The Shaker of Salt

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Your website is your domain, and you need to be aware of everything it does for you. If you’re a high street retailer, it’s another way you’re bringing in money off of the products you’ve spent a lot of time and effort innovating. If you’re a blogger, it’s how you update readers on your life, your struggles, your joys, and give people a support platform to talk about similar things. If you’re a social media manager, it’s a place to draw more and more people in with a simple tweet, and monitor all the comments that come through via a facebook post.

That means when you’re online, you need to stay as updated as possible. And that can be hard when you’re a one man team with little experience in the way of coding, despite your best efforts. So it’s time to put some more stock into your revamping, and learn a few of the best general themes to get your update or re-branding under way, making sure customers are always happy to come across.

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Is There a Smooth User Experience?

When it comes to user experience, the first thing you need to focus on is how functional your website is, and whether or not it’s easy to navigate through. Having hidden icons and a homepage you can’t immediately click back to is a sign of bad web design, so you’re always going to need to put forward a simple layout with a corresponding tab order. Be sure to work closely with software development companies to make sure you’re not miscoding any unnecessary steps in anywhere in your attempt to do this.

And your homepage is going to need to be interesting enough for people to want to stay on it, so put all your most important information on it. Have an ‘About’ section they can clearly access front and center on the load order here as well, as if you’ve intrigued them enough, they’re going to want to click through to it. Attention spans are short however, so be snappy with what it is you’re saying!

Know What Your Strengths Are

If you’re revamping a website, there’s a good chance you’ve decided to completely move on from your old one. However, make sure you’re taking into account what your old site did really well, and what your new site can improve upon. Take these elements and capitalise on them, as you’re going to need as many new hits as possible to obtain a similar standing to what you used to have!

Revamping is all about expansion, so make sure you’re producing the kind of content your already established reader and user base loved from the olden days, and draw more and more people like them. They are your target market after all, and you’re going to need to listen to them to remain successful!

Make sure you hold onto these URLs as well, and have them redirect to the new website or new content similar to what they’re saying whenever someone clicks on them. Not everyone is going to know you’ve moved across the net, and these already established links are important for making sure people are going to click on through to you no matter where they came from.

Integrate Your Old Design

Your old design was the face of your brand, and whether you like it or not, potential subscribers or customers are going to know you by the visuals as well. And that means people don’t want to come across a brand spanking new theme, with clinical undertones and white washed walls. No, they want a sense of familiarity from your brand, so make sure you’re not leaving your old website and its theme behind completely.

At the same time, if you go with a theme that’s similar to your old one, you’re going to have plenty of maneuvering room in the future if you ever want to redesign again. There’s a lot you can do with a simple layout, and it’s in your best interest to keep it that way!

Time for a Revamp?

If you’re revamping a website, make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons: to expand and impress, and not simply because you’re bored of what you’re working with. Redesigning something on a whim can be a very bad business decision after all.

Work with what you have, and try not to erase where you came from. Sure it might have been the mid 2000s, but nostalgia is important.

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As businesses grow, they must become more efficient, productive and well-equipped in order to handle the increased load. Most business owners don’t really see the potential in their tools and employees until they’ve had a chance to see them in action, and software developers are difficult to place due to their nature.

Software developers are often misunderstood. They’re often thought of as tech experts that know how to repair computers and do some programming, but most business owners don’t understand their potential because they don’t understand computers. In other words, the usefulness of a software developer will ultimately depend on how accustomed you are to the tech world.

In this article, we’ll be discussing a couple of the biggest advantages that a software developer could bring to your business. Whether you understand programming or not, these tips will help you understand just how a software developer can help your business grow and become a more successful company.

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Reasons to Consider Custom Software

Software developers are masters at solving problems, but let’s take a look at a few reasons why you should consider developing custom software in the first place.

