We help people buy houses so they can create a home. Here we share more than mortgage finance tips (although we do that too). We aim to help you make your house a home through DIY projects, pet care, hosting tips, yard maintenance, and much more!
Green Grass. Green Trees. Green Roof?
You can likely think of a handful of items on the exterior of a home that are green but I bet a roof wasn’t included in your list. A green roof that we are discussing is more than just a roof tinted green, we are talking about a living roof, an eco-roof, a vegetate roof—whatever you call them, they are becoming a popular option, even for residential homes. This green roof fosters growth of vegetation and includes a waterproofing layer, a root barrier, a drainage system and soil or other growing medium for the vegetation.
For Better or For Worse
Love at first sight. The honeymoon phase. Making a long-term commitment. When you think about it, it is crazy how many times buying a house is like being in a relationship. Hop on this roller coaster of love (house love) with me and we will venture to consider the phases one can expect in their relationship with their home.
Simple to Stunning: Air Conditioner Screen We’ve been spending so much time lately focusing on large home renovations which are great especially with the introduction of our renovation loans which take into consideration the future value of your home and provide you with the funds to complete your renovation projects, not just the funds to cover cost of the home! This is a wonderful opportunity and if you would like to learn more, call Joe Daly 513-602-1878 but for today we are going to check out more or a DIY project that can beautify the outside of your home; an air conditioning screen!
Piggy Bank: ATM, what you need to know
Last week we looked at the various parts of a debit card. This card can be used to purchase items, where the card is accepted of course, but it can also be used to access your money from an ATM (Automated Teller Machine). With the help of the folks at Hands on Banking, let’s look at the steps to using an ATM. It is important to note that if your ATM card is ever lost or stolen, contact your bank immediately.
For the Love of Lawns Do you know what my husband was most excited about when we bought our first home? Picking out a lawn mower. That’s how you know you have crossed over into adulthood, when you are pumped about a “toy” which just helps complete chores. The lawn mower wasn’t just a “first time home buyer thing”; when we bought a home that sits on a full acre he started looking at riding mowers. There is no denying it, we love our lawns.
The Ups and Downs of a Two Story If you are buying or building a home, determining what type of home you are looking for is likely at the top of the list. Will it be a one story or a two story? Which one is better? Well there are a lot of ups and downs to selecting a two story… get it; ups and downs? With the help of the writers at Realtor.com, we will compare the pros and cons of a two-story home so you can decide what best benefits you and your family!
Closing Disclosure
One of the first questions I had when I started working in the mortgage industry, a year ago, was, “what is this cd everyone keeps talking about?” When buying a home, a borrower will receive a closing disclosure, or CD, from their lender that must be reviewed. The CD (closing disclosure) must be sent to the borrower at least three business days before they close on the property.
Piggy Bank: Parts of a Debit Card
Last week we looked at the various parts of a check as one way to withdraw funds from your checking account. However, another option is a debit card. Just as you keep up with your check book registry, it would be advisable to record what you spend with a debit card as well. As we did in previous posts, let’s look at the different parts of the debit card, with the help of the folks at Hands on Banking again!
Improve Your Soil
A tried and true way to improve your soil is through composting. “A compost heap is a great way to recycle kitchen waste and improve your garden soil for free. However not everyone has the space needed and depending on where you live, you may want to deter any unwanted furry visitors,” says Sara from the Whole Food Home Blog.
She goes on to explain that those same kitchen waste items that could be thrown into the compost heap can still be used to improve the quality of your soil without the need of the actual heap. For example, use a barrier of egg shells, dried and crumbled, to deter slugs and snails—Sara says, “this is the human equivalent of walking barefoot on broken glass.” Not only will they keep away these pesky creatures but they also have calcium which promotes plant growth while at the same time improves drainage.
