Any home might house inhabitants who are not human. Dealing with periodic infestations of mice, rats, ants, cockroaches, or other pests is something most homeowners will have to do eventually. The trick is to provide a deterrent that makes the home inhospitable to these creatures without putting the home's regular residents at risk. With these tips, homeowners can evaluate the standard options for pest control and make a choice that will suit the pest and the extent of the problem.

Pest Prevention Techniques

One of the best ways to avoid dealing with insects or rodents is to keep them from entering the home in the first place. Homeowners should take two approaches to pest prevention. First, they should take care to seal air leaks and gaps

There are many types of home security systems available today that can help homeowners feel safe both while at home and when they are away. With statistics estimating that more than two million homes are burglarized annually, the best way to prevent becoming a victim is to invest in a solid home security system. Beyond enjoying greater peace of mind, there are typically insurance discounts for home security systems ranging from 15-20 percent. These are the most popular types of security systems for homeowners.

Electric Current Home Alarm Systems

While somewhat outdated, these systems simply use sensors to detect when connected doors and windows are opened. As implied, they connect directly to the home's electrical current, which renders them

When it comes to things that no homeowner wants to find in their home, mold is near the top of the list. But while no homeowner wants to find mold growing in their home, it can actually be quite difficult to identify when it does grow. If a homeowner doesn’t know what to look for, a lot of mold can look extremely benign, like just some dust or dirt that needs to be swept up. Here is what every homeowner needs to know in order to find and identify mold growth in their home.

Signs and Appearances of Mold

Looking for mold is tricky because it can take on just about any appearance. Most people are familiar with the ugly black stains that grow on shower curtains, but that’s just one way mold can appear. Mold can take on many different shapes

One would think that a Brentwood home is the safest place to be, but unfortunately that's simply not the case. In fact, a good portion of injuries occur within the home—likely because it's where we feel most comfortable. With this in mind, here are five common home dangers along with some home injury prevention tips.

Falls in the Home

One-third of annually reported injuries in the US are due to falls. The majority of falling incidents occur within residences making falls one of the most common dangers in the home. Falls can happen anywhere indoors… in kitchens, baths, on stair and by tripping on rugs. However, preventive measures include adding rugs in damp areas to stave off falls while taking time to secure them to prevent tripping. Install

Lighting your home the right way involves a lot of decision-making, and it's not all about style, according to the experts. There are right ways to light every room, and doing it well hinges on factors that go beyond the appearance of the fixtures or the size of the bulbs, even though those are important as well.

Lighting professionals talk about overall effect, lumens and wattage, ambient and task lighting, recessed cans and pendants, special effects and low voltage lights, and whether or not a room's light should be subdued or powerful. By correctly lighting a home, it greatly increases the possibility of a quick home sale as well.

Many of the decisions are personal choice, but there are some basics about home lighting that can affect

The old home has been sold, the new home has been purchased, and almost everything is packed away. Now it’s time to focus on the move, but that’s easier said than done, especially when moving requires driving across the country. Long distance moves share a lot in common with local moves, but they also present their own unique challenges. Here are some useful tips to keep in mind when preparing for the big move.

1. Get Rid of Anything Unnecessary

When moving long distance, moving space is extremely valuable, so homeowners need to ensure that they’re only taking the things that they truly want and need. When packing up everything to go, homeowners should be sifting through all of their things and separating what they don’t want in order to

A competitive real estate market can be good or bad, depending on whose favor it skews to. For a buyer looking for a home when dozens of new homes are listed each day, it’s a very good thing. But what happens when a homeowner is trying to sell their home when there is hardly any buyers? In this sort of market, it’s an excellent time to be a buyer, but it can be difficult selling that home. If this is the case, here are four essential tips all homeowners should know when trying to sell their home in a buyer’s market.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

1. Work With a Real Estate Agent

No matter if the market is competitive or not, all

For most new home buyers, obtaining homeowners insurance is an important part of buying a home. Knowing what homeowners insurance is, what it does, how it protects buyers and when it's required can help keep the home buying process smooth.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a financial advisor before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

Homeowners Insurance Protects You From Financial Liability

Homeowners insurance is a product that protects the homeowner from financial liability if the home or its contents are damaged in a covered event. When a covered event, the insurance will pay to repair or replace what has been broken, damaged or destroyed. What is covered by a homeowners insurance policy can vary from one

Home buyers need to be prepared to pay for some expenses when buying a home. Closing costs are one of the more difficult to understand expenses because they're made up of many different fees. Closing costs also cause confusion because the buyer won't know how much money they owe until close to the end of the escrow period.

All of this uncertainty can sometimes lead to some confusion that can actually disrupt the home buying process. Knowing what to expect can help make the home buying process less stressful for buyers.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed mortgage professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

What Are Closing Costs?

Closing costs are the fees that are paid at the end of the

An outdoor living space adds value to the home while also providing an excellent space for entertaining. Certain features in outdoor living spaces can help dress up the area and make it a more enjoyable place to spend time. Here's what homeowners need to know to make their outdoor living space more attractive and pleasant.

Provide Privacy and Shelter

Adding some privacy from neighbors makes the outdoor living space more usable. Some Crieve homeowners make their outdoor living space more private by constructing walls from lattice, which they can then cover in vining plants. While these "living walls" are effective during the growing season, they can become bare and less attractive during the winter and fall.

Others use canvas drapes and