With a rent-to-own agreement, you sign a lease that dictates you’ll rent a home for a given period of time and have the option to purchase before the lease is up. It’s a little more complicated than a regular rental – and you’ll want to take specific steps to ensure the deal makes sense before signing – but it may turn out to be a great choice. Is rent to own a good idea, though? Here’s how to know if a rent-to-own home makes sense for you.
Know what you’re signing
Make sure what you’re considering is a lease with an option to buy, not a lease-purchase agreement. The latter requires that you purchase the home at the end, the former gives you the choice.
Know you can afford it
In a rent-to-own agreement, you have to hand over a small down payment – on average 3 to 5 percent of the agreed-upon purchase price. The good news is this will contribute toward your down payment should you opt to buy. The bad news is if you opt out, it’s non-refundable – so be sure it’s money you’re willing to risk.
You’ll also be paying above-average rent for the property. Why? That extra money will funnel into an escrow account that will also go towards your down payment.
It can be a great deal – if you can cover that monthly nut. But if you’re late with a payment, you’ll likely lose that extra money for good – and could even risk termination of the agreement, which means you won’t get any of your money back.
Know what you’re buying
You wouldn’t buy a home without an inspection, and rent-to-own homes are no exception. Find out if there are any problems with the property and address them before signing.
You also need to know if the property is in foreclosure, so you don’t lose your money when the bank claims the home. Consult with experts in real estate sales and law to get the answers you need.
Know the area, know the market
Rent-to-own homes can be a phenomenal deal in an area that’s on the rise. You can lock in a purchase price and may end up landing a desirable property at a really great rate.
Of course, this works in reverse, too, so be sure you either really love the home and location or have a good sense of where the market is headed, because you could end up paying more than it’s worth.
Customize your agreement
Rent-to-own contracts can be tailored to suit the needs of both buyer and seller. Go over details such as who is responsible for homeowners association fees or general house maintenance, things that a landlord would cover in a more traditional rental arrangement.
Feel confident in your decision
Rent-to-own agreements have loads of advantages, allowing buyers time to build or restore their credit before applying for a loan all while saving money for the down payment. So ultimately, the question of whether or not rent to own is a good idea for you comes down to your unique needs, financial situation and experiences.
Additionally, you’ll have time to take the house for a test drive before making a final decision – better to know about traffic patterns, cell reception and noisy neighbors ahead of time! You’ll also save money on the cost of a move if you decide to buy at the end of the lease.
Ready to look at some houses for rent? Tour some virtually with us first.
This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
A.D. Thompson spent the first half of her 25-year career behind the editor’s desk, including time at Playgirl Magazine. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Orlando Sentinel and a host of other publications, print and online. Now a full-time freelancer, she is the Orlando expert for USA Today’s 10Best.com and writes about everything from Mickey Mouse to marijuana-based tourism with equal levels of enthusiasm – and occasional bouts of the munchies.
Inside: Are you considering opening multiple Roth IRA accounts? You need to know if you can have multiple Roth IRAs. Here is what you need to know before making the decision.
While managing multiple Roth IRAs can create confusion, especially with tracking contributions across different custodians and potentially violating the five-year rule, I have found a method to use them to my benefit.
By having multiple Roth IRAs, I am able to diversify my investments as each Roth IRA account has a specific purpose.
However, you must know the rules about having multiple IRAs.
For the average investor, having multiple Roth IRAs may seem like a potential strategy to diversify your investments and attain financial independence, but it often leads to more confusion than benefit. Therefore, simplifying your finances by having a single Roth IRA might be a more feasible approach to reaching financial independence.
However, readers at Money Bliss know there is always a reason if I am strategic about why I do something.
So, let’s go through everything you need to know about having multiple Roth IRAs and if it is worth it for you.
What is a Roth IRA?
