Category Archives: Home and functionality

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When we think of home, we think of all the warm and fuzzy feelings we should get. After all, home is where love runs riot, memories get made, friends are welcome, laughter never ends and our children are always safe. At least, that is the kind of haven our homes should be. However, according to research done by the wonderful organization Safe Kids Worldwide, which dedicates itself to keeping little ones safe from accidental injury, over three million children get harmed in the comfort of their own homes each year.

As such, we have come up with a list of the things you can do to make your home the one place on earth your little ones are as safe as you want them:

Hot Water Hurts

We all know the hazards that a bathtub poses, which is why we are super on the ball when to comes to our bath routine. However, it isn’t just drowning that we need to protect against, it is the chance of burns. Children’s skin is so much more sensitive than ours and that means hot water can scold them without us being too aware. Luckily, there are a couple of things we can do to take action and follow the old mom’s law or, “it’s better to prevent than aid”. The first thing you should do is turn your hot water system down a bit and set it to 48 degrees Celsius (120 degrees F). This will ensure no splashes from the tap scold them by accident. The next thing you should do is get yourself a friendly little bath thermometer. Yes, testing with your elbow is effective but having a bath thermometer is bang on the money with 38 Celsius being the optimum temperature. Looking at that, we’re saving you money as well as tears.

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No More Falls

Falling off things or down stairs is the leading cause of accidental injury in kids under the age of 15, and definitely among toddlers. For any parents that have kids, they will tell you that the parenting game changes when your baby becomes mobile. There is no more leaving them in the sitting room while you go and make a cup of tea; oh no, you’re on edge 24/7 once they can get about and the biggest worries are stairs and furniture. So, in order to maintain at least some peace of mind, start by getting some wall-mounted stair gates for both the top and the bottom of the stairs; each set of stairs. As for the rest of you home, let the games begin. Get padding to go on the corners and edges of your tables, and lay padding down on top of your hearths and get catches to go on your sharp knife drawers, and anything else that could be a problem should your unbalanced toddler lose their balance, which they will.

Banish Mold Fast

Mold awareness has definitely increased, there is no denying that, but it is still an issue. What mold does is produce teeny-tiny spores that seriously compromises the air quality of your home. Your children will be most vulnerable to this because their immune systems are still developing. That’s why it is so important that you deal with any mold you come across fast and have a mold removal company come in for a routine check every six months just in case. If you’re wondering about common symptoms associated with mold exposure, the top of the list is respiratory issues like short breaths, wheezing, coughing, sore throat and those types of things. Otherwise, neurological symptoms, skin irritation and eye soreness are also common. Nasty. So, yeah, just have a quick run around your house and look for any signs of mold and call a specialist in anyhow because, like we said, our homes are where are children should be most safe.

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Fire Safety Is A Must

We don’t want to throw out any facts or statistics to scare you on this subject, but you should know that children – especially young children – are more at risk than adults when it comes to fires for numerous reasons. This is one of the most critical reasons why you should have smoke detectors on every single floor of your home – including the basement – in every bedroom and on every landing. Not only this, but a monthly testing session should become a ritual in your house. We seriously recommend you pick up your phone, open the calendar app and set a monthly reminder to spend fifteen minutes testing. In addition to this, multi-purpose fire extinguishers and blankets should be accessible too and know how to use them. To use a fire extinguisher just remember to just pull the pin, take aim, squeeze the trigger and cover the base of the fire and don’t stop spraying until the fire has been extinguished like the candles on a birthday cake.

Safe Way To No Bugs

No one wants to live with creepy crawlies or pests, whether it be roaches, mice, bed bugs, termites, ants, spiders, rats or whatever. It just doesn’t encourage a good night’s sleep. However, most pests don’t cause any harm to your children’s health, unlike the pesticides used to clear them out. Yeah, pesticides can really contaminate your home and have been known to cause both neurological and respiratory issues in children. To make sure your family is safe from this kind of collateral damage, we recommend you use a specialist pest control expert and really quiz them about the pesticides they use and the best practices they operate using. If you would rather not go down this route, then we recommend you pest proof your house as best as possible. Use gels and pellets and traps and bait to get rid of any pests you may be living with, and then start proofing your home. Seal off any cracks and crevices, weather strip your doors and windows, look for gaps in your tiling and make sure your kitchen isn’t working overtime as a free for all buffet that serves your unwanted guests, which means putting food in the fridge and keeping your kitchen clean.

