of buying a fixer-upper property is that you will usually be able to get the property for a much cheaper price. But is it worth the time and money you will need to invest in the property?

Here Are Some Questions You Should Be Asking Yourself When Making Your Decision:

  • Do you (or your friends and family members) have the…

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