A Roth IRA stands as a type of retirement account with distinct tax benefits. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) manages specific rules on who can open a Roth IRA, along with the contribution limits and withdrawal policies. 1
When your contributions in this retirement account and their interest earnings grow, they do so tax-free. 2
“Roth IRAs give you the flexibility to increase retirement savings tax-free. Thus, helping you to reach financial independence quicker.”
Kristy @ Money Bliss
Can You Have Multiple Roth IRAs?
Absolutely! You can certainly have more than one Roth IRA.
Different from some other types of retirement accounts, no restrictions apply to how many Roth IRAs you can manage.
From the IRS perspective, regardless of how many different IRA custodians you choose to utilize, your contributions are treated as one Roth IRA. You must still follow the guidelines on contribution amounts on your Roth IRA and traditional IRA. 3
This could potentially lead to tracking or contribution errors, or even unintentional violations of the Roth IRA’s 5-year rule, which can result in penalties. Furthermore, managing multiple accounts can also lead to an accidental overweighting of one investment strategy due to faulty fund allocation.
Why would a person want more than one Roth IRAs?
Several reasons could motivate an individual to manage multiple Roth IRAs:
Saving for various objectives. Investors might manage different IRAs for distinct purposes—one for retirement income, another as a cushion for emergencies.
Diversification of investment portfolio. Multiple Roth IRAs facilitate varied levels of risk adoption across different types of investments.
Raising insurance protection. With multiple Roth IRAs spread across separate institutions, each account can avail of $250,000 FDIC insurance protection. 4
Simplifying inheritance. Dealing with inheritance matters gets easier upon having distinct Roth IRAs, as assets can be split and handed down according to wishes.
Personally, I choose to have multiple Roth IRAs because I actively trade options contracts in one while the other is for long-term holdings.
Is it smart to have multiple Roth IRAs?
This is a highly personal decision as it depends on individuals and their unique circumstances.
Multiple Roth IRAs can offer remarkable benefits. However, keep in mind that more accounts may mean more fees and added complexity when managing your retirement savings.
You must consider your financial goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon is crucial before opting for multiple IRAs.
Many people end up with multiple IRAs when they decide to rollover a 401k from a previous employer.
Benefits of Opening Multiple Roth IRAs
You will have to decide if these benefits of multiple Roth IRAs are worth it for you:
Diversified investments. By having multiple accounts, it allows you to vary your investment strategy by account.
Conversion Flexibility. Managing the tax implications of converting traditional IRAs or employer-linked retirement accounts to Roth IRAs gets easier.
Varying Savings Objectives. Different Roth IRAs can be maintained for different purposes such as retirement income, house maintenance or rainy day funds.
Elevated Insurance Protection. If one Roth IRA is reaching the FDIC insurance limit, a second account with a different institution ensures additional protection.4
Drawbacks of multiple Roth IRA accounts
While having multiple Roth IRAs has broader benefits, it comes with some shortcomings:
Complex Management. Managing several Roth IRAs requires frequent monitoring and coordination.
Increased fees. Many IRA accounts come with fees. Even low fees across multiple accounts can add up.
Unequal Investment Allocation. Spreading investments across multiple IRAs makes monitoring performance difficult.
More Paperwork. More accounts mean more paperwork, which could be time-consuming.
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Unfolding the Complexities of Multiple Roth IRAs
With multiple Roth IRAs, complexities unfold around the management and tracking of these accounts. The investments need to be monitored on a regular basis to maintain strategic alignment with retirement goals.
It’s necessary to regularly check for fees and investment performance.
Balancing the portfolio of multiple IRAs plays a vital role, as the percentage of each investment differs between accounts. This could make it challenging to form a streamlined portfolio until you have sufficient experience.
Nevertheless, this is an easier question to answer than is now a good time to buy stocks.
Understanding the rules with multiple Roth IRAs
Understanding the regulations with multiple Roth Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) is essential when planning for a stable retirement.
With a comprehensive overview of the laws governing multiple Roth IRAs, one can strategically leverage these tax-advantaged accounts for optimal retirement savings.