• Custom solutions help you deal with specific problems that you have. For instance, if you’re finding it difficult to manage the schedules of your employees but don’t want to pay for an expensive piece of software, then a software developer can help you design something that is lightweight, easy to use and does what you need it to.
• Software developers can also create custom cloud-based software solutions. Whether it’s a program that allows your customers to customize their clothes on your website or a customer account portal that gives them access to their order history, cloud-based solutions and website programming can be handled by a software developer with ease.
• Custom software can be more concise and to the point. Many software packages contain hundreds of features that you simply won’t use, and there’s no way to pay less to get rid of them and your employees will need to step around these extra features that could be bloating their screens. Custom software allows you to build something that is easy to use, suitable for your business and you won’t be charged for features you don’t use.
• The eco-system for well-known prebuilt software is deep and expensive. Not only do you have to pay ludicrous amounts for a single license to an expensive piece of software, but you also need to train your employees in its use. Even only training can be expensive enough to make a dent in your budget. In other words, custom software is far cheaper and more effective.

Now that we’ve examined the reasons, let’s take a deeper look at the most important advantages of hiring a software developer into your company.

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Creating Custom Cloud-Based Applications

As mentioned before, you can create custom cloud-based applications that offer plenty of functionality and flexibility to your employees. Whether it’s an online chatting application that is exclusive to your company or a staff portal that allows them to do their work, the possibilities are endless and the only limit is your imagination. It’s a good idea to only create cloud-based solutions for problems in your business. If you find that a certain process is slow and could be moved to the cloud for more speed, then a quick talk with your software developer can reveal solutions that you might have never heard of before.

Encouraging Remote Workflows

You’d be surprised at just how effective a remote workflow is. A quick read through this article at https://remote.co/6-interesting-benefits-of-remote-work/ should reveal just how beneficial it is to work remotely. Being able to work no matter where you are on a laptop with no internet connection is fantastic, but you need the right tools to do so. This can vary from industry to industry, but the general idea is that a custom-designed software application can be simple and useful enough that it enables your remote employees to work more efficiently. This can be something as simple as an online dashboard that a software programmer has created, or it could be modules and features built into other applications.

Customized Solutions for Specific Problems

We touched on this point above, but a software developer has the skills and knowledge to identify a problem and solve it with ease. If your current software solution is slow, then a software developer can rewrite programs or create their own that will solve your problem and do it in an efficient manner. Productivity in the workplace is important and no two businesses experience the same problem. However, if you have a software developer on your side, then they can create solutions just to solve specific problems that you may have.

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Finding a Suitable Developer

In order to get your custom software, you’re going to need a reputable developer. For starters, check sites like https://www.intellectsoft.net/blog/top-custom-software-development-companies to find a suitable list of companies that are capable of creating custom software. You’ll likely need to email them or place an order, and due to the nature of software development, you can expect to go through several iterations just to get it right.

It’s not the cheapest investment for your business, but software developers can give you a huge advantage over your competition if utilized correctly.

Conclusion

Software developers are useless if you don’t give them an opportunity to shine. They’re creative, logical and have a vast knowledge of computers and hardware. Give them the trust they deserve and role to fulfil and you’ll find that they can come up with software solutions for virtually any problem that you have.

In short, software developers bring a lot to your business, but they need to be used correctly and treated with respect, so make sure you have an idea of what you want from a software developer before you hire them and suggest something outrageous.

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One of the first things that people look at for a new home is the kitchen. It’s the homeliest room in the house and it’s the place that people want to kick back, entertain and create. It’s a hub; a central part of the home that people like to gather. The only issue with the kitchen is the wear and tear: all that use does take its toll after a little while, and you need to be smart about what changes you could make to have it last that little bit longer.

Instead of making big changes, many people choose to go straight in for a full kitchen remodeling. That’s all well and good, but if you haven’t got the funds right now to upgrade, it makes sense to wait until your kitchen actually needs it. So, how can you tell whether your kitchen is ready for a full upgrade or not? You need a functioning kitchen for the whole family, and it’s not going to hurt for it to look good all at the same time. There’s nothing delicious about your signature cooking dish in a kitchen that is outdated and cluttered!

