Froodee

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Should You Buy or Rent?

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After finishing college, you stayed at home for a couple more years. This gave you an opportunity to start saving up a sizeable amount of cash. But lately, you have started thinking that it might be nice to get a place of your own. Living with Mom and Dad was great while it lasted; however, having your own home would provide you with more privacy and freedom. While looking around through Houston rentals, you begin to wonder if it would not simply be better to buy your own home instead.

You did save up enough money for a sizeable down payment. But is a fifteen to thirty-year mortgage really something you are ready to commit to paying off? Whether you should rent or buy is an age-old dilemma for a lot of young adults looking to strike out on their own for the first time. It is a fork in the road that is riddled with uncertainty, no matter which way you choose to go; yet, it is a question you will need to answer for yourself soon. One reason is because you are not the only one looking for more privacy and freedom. Your parents would like to enjoy these things too, and your dad has hinted at wanting to turn your old room into an office. [Read more…]

Follow These Tips to Crime-Proof Your Home

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Did you know that the United States is at the top of the list when it comes to home burglaries? In 2012, there were an estimated 2,103,787 burglaries and 354,520 robberies. Broken down into more digestible figures, that’s 1 burglary every 15 seconds and 1 robbery every 1.5 minutes. Scary, isn’t it?

What could be even worse is that you may feel that your neighborhood is safe from hardened criminals, so you’re not all that worried about a home invasion. However, according to criminal lawyer Samantha Greene, people who break in aren’t always hard-core criminals. They may just be people who find an opportunity at the right time.

So, to be on the safe side, it’s best to crime-proof your home. After all, better safe than sorry.

Tips to Crime-Proof Your Home

Lock doors and windows.

This may seem to be a no brainer – in fact, it is. However, some people who feel safe in their neighborhood tend to leave their doors and windows unlocked, especially when they’re at home. But, whether you’re home or out for some shopping, you should always lock your windows and doors.

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More than that, you ought to get secure locks such as deadbolts and double bolts for the doors. These are more secure, and prove to be a deterrent to burglars.

For your windows, you also need to pay particular attention to the locks and latches so that they cannot be opened from the outside. Additionally, you may want to pay a little more for material for windows that are easily accessible. Shatter-proof glass can be a little expensive, but if you only use it for windows that present the most danger, it should be fine.

Get an alarm.

Another obvious way to crime-proof your home, getting an alarm is something that you will want to invest in. Home alarm systems come in all shapes, sizes, and prices, so you will easily find something that fits your needs and budgets. The best way to go about it is find a knowledgeable home security provider and consult them.

Some other tips:

  • Simple can do the trick: an alarm that makes a loud sound can deter burglars.
  • Consider motion sensors in dark areas. Set it up so that a light turns on.

Keep your hedges to a reasonable height.

Your hedges and shrubs may be your pride, and they do provide you with privacy, but they can also help burglars do their “job” more easily. This is especially applicable when no one’s home, as high hedges will give the burglars privacy, with the neighbors totally unaware of what’s happening.

Use automatic timers if you’re going away.

For those weekend trips, or long vacations, it’s best to give your house a lived-in look. That is, make it look like there is someone at home. Remember Home Alone? There are some nuggets to pick up from the movie.

Purchase sockets with timers that will automatically turn electrical appliances on and off, such as lights, the television, radio, and so on. These sockets are not that expensive, and they will totally give you your money’s worth.

Crime-proofing your home need not be a difficult task, and if you think about it, what you do is going to save you a lot of money – and stress – in the long run.

Also read: Should You Buy or Rent?

4 Tips for Having a Lawn That Turns Heads

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Do you want to have a lush, green lawn that the neighbors will envy? This is the first thing others will see when riding by your home, and by taking the time to make some improvements in your yard, you will surely capture the attention of others. It’s possible to improve your lawn using easy, budget-friendly tips.

Tip #1: Add Statues

Who doesn’t enjoy the architecture of a statue? One of the most commonly used statues for home lawns are water fountains. These serve two purposes including adding decor to the area and also a haven of peaceful sounds for the owner.

Tip #2: Create a Flower Garden

If you want to add color and creativity to your yard, consider implementing a flower garden. You can choose from a variety of flowers and colors, and by combining bold colors with neutral ones, you can improve the look of your yard. [Read more…]

How to Choose Grass Lawn Alternatives

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Many areas around the country continue struggling to survive despite being in the throngs of an ongoing drought. The lack of seasonal moisture means that numerous communities have instilled watering restrictions in an effort to conserve resources. Weather condition is one of the reasons that many homeowners begin contemplating a redesign in landscape. Other factors may include a desire to escape the traditional upkeep needed to nurture a conventional lawn. With a little research, property owners find that there are various alternatives to grass lawns that suit any type of budget.

Grass Alternatives

Anyone ever having traveled by plane recalls how terrain often resembles patchwork when flying overhead. This pattern is easily replicated using a variety of plants grouped together, or perhaps separated with closely cropped hedges or other dark greenery. Choose plants featuring different shades of green, gold or silver for a striking display. Corsican mint, oregano or thyme are options if desiring a pleasant fragrance and they are edible. Conversely, yards might feature a combination of mulch or stepping stones separated by plants that stay close to the ground. Yards might also feature a combination of flowering or green plants strategically placed among rocks, boulders or shrubs. [Read more…]

3 Hidden Dangers of Fire Damage

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The dangers don’t end when the flames are put out. Fire damage can linger for years, and if you try to DIY with a cleanup, you probably won’t get all of the soot and flourishing mold from the water that tamed the fire. “Soot” is the residue left over from the smoke, and what exactly makes up the smoke can depend on a lot of things—like what burned, from an electrical fire due to faulty tech equipment to a chimney fire, and whether or not it was toxic. Both soot and mold are dangerous leftovers from a house fire and why homeowners deserve professional fire damage cleanup.

Not all soot is necessarily dangerous, but do you want to take that risk? Likewise, not all water damage will lead to mold, black mold or mildew production. But again, are you ready to take that gamble? Not only do homeowners not have the appropriate tools, knowledge and experience to (safely!) clean up after a fire, they might unintentionally expose themselves to dangerous particles in the process. [Read more…]