During extremely cold weather or winter storms, staying warm and safe can be a challenge. Winter storms can bring cold temperatures, power failures, loss of communication services, and icy roads. To keep yourself and your loved ones safe, you should know how to prepare your home and your car before a winter storm hits. Prepare…
Each year thousands of high wind events strike the US, causing billions of dollars of damage and endangering the lives of millions. Being prepared can help protect your home and your loved ones. High winds safety tips In an automobile Watch the weather. Weather services may issue high-wind watches, warnings, or advisories when winds make…
Whether you have a luxury in-ground pool, or plan to blow up the simplest of inflatable above-ground pools, it is important to consider the insurance and safety implications. The Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I) suggests taking the following steps when considering a pool: Contact your town or municipality Each town will have its own definition of…
Grilling all different types of foods has become increasingly popular and more often than not, can be done year-round! This cooking technique also brings the risk of open fire. The following are a few simple tips to keep you and your family safe while grilling your next culinary creation. Remember - grills should always be…
Many people enjoy the transition of summer to fall by gathering with friends around a fire or toasting marshmallows with their families. If you’re planning on enjoying a bonfire this summer, keep the following safety tips in mind: Before starting a fire, check your city’s ordinances. You may need permission or a permit, depending on…
Know where to get help Note the location of medical and security stations. Knowing where these are located ahead of time can help to lessen the panic and anxiety if you find yourself in a situation where help is needed. Protect yourself from theft Keep any valuables, such as a cell phone or camera, on…
The National Bike Registry estimates that two million bicycles are stolen each year in the U.S. and only a small percentage of them are ever recovered. And the problem has been growing since the start of the pandemic, as more people have turned to bicycles as their main mode of transportation. The following tips can…
There are two categories of refinancing, "rate-and-term" and "cash-out." Both can save you money. The first type, rate-and-term, replaces your existing loan with one that has a better rate and/or terms. You might replace an ARM or balloon loan with a fixed-rate loan, for example. Or you may decide to lower your rate AND shorten…
If you really look into it, home staging has been around as far back as the 1960s within the homebuilding industry. If a homebuilder wanted to attract buyers to their prototypes (model homes), they decided it might be best to furnish a few empty houses to show a more “lived in” version of them. Their…
It wasn't long ago that demographers reported on how Gen Z and Millennials were all about "experiences" and not necessarily about settling down and buying homes. HousingWire reports, however, that despite what many believe, Gen Z and Millennials do want to become homeowners and they're excited by the prospect. Challenges to these generations include lack…