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1. Appliances Are Outdated. Some houses come with their appliances, and while this is convenient, they don’t always blend into the aesthetic of the decor you’ve been tweaking for all this time. If your appliances are a drain on the energy in your home, then this is a sure sign that you need to get your cash together for an upgrade on these appliances. Ask for help from the professionals before you get to that, though, just in case!
2. Damage. Wear and tear, as mentioned, takes a toll on a kitchen. Chipped cabinets, scratched worktops from slicing food, scuffed floor: it all puts a massive strain on a kitchen. All of these places are prime areas for bacteria to breed. You can push your kitchen to the limit but try not to go beyond that. You need your kitchen to work and be functional for your needs.
3. Space. Kitchens are often small rooms, but sometimes you just really need more counter space for your cooking creations. A tiny kitchen can work when you’re a single person and living away from home for the first time, but as you add to your family you could find yourself needing extra room.
4. Clutter. Following on from the need for more space, when you can’t find anything in the kitchen it is no longer a functional room. A redesign can often be the solution to this, and so there’s your upgrade signal! Like the bat signal, but so much better!
5. Selling. At the start of the post I mentioned that people look at kitchens first. Well, if you’re aiming to sell your home, it’s a great time to make changes to your kitchen and add the little things here and there to make it perfect.

Your kitchen is going to be whatever you make it, so add what you can as you can afford it and make it modern.

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If you’re stuck with your house on the market, you’re probably feeling at a loss as to what you’re supposed to do. However, there are a few reasons your house may be stuck on the market that you’re going to want to look at. Once you know why your home might be stuck the way it is, you can make changes and work on getting it sold.

Read on to learn why your house could be stuck:

Your Estate Agent Isn’t Good Enough

Having the right estate agent to help you with your home is crucial. The estate agent you pick can largely depend on the type of property that you’re trying to sell. Many estate agents are busy, which means they don’t dedicate much time to selling your property at all. Doing your research and looking for word of mouth recommendations is a good idea.

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If you really want to see if an estate agent is good enough, you could always get a friend to call as a potential buyer and get them to describe your property to the agent. If they mention your property then you know they’re doing their job.

The Pictures Of Your Property Are Low Quality

Low quality pictures aren’t going to get you anywhere, but luckily, this is a pretty easy thing to fix. They should be recent, clear, and not misleading about the property in any way. Tidy up your property before taking the pictures and reduce clutter. If you have a bit of a budget, you could also consider having the pictures taken professionally.

Your Home Is In Terrible Condition

If your home doesn’t look appealing to the person viewing it, of course it’s not going to sell. You need to make repairs, even small ones to make your home more attractive to buyers. Before putting your home on the market, clear it out, tidy it up, and make repairs. You don’t have to overhaul the house, but giving it a fresh coat of paint is a good idea.

Your Home Isn’t Priced Properly

This is one of the most common reasons that a home fails to sell. It’s so important to price your properly in a realistic way. You can find the right price with the help of a good estate agent, and also by doing your own research. Look at properties that are similar to yours and in your area. Have a look at how much they are going for and this will give you a good idea of what you can expect to get for your own. You can also check out Wrenrealtyinc.com for details and resources to help you further.

You’re Not Marketing The House Correctly

Your home should be advertised on sites, both third party and your own estate agents site. Promote your house on your social media platforms too, as everybody uses them these days and you never know who you might find.

As well as all of the above, make sure you’ve chosen the right time to sell your home. If you can rectify these things, you should get your home off the market in no time!

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When you start to put a personal spin on your home, one of the most difficult decisions to make is what furniture you will buy for the home. With the colossal range of items available in the world it can be very difficult to make your mind up which price you want for your home. If you need some help in deciding what furniture to buy for your style, here are some tips.

Color lovers

If you love nothing more than bold, vibrant colors all over your living space then you can head over to your local furniture stores and find some pretty amazing statement pieces to add to your interior design. For example your living room could be completed with a bright yellow or blue sofa to add a sense of style and fun to the space. In the kitchen you can look for colorful pieces of art as well as utensils which you can hang on the wall. There are so many different ways to add bright color to your home, so the sky really is the limit here.

Simple and stylish

If you are the sort of person who loves a good minimalist piece of design, then the best tones for you are ones which come in monochrome or warm neutrals like beige and brown. These pieces of furniture are brilliant for you to invest in because they are timeless and will never go out of fashion. It means that if you decide to redecorate in a few years time you can still keep your furniture while simply changing the colour of the walls surrounding the space. A sleek black leather sofa or a brown coffee table are great choices here.

