Homeowner Resources

If you’re like most of us, you need a little motivation to transition from the relaxed, barefoot days of summer to back-to-school shoe shopping. That’s what Back to School Month is all about. Back to School Month has been celebrated for nearly 60 years as a way to get parents, students, and teachers ready to tackle the new school year. Is your home back-to-school ready? We’ve got some tips to inspire you, or at the very least get you an A+ for effort. Declutter the Home Base Before you head out to buy anything new, purge last year’s piles. Take stock of backpacks, sports gear, clothing, lunch containers, and school supplies. Get rid of things that are broken, outgrown, or too worn out to use. Throw out last year’s school papers. If you declutter, destress, and begin with an organized … [Read more...] about Is Your Home Back-to-School Ready?

The moving process can be extremely stressful with what feels like a million things to do and remember. Thanks to helpful moving apps like Sortly and Updater, it doesn't have to be. We've listed our top 7 apps that streamline the process and can help save you some moving day headaches. 1) MagicPlan Create floor plans in minutes with just your phone's camera. MagicPlan lets you view your new home's space in 3D and design it before you even move in. No need to grab the measuring tape every time you buy new furniture or want to move things around -- MagicPlan keeps all your floor plans in one place and with the app's impressive AR (Augmented Reality), you can bet it'll be precise. 2) Homestyler While similar to MagicPlan, Homestyler focuses more on interior design and less on … [Read more...] about Moving Made Easy: Top Apps for the Big Day

Summer 2018 is going to be a hot one, so why not make a cool decision now and prepare your home to beat the heat? Follow these steps to keep your home cool and your energy bill low. Maintain your air conditioner Make sure your air conditioner is ready to go before the heat rolls in. Regular maintenance keeps your A/C running smoothly and extends its lifespan. Clean the condensing unit, evaporator coil, condensate drain line, and replace the filter. If you notice the fins are bent and blocking airflow, fix them with a fin-straightening tool. Check out our detailed steps on how to maintain your air conditioner. Prep your windows Are your windows properly sealed? Windows with air leaks let in hot air during the summer, causing your air conditioner to use more energy and … [Read more...] about Prepare Your Home to Beat the Heat

Melting ice cream, parched pets, and hot leather furniture that burns your legs -- avoid these misfortunes by maintaining your air conditioner before the heat rolls in. Regular care and maintenance keep your A/C running smoothly and extends its lifespan. Follow these steps to maintain your air conditioner and save a little money and energy along the way. Power OFF Turn off the electrical power to the unit completely before doing any maintenance work on your A/C. You can shut off the power to the breaker box from indoors and flip the switch to "OFF" outdoors. Clear debris The area surrounding the unit should be completely clear, with all branches and plants being a couple of feet away. Use a screwdriver to remove the cage and fan grill from the top, then … [Read more...] about How to Maintain Your Air Conditioner

Who doesn't like a good man cave? It can be your refuge after a long day at work or function as a hangout area for you and your friends on the weekend. Whether you consider yourself a movie fanatic, audiophile, or cigar aficionado, you can have the retreat of your dreams. There's no limit to what you can accomplish with this year's top man cave trends! The Home Theater A home theater is every movie and sports fanatic's dream. Skip the popcorn lines and paying for a movie ticket -- instead, watch a movie in the comfort of your own home. There's no need to sacrifice surround sound or a high-quality viewing experience with these great home theater starter kits. The Arcade Center The arcade center is the perfect man cave for gamers and techies. Whether you're into the … [Read more...] about Top Man Cave Trends