When it comes to your family home, there is nothing worse than falling foul to a disaster. Admittedly, household disasters do tend to be rare, but once every so often something is likely to go wrong at home, leaving your home in a bit of a mess. Of course, you can put safeguards in place when it comes to disasters by insuring your home against all manner of problems, to make sure that should disaster strike you are covered financially. However, just because your home is insured, that doesn’t mean that you are covered against every eventuality or that repairing your home from a disaster would be a quick job. That’s why it’s worth knowing when the most common household disasters occur so that you can be prepared for them, or at least know what to look out for.

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Warm weather disasters

Fires: Because of how dry the weather often is, in the warmer summer months fires are more likely. This includes both wildfires, if you live in an areas that is prone to them, and household fires. Although often there’s little that you can do to prevent a fire, what you can do is ensure that your home is fitted with fully functioning smoke alarms that will warn you and your family if there is a fire in or near your house. Calling the fire service early can be the difference between your home burning to the ground and some minor damage, so the sooner you are alerted to a fire, the better.

Plumbing problems: In the warmer months we tend to use more water, which means that our homes are more prone to plumbing problems. If you live near a beach or you and your family spend a lot of time outdoors, then your home’s plumbing could end up blocked with sand or dirt, as every time you come in from the beach or some other outdoor activity, you most probably take a shower. To prevent plumbing problems, brushing off as much sand or dirt outside your home is a good idea. If you do notice that your plumbing is blocked, the best thing to do is call a plumber as soon as possible, to prevent the problem from getting worse.

Cold weather problems:

Burst water pipes: One of the most common cold weather problems is burst water pipes, as every winter thousands of homes will end up having pipes bursting because of the cold weather. To make burst water pipes less likely, you could contact a company like Heat-Line about the anti-freezing products they offer to prevent water pipes from freezing up in the cold winter weather. Sure, it might be an investment, but if it will prevent disaster from striking, surely it’s worth it?

Infestations: In the colder months, household infestations are twice as likely as in the summer months. This is because as the weather gets colder, rodents, insects, and other animals look for somewhere that offers them protection from the elements. If your home has any small holes in the exterior, such as in the roof, for instance, this can give insects, and animals access to your home, which they can then go on to infest. To prevent an infestation becoming serious, it’s important to call out a pest controller as soon as you can, to get the infestation under control.

The fact is that a household disaster can strike at any time, but the disasters mentioned above are more likely to occur at certain times of the year.

Trying to find the perfect family home can often be a bit of a headache. When you are renting, the decision over where to live usually doesn’t matter too much. After all, for most of us renting isn’t a lifelong commitment – it is merely something temporary, and the vast majority of people do it for a few years before buying a place of their own. However, when you do feel ready to put your money into somewhere more permanent, you may struggle to find somewhere that meets your criteria. When that much money is at stake, it’s totally natural to want to find somewhere that ticks absolutely all of your boxes. Usually, though, you will find that you end up compromising at least a little bit on the property you buy – whether that’s having a slightly smaller garden than you would have liked, or purchasing a fixer-upper rather than a new build like you had planned. If this compromise means deviating entirely from the plan you originally had for your dream property, you could end up with something on your hands that’s more trouble than it’s worth. In this scenario, the costs for buying AND changing your subsequent new home could reach sky-high proportions – so why not consider building your own house instead? This is something more and more people are doing these days, purely, so they know they are getting exactly what they want. If you haven’t had much luck with finding a property to buy yet, here are a few reasons why you might want to build your own.

