house Archives - Page 12 of 13

4 Fun Games That Turn Cleaning With Kids Into Fun

June 2, 2017 by Mandy

Do you need help cleaning? Do you want to teach your kids how to pick up after themselves? You can marry these ideas with a bit of strategy. You need to make cleaning fun for your children! Here are four fun games that turn cleaning with kids into fun.

The Sack Game

Image via Flickr by wuestenigel

Is your house a mess? Picking up is something kids hate to do, and you probably agree with them. Still, you can persuade your children to do it by turning the process into a game. Give your kids an empty sack. Tell them that the goal is to take stuff off the floor that doesn’t belong there. Then pay them a quarter for every item they have in their sacks at the end of the game.

You should also offer bonuses when your kids do a particularly good job. That way, you’re using positive reinforcement to make your children neater. They’ll earn more when they do a better job. So, it’s an introduction to capitalism, too!

Fun With Colors

Another way to get your kids to pick up their stuff is the color game. Tell them that you want to play, and then describe the rules. When you say a color, the kids have to pick up something with that color. As a parent, you can rig this game. You know which junk you want picked up, so keep saying those colors until your kids grab them. Just like that, they’ve won the game. Meanwhile, you have a cleaner floor!

The Ticking Clock

A countdown clock has a strange effect on people. It makes them work faster for fear of not finishing a task before the timer expires. You can take advantage of this behavior while teaching your kids how to clean.

Tell your kids that they have to clean up their rooms by a certain time. If they finish the job satisfactorily enough for you, they get some sort of reward. You can make it money, a treat, or something that the kids pick for themselves. Then, start the timer and watch them go. You’ve given them incentive to clean their room.

Have a Chore Draft

Something else you can try is turning the cleaning of your house into a schoolyard game of picking teams. You and your kids will write a list of chores. You should pick some that are less fun than others. Kids like things that let them interact with their toys, even when they work. They hate anything that involves garbage or the bathroom, so add those to the list, too.

Then decide who gets to pick first. As the adult, you should use your selections for the harder chores. For example, you want to take care of wiping down the walls and fans. You need to reduce the allergens in your home, so you should pick dusting. After everyone has a few chores, grade the draft to see how everyone did. Who ended up with the hardest chores as opposed to the fun ones?

You love playing with your children. You also want a clean home. Using the four tips above, you can achieve both goals!

4 Signs You May Have Mold in Your Home

May 26, 2017 by Mandy

No one wants to think about the presence of mold in their home. However, it occurs in more household areas than you may think. There are over 100,000 known types of mold. For people with respiratory problems, poor immune systems, or allergies, being exposed to it is potentially dangerous. You can determine if mold possibly exists in your house through most of your senses. Learn what the warning signs are before mold takes over your home and your health.

The Naked Eye

Image via Flickr by iBjorn

Most people can recognize mold by sight. You typically see the black substance in your shower or bathtub along the caulk and sealing. Although, all molds are not black in color. They can be white, gray, brown, or green. Mold sometimes looks like it’s orange or purple on certain surfaces. However, they all survive off a food source, water, and a dark, inactive atmosphere as long as freezing or boiling temperatures are not present. There could also be a bigger mold colony outside of the one that you see.

Pungent Smell

One of the most common tell-tale signs of mold is an earthy smell. It is musty and smells like dirt or dying leaves. Some molds have a stronger smell. It can be found living in your walls behind paneling or wallpaper. In these instances, the pungent odor may alert you before you lay eyes on it. The certainty of mold should be determined by a professional. Schedule a reputable company to test your home, including servicing your HVAC system. Then, they can assist you with any repairs or mold removal that you may need.

Illness and Irritation

Congestion, watery eyes, headaches, wheezing, and fatigue are all health symptoms associated with mold in your home. You might feel perfectly fine outside of your home, but you experience illness when you return. This might be a sign of indoor mold. Has your home ever been affected by a flood? USA Today reports that over 19 major floods happened in the United States in 2016 alone. If your home has flooded, water could have crept into unseen places and remains there undetected. You might have mold growing under your flooring or behind your built-in appliances.

