There's nothing more cozy than lighting a fire in the fireplace on a winter night. And even in sunny California, where winters are mild or even nonexistent, many homes have a fireplace - even if they are rarely used. However, fireplaces can be dangerous if they're not properly maintained and used safely. Here's what you need to know to keep your fireplace in good condition.
Never Leave a Fire Burning Unattended
Fires should never burn unattended. Homeowners with gas fireplaces need to only turn off their fireplace before leaving the room. However, homeowners with wood-burning fireplaces must wait for their fire to burn low: they cannot put out the fire with water.
For this reason, it's important for Manhattan Beach homeowners with a
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When it comes to selling a home, there are multiple factors a seller must keep in mind. It may seem as easy as looking up the price of the home that sold last week down the block, but sellers really shouldn't fall into this simplistic trap. Keep these warnings in mind to avoid making a major mistake.
When a homeowner is listing a home, they may be anticipating multiple offers. This can help to drive up the final price offered on a home. While many potential buyers will be financing their purchase through a lender, there may be a couple offering to pay for the home in cash.
When improving a home, replacing the countertops in kitchens in bathrooms is one of the most popular projects that homeowners invest in. When people think of replacing countertops, they usually automatically think of marble and granite, and while these options can both be great materials for counters, they aren’t the only options out there. Here are some of the other materials for counters that homeowners don’t often think about when choosing their new countertop.
The home's gutters are more than just an ornament on the side of the home. They help prevent flooding, protect the foundation, and can even keep the soil healthy. But after a while, they can start to crumble under the weight of all that water, foliage, or ice. Water damage does more than just ruin a home's resale value, it can potentially cause deadly mold to form on the property. Here are a few tips for homeowners to keep their gutters functioning like new.
Sometimes, the best buyer needs financing but does not have the ability to secure a mortgage. In these cases, the seller might choose to personally finance the transaction. Since this represents some risk to the seller, there are many things they must do before they agree to the transaction. Solid preparation and some extra work may make a big difference. This guide helps sellers know the most important aspects of a seller-financed home sale, and how they can avoid problems throughout the process.
Improve the life of an HVAC system and its efficiency with proper maintenance. Doing routine maintenance on an HVAC system can make for fewer costly repairs and a more energy-efficient system. People searching for a new house to buy want a home with a working and effiecient HVAC system. Use the following tips to prolong the life of an existing HVAC system.
There is little to compare to the grace and beauty of a historic home. From hand carved fireplaces and finely-wrought moldings, many people find a unique charm that is hard to replicate in a modern home. Some historic homes may be a good investment while others can be expensive and time-consuming to renovate. Potential new home buyers need to be ready to take on the responsibilities of buying a historic home.
The 1031 exchange is a loophole for property owners or real estate investors to avoid paying capital gains when selling their property. It's a complicated maneuver to pull off, but essentially involves purchasing a new property that's close to the same value of the property being sold. It's not available for primary residences but can be used for vacation or secondary homes. See how it works and which sales benefit most from the 1031 exchange.
With the right organizational techniques, the garage can act as a functional workspace and storage room. Homeowners must overhaul their entire garage to achieve this goal, however. Although the process is time-consuming and tedious, the outcome can provide a lifetime of benefits. Here are a few DIY steps homeowners can follow to transform their garage into a truly organized space.