Using Your Home’s Equity to Finance Home Improvements

Home improvement projects come in lots of different types, different sizes, and different prices. While there are lots of ways you can improve your home without breaking the bank, many major home renovations and home improvement projects are the type of thing you have to save up to be able to afford. Depending on the type of project you’re looking into, waiting to save up the money for the project could take years.

Whether you’re looking to build an addition to your home, renovate a kitchen, or replace all the windows in your home with new vinyl replacement windows, one option to help finance your home improvements is to use some of your home’s equity. Tapping into your home’s equity can be risky and it’s certainly not a decision to take lightly, but if you’re going to use your home’s equity to finance anything, home improvements and renovations are some of the best reasons to do so. Since many home renovations and improvements add value to your home, you’d be using your home equity to build more equity.

If you’re considering using home equity to fund a renovation, there are two main ways you can go about it: a home equity loan and a home equity line of credit (HELOC). People often think these are the same thing, but they are quite different. A home equity loan is often referred to as a second mortgage and it works very much like any other type of loan -- you’re given a lump and you repay it by making payments on it on it on a monthly basis with a fixed interest rate. HELOCs are a revolving line of credit and work more similarly to how a credit card works. With a HELOC, you’re approved to borrow a certain amount of money and you can access some or all of that amount anytime you need it. You only pay interest on it when you actually use it and when you pay off an amount you owe, you’re back to having the full original amount of your line of credit available again.

Since HELOCs are typically good for several years at a time and you only pay interest on them when you actually use them, they tend to be best if you’re working on a series of projects around the house. But if you’re looking to do one big project, a home equity loan would make more sense.

Just be aware that both options do have their drawbacks. If you’re thinking of using a home equity loan or HELOC to fund a home improvement project, it’s very important to speak to someone at your bank about how you’re planning to spend the money. They’ll help you figure out the best option for you and will fully explain all the advantages and disadvantages of the option you’re considering.

Preventing Flooding and Moisture in Your Basement

One of the biggest problems homeowners dread dealing with is flooding or moisture in the basement, but it’s a very common problem homeowners face during the springtime as snow and ice begins to melt and rain becomes more common again. Even a small amount of water getting into a basement can cause large amounts of damage that’s often expensive to fix. If you start seeing signs of moisture or flooding in your basement, it’s very important to deal with it right away.

Before you start taking steps to prevent water from getting into your basement, the first thing you need to do is figure out exactly where the moisture is coming from. There are several common ways to go about addressing damp basements, ranging from simply opening a window to having your basement walls waterproofed from the outside of your home. Which method is best for you largely depends on where the water is coming from.

Water can get into basements through condensation, groundwater swelling, and water runoff. A good way to figure where the water is coming from is by taping a section of aluminum foil or plastic wrap to a wall in the basement close to where you think water could be coming in and leave it there for at least 24 hours. If condensation forms on the side of the foil or plastic wrap that faces away from the wall, it means the problem is humidity in your basement. But if you see condensation on the side of the foil/plastic wrap on the side that was directly against the wall, the water is coming in from the outside of your home.

You might also want to check around your basement’s windows to see if water could be leaking in from there. If that’s the case, you might be able to solve it by re-sealing your windows or if your windows are very old or damaged, new vinyl replacement windows might be a better option.

If humidity is a problem in your basement, this is a relatively easy thing to fix. Simply getting a room dehumidifier for your basement or opening your basement windows regularly to allow air to circulate better could do the trick. These are much easier and less expensive than other basement waterproofing methods and will more effectively address the root cause of the problem.

When humidity isn’t the source of your problem, you might have problems with water runoff. Go outside and take a look around the perimeter of your home, checking to make sure the ground doesn’t slope in a way that directs water toward your home and that the downspouts from your gutters are effectively directing water away from your home. Make sure your gutters are clear and, if necessary, install extensions on your downspouts to direct water further away from your home. If the ground slopes down toward your home, talk to a landscape architect about having your yard regraded to prevent water from being directed toward your home.

Once you’ve eliminated problems on the outside of the house, go back inside and look for cracks in your basement walls. If you see small cracks in the walls, those can be patched up quite easily by using hydraulic cement and painting the walls with a waterproofing paint or concrete sealer. If you have larger cracks to deal with, call a professional to take care of them for you.