Water Leaks

Image via Flickr by noii’s

Stachybotrys, a common indoor mold, thrives in wet conditions. It is found in materials such as drywall, cardboard, wicker, and cotton. Dust, lint, and lumber also harbor stachybotrys. If you see water stains or discoloration on your floors, ceilings, or walls, there could be mold developing. Is the paint cracking or peeling? Are there bubbles in the surface of the wallpaper? These are indications that a water leak has occurred and mold is underneath. When you notice a warped shelf or base underneath your kitchen sink, moisture has probably seeped in, leading to mold growth.

Even the smallest of mold patches can spread if untreated. Stop it before it gets out of control. Don’t allow it to be harmful to you and your family.

Pros and Cons of Buying a Foreclosed Home at Auction

May 26, 2017 by Mandy

Source

About a decade ago, you might have been hard-pressed to find a decent property that also happened to be foreclosed. The 2008 Great Recession created a subprime meltdown that not only increased the amount of foreclosures, but made it easier to find and purchase through the use of multiple-listing services (MLS). While the market has improved since then, banks still need to make up the losses on these each sale.

However, this does not mean the bank is simply going to sell the houses as fast as possible. To help you make the right decision, we’ve put together a list of the pros and cons for buying a foreclosed house in today’s market.

PRO: Cheaper Price Point

This is the first and most obvious benefit associated with buying a foreclosure over a comparable property in a similar market. You can get them at severely discounted prices—sometimes to the tune of 18-59 percent below market value, according to Quicken Loans. The longer these banks hold on these properties, the more they will have to pay in taxes, maintenance, etc.

Not only is the price point alluring, but if the market the home is in decides to take a dip, you won’t be upside down in a money-pit. Alternatively, if the value of the home appreciates, you can sell the home for a larger return on investment.

CON: Often a Risky Venture

Even though they are priced relatively low, compared to the rest of the market, they can still come with their share of baggage. Many banks will put money into the house to make the house appear nice so that the listing becomes more popular—however, this doesn’t mean that everything inside the home is guaranteed fixed. The more money that a bank puts into fixing the home to make it sellable, the less likely they are going to part with it quickly or cheaply.

You will also likely be forced to buy the home “as is,” which can come with no reporting on specific damage like a leaky roof, moldy interior or neighborhood crime. If you are planning on using the home as an investment or rental property you will have to pay a higher insurance premium along with stipulating that potential residents invest in renters insurance for themselves.

PRO: Potential Upgrade

The investor who likes to take a risk may be able to use the purchase of a foreclosed home to their advantage, such as buying a piece of land or house that is bigger than what they currently own. Or maybe the foreclosure is in a more desirable neighborhood than they would normally be able to afford. You can find foreclosures in all price ranges—from starter homes to luxury mansions— and from time to time they’ll be in great shape, ready for you to move in!

CON: Banks Are Much Less Lenient

When you are placing an offer on a foreclosure sale with the bank, you are negotiating with a spreadsheet. It is strictly a numbers game. Unlike a typical seller who may take personal factors like your background or family into account, the bank doesn’t. Whatever offer you place on the property is going to be electronically submitted and processed by an algorithm onto a spreadsheet where a banker is going to determine the outcome. It is not the same home buying experience you may expect from traditional sales, with a real estate agent helping you through the process.

Ultimately, the choice to buy a foreclosed home is up to you and is largely a case-by-case basis. However, arming yourself with all the facts is always the best recourse when approaching any large investment.

Choosing Timber Flooring That Will Be Beautiful In Your Home

May 23, 2017 by Mandy

You may use a number of different timber flooring options for your home when you wish to change your floors, and you will also find that they look much more beautiful than the standard floors you may have chosen for your home. This article will take you through the selection process, and you will know that there are many different timber floors that will excite you and your guests.

#1: What Is A Timber Floor?

Flooring suppliers will help you choose a color and style that is worth using in your home. You can find quality timber flooring in Melbourne at Market Timbers that you can choose from. You will notice you have a mountain of options, and you may choose from a number of timber floors that look as though they belong in your home. You will notice that each one adds to the styling of the house, and you will have more space in your mind’s eye once the process is complete.