The country lover

If you like the simple life and love the way cottages in the countryside are decorated, then the perfect style of items for you is anything wooden or in a soft floral design. Just because it is floral doesn’t mean it needs to be outdated though- there are loads of ways to bring floral notes into a modern space too, such as with cushions or curtains. Matching this with a lovely bright vase of flowers in the centre of the room makes it look homely and inviting all year round.

The bold

If you are the sort of person who just loves to try out risky things, then the idea of sequinned chairs and marble floors are probably right up your alley. Honestly, you have to be brave in order to play with these items, but it can be fun to play around with unique items and even antiques to give your home that characteristic look you want. Don’t be shy when it comes to the different patterns and colours in the home- even if they completely clash you can make it work with some clever rearranging. Your home will be a constant talking point to anyone who visits you and it will be a unique place no one will ever forget.

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If you’re thinking of  decluttering of your home, you’re certainly right to want to get this done. Living in a space that’s simply overflowing with junk you’ve accumulated over the years is never a good thing, and yet so many people find themselves in this situation. Well, it doesn’t have to go on any longer. The fact that you’re here means that you’ve made the first step in the right direction, so what should the next ones be? Read on to find out and get started decluttering your home.

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Take on One Room Per Day

It’s important to take things easy because if you try to declutter the whole house in one day, you will simply get burnt out because it’s too much to take on. Instead, you should have a slow and steady method because this will allow you to get the job done properly. Take on one room per day and spread the days out if you need to as well.

Don’t Make Snap Decisions

Try to consider each and every decision before you finalize it as you clear out your home. You don’t want to regret a decision later, and you certainly don’t want to hang onto things for the sake of it when you could quite easily get rid of them if you actually gave it some thought.

Start With the Surfaces and Counters

It’s a good idea to start with all of the surfaces and countertops in your home. These are the places where the worst clutter tends to accumulate, and when that happens, it can make those spaces completely unusable for you. That’s not what you want, so get these clean and reclaim those spaces.

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Think of the Good Things That Can Come Out of Each Thing You Clear Out

There are many good things that can come of decluttering your home. You will find that you can give a lot of the stuff you don’t want to charities. They’ll happily take something if they can sell it on, and that money will then go to a good cause. This should spur you on as you declutter. You should also try to focus on the good this will to do your home and how you use it each day.

Anything You Want But Don’t Need Right Now Can Enter Storage

You don’t need to give away or throw away absolutely everything that you don’t need. There are other options out there that are worth exploring too. For example, you could put some items in storage if you don’t want them cluttering your home but don’t want to get rid of them. Places like SecurCareSelfStorage.com can help you with that. It’s an entire that many people are now embracing.

Now that you know what it takes to declutter your home and where you should get started, you can take the reins from here. It’s up to you to get this right, and if you are tough and don’t give in to the temptation to simply keep hold of everything, you’ll come out the other side pleased with the changes made.

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Loads of people spend the majority of their time in the home. Perhaps you look after your kids, or maybe you just don’t work anymore? Regardless of why you’re in the home, it can get pretty boring from time to time. After you’ve done all the various tasks you normally do for the day, you’re left with hours to kill until something interesting happens. So, why don’t you try some of these fun ideas to help pass the time:

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Take On A DIY Project

The thing about being in your house a lot is that you tend to notice things before anyone else. If something isn’t quite looking its best, you pick up on it first. As a result, you’ll find there’s always a DIY project or task you can take on. Have you noticed your dining room chair is a bit wobbly? Well, you can now attempt to fix it in your spare time! Seen some wallpaper peel off the bedroom wall? Now you can sort it out and get it looking brand new again. My point is, there’s always a DIY task somewhere in your house for you to do. At the same time, if you still have lots of time to kill after finishing these tasks, then why not take up a DIY project? Turn your garage into a workshop and start trying to make things. Start small and maybe try making a little coffee table, then work your way up to a nice shed for the garden. Or, think even smaller than all of that and maybe take up knitting. It’s technically still a form of DIY as you’re making clothes yourself instead of buying them!

Do A Home Workout

This is a great idea for any fitness freaks out there, or maybe someone that wants to lose weight and get into shape. Even if you have as little as half an hour to spare, then you can kill that time with a quick home workout. It may not seem like it, but your home is basically a gym. You can use open spaces to do various exercises like burpees, push ups, sit ups, and so on. If you buy a few weights, then you can even do weight training as well. Then, we have the stairs; the ultimate home workout tool. Trust me when I say that running up and down your stairs and doing stair workouts will leave you in a heap on the floor. Working out is such a smart way of passing the time because you benefit from it. As well as the obvious health benefits, you also need to shower afterward, which helps you pass even more time!

