Do You Have A Plan
For Home Maintenance?

Owning a home is a major responsibility. Not only do you have the obligation of paying the mortgage each month, but you also have to maintain your home so that it remains a good investment. Home maintenance is a crucial part of homeownership and can require a great deal of time, money, and effort.

Inspect your home – inside and outside – regularly. Use a checklist to help you familiarize yourself with the condition of your house and state of repair. Making minor, routine repairs helps to prolong the life of the home and may prevent the need for major repairs. An inspection also helps you plan and save for major improvements.

Plan Ahead. Various parts of the house will wear out, so you need to have an emergency fund in case your roof leaks or the water heater needs to be replaced. Budget one to two percent of the purchase price of the home for annual maintenance and repairs. If your home or the appliances are older, you may need to save an even greater amount. Plan ahead for major purchases. Estimate when you might have to purchase something new.

Even if you're handy, there may be some jobs that you're not able to do or don't have the right tools for. You may need to hire someone to do extensive plumbing, electrical, or structural repairs. Whether doing the job yourself or hiring someone, check to see if there are codes or regulations that need to be followed or permits that must be obtained before you start the job.

Keep Good Records. Start a notebook and record the repairs you make and equipment you purchase. These will be invaluable if you sell your home, so be sure to document when work was done and what it cost. Keep receipts, guarantees and warranties in a file. These will also provide information if a problem arises.

Conserve Energy. Conserve energy and keep costs down by using energy conservation practices - weather-strip and caulk doors and windows, insulate the attic, install storm windows and buy energy-efficient appliances.

Conduct an Inspection. Fall is a good time to conduct an inspection to get your home ready for winter. Some of the areas that need to be inspected include:

• Weather-stripping around doors and windows for damage and tightness
• Caulking at doors, windows, and other openings
• Vents, louvers, chimney caps and housings, and gutters and downspouts for bird nests and other debris
• Heating system checked by a qualified HVAC contractor
• Remove window air conditioners and weather-strip window openings if needed
• Clean and repair window wells and storm drains, removing any leaves or debris
• Clean humidifiers and replace the filters as recommended
• Add insulation to walls, attic and other areas

Home maintenance can be expensive and time consuming, but it can add to the value of your investment if you decide to sell your home in the future.

Back To School
Organizing Tips For Your Home

Now that summer is almost over, it's time for families to start thinking about back-to-school ideas for their home. While many parents think back-to-school organization only involves the kids' rooms and play areas, the reality is that it affects your entire home.

From the moment you wake up in the morning to when your kids come home from school, organization is key. Following are some tips that are sure to start the year off right!

1. Organizing the kitchen: Depending on the age of your children, organize sections of the refrigerator for school-aged children who pack their lunch. For teenagers, dedicate a pantry shelf to their food and keep handy after school snacks.

2. Keep your family room a neutral territory: Dedicate your family and living rooms as a neutral territory. This will help provide a space where kids and parents can unwind and enjoy television or share a conversation without disturbing other family members.

3. Point of entry: For parents, provide an area near the point of entry for personal belongings like purse and wallet, smart phone chargers and keys storage to keep everything in one spot. Try to get in the habit of having your kids place belongings here at night so their morning routine is less stressful.

4. Kids' study and play area: Create an area where your kids can be creative but also study and be productive. If possible, keep television and media equipment in another room.

You Have Value!

A well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20 bill. In the room of 200, he asked, "Who would like this $20 bill?"

Hands started going up. He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this." He proceeded to crumple the dollar bill. He then asked, "Who still wants it?" Still the hands were up in the air.

"Well," he replied, "What if I do this?" And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now all crumpled and dirty. "Now who still wants it?" Still the hands went into the air.

"My friends, you have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20. Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way.

We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value. You are special - don't ever forget it!"