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You can express your creativity

If you’re looking to settle down in your new home for the remainder of your life, it needs to be somewhere you’re 100% happy with. So, if you’ve always dreamed of living in a Tudor-style townhouse, or a woodland cabin, why not go ahead and make that dream a reality? Draw up various mood boards for inspiration, and seek help from companies such as www.buildloghomes.org for further information on how to execute your project. Let your imagination run wild – it’s your home, after all.

It often works out cheaper

This may come as a surprise to most people – but if done correctly, a self-build can be up to 25% cheaper than buying an existing property outright. Of course, to make this saving, you will need to have all your costings down to a tee. So make sure you have a team of trusted contractors around you, and if you need some extra help keeping track of your finances, consider hiring an accountant.

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Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (Mar. 24, 2004) – Navy family members relax on their front lawn while movers deliver household goods to their new home on Ford Island. The new housing development is part of a $35 million project to design and construct 140 homes on Ford Island and 30 homes at Radford Terrace. The homes are three and four-bedroom units arranged as duplex and quad-buildings. They feature such amenities as metal framing, garages, central air conditioning, solar hot water systems, modern kitchens with energy-saving appliances, and full-size washers and dryers. The new community includes a host of improvements such as: underground utilities, recreational areas and new roads. More than 2,300 Navy family homes have been replaced or renovated on Oahu since 1996, at a cost of $426 million. U. S. Navy photo by PhotographerÕs Mate 1st Class William R Goodwin. (RELEASED)

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It can become a family heirloom

Even though buying a home outright means that it is yours, a lot of people still feel like they are living in a rental knowing that other people have lived there before. If you want to create something for your family alone to cherish for generations to come, building your own place from scratch can be the first step on this ladder. Many of us develop a strong emotional attachment to properties, so building your own can be a great way of making one that meets your exact needs for decades to come.

It’s fun to be the responsible adult in a family home. You’re apparently the person to whom everybody turns when there’s a problem which needs fixing. A brilliant new solution might be to teach your kids how to fix certain problems by themselves when such issues arise around the house. Of course, there are some things which are better left to the adults; you can always remind your children about all your did for them when they’re a little older. Here are some tips for things you should fix around your home so the kids don’t moan.

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Squeakiness.

To be fair, this probably annoys you and everybody else in the house. You’re in the midst of a deep sleep and somebody (perhaps a human or perhaps the family pet) wakes you up by walking across the squeaky floorboards late at night. A crafty fix is to sprinkle some talcum powder into the cracks of the squeaky area and put an end to the ceaseless moaning. If squeaky doors are the problem then WD-40 can help to lubricate the hinges.

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The bathroom.

It’s a room that everybody in the house uses several times a day, so it’s no wonder that appliances start to break and tiles begin to look worn out after only a short amount of time. If you’re a complete newbie to the world of DIY then you could check out this caulking gun review for some ideas as to tools you could use for fixing leaks in sinks or the bathtub. In a more general sense, YouTube videos are always your friend when it comes to fixing problems in the bathroom (or any room in the house, for that matter).

Tiles may need to be re-grouted, leaky faucets may need to be fixed, and the plug hole to the shower may be blocked with hair. All of these things can be fixed by you, so you don’t need to call in a plumber. An important final point is that the mold in your shower or on the walls should be removed immediately; your kids may moan about it, but it’s in all of your interests to create a healthy, breathable space. A great way to avoid frequent mold build-up is to get a fan in the bathroom and perhaps open the window whilst showering so as to avoid damp getting trapped in the walls.

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Faulty electrics.

“Mom, I can’t charge my iPhone!” You hear a teenage voice cry out from somewhere in the house. It looks like it’s up to you to investigate yet again. Of course, if the problem is definitely that certain outlets in the house just aren’t working then you need to look into the electrics around the entire house. Faulty circuits definitely need to be fixed so as to avoid fires or other technical malfunctions. This isn’t one of the things you should put at the bottom of the ‘To Do’ list like the door handle to your kid’s bedroom being wobbly. Problems with the electrics in your house could lead to further safety hazards.

