Starter Home Near Airport, Earthquake Park, desirable location for First Time Homebuyers

  Pets bring us so much joy, but they can also wreak a lot of damage around the house over time. Even the most well-behaved pets can get into mischief from time to time, but there are several strategies to limit the harm your pets might cause. One of the biggest homeowner pet peeves is their cats or dogs scratching floors, doors, or furniture. Besides training your pets early in their life, one of the most effective ways to decrease scratching around the home is to regularly trim your pet’s nails. This may be a difficult task depending on the animal, but you can always enlist the help of a groomer. You should trim your pet’s nails at least once a month. You can also protect your furniture with scratch guards. If your pet has an accident in your home, the only method to thoroughly clean it and eliminate the odor is to use an enzymatic cleanser. Enzyme cleaners are typically packaged in a spray bottle and contain microorganisms in the solution that feed on the organic matter in pet f...

  July is typically the warmest month in Alaska so summertime is here and it’s bringing the heat! It’s always an option to blast the air conditioner all summer long, but there are ways to keep your home cool that are better for the environment and won’t double your energy bill. 1. Ceiling Fans: Ceiling fans may be an overlooked method to keep your home cool, but that’s because they are often used incorrectly. During the summer months a ceiling fan should be rotating counterclockwise to send cool air down otherwise you will be recirculating the heat in your home. 2. Blinds: If your home has windows that face the west or north, make sure to keep them covered with blinds to prevent the sun from heating up your home. 3. Mind the Gaps: Cover or repair all gaps and cracks near doors and windows to ensure your cool air stays in during the day. This paired with your home’s insulation will also prevent heat from seeping in on hot days. 4. Evening Chill: When the sun goes down and the temper...

  Mold in the basement is a common problem that many homeowners confront. Unfortunately, once you have it, it can be difficult to get rid of, and it can also be harmful to people who live in the house. As a result, it's essential to be proactive and take efforts to stop it from spreading.   Keep an eye on your humidity levels. Mold growth is a possibility in a basement with a humidity level of 45 percent or higher. Purchase a reasonably priced hygrometer and plan regular tests for yourself.   Increase the flow of air. Stagnant air that does not flow throughout the basement is one of the main causes of a rise in humidity levels. If you live in a location where the weather prevents you from opening windows on a regular basis, or if you simply prefer not to, consider installing dehumidifiers and running them for at least one or two hours each day.     Examine your drainage setup. Make sure the land outside your house slopes away from the walls so that rain and m...

  The roof is one of the most essential features of a home, yet it’s commonly overlooked when it comes to regular maintenance. A roof can sustain some wear and tear, but if a homeowner wants to avoid costly repairs, they should conduct frequent checks. Here are five ways to keep your roof in good condition.   1. Check for leaks. To prevent a major roof leak, regularly check for water damage in your attic and on your ceilings. Some telltale signs of roof leaks include moldy smells, liquid stains on the ceiling, or interior wall bulges.   2. Trim those trees. A tree can do a great deal of damage if it falls on a roof, but it’s also important to make sure no branches are scratching your shingles. Over an extended period of time, this can damage the protective top layer, so make sure to trim the trees around your house.   3. Check your shingles. One of the most important parts of roof maintenance is making sure your shingles aren’t deteriorating. If you see any shingles...

  Houseplants are great natural decoration pieces to occupy a corner, window sill, table, or shelf, but they also offer many health benefits that can enhance your physical well-being.   Air quality. In the late 1970s, many buildings were constructed with limited fresh air exchange and ‘superinsulation’ in an attempt to minimize energy costs. However, occupants began to report various health problems. This phenomenon, known as ‘sick building syndrome,’ was caused by the lack of fresh air entering the building and emissions of ‘various organic compounds’ from synthetic insulations. In 1989, NASA conducted a study to counteract ‘sick building syndrome’ and their results were nothing short of remarkable. They found that certain houseplants can absorb pollutants in the air through their soil and improve air quality dramatically. The study found that plants, such as Chrysanthemums, peace lilies, English ivy, and ficuses, do a great job combating indoor air pollution.   Decreas...

    Minimalism has been a dominating theme in design and architecture over the past few years. What started as an art movement in the 1960s has become a mainstay for interior designers that creates peaceful, eye-catching spaces with limited furnishings and selective decorative pieces. Minimalist decor is focused on the concept of ‘less is more’ and this idea places a lot of importance on functionality, tidiness, and organization in the home. Here are a few tips to bring minimalism into your home. Eliminate the Clutter. There are many things homeowners keep around the house on the off-chance they are needed, but usually they never are. Take control of your space by throwing away any loose papers, magazines, or trinkets that aren’t getting any use and do a weekly check to see where clutter is piling up. Choose Decorations Wisely. It’s a natural inclination to try to fill all the empty space on a wall, but in many cases, this design style can become a bit overwhelming and noisy....

  When the littlest member of your family gets close to becoming mobile, it’s time to baby-proof. Some people might enlist the help of a professional, but many take on the task themselves. If you’re a do-it-yourselfer then below are some tasks to get you started!   Place baby gates at the top and bottom of stairs. Cover all sharp corners of furniture, counters, and cabinets with bumpers or padding. Insert safety plugs in all outlets or switch over to self closing outlet covers. Install blind cord wraps next to any windows with dangling cords. Add safety locks to all toilets. Lock cabinets and drawers in the bathrooms and kitchen. Secure furniture that can easily tip over, like bookshelves, TV stands, end tables, and sets of drawers, by anchoring them to the wall. Add pinch guards on the side of the doors. Install door knob or lever covers. Cover stove knobs and install an oven door lock. Purchase garbage cans with lids that lock. Mount your TVs on the wall and tuck away any lo...