After it rains, does it feel like the water tends to stick around for a while? If so, excessive groundwater could be your problem. Since this would be an ongoing problem, call a professional to see what waterproofing method they recommend. Exterior waterproofing is the most expensive, but the most effective, option and involves excavating around your house and installing a waterproof material so that water won’t get into your home. They might also recommend an interior drainage system to manage water as it comes into your home so it doesn’t cause damage.

Spring Cleaning Made Easy

Spring is finally here! Even a mild winter can still feel like it lasts forever when you’ve got a bad case of cabin fever. With a new season beginning, it can be nice to give your home a fresh start. Spring cleaning is an annual tradition for many people, but it doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Here are a few helpful hints to make some of the biggest spring cleaning chores a little bit easier.

Windows

Now that spring has arrived, you’ll want to have your curtains open more often to let in some of that sunshine you’ve been missing for the past few months. When that time comes, you don’t want to be stuck looking at dirty windows, so springtime is a good time to wash your windows inside and out.

Try to wash your windows on an overcast day since heat from the sun can cause your cleaning solution to dry on the window and leave a streaky finish behind. Whether you’re working on the inside or outside of your window, one of the best things you can do is start by rinsing the window off or wiping it down to get rid of large pieces of dirt so they won’t get dragged around your window as you wash them. Be sure to use a squeegee or a lint-free cloth to get the best finish and be careful not to use too much cleaning solution.

Don’t forget your blinds or curtains! It’s also a good time of year to clean those up, too. The best way to go about this purely depends on what your window treatments are made of. Some types of curtains might be able to just be put in the washing machine, but some types of materials might need to be hand washed, steam cleaned, or brought to a dry cleaner. Vacuum cleaner attachments can be very helpful in keeping both blinds and curtains clean since they can allow you to get rid of larger pieces of dust without having to take anything down.

While you’re spending so much time around your windows, give each of them a good inspection to make sure everything is still in good condition. Replace your weatherstripping if it’s looking worn and patch up sealing that’s looking thin. If you’ve been thinking of replacing your windows with new vinyl replacement windows, it’s a great time of year to have that done!

Floors

Even if you’re good about vacuuming on a regular basis, you might want to consider having your carpeting deep cleaned a couple of times per year. You can hire someone to do this for you, or you can rent a carpet cleaning machine at your local hardware store. Area rugs should be taken outside and shaken out and beaten.

If you have wood or laminate flooring, remember that vacuuming is still an extremely effective way of cleaning your floors. A soft microfiber mop is another one of the best ways tools you can have to keep your wood or laminate floors clean. Using liquid cleaners on your floors should be avoided unless absolutely necessary, but if you ever need to do it, be extremely careful not to use too much cleaner on the floor. Don’t apply liquid cleaners directly to the floor and if possible, use cleaning products made by your flooring’s manufacturer.

Closets

Getting your closets in order is one of the most important parts of spring cleaning. After all, if your closets are completely packed with stuff, it can be hard to get the rest of your home organized, too. If you’ve got a cluttered closet, try separating your things into three piles: things you definitely want to keep, things you can definitely get rid of, and things you’re not sure if you should keep. Since it shouldn’t take much time to figure out which things should definitely stay and which things should definitely go, you’ll only have to focus on the things you’re unsure about.
Having a tough time narrowing those things down or is your “keep” pile too big? Try getting some advice from a friend. Since your friend won’t have any kind of sentimental attachment to your things, they might be able to help you thin out your belongings.

What to Consider Before Getting a New Fence

Your neighbors may be wonderful people, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you want them to be able to see into your yard, walk on over anytime, or getting confused about where exactly their property ends and your property begins. Fences are the perfect way to establish those well-needed boundaries. But whether you’re looking to replace an existing fence or want to put up a brand new one, taking the time to plan the project out properly will ensure the project goes smoothly.

Why Do You Want a Fence?

Before you get started, ask yourself exactly what you want your fence to do. Do you want a privacy fence to prevent neighbors from seeing into your yard or do you just want something that will establish your property line or keep your dog in your yard? What you want your fence to do will have a big impact on the type of fence you should have. If you just want something to establish your property lines and aren’t particularly concerned about privacy, a simple chain link fence could be just what you need. But if you want a privacy fence, you’ll have to get a taller fence that has very small gaps between the planks.

