Most homeowners are familiar with down payments, mortgages, and insurance premiums. What surprises a lot of homeowners, however, are the costs that come with unforeseen major home repairs. Whether it’s a leaky roof, bursting pipes or any other kind of major repair, fixing these problems can put a significant dent in your finances. That’s why it’s important to have some kind of plan in place for when the inevitable happens. If you’re a homeowner, the need for major home repairs will arise, and this article will help you prepare for when they do.

Repairs You Can Expect

The first part of preparing for the unexpected is knowing what to prepare for. Here are a few of the most typical major home repairs that homeowners face:

Roofing. Your home’s roof is essential to its structure, and it protects your household from the elements. Inspect your roof once a year, and if you see signs of water leakage, loose or curling shingles, or it just looks like it has seen better days, you may need to have it repaired or replaced. It’s important to find a top-rated roofing company that has a good reputation in your community. That way, you can protect yourself from a scam, and ensure that your roofers will be responsive and helpful through the process. While a full-on roof replacement can cost anywhere from $260-$700 per square foot, the average cost for a repair is $813.

Windows. Especially for those with older homes, installing new windows is common. A lot of energy can be wasted when you have drafty windows, so investing in more efficient ones can save you money on heating and cooling, as well as help keep pests from entering the home. It’s important to be careful when installing windows, however, because they can cost about $500 each (without framing). Check out this article for tips on reducing the costs.

Kitchen remodeling. Another one of the most common home repair projects is remodeling the kitchen. There are two primary reasons for this. First, acceptable styles will change frequently over the course of your homeownership. Second, the kitchen is among the most important rooms in your home if you ever want to sell it. There are ways to keep your kitchen updated for less money (e.g., refacing cabinets, replacing knobs/handles on appliances, painting, etc.). If you choose to do a complete remodel, it can cost anywhere from $4,000 to $50,000, depending on the size of the kitchen, materials used and work involved.

Creating a Rainy-Day Repair Fund

Along with knowing what types of major repairs you can expect, you need to know how you will pay for them. Making an emergency repair fund will allow you to cover much, if not all, of the expenses when an urgent issue arises. If you’re not sure where to start with your fund, plan to save about 10% of your monthly mortgage payment each month. That is, if your mortgage is $1,250, you would contribute $125 per month to your emergency fund. You may be surprised how quickly it can build up if you are consistent in saving. This emergency fund calculator can help you decide on a goal amount to build toward.

Choosing the Right Contractor

It’s also essential that you hire good contractors for any job you have done. Get recommendations from people you trust, and interview three or four candidates. Once you’ve checked each candidate’s licensing, get an estimate so that you can compare prices and see what works with your budget. When it comes to contractors, a higher price doesn’t necessarily mean that the candidate is more qualified. A better method is to get referrals and check out past work and experience before deciding. This will also help prevent you from getting scammed.

Preparing for the inevitable is critical for homeowners. Do your research to learn about typical major home repairs and how you can maintain your home. Start building your emergency repair fund, and be picky about the contractors you hire. Having a plan for the big repairs will make homeownership feel more manageable and less stressful.

Julian Lane

Thefixitchamp.com

Photo Credit: Pxhere

Nothing says summer like a big backyard Memorial Day bash. But if you are working on a tight budget, you may be worried about being able to really wow your guests without blowing all of your summer savings. Thankfully, kicking off summer with a backyard party does not have to cost you a fortune. Here are some tips to keep those party expenses down.

Beat the Heat and Impress Guests With Grilled Dishes

If you want to avoid the stress of cooking for a backyard full of people, think about breaking out your grill. Preparing foods on a grill can be an easy and healthy way to feed your hungry guests, so long as you follow some basic grill safety. If it’s been a while since you’ve used your grill, check it over for signs of wear or damage to fuel lines. You should also be sure that gas or charcoal grills are operated in well-ventilated areas outside, to avoid hazardous fumes or smoke. From pork chops to potatoes, there are so many grilled party food options that will keep you within your budget, and keep your guests happy. If you need to buy a new grill, you can score a quality gas grill for less than $200. Some are even portable, so you can take your new grilled recipes on those summer road trips and camping adventures.

Cut Down Costs for Additional Appetizers and Side Dishes

Once you have your main course figured out, you will want to come up with a few appetizers and side dishes, too. Try to plan your menu out well ahead of time and then hop online to search for grocery store offers and coupons that can help you trim your party budget. Most stores have apps where you can find digital coupons, but you can snag offers directly from vendor websites, too. Another fun way to curb the costs of your Memorial Day meal is to ask guests to bring dishes or ingredients for a potluck. Typically, hosts provide a meat or main dish, and guests provide the rest. You can get even craftier too and ask your friends to bring fixings for a smores bar or another fun dinner idea.

Keep Drinks Simple With a Signature Cocktail and Beverages

Nothing drives the costs of entertaining up like a fully stocked bar. So, instead of offering multiple choices, keep things cheap and easy with a fun summer punch. You can jazz up your drink menu by whipping up a big batch of Moscow mules or keep things more traditional with a sherbert-infused punch. Offering a single cocktail or punch allows you to easily pick up enough budget-friendly mixers and alcohol to keep the drinks flowing for your guests. It’s also a good idea to offer non-alcoholic options. So use the coupons you snagged earlier to stock up on bottled water and consider making some fun non-boozy summer drinks. Tropical-themed drinks like pineapple ginger sparklers and starfruit sangria will impress your guests and keep them refreshed, too.