No more confusion or lack of knowledge on how many Roth IRAs they can legally own, this section provides clarifications on these essential rules.
Does having multiple Roth IRAs mean you can contribute more total money each year?
The short answer is no.
Regardless of how many Roth IRAs you have, your total annual contributions combining all accounts can’t surpass the IRS-placed limits.
For 2023, the limit stands at $6,500 if you’re under 50 or $7,500 if you’re 50 or older. 3
In 2024, the limit stands at $7000 if you’re under 50 or $8000 if you’re 50 or older. 3
Can I contribute to a Roth IRA and a Traditional IRA?
Yes, you can contribute to both a Roth IRA and a Traditional IRA.
However, the total contribution to all your IRAs cannot exceed the annual limits set by the IRS. 3
For instance, in 2023, the total contribution limit is $6,500 for individuals under 50, and $7,500 for those who are 50 or older.
You don’t want to be taxed on excess IRA contributions.
Tips for managing multiple IRAs
Managing multiple IRAs comes with its own set of challenges. But, with the right approach, you can reap substantial benefits:
Organize Your Investments. Keep your IRAs clearly labeled for distinct goals—a critical step.
List Your Beneficiaries Properly: You must list your beneficiaries on each Roth IRA account.
Consolidate Accounts. If you find managing many accounts overwhelming, think about consolidating them at one institution.
Regular Review. Evaluate your portfolio time and again to see if adjustments are needed.
Monitor Fees. Fee accumulation can hollow out your retirement savings. Keep a close watch on them.
Use Software to Help You. My personal favorite is Quicken Classic
For many people, they learn how to invest 10k the first time using their Roth accounts.
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FAQs About Having Multiple Roth IRAs
For 2023, the total combined contribution limit for all of your Roth IRAs stands at $6,500, or if you are 50 or older, it is $7,500 thanks to an extra ‘catch-up’ contribution.
This limit applies to the total contribution made across all of your Roth IRAs and traditional IRAs.3
The IRS does not impose a limit on the number of IRAs an individual can own. You are free to open as many IRAs—Roth or traditional—as you want to suit your retirement savings strategy.
Remember, however, that total annual contributions across all your IRAs must stay within the defined limit. [Quote from IRS documentation stating there’s no limit on the number of IRAs]
No, unfortunately, you can’t.
The yearly limit of $7,000 (or $8,000, if you’re 50 or older) applies to the total amount you contribute across all of your Roth and traditional IRAs, not each individual account for 2024. 3
Yes, you can. The IRS doesn’t set a cap on the number of Roth IRA conversions you can execute.
So, you can certainly convert multiple traditional IRAs into just one Roth IRA.
Take note that you’re likely to owe income tax on the entire amount converted in the conversion year.
Learn more about converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA because this decision will affect your taxes.
From my experience, there are times when it is wise to convert and I did. Then, there were others that converting the account did not make financial sense. So, make sure you figure out the best-case scenario for you.
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Now, How Many Roth IRAs Can I Open?
In conclusion, it is not only possible but also potentially advantageous to hold multiple Roth IRA accounts.
By diversifying your retirement savings across various Roth IRAs, you can expose your money to different asset classes and investment opportunities not all available in one account.
Learn how to invest in stocks for beginners.
Nevertheless, the decision to open multiple Roth IRAs must be driven by your personal financial circumstances, retirement objectives, risk tolerance, and expected time horizon. If the decision aligns with your financial blueprint and retirement strategy, opening multiple Roth IRAs today could be a smart move.
Given the unique tax advantages Roth IRAs offer – tax-free withdrawals during retirement – this could ensure a financially secure and tax-efficient retirement.
Honestly, I think choosing the right brokerage is harder for most people.
As always, consider seeking guidance from a trusted financial advisor to help navigate these decisions and ensure your retirement planning is optimally structured for your financial needs and goals.
Remember, the key to successful retirement planning lies in understanding all associated rules, benefits, and potential drawbacks.