How Much Maintenance Do You Want?

The amount of time and effort you’ll have to put into taking care of your fence will largely depend on the type of materials you use for your new fence. There are lots of different options for fencing materials, so whether you want something that requires virtually no maintenance or don’t mind some level of upkeep, you’ve got lots of options to choose from.

Wood fences look very nice, but can be damaged by water over time and will have to be painted or stained every now and then. Vinyl and composite fences come in lots of colors and can even have a convincingly wood-like appearance, but don’t require the upkeep that real wood fences need. Chain link fences are another very low-maintenance option.

Do Your Research

Doing some research before you get started building your new fence can save you a lot of headaches in the long run. First of all, you’ll want to be completely certain you know exactly where your property line is. You may even want to have your property re-surveyed to be completely sure you know for where your property ends. You certainly don’t want to end up getting into a dispute with your neighbors because your fence was built just slightly over your property line.

Finding out what rules your city has regarding fences is also another essential step in the planning process. Many cities have rules about things like how tall fences can be and how far they should be from the property line.  Corner lots might have special rules to prevent problems with visibility. If you have to deal with a HOA, they might have very specific rules about what types of fences you can have, how tall they can be, or what materials they can be made out of.

If you hire someone to build your new fence for you, they’ll be familiar with the building codes in your area and will get any permits necessary for the job.

Neighbors

As a courtesy, it’s nice to let your neighbors know about your new fence plans. After all, it’s something they’ll have to look at, too, and you’ll want to make sure your new fence won’t have a negative impact on their home in anyway, such as by blocking a nice view. Plus, they may appreciate the warning that you’ll have people working in your yard so close to their property in the near future. And, of course, make sure the finished side of your fence faces outward so that your neighbors don’t have to look at unfinished planks of wood or support beams.  

Benefits of Having Ceiling Fans in Your Home

When you’re looking for projects to help improve your home’s value and make them more appealing to potential homebuyers, it’s easy to think of more significant projects like installing vinyl replacement windows, replacing your home’s siding, or fixing up your kitchen. But don’t overlook the simpler projects! There are lots of smaller, relatively inexpensive projects you can do around your home that can help add a little extra value to your home and make your home more comfortable. Installing or replacing ceiling fans is one of those projects.

Many homebuyers are interested in features that improve a home’s energy efficiency and ceiling fans can do a lot to help with that. Did you know that ceiling fans are an excellent way to cut down on your home’s heating and cooling costs? They’re not just for days when it’s not quite warm enough to turn on the air conditioner, they’re very useful all year long.

Ceiling fans don’t work by actually changing the temperature in the room. What they do is help the air to circulate in a way that will make it more comfortable to be in a room without adjusting the thermostat. Since warm air rises, setting your ceiling fan to rotate in a clockwise direction on a low speed in the winter will help push some of that warmer air down where you’ll be able to feel it. That way, you’ll feel warmer without having to turn the heat up. On warmer days, setting the fan to go counter-clockwise will create a nice cooling effect in the room so that you’ll be able to relax and enjoy your room without adjusting the air conditioner.

In addition to the heating and cooling benefits ceiling fans offer, they’re very practical for other reasons. Ceiling fans are excellent to have in kitchens and dining areas since the air circulation they create can help deter insects from flying around. And if your kitchen ever gets a little smoky while you’re cooking, a ceiling fan will help move that air out of the room. Of course, ceiling fans are also a great way to add a decorative touch to a room. Ceiling fans are available in a wide variety of colors, styles, and sizes so you’re bound to find an option that will look great in any room. If you’re planning to put your home on the market soon, one thing homebuyers won’t want to see is outdated light fixtures so if you’ve had your existing ceiling fans for a long time, replacing them with newer ones could help give rooms in your home a little facelift. Best of all, ceiling fans don’t have to be terribly expensive, either. There are some lower-end fans that cost around $100 or less, but most mid-range fans cost a few hundred dollars. You might be able to install a ceiling fan yourself, but if you are nervous about working on something so high up in a room, an electrician could be able to install it for you. Even if you go for the professional installation, it’s still a relatively inexpensive way to make your home more comfortable and make it more appealing to potential homebuyers.