 Make Sure You Have Enough Seating and Some Spots to Eat

Now that you have all those delicious summer foods and drinks planned out, your guests will need some areas to relax and enjoy them. If your backyard is lacking the necessary patio furniture, don’t sweat it! There are tons of places to find killer deals on outdoor chairs, tables, and lounge sets to deck out your patio and yard. You can usually score budget-friendly finds at stores like Target or Costco, or you can even make some custom pieces of your own. If you’re comfortable with a set of tools, and can find free or inexpensive pallets, you can easily create DIY outdoor furniture, including posh daybeds and cozy coffee tables. For an even cheaper way to offer additional seating, ask your guests to bring their own folding or lawn chairs.

Don’t let a limited budget limit your fun this Memorial Day! By being savvy when planning your menu and looking for simple ways to save on your furniture and decor, you can throw a budget-friendly summer BBQ your friends and family are sure to remember!

Author:
Carrie Spencer
Thespencersadventures.net

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Image courtesy of Pixabay

Moving into a new place can be a tricky transition for dogs and their owners.  Take steps to ease your furry friend’s stress during the adjustment and to keep him safe.  Here are some terrific tips that will help you both manage the move smoothly.

Preparations.  Change is stressful, and your dog won’t understand the changes that are coming with moving to a new home.  Depending on the circumstances, adjusting a dog to a new home can take anywhere from a couple days to several months.  To help your dog, establish a routine well before the move and maintain it throughout the process.  Dogs thrive on a predictable schedule, and providing that structure will help your pooch.  Also, pack quietly and gradually, ideally over several weeks.  Don’t make a big deal out of it, and try to keep boxes out of the way from areas where your dog spends a lot of time.  Pack your dog’s items last and unpack them first when you move.  

Fencing.  One of the best things you can do is install fencing before moving into your new home.  Since many dogs spend a great deal of time outdoors, an appropriate fence will provide secure boundaries to your pooch and prevent him from wandering.  Good fencing also keeps other animals from venturing into your yard.  A fence can even keep your dog from being hit by a car and can prevent people from stealing your furry friend.  HomeAdvisor notes it costs an average of $2,670 to install or build a fence.

Landscaping.  Inspect the landscaping at your new property before your dog is allowed access to it.  You’ll want to remove any toxic plants or choking hazards, such as fruit pits, rocks, or sticks.  If your new property comes with fencing already installed, check it over for any gaps and address them. 

Moving.  Once your home is ready to move into, you’ll have the chaos of the move to manage.  This will be a stressful time for your pooch.  Keep your dog’s routine and provide a secure place for your dog throughout the event.  IHeartDogs recommends reducing your dog’s stress by keeping him with you.  Remember to have updated identification tags on your dog’s collar.  Sometimes in the comings and goings, dogs slip out, and without proper information, it can be especially difficult to reconnect you with your furry friend.

Introductions.  Unpack your dog’s belongings first at the new home, and when you introduce your dog to the house, show him his things right away.  Allow him to smell those familiar items so he can take comfort in the scents.  Give your dog a tour of the new place, allowing him to absorb the surroundings.  Provide direction if he makes a mistake, like chewing something he shouldn’t or trying to mark in a naughty place, but let him take his time getting to know the property.  When you show your dog the yard, one idea is to present him with a favorite toy to enjoy.  This will help your dog adjust to the yard, associating the area with happy things and feeling more at home.

Interior.  Embrace a mindset of pet-proofing your new home, remembering as you’re unpacking to be conscious of what is within your dog’s realm.  Dogs can get into things like medicines, cleaning supplies, and garbage, so opt to keep hazardous items in rooms that are off-limits to your dog.  Many owners employ child gates to keep dogs out of harm’s way, or you may need to crate your dog during some periods of unpacking. 

Right at home!  With basic preparations, you can ease your dog’s transition into a new home.  Take steps to ensure his safety throughout the process and in the new place.  You and your pup will feel right at home in no time!

Written by:
Cindy Aldridge
OurDogFriends.org

Are you running from open house to open house, not really getting to see the details of the home because you are trying to squeeze so many into the tiny time frame that seems to be “open house time”? Although open houses can be a great way to see what is out there you are probably missing a lot of houses and you aren’t really getting to see everything the house has to offer. A 5 minute run through is just not enough!

Having a buyer’s agent represent you will not only help you to see the houses you’re interested in at a much more relaxed pace. You will also now have professional guidance helping you to see important details that you might not know to look for. You will have someone that is also searching for your perfect dream home and letting you know when that home might be on the market. You will have someone to walk you through all of the steps of home buying and get you through all of the intimidating paperwork. You will also have access to some great tools to do your own searches!

Many buyers try to bypass having representation because they assume that will add to the cost of their home. But, did you know that it very rarely costs you anything to have your representative by your side? Almost always, the buyer’s agent is paid by the seller’s agent, they are paying a portion of the seller’s agent commission to the buyer’s agent. Even with FSBO’s (For Sale By Owner) the seller is almost always willing to pay the buyer’s agent commission. The only time you would have to pay is if we found a house that you loved that did not pay that commission, again very rare. If that were to happen, your agent would make you aware of that before seeing the house so that you would go to the showing with that knowledge.

A good buyer’s agent does much more than just show you houses. We help you research the property and guide you on your own research helping you with useful links that can get you important information. We help you to decide on your offer amount based on Comprehensive Market Analysis we create to help be sure you do not over pay. We walk you through all of the paperwork and we help to keep track of important dates so you don’t miss any steps through the process.

Buying a home is one of the biggest purchases of your life. Having a buyer’s agent represent you can help to make this process fun and exciting instead of stressful and overwhelming.

Call me today if you would like to set up a free consultation and start searching for your dream home now! 978-590-6611