03
Jun
By Lori Blank
Real Estate

How To Build The Ultimate Tree House For Your Children In Just Seven Steps

Building a tree house is a time honored tradition for many families. One of the benefits of having a yard is the ability to build a tree fort for your children. If you're planning to build a fun fort for your kids, here are seven steps to help you create the ultimate tree house. The Ultimate Plan For The Perfect Playhouse The best projects are often the most thought out. Sit down with your children and lay the plans for their tree house. Let them contribute their thoughts and ideas so they feel a part of the planning process. Although…
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30
May
By Lori Blank
Around The Home

Did You Know? How Paint Color Choices Can Drastically Affect The ‘Mood’ Of Your Home

Whether you're sprucing up your house to sell or simply looking for a color to bring out the beauty of your home, it's imperative that you do your homework. Before you head off to your local DIY store with a paint sample in one hand and a wallet in the other, you need to ensure that you're picking the colors that are right for your home and your personality. It is true that you can never go wrong with a neutral, but you can also go so much more right with the correct color in the appropriate space, whether it's…
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29
May
By Lori Blank
Homeowner Tips

Here’s How You Can Leverage Your Home To Reduce Your Tax Burden For Next Year

Each year around April, we can find ourselves becoming a little more tense at the thought of what is about to occur: tax time. Instead of falling into the trap of procrastinating your taxes, however, it's much more beneficial to face tax time head-on and do your research on your applicable deductions well in advance. Your home is good for many things, but using your home to reduce your tax burden may be one benefit you haven't thought of. Here are some tax benefits that can be leveraged with your home, and some ways to lower your tax bill in…
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23
May
By Lori Blank
Uncategorized

3 DIY Kitchen Upgrades That Will Boost Your Home Selling Price With Just A Few Hours Work

Homeowners who want to increase the appeal of their residence before putting it up for sale can, within a few hours and with a little elbow grease, perform some do-it-yourself (DIY) kitchen upgrades that are sure to pique the interest of would-be buyers. Many people either have or are in the process of listing their home, so it makes sense to do as much as possible to attract the interest of prospective purchasers. It need not cost a proverbial arm and a leg to boost the selling price of a home. Here are three DIY kitchen upgrades that will help…
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20
May
By Lori Blank
Uncategorized

Four Signs You Have Mold In Your Attic, And What You Can Do About It, Now!

Signs of mold in your attic can be indicative of a bigger problem in your house, which is why it is a good idea to nip this situation in the bud as soon as you see it developing. The signs of this type of fungus can be quite diverse and sometimes unexpected, so it pays to understand exactly what to look for if you suspect you have mold in your attic. Here are the four signs that you have mold in your attic, as well as what you can do about it right now. Sign #1: You Spot Condensation In…
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15
May
By Lori Blank
Uncategorized

Creative Window Treatments That Will Totally Reinvent Your Home

There are a number of ways that you can improve the look and style of a room without having to spend an arm and a leg. Of course, painting and stenciling are the most affordable ways to bring new life and unique detail to an old room. But if you're intent on taking it to the next level, look no further than your windows. Your options are nearly unlimited when it comes to sprucing up your windows - and the great news is that with a little creativity, you can use many products that are relatively inexpensive to buy. Creativity…
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13
May
By Lori Blank
Uncategorized

Stop The Rot: The Easy Guide To Preventing Dry Rot In Your Home

Did you know that dry rot is ironically created from having too much moisture come in contact with wood? The fact is many homeowners are unaware that dry rot is even setting in, so the first step toward prevention is being able to diagnose possible areas of exposure before dry rot becomes a major renovation expense. Remember that dry rot to your foundation can be an extremely costly repair and will definitely figure prominently into the total value of your property when a house inspection is completed prior to a sale. As well, fungus and mold spores can affect the…
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09
May
By Lori Blank
Uncategorized

DIY Play House: Easy Play House Designs Your Kids Will Love All Year Long

When it comes to creating a play house for your kids, you are limited only by your time, imagination, and to some degree, your budget. Most play house designs are constructed out of affordable wood products, and the plans are generally box-like in appearance. If you have the appropriate tools on hand, the project can take only a couple of weekends to construct. Whether you choose a simple "look out" fort or a fully gable-roofed design, your kids will thank you for years to come. Of course, the benefit to you is that they will have something to do to…
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08
May
By Lori Blank
Uncategorized

Protect Your Home When You’re On Vacation With These Five Simple Tips

When making plans for a fun-filled vacation, you shouldn't forget implementing certain home security measures to ward off thieves. Nobody wants to return home only to find that intruders had ransacked the residence from top to bottom. If you're going away on vacation, make sure you protect your home against break-and-enters with these five tips. Alarm Intruders With Audible Deterrence Measures Installing a professional home security alarm is one of the most cost-effective ways for people to protect their homes when they are away. Buying and setting up the right system will ensure that the proper authorities will be notified…
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06
May
By Lori Blank
Uncategorized

Maximize Your Backyard’s Privacy With These Unique Ideas

If you're a homeowner, your backyard is probably a space where you look forward to spending private, quality time watching your children play or entertaining dinner guests. The privacy you and your family treasure could suddenly be put at risk if your neighbors finish renovations allowing them to see into your backyard, or if a tree that once hid your backyard from view needs to be removed. If you're looking to reclaim the privacy you've lost in your yard, here are some options you will want to consider. Your Property Line Is A Natural Barrier That You Can Use To…
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