Sources
Internal Revenue Service. “Types of Retirement Plans.” https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-sponsor/types-of-retirement-plans. Accessed October 10, 2023.
Internal Revenue Service. “Roth IRAs.” https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/roth-iras. Accessed October 10, 2023.
Internal Revenue Service. “Retirement Topics – IRA Contribution Limits.” https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-ira-contribution-limits. Accessed October 10, 2023.
FDIC. “Your Insured Deposits.” https://www.fdic.gov/resources/deposit-insurance/brochures/insured-deposits/. Accessed October 10, 2023.
Internal Revenue Service. “Retirement Topics – IRA Contribution Limits.” https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-ira-contribution-limits. Accessed October 10, 2023.
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Home is where we spend most of our time, the safe space that welcomes us at the end of a long day, the special place where we raise our families, bond with our loved ones, or retreat to for some well-deserved solitude.
And much like everything else in life, our home needs to be properly taken care of. I’m not talking about property improvements, upgrades or anything fancy.
Today, we just want to go over some general home maintenance aspects that you’re likely well aware of, but we’re hoping that a little reminder will help bring them to the forefront.
There are many things you can do, from doing regular maintenance with proper cleaning products like the ones from HG to taking extra safety measures. When you take care of your home properly, it will be the most comfortable place in the world. Keep reading to learn more about how you can achieve that.
Perform regular maintenance
The first tip to make your home is always in top condition is to perform regular maintenance.
This usually includes inspecting some points in your house, such as pipelines, roofs, ceilings, and HVAC systems. When you find something wrong at one or some of those points, you have to quickly address the issue.
Of course, you can always rely on professionals who are specialized in fixing such problems if you don’t feel like you have the expertise to do it yourself.
Make a regular cleaning schedule
The next tip is to keep your house clean at all times by making a regular cleaning schedule.
You can set the cleaning schedule once a month, twice a month, or even once a week depending on how often your home gets cluttered. Usually, the more people living in the house, the more easily it gets cluttered and accumulates dust.
You can adjust your regular cleaning schedule based on how many people live in your house. Besides, you have to stock up on several kinds of cleaning products to make your regular cleaning activities much easier.
Take security measures
Another thing you must not miss when taking care of your home is to take security measures.
This is very important because the safety of your house as well as its inhabitants must be a key priority. And this doesn’t only mean safety from burglars who can break into your house. It also means keeping your home safe from hazards such as fire and potential short circuits.
A few easy ways to achieve this is to ensure your home has all the basic security features like security locks, smoke detectors, and fire extinguishers. It’s also a good idea to install an alarm system and several CCTVs around your home (if your budget can accommodate that) to make it more secure.
Perform landscaping and outdoor maintenance regularly
To make your home more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing, you have to perform landscaping and outdoor maintenance regularly.
This is very important because the exterior of your house can change drastically if you don’t tend to it regularly. One of the most important outdoor maintenance activities that you have to do is to mow your lawn due to how fast weeds grow.
You also have to trim bushes and trees if you have any in your yard. You also have to check the drainage to make sure it’s not blocked by dirt.
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In 2004, Kris and I bought a hundred-year-old farmhouse. We’d been living in a 1976 ranch-style home that was virtually maintenance-free. We knew that our new house was quirky, and that it needed some remodeling, but we didn’t quite understand the extent to which maintenance would dominate our lives. Every summer, we’ve had a major project. Or two. This year is no different.
In previous years we’ve remodeled the bathroom, replaced the electrical system, hung new drywall, and more. This year our focus is on the home’s exterior. While we’ve been improving the inside, the outside has begun to fall into disrepair. It’s not an eyesore yet, but it could become one. This winter’s heavy snow pulled the gutters away from the house. Certain sections (most of which are purely decorative, like balconies) are beginning to rot. And the paint has begun to flake and peel:
This is an extreme example from one corner of the house.
There’s a lot of work to be done. As always, the prospect of the time and money involved to patch things up makes me glum. It seems as if there’s always something new that needs attention.
