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

  Everyone loves a shiny hardwood floor, but there are a variety of daily activities that can cause wear and tear, such as moisture imbalances, pet claws, and common foot traffic. To keep that attractive sheen you love, it’s incredibly important to keep up regular, proper maintenance. Wood has a tendency to expand and shrink depending on the moisture level, so if there are high levels of humidity in your home or your hardwood floors are consistently getting wet, they could be at risk for cupping which makes the sides of your flooring higher than the center. In order to prevent moisture imbalances, make sure to clean any spills immediately and keep your home’s temperature set between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The color of your hardwood floors can also be compromised by pets or shoes. Dust and dirt can settle in the gaps or grain of your hardwood floor, which makes timely cleaning a necessity. It is recommended to dust or sweep daily and vacuum weekly to mitigate grime’s effect o...

  Is there a home maintenance project that’s been lingering on your to-do list because you’re dreading that trip to the hardware store? There are some projects you can tackle with items that are probably already in your home. 1. Vinegar: Most likely there’s a jug of vinegar in your pantry right now. You can soak items in vinegar to remove mineral deposits, like in a clogged showerhead, and you can boil vinegar in your microwave to remove odors, making it easier to clean. 2. Cola: A can of Coke or Pepsi can be used to clean many surfaces, including your glass windows, porcelain toilet, or chrome fixtures. Just do some research before using it on metal surfaces, as it can be corrosive. 3. Baking Soda: This item may actually be more useful for applications other than baking. A baking soda/vinegar paste is great for cleaning bathrooms and kitchens. Baking soda can also be used to absorb odors. 4. Butter Knife: Screwdrivers are easy to misplace. If you can't find a screwdriver when you ...

  Mold is the last thing any homeowner wants to find in their home. It's not only unattractive and stinky, but it also poses a major health risk to you and your family.   Checking gutters and downspouts to ensure water is draining away from your home's foundation is a good method to start preventing mold in your home. Check for leaks under sinks, near dishwashers, and near clothes washers, and fix them right away. Finally, remember to utilize bathroom fans when showering to keep moisture to a minimum.   If you still have mold after following these measures, don't panic! Here are some of our best suggestions for dealing with it.   Take the necessary safeguards. When cleaning mold in your house, use necessary safety equipment such as eye protection, face masks, and rubber gloves. Keep dogs and children away of rooms with mold, and use fans or dehumidifiers to remove moisture.   Proper cleaning solutions should be used. The easiest technique to get rid of mold is t...

  Many things in our world are beyond our control, but your home environment is one of them. There are a number of easy improvements you may do to bring some much-needed tranquility into your home. Make sure everything you see, smell, hear, and touch gives you a calm sensation within to create a serene environment in your home. Seeing all of your knickknacks and paperwork strewn across your desk or table can be frustrating and daunting. To maintain a zen-like frame of mind, make it a habit to tidy and organize each room at least once a week. Another technique to improve your home's calm is to make sure it smells great. Candles and air fresheners are effective, but an essential oil diffuser can provide a wonderfully relaxing smell to your house. Essential oils come in a wide range of scents, but traces of lemon, peppermint, or sandalwood can help bring a sense of serenity into your home. Onwards and upwards! Find a nice speaker system to play soft jazz or natural sounds as you work ...

  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...