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Knowing your way around a toolbox is a useful skill to have. Not only does it save you money on hiring a professional for a quick DIY fix, it allows you to keep your home in good condition. However, no matter how many DIY articles and books you read, you are not an effective replacement for a trained electrician or plumber. When things break around the house, it’s better to admit that you don’t know what you’re doing and call someone in to fix it. Attempting to repair things that are beyond your understanding in an attempt to save money, often result in much bigger expenses. You will be lucky if those bills are only for repairing your work, and not a stay in the hospital.

Plumbing

There are quite a few plumbing jobs that should be easy to do yourself. Unblocking the drains either requires a good plunger and some elbow grease, a solution of baking soda and vinegar to clear the blockage, or you can even clear it by hand as a last resort. Plastic traps are easy enough to remove, but metal ones may require some tools and muscle power. Once the pipe is removed, you can push out the blockage.

Where you can get into trouble is if you try to modify your plumbing system, which includes extending hot water lines or re-routing your sewer pipes. Working with hot water means copper pipes, and that requires a blowtorch. Unless you have some serious welding experience, it’s best to leave the torch jobs to a plumber. While this isn’t as dangerous as electric work, plumbing problems can get out of hand fast and lead to an expensive and wet future. Your brief plumbing career won’t seem like such a money saver once you have to pay to fix the damage to your house, and to have your work redone properly.

Roof leaks

Even with well-meaning guides on the internet, fixing a roof can easily go very wrong. Fixing a leak is the most common thing that your local roofer will get called in to fix after the homeowner has made a botch job. They usually just keep adding caulk and think that will fix the leak, but usually it doesn’t. The result of their hard work is a soggy attic and a lot of wasted caulk. A trained professional can patch the leak using real roofing materials.

Asbestos removal

Asbestos has been used for about 150 years on a large commercial scale for fireproofing and insulation. Unfortunately it can also cause serious lung diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer. This is the biggest reason why you need to hire an expert to help you remove it. While it’s possible to perform a DIY asbestos removal, it’s not recommended. Aside from the inherent dangers of toxicity, there are many laws that govern the removal of asbestos because it can pose a danger to those in close proximity, like your neighbors.

Is functionality becoming an ever greater problem for you in your home? It’s something that many people experience, but don’t despair. There is no reason why you have to be concerned by this issue. It’s more than possible to add some things to your home that instantly make it a bit more functional and better for your whole family to use. These small boosts could cumulate to make a big difference to how you use your home. Here are four of those changes.

1. Extra Comfort in the Living Room

Your living rooms should be all about relaxation and taking it easy. This is where you go to at the end of the day when all you want to do is wind down after a long day at work. So, you need to make sure that your living room is as comfortable as it possibly can be. There are so many steps you can take to make the space more comfortable. Switch the seating arrangements if they currently offer style over comfort. And make proper use of cushions and throws. Adding a rug to the floor can also make the room more comfortable.

2. A New Garden Shed

Your home is not just about what is going on inside the house. The outside of your property matters just as much. If you want to make your outdoor space as practical as it can be, you have to start by getting the storage space right. Small prefab buildings can act as your new shed or garage. You can use these to store all of your most important items. And you could also use them for any DIY projects that you might want to do. Definitely think about having one of these built and installed if you want a fully functional and practical outdoor space.

3. Functional Workstation

If you have a home office or even just a space in the home where you do a bit of paperwork and administration, you should try to make it more functional. The best way to do this is to invest in some kind of unified workstation that incorporates all of the things that you need. For example, it should have plenty of drawers and compartments fitted in it. And some of these workstations even come with shelving fitted to the side. It’s definitely worth investing in one of these if you want to work in a way that is functional and simple.

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4. More Efficient Lighting

Finally, you need to think about the lighting situation in your home. If you have efficient lighting in place, you will save energy and money. That can only be a good thing for you. And on top of that, you will also make sure that you can also see what you are doing when you are using the home. That might seem pretty obvious, but you would be surprised by the number of homes that have poor and inefficient lighting in place. You shouldn’t let this happen to your home as well.

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Don’t worry – this isn’t going to be a post about how you need to start changing your way of thinking or meditation regime. It’s more so the things around your home that you didn’t know needed changing as regularly as they actually do. The benefit of the change differs with each one, but it’s definitely something to think about.

