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16 Tools Every Homeowner Should Own

6/30/2016

 
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You’ve purchased your first home… jumped through all the hoops and had lots of people tell you what to do and how to do it. They handed you the keys and left.
Now what? What they don’t tell you is that you will need a few tools to help with moving in and the future maintenance and repairs you will need to do to your home. Of course you will want to hire professionals to do the big stuff like plumbing repair or electrical work, etc. But there are those little things that you will need to do and CAN do like hanging pictures or other décor, or fixing those dings and bumps you made moving in.
Here is a handy list of some “get started” tools that are inexpensive but quite handy.

Tape Measure: A small but mighty tool. To make sure things actually fit where they’re supposed to fit. You’ll find yourself using this more than you might think.
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Duct Tape

This tape is extremely strong and adaptable. Originally, it was widely used to make temporary repairs to many types of military equipment. Today, it’s one of the key items specified for home emergency kits because it is water-resistant and extremely sticky.
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​Pliers: One of the handiest tools any new homeowner could have in a toolkit. You’ll want needle-nose, flat-nose, and cutting pliers. While it may seem like a lot, each of the pliers have their own use.
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​Level:
An essential for hanging anything from a shelf to a picture frame. Hanging things evenly is nearly impossible without a level. Save yourself hours, and never hear “a little more to the left” ever again. The bubble in the viewfinder must be exactly in the middle -- not merely close.

​Electric Drill/Screwdriver: Not essential, but a worthy investment you’ll use time and time again. An electric screwdriver or drill will make your life much easier as a new homeowner, and your arms will thank you.

​Safety Glasses / Goggles
For all tasks involving a hammer or a power tool, you should always wear safety glasses or goggles. They should also be worn while you mix chemicals.
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Extension Cord: Because you think your cord can reach until you end up yanking it out every time. Save yourself a headache and get a long sturdy extension cord to make sure you (and your tools!) can reach anywhere you need to.
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Broom/Dust Pan: While not thought of as a traditional “tool” you’ll definitely need these to clean up after any project.
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Utility Knife: Perfect for slicing open all of those well-taped moving boxes. You might want a few of these, as they tend to get lost in the shuffle. Utility knives of varying sizes are useful for a plethora of home improvement projects.
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Hammer:
A hammer is essential for any homeowner — especially now that you are free to hang décor on your walls without worrying about losing your security deposit. Hammers are also useful for constructing new furniture and piecing together small projects.
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Wood Glue: Wood glue can fix all manner of bumps and bruises that happen to walls and furniture during moving. Secure with clamps.
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​Flashlight None of the tools in this list is of any use if you cannot visually inspect the situation. The problem, and solution, are apparent only with a good flashlight. A traditional two-battery flashlight is usually sufficient.
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Screwdriver Set: A screwdriver set with interchangeable heads of various sizes in both Philips and flat-head with one handle will do you well.
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​Nails and Screws: Keep a selection of nails and screws, from picturing hanging nails to wood screws. Having a few different types available will make projects much easier.

Stud Finder: If you want to hang anything heavier than poster, a stud finder is a must. A reasonable investment, you’ll only have to buy one once.
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Plunger A clogged sink or toilet is one of the most inconvenient household problems that you will face. It is best to have two plungers -- one for the sink and one for the toilet.

​Step Ladder: Standing on a chair is a great way to ensure you break the chair, or worse…yourself. Keep a step ladder around for everyday tasks like changing light bulbs or replacing fire alarm batteries.

Don’t forget…
About some way to organize your tools so that they are accessible for future uses. Most will fit in a handy inexpensive 5-gallon bucket or plastic tool box. Get a couple of hooks to mount on the wall in the garage or utility closet for your broom, dust pan and extension cord.

Are Home Inspections Worth It? - Price vs. Value

6/16/2016

 
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Are Home Inspections Worth It? - Price vs. Value
By Andrea Davis, HomeAdvisor.com
 