#2: Choosing The Colour

The colour of the flooring must blend with the rest of your home, and you will find there are many options that will help add richness to the space. You may not realize there are such deep and rich colours to choose from, but you will find something that you believe fits in the rooms of your home. You will see many options when searching, and you may check to see what the colour looks like in your room.

#3: Expanding Each Room In The House

You may choose any timber flooring option you like, and each one will add space to your house. The perception for the size of each room will change, and you will feel as though the rooms are growing. Timber floors will reflect more light and they will look much better in natural light of day. You will begin to feel as though each room is larger, and you will quite enjoy the timber floors because they make you feel more free in your own home.

#4: How Long Do Timber Floors Last?

You may use timber flooring in every room of your house if you like, and you will notice the floors last for decades. They are quite easy to refinish, and you will find them to be far more durable than any carpet you are using. You will save quite a lot of money on your timber floors as they need not be replaced every few years, and they may be refinished every few decades for a low price. You are choosing the timeless option that is easy to work with, and you will feel as though the floors give you all the durability you have sought. It is far easier to use a timber floor for the sake of longevity than it is anything else.

#5: The Floors Are Less Expensive

You will find all your timber flooring options are far cheaper than you would have imagined. You will spend a fraction of the cost of other products, and you will notice that the installation process is much quicker. You will see every savings simply because you choose timber flooring, and you will benefit if you ever sell your home.

Buying timber flooring is an investment in the future, and it will turn your home into something that is completely new. You will enjoy the floors for decades to come, and they will never truly go away even after years of heavy traffic.

5 Spring Cleaning Chores Most People Forget

May 8, 2017 by Mandy

One of the surest signs that spring has arrived is the urge to throw open the windows, break out your supplies, and clean the house. A good spring cleaning leaves you ready to welcome the warm weather and get a fresh start. But how thorough is your spring cleaning chore list? To get the job done right, you need to go beyond the usual tasks and tackle those forgotten areas that haven’t been touched since last year (or longer.)

Go Deep in the Kitchen

When it comes to cleaning the kitchen, you’re just scratching the surface by wiping down the countertops. Once a year, pull out your appliances — the refrigerator, dishwasher, range, and microwave — and clean both inside and behind them. Pay attention to coils and filters which often attract dust or grease. Next, empty out the cabinets, clean the interiors, and toss any expired pantry items.

Go High and Get Low

If you have baseboards, wipe them down with a simple solution of soap and water. Visit each room and dust the crown molding or the corners where the walls meet the ceiling. Take vacuuming a step further by washing the floors, paying attention to details such as grout lines and corners, and shampooing rugs and carpets.

Give Your Windows the Treatment

To fully appreciate the blooming trees and flowers outside, you need clean windows. Give them a good wash and rinse both inside and out. If you have hard water, use a vinegar solution to remove old spots and prevent new ones. Don’t forget to dust the blinds, taking the time to get between each slat. Wash and dry the curtains and use an iron or steamer — follow the instructions on the label — to get any wrinkles out.

Show Your HVAC Some Love

Changing the filters in your HVAC system will help it function efficiently and improve the air quality in your home. Depending on the size and design of your system, there may be several filters, and they can be inside or outside. Some external system components should be cleaned off with a spray from the hose.

It’s a good idea to get a tune-up from an HVAC technician once a year. The tech can give you tips on how to keep the system clean and make sure everything is working the way it should.

Replace Batteries

While you’re stepping back to admire your sparkling-clean house, change the batteries in each smoke and carbon monoxide detector throughout the house and give them a test to make sure they’re working. Change the batteries in garage door openers, remote controls, and other everyday devices as well. By doing it now, you’ll save yourself the hassle of jabbing at the alarm with a broomstick to get it to stop beeping a few months from now.

Spring cleaning takes some work, but the satisfaction and peace of mind are worth it. Add these frequently neglected chores to your list and take pride in knowing your home is cleaner than ever and ready for whatever spring has in store.