Your Mattress

This is the thing that most people think that they can get away with sleeping on pretty much forever. In reality, the recommended amount of time that you’re meant to be holding on to your mattress for is just eight years. If you can’t remember the last time that you got your mattress replaced, or know for a fact that it was more than eight years ago, it’s time to start thinking about a new one. You can click here to find out more about the different mattresses that you can get  that are available to you; memory foam is definitely the new up-and-coming trend rather than the traditional sprung mattress in terms of offering comfort. Not only will it help with any aches and pains that you may be waking up with and carrying with you throughout the day, but it will give you the good night’s sleep that you deserve.

Clutter

Have you got any heirlooms that you’re keeping hold of just for sentimental value, but you don’t actually like the look of? How about kids stuff that’s littered everywhere and taking up room? Is it stressing you out whenever you walk into a room? If so, it’s time to change it. Go through everything that’s in your children’s toy box and remove the toys that you know that they don’t play with. Give them over to a charity that will make good use of them or sell them on eBay. For the items that have been passed down to you, see if there is anybody else in your family that would like them. If they are antiques, there may be a local museum willing to take them off your hands in order to display them. They will still be your property – just on loan for others to admire rather than taking up valuable space in your home.  It’s the same for books and DVDs. If you know that you won’t be reading or watching them again, pass them on to somebody that you know would love them and make the room within your house to fill with the things that you will actually enjoy.

Color
Every house needs a lick of fresh paint every now and again, but you may not realize just how much that the color of what you’re applying is affecting your mood. Different colors create different responses for the people viewing them; green is generally a calming colour that promotes good thinking, whereas orange and other bright colours can unknowingly stress you out. Pick something that you know you’ll love and see how it changes your mood when you walk into the house.

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DIY seems like a man’s game, but it’s for ladies too. In fact, there is nothing more rewarding than fixing a leaky tap and saving the household a fortune. Or, you can go one step further and complete a renovation that will add value to the property. When it’s done properly, it’s an amazing process which is beneficial for everyone and everything property-related.

Still, you can’t start a task without having the right tools. And, that means assembling the ultimate toolbox. Sure, it’s possible to borrow equipment from friends and family in your time of need. Indeed, it’s inevitable in some cases. But, having your own toolbox is the dream because it’s always there when you need it the most.

So, how do you make a toolbox fit for Elizabeth herself? You can start by taking a look at the tips underneath.

The Box

Everyone wants to concentrate on what’s inside the box because the tools are a vital component of DIY. But, before you get to the equipment, you need to think about their home. The box is crucial because it keeps the tool dry and free of any rust. The last thing you need is rusty tools, which is why you need to choose the right material. A wooden box looks the part, but it’s harder to maintain. If there is any moisture, the water can get into the fabric and eat away at the material. Talking about eating, insects can also munch away at the wood if you plan on keeping it in a garden shed. Metal isn’t as attractive, but it’s more practical. Sure, it does rust, yet you can add a simple galvanizing solution to stop the process. That way, the tools will always be safe and secure and ready to use.

Organization

Another aspect of the toolbox is organization. There is a chance that you will accumulate a lot of tools over the coming years. When you do, there is no point in throwing them in the box and leaving them to their devices. The reason for this is that the toolbox will look like a mess, which is never nice. More importantly, it will stop you from DIYing. Anyone that has to clean up the box beforehand won’t have time to make any repairs. With that in mind, think about the layout. A good tip is to put similar items together so that you know where to look when you unclick the latch. So, that means screwdrivers and wrenches in one compartment and nails and bolts in another.

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Do The Basics

Have you ever heard the phrase the best do the basics well? The moral is that if you stick to the simple things, your will maintain a high level of performance. If you think what has that got to do with DIY, you need to open your mind. There is no way to do the basics without having the basic equipment in your toolbox. Sure, you can improvise, but that is just a short-term solution. The long game is all about having the right tools for the job. Seen as DIY is house-related, the little things are very important. Screwdrivers are probably the most popular piece of apparatus for this very reason. What’s that, an appliance has busted a fuse? No problem because a screwdriver can take it apart and put it back together again. As well as drivers, you’ll need a wrench, a spirit level, and a tape measure to name but three. For more info, head to popularmechanics.com. They have a list that will ensure you don’t miss any of the basics.