Home inspections are an important part of determining whether a home will need additional repairs or maintenance before it’s sold or bought. But are they always worth the investment? It depends on whether the benefits of home inspection outweigh the cost. This information will help you decide.
Why Get a Home Inspection?
Home inspections are used to provide an opportunity for a buyer or seller to identify any major issues with a home prior to closing. Realtors are also known to include home inspection clauses in some situations, such as new home construction.
What is Covered in a Home Inspection?
In new home construction, inspections generally cover:
  • Foundations: Checking before the concrete is poured (once poured there’s very little that can be corrected).
  • Pre-drywall: Checking the structure and mechanics before the drywall is laid.
  • Full inspection: A full inspection is performed of the completed home.
Home buyers and sellers may hire local inspectors to take an in-depth look through the home’s exterior and interior, checking:
  • Bathrooms: This room will be inspected for leaks, ventilation and any other major issues. An absence of windows or fans could indicate mold or mildew problems.
  • Electrical: An inspector will check your home’s wiring, testing how the outlets and GFCI perform to prevent any shocks or potential electrocutions. They will check your electrical panel to make sure it doesn’t present a fire hazard.
  • Foundation: While the inspector usually can’t look at the foundation (because it’s underground), he or she can identify secondary issues brought on by foundation problems, such as cracks or settling.
  • Grading: If your grading doesn’t slope away from the house like it should, the inspector will let you know. Moisture seeping into your home as a result of poor grading presents a danger to your foundation and the structure itself.
  • Garage or carport: The inspector will look at your garage door to make sure that it’s operating correctly and that it’s well-ventilated (prevents carbon monoxide poisoning in the garage).
  • Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC): An inspector will check your HVAC system to see that it functions correctly. Exposed ducts will be checked for leaks or asbestos.
  • Kitchen appliances: Inspectors may will sometimes check appliances to see whether they work. Ask ahead of time if these are covered in the inspection.
  • Laundry room: The inspector will make sure this room is well-ventilated and free of fire hazards.
  • Plumbing: The inspector will check plumbing, including all faucets, showerheads and visible pipes, for leaks. He or she will also test the water pressure and the state of the main water shutoff.
  • Roof: Inspectors will check the roof for any potential damage or leaks into your attic. He or she will also check the vents and gutters for damage.
  • Walls: The inspector will look at your siding and check for missing or damaged pieces, cracks, or signs of pests underneath.
What a Home Inspection Doesn’t Cover
Home inspections are limited. Even with an inspection, you may end up with undiscovered issues you’ll have to fix down the road. Home inspections only find the “visual cues” for problems. A foundation crack, slanted floors, doors that don’t properly close -- these are signs of bigger problems. However, problems without visual cues -- pests, radon, lead -- may crop up after the inspection. Some inspectors offer radon testing as an add-on; some will recommend asbestos testing services if your home appears to be at risk.
Some areas inspectors won’t look at include:
  • Inside walls (won’t cut open drywall or insulation)
  • Inside pipes or sewer lines
  • Inside chimneys
  • Behind electrical panels
An inspection is also:
  • Not the sole determinant for buying a house: Maybe you’re willing to make some renovations on the house with these problems. The inspection will help you determine exactly how many you’ll need to do.
  • Never free and clear of problems: An inspection will always find a problem with a home. Even new home constructions will have small issues that need to be addressed.
  • Not getting all the fixes done: No seller is going to fix everything for you. They may negotiate on some of them, but expecting resolution of all is unreasonable.
Is it Worth the Investment?
The cost will vary depending on a variety of factors. Ask ahead of time how an inspector charges. The average inspection will last three hours. Always accompany your inspector on an inspection, asking questions throughout the process.
Compare this cost against the value of the home inspection. If you’re a seller, an inspection will help you understand exactly where there are problems in your home that could make or break a sale (i.e., cost you a lot of time and money and keep your home on the market for longer than it should be). If you’re a buyer, this inspection is crucial to understanding how much money you may need to spend on a home after the sale. For new home construction, it’s an imperative part of the building and finishing process. Either way, addressing issues early through a home inspection can save you tens of thousands of dollars down the road.
The views reflected within are solely those of HomeAdvisor and their Authors.




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The “Done” List

6/1/2016

 
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Everyone can use a little encouragement from time to time. And a little accountability.

For the past few months, I’ve been feeling a little overwhelmed. I’ve struggled with some of my deadlines (which I never have in the past). I’ve had a hard time saying no.

Occasionally I think about all the “need to-dos” and “want to-dos” and “should dos” and wonder how the list got so big.

So, last week, instead of focusing just on my to-do list, I also did something I haven’t tried before. I made a “done” list.

Anything I did during that day — no matter how big or small — I added to the done list. At first, I thought I was being kind of silly … and maybe wasting time. But by the end of the day, I was a big fan of the done list.

Three really good things happened because of the done list.


First, by the end of the day, I had a record of everything I’d done.

Often, when I reach the end of the day, I wonder how much I really accomplished. (Sometimes — usually — it doesn’t feel like as much as I’d like.) With my done list in hand, I was able to review everything I’d achieved during the day.

And honestly, it was not insignificant. I could see that even though I hadn’t crossed a couple of bigger things off my to-do list, I’d made good progress and that they would be getting the coveted line through them soon.

That was a nice feeling.

The second thing I noticed is that when I was tempted to waste some time — surfing Facebook or playing WordTwist — I didn’t. Because I didn’t want to add it to the done list.

Instead, I did something else I’d feel good about seeing on my list at the end of the day. It wasn’t always work-related. At one point, when Facebook was calling my name, I opted to play the piano for 15 minutes instead. While I wouldn’t have liked seeing “Facebook — 15 minutes” on my done list, I did like seeing “Played the piano.”

And the third thing I noticed was that my momentum built throughout the day. Toward the end of the day when I’m usually looking at my to-do list and thinking, “What’s the point … I’ll just start fresh tomorrow,” I was thinking, “How much more can I add to my done list before I knock off at five?”

What a difference!


Now, I probably won’t use a done list every day. But if I’m feeling overwhelmed, discouraged, or unfocused, the done list is my new go-to tool.

I hope you’ll give it a try to see if it works as well for you!


by Heather Robson, blog writer for Wealthy web writer

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