Open A Trading Account

If you have a few hours spare every day – particularly in the morning or late afternoon – then you might think about opening a trading account. What does this mean? A trading account is basically an account you use to trade shares on the stock market. You can trade through a broker, you can do automated trading, or you can trade all by yourself. It’s a very fun way to pass the time because you can make a fair bit of money if you do it right. Essentially, you’re saving your money by investing it and making it grow. It’s a practical way of passing the time! If you’re a bit worried about trading because you’re scared of making a wrong decision and losing money, then you can do simulations instead. This is basically the same thing, but you don’t use real money.

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Learn A New Language

This is something I’ve personally been doing a lot lately. If I find there’s time to kill, then I open an app on my phone and learn a new language. There are loads of apps out there, some of which are free, and some which cost money. Obviously, when you pay for an app, you get a lot more in it. Either way, they’ll help you learn a new language by providing you with lessons and little things to test your knowledge. You can run through all these lessons whenever you’re free, and you’ll gradually learn how to speak a new language. This is particularly helpful if you have a holiday coming up in the summer, and want to try and speak the native tongue. Or, if your other half has foreign parents, this can be a great way of surprising them the next time they visit. Whatever your motives are, learning a language will definitely ensure you’re never bored again.

Don’t sit around your house feeling bored on those days where time feels like it stands still. These four ideas are all fun and practical ways of making the time fly by.

The following is a guest post written by Zoe Price

Should You Invest in a New AC Unit?

Your air conditioner has broken down, and now you find yourself facing that dilemma that comes up every time this happens – should you repair the unit or replace the unit entirely? Obviously the answer to the question would come down to whether or not replacing the unit would be more expensive than continuing repairs and associated energy costs, but predicting that is difficult. While a unit you only bought a year ago is likely fine to just repair, something that is older might enter something of a grey area.

The following guidelines should help you to determine if you should invest in a new AC unit or not.

Age of Unit

The first metric to go by when deciding whether to opt for repairs or replacement is the age of the unit itself. As a general rule, an air conditioner has a lifespan of about 10 to 15 years, with the exact number varying by unit. If your air conditioner is getting close to that mark you may consider replacing it when you can afford it rather than waiting until you might be without the funds to do so.

If it is more than 15 years old, you will want to replace it outright. It’s worth noting that some units still use an older style of refrigerant that is being phased out due to environmental regulations. If your air conditioner still uses the old R22 refrigerant then replace the unit as soon as you can rather than waiting only to find out your local HVAC technician has none on hand and has to special order it.

Cost of Repairs

When you get right down to it – a skilled HVAC technician can repair 90% of the problems your air conditioner is likely to have. They can’t rebuild a unit that has been obliterated, but they can replace parts as often as needed. It is just a question of how much is it going to cost. Eventually the cost of repairs will be so high that replacement just makes more sense. As a general rule of thumb, use the following formula:

(cost of repairs) * (age of the AC unit)

If that number exceeds the price of a new AC unit, then go ahead and replace your existing unit. Using $5,000 is a good general number to compare to if you are unsure of the costs of new air conditioners in your area.

Energy Costs are Spiking

While the cost of energy is likely to continue to increase in general, the rate at which energy costs increase will be fairly manageable. If you see your own energy costs spiking greatly, going as far as to increase by half or even double from year to year, you should be alarmed. Such energy spikes can be the consequence of your air conditioner starting to give out. At this point, replacing the air conditioner comes down to energy cost savings.

Note that since newer air conditioners are often more efficient than older models as a rule, you not only get the benefit of a unit in better condition but it may end up burning less energy than older units would over the course of its lifetime. This is not a guarantee but it should be something to keep in mind.

Consult a Professional if All Else Fails

If after consulting these guidelines you still cannot decide, consult a professional. Honest HVAC experts such as Adams AC will give you the most economical answer when deciding between repair or replacement of a unit. As such, if you still cannot decide, consult with your local HVAC technician and see what they have to say.