Power Tools

Once you have the basics down, it’s time to move onto the big girl tools. Manual tools are fine, but they are slow. After all, they are basic. Power tools, on the other hand, are quick and effective. With a drill, you can take apart the entire house in a matter of hours. And, you can put it back together again. Power tools are an essential part of a lady’s toolbox, but choosing the right ones is never easy. Obviously, as a novice, there’s no need to choose the best options on the market. The odds are that they are too advanced, which means they’re a waste of money. Beginners should start off small and work their way up to the top. So, that small saw which looks puny next to its friend might not be so bad after all. Let’s face it – handling power tools is also a safety hazard. You need experience before you handle the big daddies, or mommies.

Have A Variety

There are two reasons why you need a variety of different tools. The first is that there are certain pieces of equipment that you can’t replicate. Everyone has heard of the Phillips’ head because it’s the only screwdriver which can tackle non-traditional screws. In fact, it’s the only tool that can deal with non-traditional tools. As a result, there are individual jobs that you can’t complete without this appliance. A bunch of screwdrivers might look the part, but they aren’t if they all do the same job. The second reason is reliability. Unfortunately, tools break, which means they aren’t always effective. If one breaks and you don’t have a replacement, you can’t complete the task. So, a spare allows you to cover your back if there are any unforeseen circumstances. There’s no need for five or six replacements because one will be just fine.

Do Your Research

All this talk about tools is cool, but it also asks as many questions as it answers. For example, how do you know what’s the best equipment for your toolbox? Okay, starting small is a great tip, but it’s only the beginning. In reality, you need to visit a site like ToolNerds.com for expert advice. One thing they do well is to provide reviews and recommendations on a plethora of tools. All you have to do is have a glance at the review and take it into consideration. There might be points which you could otherwise miss regarding tools and toolboxes. Or, you can ask a friend for help. Everyone has a DIY buddy that loves talking about renovating. So, instead of letting them bore you, you should take notes and ask questions. Even if they don’t have the same knowledge, they do have a lot of experience. And, you can be sure that their opinion isn’t biased because they will put your needs first. It doesn’t have to be a friend because anyone with knowledge of a trade can be a huge help.

Uno Mas Por Favor

A mistake that most DIY enthusiasts make is to concentrate on one toolbox. But, it should be plural instead of singular. Maintaining one toolbox is never easy because of the sheer volume of tools. What with the power tools, the manual tools, and the substitutes in case of an emergency, the box will start to overflow. That can cause problems, but they are easily solved with more boxes. It seems like hard work because assembling one is a nightmare. However, once you know all the tricks, the second and third are miles simpler. All you have to do is follow the same advice for the best results. Some people even have five or six toolboxes – it all depends on your needs.
One final thing: never forget about the box. It’s easy to do because you won’t need it unless you have a DIY-related emergency. But, the key to an ultimate toolbox is maintenance. Look after it, and it will take care of you.

Don’t Forget These Costs When You Buy Your First Home
The excitement of finding your first home is something that you need to experience to understand it. However, if you find yourself researching the real estate market for the perfect home sweet home at the moment, if you haven’t yet committed to a house, it’s still time to consider these costs below in your calculations. Indeed, becoming a homeowner is an expensive business, and it’s something that you need to be aware of. Like with most dilemmas, knowing is half the battle.

Mortgage

#1. The Mortgage
It is likely that you will need a first time home buyer loan when you commit to purchase. Indeed, without a mortgage, it can be tricky to buy your first home. The mortgage is a loan that can offer you a long period of repayment; some go well beyond twenty years. The main issue that first-time homeowners experience is to be able to find out what they can afford in terms of repayment. To put it in other words, if you rely on a loan to repay your first loan, then you’ve probably done something wrong! But the errors of inexperience can only be avoided with a thorough research and detailed calculations.