Fortunately, we have a home-maintenance account, a sort of emergency fund for our house. Still, as our home inspector says, it’s better spend a little bit of money now than a lot of money later. From his 2004 report:
The national statistic on the Cash Value of Home Maintenance states, for every $1 that is spent on maintenance, up to $100 of repairs are avoided. In my experience as a professional home inspector, I have looked at hundreds of homes in all age ranges, and I have seen thousands of dollars of damage to homes that could have been avoided by spending $5 to $10 and just a few minutes of work.
On Friday we met with a series of contractors. We stood outside in the bitter cold, climbing ladders and pointing out the things that need to be repaired. We may be able to handle some of the things ourselves (the gutters, for example), but others either require a professional, or are things we’re willing to pay for. We could paint the house, for example, but we know ourselves. If we start the project, it’ll take forever, and it won’t be done as well as a pro could do it.
When we moved into this house, our home inspector recommended that we create a home-maintenance checklist. I’m beginning to understand the wisdom of this advice. Fortunately, the previous owner — who lived here more than 40 years — drew up a list of chores and organized them by month. This weekend, we modified this list (adding and subtracting items), and included ongoing projects. Now we have our own home maintenance checklist [36k PDF].
The checklist for each home is different, and should include monthly, quarterly, and annual tasks. You can find some great sample checklists around the web:
The Mississippi State University Extension Service home checklist is outstanding.
The National Center for Healthy Housing also has an excellent checklist.
For the Old School, check out the big list of house maintenance tasks from Usenet’s alt.home.repair (Ah, Usenet, how I miss you…)
I have a dream that someday in the future, we’ll be done with all of the maintenance and repair. Someday we’ll have a summer without a home-improvement project. I just don’t think that someday is coming any time soon. For now, we’ll continue to tackle the most urgent projects as we can afford them. And we’ll console ourselves with the knowledge that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Tip: My biggest piece of advice for saving money on home maintenance? Don’t buy a hundred-year-old farmhouse!
Don’t you just love your home appliances when they’re brand new? When they still retain that spotless shine, with no dents, scratches or signs of use?
While new appliances can do wonders in updating your kitchen, that doesn’t necessarily mean you should be considering replacing your old ones quite yet.
Especially if all you’ve got are a few dents in your home appliances — that can easily be fixed, at home, with minimum costs. How’s that for a quick kitchen upgrade?
To remove dents from home appliances, there are quite a few DIY dent removal tools that are inexpensive and fairly easy to use.
To make your research easier, we’ve rounded up some of the best types to choose from. And the best part: they’ll come in handy the next time you get a dent in your car, saving you some serious $$$ along the way.
The best tools to removedents from your home appliances
Suction puller
This is considered one of the most effective tools to remove dents from home appliances (as well as car dents). This tool basically works just as well on plastic as on metal bodies.
The cups of this tool are basically constructed out of plastic or rubber. Total pressure created by a cup can go more than 120 pounds thus they can easily remove even greater dents from your car.
The suction puller has an ergonomically designed handle with which you can effectively pull out even a serious, deep dent. In most of the cases, the handle is made up of carbon fiber and can easily bear a lot of pressure. Moreover, the size of the cup usually ranges from 2 to 6 inches in diameter, considered ideal for every other type of dent.
Glue pull
This tool basically uses high-quality glue which is placed on one end of a sophisticated tool or a suction cup, with the cup then being placed over the dent and pulled with force to remove the dent.
Through the glue pull, you can effectively remove the dent from a car without even causing any harm to the outer body paint of your car.
When you use this tool, there is no need to spend money on repainting your car.
The gun basically produces melted glue which sticks to the surface easily, but doesn’t prompt any corrosive reaction.
Dent pushing tool
This is another tool which is very effective as you will get to push the dent from behind by using various types of rods.
One has to use different types of rods depending on the size of the dent and the place where it has occurred. This tool is considered most cost-effective in nature but requires greater manual work — especially compared to the suction pull.