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The process of buying a home can be long and grueling and you don’t want to do anything that could lengthen it anymore. But both before and after you buy the home, you need to ensure you take a closer look at what exactly you have your hands on. Anyone on the housing market should have a home inspector to identify any potential issues, but there are several places and problems they won’t take a close enough look at, so you have to check yourself. After you move in, here are some of the risks you have to be aware of.

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Safety first

The home inspector (if you have hired one) will perform checks on the doors and windows, ensuring they’re secure and that the locks work. However, they won’t check the smoke and carbon dioxide detectors. So, you should check them yourself and know how to replace them if necessary. Regardless of how secure the doors, you should ensure you replace the locks on both the front and back doors, as well as any locks that might be on your garage or shed. The seller might be the most trustworthy soul out there, but you can never be sure of who exactly has keys that might work on your home if you don’t get them replaced.

Check out those pipes

The standard home inspection will take a look at the taps, any visible pipes, the toilet cistern, and other aspects of the plumbing. Make sure you do the same if you don’t hire an inspector. Even if you do hire one, it’s a good idea to follow them every step of the way and don’t be afraid of asking questions if you suspect a problem or don’t understand their assessment. Furthermore, inspectors won’t look at the pipes under the bath, in the walls, in any crawl spaces, or any underground storage tanks. You have to check these yourself for signs that you might need a plumber. Otherwise, you could have hidden leaks or mold.

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Time to heat things up

Similarly, while the home inspector will look at parts of the home heating and cooling systems, like the air conditioner, water heater, or furnace, not all of them off as comprehensive a service as you might like. They are not required to note how much of a lifespan is left in the HVAC appliances or to try and estimate any potential fixes or how much they might cost. It’s worth taking a look at heating and ventilation experts in the area to get a better assessment of the condition of your HVAC. Otherwise, problems could fit between the range of as simple as a radiator needing a flush to a dangerous problem in the water heater’s pipes that could lead to water damage.

Are you sharing your home?

Many home inspectors will keep an eye out for the signs of pests. However, often they don’t look close enough for the signs that you have an unwelcome guest in the home. For instance, they won’t move furniture inside or outside the house or check specifically for things like droppings that could be a sign of increased rat or increased squirrel activity around the property. Similarly, they won’t check crawl spaces or any areas of the home that could be considered small enough to be inaccessible without risk. Nor will they check for termites or other wood-destroying pests. You need to learn to identify these signs for yourself or hire a pest specialist to come out and give the home a more thorough check.

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Under the surface

Home inspectors will check for many of the causes of mold and damp in the home, including air leaks in the doors or windows and leaking taps. However, as mentioned, they won’t check any hidden pipes nor are they going to check for hidden mold. If you move into a home that is older and hasn’t had a bathroom renovation in decades, then it is worth looking for signs of hidden mold. You might have to open a hole in the bathroom wall to confirm your suspicions, however, so become as certain as you can before you take that step.

In over your head

When the weather is clear, home inspectors are most likely going to take a look at the roof to let you know of any issues, including whether or not the roof has aged beyond its usefulness. However, if the inspection happens to fall on a day when there’s rain, snow, or hail, then it’s considered a safety risk and they won’t check it. If that happens, it’s worth learning the signs of a roof that needs replacing or repair and climbing up yourself or hiring a specialist to take a look for you. A cracked or missing tile can let in the rain, leading to the spread of damp and mold. Furthermore, roofs are only effective for so many years. If the roof hasn’t been replaced in over two decades, it might be due for a replacement.

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At the root of things

Depending on where the foundation is, the inspector may or may not have to take a closer look at it. Because it’s so integral to the health of the home, it’s worth inspecting it just to be sure. Many issues can cause a foundation to weaken, which can lead to the sinking of the home, cracks in the walls, or even partial and complete collapses. Visible cracks, mortar joints that have become slanted or uneven, and uneven floors are all signs that there’s a deeper problem in the foundation of the building. This kind of damage can be caused by nearby construction, changes in the surrounding soil, the growth of tree roots and even moisture spreading throughout the building.

Most people don’t take enough care to inspect the home once they move in, which can lead to all sorts of expensive issues down the line. Put in the time now and save yourself the headache and the money later.

