homeowner tagged posts

Thanks to Clean Sweep for this episode of Tips from the Pros about proactive chimney sweeping.

A Partially Closed Damper

If you opened the damper for your fireplace, it’s possible that something on the interior or exterior is preventing it from opening fully. Soot buildup and water damage could lead to a damper in need of repair. Clean Sweep can examine the damper and complete any necessary repairs for it to work properly again.

No Pilot Light

If you have a gas fireplace, the pilot light can be extinguished by a strong gust of wind or downdraft. Try turning the pilot light back on by turning the control knob to the pilot position. Hit the red button that lights the pilot and hold it for about a minute before turning the knob on...

Thanks to Cindy Bernstein of Aim4Order for this episode of Tips from the Pros about organizing your goals.

As the year is coming to an end, thoughts turn to 2019 and what you can accomplish in the new year. Setting goals can be a challenge, but there are some ways to make it easier.

The first step is deciding what goals you want to achieve in the coming year before you figure out how to achieve them.

People who write down their goals are much more likely to make them happen. There are several ways to do that.

Make a list of the goals you want to achieve in the year, month-by-month or even week by week. You can break down the big goals into components that you need to accomplish in order to reach that goal...

If building wealth is among your aspirations for the year ahead, you will need some tips and idea. You might be looking for financial goals to set, depending on your age and stage of life.

In this Monthly Item of Value, get tips on where you should focus in each decade of your life. Although your priorities will surely change over time, the goal of continuing to build wealth may not.

In your 20s: Start saving and balance debt-to-income. 

In your 30s: Save as much as you can for large goals while you handle the demands of a growing family or caring for aging parents. 

In your 40s: This is your peak earning decade: Research shows pay growth peaks at 49 for college-educated men and 40 for college-educated women.^*

In your 50s: Max out your savings and catch-up on savin...

Thanks to our friends at StorageUnits.org for this informative guest blog.

Storage space – you can never have enough. Clutter piles up, closets overflow and garages fill up quickly with your belongings. If you’re low on space, you don’t have to remodel your interior and add more closets. The simple solution is self-storage. With a self-storage unit, you can keep your stuff in a dedicated place away from home and have it nearby when you need it.

What is Self-Storage?

Self-storage comes in handy for anyone who needs to make space in their home or business. Storage facilities provide a convenient service for keeping and protecting your belongings in individual units...

Thanks to Mark Hines of Fidelity Bank for this episode of Tips from the Pros about mortgages.

The Fed

As it now stands, the Fed has penciled in three 25 basis-point hikes in 2019.  However, the chances of those projected rate hikes actually seeing the light of day are declining rapidly.  While the Fed is expected to bump their short-term benchmark rates 25 basis points higher next week Wednesday — the futures markets are showing investors are now assigning 50-50 odds to the likelihood the Fed will raise rates even once in 2019. 

Believe it or not, the end of the tightening moves by the Fed is not particularly good news for the prospects of steady to lower mortgage interest rates...

The luxury of a spare room is something few of us enjoy. But many Baltimore area homes have three or more bedrooms, offering homeowners the chance to create a multipurpose room. Making the best of the space can be a challenge. Be careful to use it without having this room become a major source of clutter.

Using the spare room as a junked up closet, or only the four days out of the year your in-laws come to visit, is a waste. With a spare room that has more than one use, you are making the most of it instead of ignoring this valuable area.

You could covert the room into a spare bedroom/office/changing room that can be used on a daily basis. Furnishings may be several pieces that do not match and don’t fit anywhere else in the house.

Give the furniture a makeover by refinishing or repainti...

Quote of the Month

“Eliminate the unnecessary so the necessary may speak.”
Hans Hofmann

This quote succinctly sums up why letting go of excess is so important. If you’ve ever had the experience of reducing the volume of stuff in a specific area in your home, you may relate to the joy one feels when unnecessary things are removed.

Read ahead for a fun way to continue or get started eliminating!

A great big “WELCOME!” to all of our new subscribers this month. Thanks for joining us – it’s really great to have you with us.

Lose 200 Pounds (of clutter) in 5 Weeks!

Does your clutter weigh you down?
Do you wish you could spend your weekends playing instead of trying to organize your home?
Do you dream of inviting friends or family to visit?
Sign up for this one-of-a-kind affordable program to los...