Most of the rods are manufactured either from stainless steel or with aluminum, which makes them very durable and rust proof.
These rods have different types of lengths ranging from 15 to 35 inches and sizes, making it the perfect choice for dented parts that are a little harder to reach.
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Do you want to remodel your kitchen? If the answer is “yes”, then you are not alone. As a matter of fact, kitchen remodeling is the second-most popular type of home renovation – according to the NAHB or the National Association of Homebuilders. Kitchen remodels have accounted for 78% of all projects in 2018.
This actually makes sense if you are consider the mere fact that your kitchen is one of the most used rooms in the home. It is where you eat, cook, prepare food, prepare family dinner, and more.
However, remodeling a kitchen isn’t a small project. Just like any other kinds of home renovation project, your kitchen remodeling will put a dent in your budget. But if you plan carefully ahead, you will be able to navigate the renovation process more smoothly.
Something that could help speed up that process is getting familiar with the average cost of a kitchen remodeling, and we’re here to help with that — as well as provide some extra helpful pointers.
Do not bust your budget
Before you even start to plan your kitchen remodeling, you should set a budget first. Although it might be tempting for you to bust a large portion of your budget on high-end cabinets, you should resist the urge.
Chances are, there might be some unexpected costs that may pop up for which you need to account so that they don’t set you off track.
You should start by creating a budget for how much you would like to spend. After that, decide how you will fund this – from your savings, from cash flow etc. Regardless, make sure that you have the budget set aside before starting work in a fairly liquid and easily accessible account.
Average cost of a kitchen remodel
On average, remodeling a kitchen may cost you about $24,016 or around $150/ sq. ft. Most homeowners spend between $12,792 & $35,536 or about $75-$50/ sq. ft.
The whole expense may vary depending on the quality of the materials you use, the size of your kitchen space, as well as whether you want to change the layout of the kitchen.
Furthermore, a fixed project of around $10,000 to $15,000 might cover refacing cabinets, installing a tile backsplash, painting walls, and upgrading the sink.
A renovation that costs more than $30,000 might include installing hardwood floors, high-end appliances, granite counters, and custom cabinets.
For a lot of people, the kitchen serves as the heart of the home. It is where you prepare your meals, eat, and conduct gatherings. There is no doubt kitchen remodeling is very popular and has the largest payoff when it comes to increasing the resale value of a property. Certainly, it is also the most intricate and might be the most expensive.
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Patios provide more than additional square footage to your home. They also enhance the design of any house and add to the curb appeal, meaning any improvement you make can turn out to be a good investment later on, when you decide to sell.
When you look around Phoenix, Arizona, you will see a lot of patio covers, gazebos, and porches.Sure, they look good but they serve a much more important purpose. With the sun bearing down on the city 85% of the time in an average year, there’s a dire need for additional protection from the searing heat.
When you think about it, Phoenix is the perfect spot to harness the power of the sun. After all, it is listed as one of the sunniest cities in America. Locals get 3,800 to 4,000 hours of sunlight per year, so why not try to capture that?
Particularly since homeowners can also get incentives when they go for alternative power sources other than the traditional fossil fuels.
Often, the glass panels get installed on the roof where the sunlight hits them directly. Sometimes, you can also see them on the ground with unique mounts that allow the panels to follow the sun’s movement throughout the day.
Solar panels in the patio: Best of both worlds
While most solar mounts you’ll see are set on the roof of the house, not every structure is ideal for supporting their weight, which makes the patio a great alternative.
Converting your patio into a mount for solar panels gives homeowners both additional shade and a great alternative source of power. Over the years, installers have introduced innovative ways to install the panels on smaller scales on Phoenix homes. You have solar trees, solar cars, and ground solar.
But patio manufacturers give an additional platform for suppliers to install solar power on homes. Unlike with ground solar, patios do not require supplementary land.
If you are planning to build a patio on your property, you can hit two birds with one stone by also adding solar panels on the roof.