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Do you feel that you are safe and secure in your own home? Sometimes it’s not totally feasible, sometimes we live in an area that’s a bit too widespread in terms of crime, or you rent your own property and are struggling to get onto the property ladder. But, in terms of feeling a sense of comfort and security in where you live, it’s not a feeling that should evade you. There is a Danish term, hygge, which basically means a feeling of warmth or coziness. This is a feeling we should all aspire to, but how can we do this?

Find Somewhere To Relax

If you look around your home and see nowhere that is for you to relax, this is something that you have to address right away. We all have our own ideas of what is relaxing. Some of us consider our living room to be a sanctuary, with all of our favorite items there, from the couch, to the super duper surround sound HD television. But if you have to share this space with other people, are you really taking opportunity to relax in these spaces? Without going all Feng Shui, it’s a great idea to set up the space, if possible, for the purposes of relaxing. If you can’t find a room for this purpose, that’s fine, but at least make the effort to set up a corner, or even set up a garden space that is conducive to relaxing. That means putting in colors that aren’t harsh, and decorate it in a manner that will distract you from the stresses of the everyday world. Lots of people are pushing meditation and mindfulness onto everyone now, and regardless of your opinions of how hippie-like it is in nature, it is a good starting point in which to relax your mind and body. If you come home from work into a stressful home environment, you’re never going to feel relaxed.

Increase Your Privacy

We all have a nosey neighbor who, from time to time, can’t help but have a lengthy linger into your front window. And as annoying as this can be for you, you can take some proper steps to increase your sense of privacy. You don’t have to have the curtains drawn all the time, but there are some little things you can do to the windows. You could tint the color, so it’s a bit darker, or you can get creative with some custom vinyl window graphics to give your windows a bit more artistic flair. That way, people will be looking at the window, rather than through it into your home. And, of course, if you want to increase that feeling of privacy, look at moving your living room away from prying eyes. Of course, if you’ve got the biggest room in the house at the front of the property, you may not want to move everything into another room, but it’s food for thought.

Secure Your Home

Increasing that feeling of safety and security in your home can be solved by setting up a few more protective measures. By having a solid and secure front door and back door, this is going to give you a little bit more peace of mind. Remember, approximately 33% of burglars enter via the front door, so, if you have strong door frames, as well as protected hinges, and sturdy wood, this is going to be the first essential step to barricading yourself against potential thieves. In addition to these, having a deadbolt, peepholes, and a security system, especially if you’re in a rough area, will add that extra layer of protection. But it’s not just the doors, consider the efficacy of the windows. If you’ve got flimsy single pane glass with poor quality latches, they could very easily be opened from the outside. Replace these latches with key operated levers, or better locks, to make for a stronger window. It’s not just the ground floor you need to look after, but the first floor windows, and even the basement windows require securing. And for extra piece of mind, have a back-up plan should the worst case scenario happen. It’s all well if you’ve got the most sophisticated security system, but if somebody manages to break through every single line of security, what are you going to do? It’s always best to plan for the worst case scenario, so you have peace of mind in the fact you have security upon security.

Declutter Your Space

Regardless of your opinion on Feng Shui, a cluttered space makes for a cluttered mind. If you have piles of mess, old toys, and general junk everywhere, this isn’t going to contribute to a feeling of serenity and security in your home. Although some people like the idea of piles of books, because it gives the home some “character”, if you’re constantly tripping over some annoying item, this is going to stress you out. As the Spring is officially upon us, have you taken the opportunity to do a Spring clean? If not, now is the best time. Look at everything in your home, do you use these items you see? From your clothes, to old DVDs and CDs, consider what really needs throwing out. Especially when it comes to clothes, use the rule of if you haven’t worn it in the last 12 months, are you actually going to wear it in the next 12 months? And to begin with, declutter your bedroom. If you have problems sleeping, it could very well be due to all this mess surrounding your bed. Declutter your house room by room, until the whole thing is done, and you will feel a weight lifted.

This feeling of coziness and security in your home is something you are entitled to feel, regardless of the environment you live in. Whether you need to feel more private, or you need a space to make you relax properly, your home environment has to nurture this. So if you don’t want that you have that feeling of insecurity wherever you go. This is only going to cause stress in your life. So, take the Danish approach, and embrace the art of hygge!