Category Archives: Family Home

Stove Shopping: Gas vs. Electric

A kitchen with a new stove next to blue cabinets.

As any homeowner will tell you, there’s more to a home than meets the eye. One decision on the horizon is choosing between gas and electric. If appliance choices have got you feeling the heat, know that it’s easier than you think. Here are a few pointers on choosing the right stove for your needs.

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How to Make Home a Safer Place When Living with Kids

A family with two young children happy and safe in the home.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that about 9.2 million children have to visit the emergency department for an unintentional injury each year. Unfortunately, the CDC also states that injuries are the leading cause of death for children in the US and Canada, too.

Children are curious, easily distracted, and more prone to injury than adults are. So, it’s important to take extra precautions to keep them safe, even in the home.

Thankfully, most of the accidents mentioned in the CDC’s research are preventable with the right approaches to safety. Here’s what you need to know to minimize risks and make your home a safe and hazard-free space for kids.

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Buying a Condo vs. Buying a House: Key Differences

a condo building next to a single family home, representing buying a condo vs. buying a house

Buying your first home is an exciting time. You’ve decided to step out of the comfort of renting or staying somewhere rent-free and step into a place you can truly call your own. But if you’re not interested in a large space, is owning a condo the same thing as owning a house?

Both options have their benefits and drawbacks, but it ultimately comes down to what you value in a home. You must choose which option fits you correctly, or you might find yourself thinking the grass is greener on your neighbor’s lawn.

We’ll walk you through the process and differences of buying a condo vs. buying a house.

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How to Resuscitate Your Bank Account After Buying a Home

A piggy bank symbolizing the need to boost your bank account after buying a home.

Buying property is a huge investment, and it often comes with additional, unplanned expenses. If you’re not careful, you can find yourself in a less than desirable financial position. Before you realize it, your budget is forgotten, you’ve spent money on all sorts of things you’d never imagined needing, and you’re feeling somewhat out of pocket. For this reason, it’s important to know how to balance homeownership and breathe new life into your bank balance. To help you out, we’ve compiled eight handy tips to boost your bank account.

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Air Conditioning 101: Tips, Tricks, and Hacks You Should Know

Woman enjoying the AC in her living room.
Keeping your AC running efficiently will help you stay cool all summer.

During the scorching summer months, it’s hard to imagine life without your trusted air conditioning unit. However, as the degrees drop inside your home, your electric bill can also head in the opposite direction. When faced with skyrocketing bills, it is tempting to give up your AC or live much more warmly from day-to-day.

Fortunately, there are ways you can stay cool during summer without spending a fortune. Beat the summer heat, save money, and keep your air conditioning unit in peak shape by keeping the following AC tricks, tips, and hacks in mind:

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6 Roof Types to Consider for Your Home Upgrade

The top of a terracotta colored home
There are several roof styles to consider when upgrading the exterior of your home.

The roof of our house protects us from the harshest elements, but it does so much more than that.

For instance, the shape of our roof contributes significantly to our home’s overall look and style.

In some cases, the roof type you choose dictates whether you can have an attic, loft, or any additional living space.

Your roof can also play a role in making your home more energy-efficient and more resilient to specific weather conditions.

When the time to upgrade your home comes and your roof is a priority, you will need the services of a skilled, experienced, and licensed roofer with the right roofing insurance coverage. With a roofing contractor’s help, you can pick a new roof type that will be perfect for your home. There is no shortage of roof types to consider for your home upgrade. Read on for some of them.

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Checking the Air Quality in Your Home

Couple with masks on because they are concerned about the air quality in the home
Have you checked your home’s air quality lately?

Your home is a place of comfort and security. However, is this possible with defective indoor air quality levels? During wildfire and allergy seasons, you may notice air quality alerts. These put you at risk for harmful effects from your outdoor air quality. Regardless, throughout the rest of the year, your home’s indoor toxins, pollutants, and chemicals could be worse than the outdoor air.

If you’re unfamiliar with how your home’s indoor air quality affects you, it’s critical to learn more. There are adverse health effects resulting from exposure to poor air quality, and you should monitor for various symptoms and conditions that can occur. This information will help you to avoid, prevent, and stop pollution in your home. Read on to understand some of the major indoor air pollutants and what you can do to keep your home clean and healthy.

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Best & Worst Home Improvement Projects to DIY

By: Lee Campbell

A couple working on a home improvement project together.

Which home improvement projects should you DIY, and which ones require professional help? We have all heard the old saying, “you get what you pay for.” But sometimes it’s what you should have paid for that ends up costing the most money, time, and energy. Here, we break down the dos and don’ts of do-it-yourself home improvement projects.

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The Ultimate Guide to Keeping Fish in Kids’ Rooms or Small Spaces

Girl looking at the fish in her small bedroom.
Fish can be the perfect companion in small spaces.

Fish are often held up as the perfect pet for those trapped in tiny apartments or for those desperate for a pet of their own in a crowded household. Small tanks can be an excellent way to keep an animal companion while also not taking up more than a few square feet of space on a desk or a dresser. However, fish are still living creatures, and there are a few steps, tips, and tricks to keep in mind before diving headfirst into setting up an aquarium in your apartment or child’s bedroom.

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Home Warranty Plans: Reasons You Should Have One

A red pen ready to sign a home warranty plan.

When buying an old home, it is common to check that all appliances and systems still work as intended. Having one or a few of them broken simply will not do. But what if there is concern that these aging appliances and systems will break down in the near future? You can maintain, repair, and replace, but the costs are not cheap. You should have a home warranty plan.

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