One option is to use the panels for your main roof instead of a solid cover or a pergola. The main advantage of this option is that you maximize the solar footprint. The drawback, however, is that it does not supply maximum protection from the sun.
If you already have a patio attached to your home, you may need to contact a service provider such as City Seamless Patio Covers, to check the durability of the columns and beams and confirm that they can support the additional weight of solar panels. This is a crucial step in the process, and the good news is that it’s a relatively easy fix to reinforce the posts if they’re not sturdy enough.
If you own a small restaurant or cafe, patios give you that extra footprint to expand your indoor space. As a result, you can add more tables and chairs for your customers. Businesses spend about $2 for every square foot of space.If you have 1,000 square feet of business space, including your patio, you are looking at $2,000 per month. One innovative way to cut your overhead costs is to go solar.
Imagine how much you would save if you could reduce your utility bills down to zero? You can use solar energy to heat your water or to power your heat, ventilation, and air conditioning system. If you store enough energy, you can send it back to the grid for extra credits.
And your smart home can also be powered by the energy you store from the solar panels. The average homeowner in Arizona, for instance, pays about $120 per month on electricity bills. You can reduce that to zero with the help of your photovoltaic panels.
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Home security is an issue that everyone needs to take seriously. Unfortunately, many people may be inadvertently overlooking some aspects that may not seem like much, but that can end up putting the security of their homes and families at risk.
Here are ten common home security mistakes that can be easily corrected.
Hiding spare keys outside
It is convenient to have a spare key hidden outside just in case you get locked out of your home. It’s also easy for intruders to find them.
If you must hide a spare key outside of your home, you should never put it in an obvious place. Don’t hide it under the mat or above a light fixture, or any other element that might stand out.
Having large foliage right next to your home
By having large foliage right next to your home, you could be creating a place for intruders to disguise themselves.
They can easily hide inside of a bush or behind a tree. If you must have foliage right next to your home, you should choose items that are small in size and aren’t very dense.
Not having proper lights
It’s all too easy for intruders to hide in the dark. You can easily solve this by having an adequate amount of lighting outside of your home.
Don’t forget to put your lighting system on a timer as well. This will allow your lights to automatically come on even when you are not at home.
Installing privacy fences
Many of us like our privacy. However, a privacy fence can put you in danger. These types of fences can make it all too easy for thieves to hide, and it can be difficult for a neighbor to spot an unauthorized person on your property. If you have a privacy fence, intruders can break into your home without anyone even seeing it.
Keeping valuables in plain sight
You could be inadvertently encouraging a thief to break into your home by having your valuables in plain sight.
Be mindful about leaving your blinds and curtains open. If you do plan on having them open to let in some natural light, you need to make sure things like jewelry and money aren’t in plain sight.
Not using your alarm system
A good home alarm or wireless security system is great for keeping intruders out of your home. However, you may not be using it like you should be.
Many homeowners forget to set their alarm. It really can’t do its job if it isn’t armed. Even if you have a sign in your yard that lets others know that you have an alarm, it won’t do much good if you never use the actual alarm system itself.
Posting too much personal information on social media
We all want to let our friends know when we go on vacation or have a fun evening out.
However, you could also be letting others know that your house will be empty for an extended period of time.
So it’s always better to post those vacation photos once your trip is over, whenever possible.
Letting your mail pile up
Many people don’t realize that their mail is one of the most common ways for intruders to find out when a home is empty. They will look in your mailbox to see if your mail has piled up for several days, and know to time their actions accordingly.
If you will be going out of town, have your mail service temporarily suspended. You can also ask a trusted neighbor to collect it for you while you are gone.
Putting the packaging of expensive items by the trash can
If you put packaging from an expensive item like a laptop or tablet by your trash cans, you will be letting thieves know that you just purchased these items.
Instead of doing this, you should cut up the packaging so that it fits into your trash can or recycling bin. This will allow you to still throw away the packaging in a way where you won’t be announcing to everyone that you just bought an expensive item.