#2. Cost Of Renovation And Improvement Work
If the house you buy needs renovation works, it is something that is generally reflected in the price of the house. Consequently, it is also something that you should take into account when you are looking for a first-time buyer loan. Indeed, you need to add the estimated costs of the renovation too! Additionally, most homeowners invest time and money in aesthetic remodeling projects. In average remodeling and improvement projects costs vary from $5,000 or lower up to $130,000. It’s not the kind of investment that you don’t want to take into account!

Energy

#3. The Energy Bills

With plenty of advice online on how to save on your energy bills, it may seem irrelevant to take these costs into account. However, you will need to consider the quality of the insulation in the walls, under the roof and at the windows and doors. A house loses 10% heat in winter – or cool in summer – through windows that let the air through, against over 30% through a poorly insulated attic. When you buy a home, it’s best to discuss with the current owners the cost of their energy bills, so that you can prepare yourself.
Energy costs

#4. Maintenance Costs

Nobody knows how much maintenance costs should be. There is a popular rule of the thumb that says that your maintenance costs should be 1% of the price of the house. For example, if you bought a $300,000-worth home, then you shouldn’t budget more than $3,000 a year for the maintenance. However, this estimation works as an average over a long time period and can be followed as a golden rule. Always consider the age and the condition of the house, the weather in the area, and the location – whether you are isolated or in town: These will give you keys to calculate your maintenance budget.

#5. Cost Of Living

Often forgotten in the calculations, the cost of living relates to how much you would need to spend to go to work, do your grocery shopping and keep healthy in your house. Additionally, entertainment costs are also an important factor in your everyday life. As some areas can be more expensive than others, it is an important taste of reality.

As a nation, we’re obsessed with property. According to research by a major building society, more than half of all people will spend money on home improvements in any given year. Hardware shops are full of enthusiastic DIYers and builders have never had more work. But underneath all the enthusiasm are some issues which continue to rear their ugly heads and destroy the resale value of our homes. So what are they? Take a look at these most common problems that can cause your home to sell for less than you’d like.

Illegal Home Improvements

You might think that carrying out home improvements would increase the value of your home – and in most cases they do. But according to real estate expert Dean Sanderson, some people don’t bother to get planning permission first, opening up a whole can of worms for anybody foolish enough to buy. If a property has had illegal changes made, he says, then buyers will have to factor in the costs of resolving any issues highlighted by the authorities.

Neglecting The Exterior Of Your Home

When it comes to resale value, keeping up appearances on the exterior of your home matters. Regardless of how beautiful and tidy your home is on the inside, buyers will judge your home by what it looks like from the street and make their decisions accordingly. Research by Halifax suggests that homes that don’t keep up appearances can lose up to 5 percent of their value, despite the fact that many problems are purely cosmetic. Halifax recommends that people clean their windows, tidy up their front gardens and apply a fresh coat of paint to lure in buyers and get the price they want.

A Termite Infestation

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Termites, according to Terminix, a termite control company, can eat through wood in a matter of days and cause thousands of dollars worth of damage to your home. Not only are termites gross, but they are also seen as a serious problem by buyers that is difficult to resolve. Usually, owners of termite-infested homes have to lower the selling price much more than the cost of dealing with the problem, meaning that it’s always more cost-effective to hire the professionals before putting the property on the market.

Your Dog Smells

There’s no denying it: dogs smell. But some homes have more of a “dog smell” than others, according to research. This dog smell can really put buyers off as they imagine that it will stick around, even after you and your dogs are long gone.

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Around 40 percent of people own a cat or a dog. In most cases, the presence of a large pet makes no difference whatsoever to the value of your home. But if you’ve got a lot of animals everywhere and it seems as if your house has been taken over by pets, then it can put potential buyers off. According to research by Halifax, houses which are overrun by pets can lose up to 5 percent of their value. On a $400,000 home, that’s $20,000, meaning that it might be worth sending your pets to a relative’s house if you’re having viewings.