Posts in category 'Homeownership'
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12
6 Pet Fire Safety Tips for Homeowners
Pets are bona fide, integral members of the family. But finding a home with pet-friendly features can be quite a hassle leaving many animal lovers in a pickle. Let our REALTORS® find you safe, welcoming homes for creatures great and small, like these pet-proof Mansfield and Ashland homes for sale.
Every year an estimated 40,000 pets die in home fires, mostly from smoke inhalation and inability to escape. Not only is it essential to find a home that has features designed to keep your pets safe, but you should be more mindful of the fire-related hazards in your home.
It's vital to pet-proof your home. Here are some pet fire safety tips to start you off.
24
Sellers: These Trees Can Increase Property Value
Our community has been blessed with many exquisite mature trees, some of which have gracefully shaded our towns for more than a hundred years. Many of the most beautiful Mansfield and Ashland homes for sale boast the majestic beauty of giant white ash trees or red oaks. As you seek to add value to your property, investing in trees is a wise option. But before you buy, there are some important options to consider, from what you plant to where you plant it. This handy guide may help you begin:
- Northern Red Oak
These magnificent beauties will grow at least 2 feet each year for at least 10 years. At their full maturity, they will reach a height of at least 60 feet offering a canopy of shade about 45 feet in diameter. It should reach a height of about 20 feet in 10 years. It loves direct sunlight and tolerates drought, although it thrives in moist, well-drained soil. Since its roots will readily tolerate compacted earth, it is often the choice for newly constructed homes. Blue jays and squirrels may put up a fight over the tastiest acorns.
17
Homeowners: The Rise of the 'Cloffice'
Since the COVID lockdowns began last year, almost half of U.S. employees shifted to remote work. The dining table was fine for some time. But as weeks turned into months and months into a year, we started looking for working spaces out on the patio, in the kitchen nook, or behind closed bedroom doors. Now more than ever before, people are saying goodbye to open floor spaces and seeking to find designated home office spaces from which they can be as efficient and productive as possible. And so the "cloffice" trend re-emerged. According to the 2021 Pinterest trend report, there has been a two-fold increase in the volume of searches for "cloffice ideas" on the platform over the past year.
If you're unfamiliar, a cloffice is a closet that has been converted into a functioning office space. It offers a functional yet design-savvy way to create a feasible workspace at home when square footage is tight. Here are tips for creating a stylish, affordable cloffice as recommended by our REALTORS®.
10
First Time's the Charm: How to Choose Interior Paint Color
Choosing the perfect paint color for your home can make a huge difference. After all, the color of your walls provides a backdrop for all your interior. If you just bought a new home, painting is a great way to put your personal stamp on the home and begin the next phase of your life. Conversely, if you're putting your property on the market but it's looking a little too "well-loved," a crisp coat of paint can help create a better first impression and potentially increase your home's value.
But with the vast array of color choices available today, choosing the right color can be a painstaking process, especially if you get things wrong and have to start all over again. So skip the do-overs and find the perfect paint color by doing your homework and evaluating your options before you don your overalls or lay down the drop cloth. No matter what aesthetic or shade you're looking for, these foolproof tips by our REALTORS® will help you select the perfect paint color every single time.
26
Ask a Potential Contractor These 5 Questions
Your home is more than a place to live; it's an asset you want to protect. Whether you're remodeling a room, building an addition, or simply changing an appliance out, our REALTORS® strongly advise all of our clients to vet and question any potential contractor thoroughly. Asking the following five questions will help ensure that the contractor you hire will get the job done efficiently and to the highest quality standards.
- Are You Licensed & Insured?
Never hire a contractor that isn't licensed and insured. Licensure helps ensure the contractor will adhere to all building codes, fire codes, etc. It is more than an indication that they have sufficient knowledge of their trade to perform the necessary tasks. Additionally, never hire a contractor that isn't insured. If something happens and the contractor doesn't carry insurance, you could end up footing the bill for injuries.