Not locking your doors in the daytime
Burglaries don’t just happen at night. It’s actually very common for them to occur during the day as well.
In fact, many burglars target homes only during the day. This is because they assume that occupants are at school or work.
Don’t leave your doors unlocked when you aren’t at home. Even just a quick trip to the store can put your home at risk. You need to lock your doors no matter what time of day it is.
Don’t forget to check your windows as well. You’d be surprised at how easily an intruder can find their way into a home, even if it’s through a second-story window that you failed to lock.
In conclusion, many homes aren’t as secure as they can be. Many individuals are putting themselves at risk by making the security mistakes mentioned above. Fortunately, all of these mistakes can be avoided. By being mindful about security at all times, you can easily keep your home secure and keep intruders out.
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Whenever we talk about home improvement, décor, and other aspects of construction, we regularly use home improvement terms like home or building remodeling, renovation, and restoration. And while we tend to use them interchangeably, that shouldn’t be the case.
As you might guess, the three terms all bear different meanings, yet are closely related to each other, which often creates confusion. In this guide, we’ll go deeper into their meaning and compare these three home improvement terms for you to know exactly which one to use, and when.
Overall, these terms are normally used when a property or a housing unit needs a tune-up. It could be damaged by natural disasters or simply needs an update to make it look presentable and functional for the next homeowners or renters.
Restoration, renovation and remodeling are three projects that aim for one goal — to restore or improve a home. Now, let’s clarify them a little further.
What’s a renovation?
Building renovation refers to the process of making an object (a home or any other type of establishment) look and function like new. The process focuses on making use of what is already present and readily available, fixing it, and adding new items for maximized comfort and functionality.
This makes the renovation the most affordable option, when compared to remodeling.
As some project managers would describe it, renovation takes creativity and a great deal of resourcefulness. Moreover, it proves to be more cost-effective than remodeling, making it more appealing among homeowners with have limited financial resources.
Renovations and restorations usually go hand in hand. Let’s say that you have a house with a bathroom with cracked walls and filled with rusty showerheads. You restore the bathroom to its original condition and renovate it by adding a new bathtub and other items to make it look modern.
What’s a restoration?
From a historical viewpoint, a home restoration is when you recreate the look to match its original form, in all its glory. For example, if the home initially had a blue interior, you’d want to restore it with blue paint. Likewise, if it had a Victorian feel, you’d want to buy pieces that match.
Restoration can be compared to the process of maintaining the property from its original state so that gradual deterioration won’t be noticed. This method can be used when your water system gets destroyed by a natural disaster. Or when fire or a flood has taken a toll on your home’s beauty. In most cases, you’d need to hire professionals like asaprestoration.net to help you with the restoration process.
Of the three processes, home or building restorations can be the cheapest. In addition, it requires less energy for conceptualization and the actual process itself. It doesn’t require a hectic level of manual labor that other types of home improvement projects come with.
What’s remodeling?
The most tedious and daunting process of the three is home or building remodeling. It involves taking a worn-out property and reimagining it into a more modern or functional one.
Most remodeling projects entail fairly complex work like expanding the property, removing, gutting or adding walls, and adding cooling/heating systems. Among the three, remodeling is deemed the most expensive, as you’ll need new materials and additional items to complete the project, more time to finish, and a lot of people to help accomplish your vision.
According to established project managers and contractors, it is best to assess whether you have the funds for remodeling and if you do, ask for a cost estimate so you can agree to a remodelling contract that’s within your budget. Don’t forget to set aside a contingency fund for unexpected problems.
Now that you have a clear idea of the difference between remodeling, restoration, and renovation, you can carefully assess what project to undertake to achieve your house goals. Take into account the property’s condition, your financial resources, and your vision to make sure you’re spending within your means and still get the results you want.
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As parents, we all want the best for our children — from the best nutrition to keep them strong, healthy, and sharp, to catering to their safety and giving them all the things that keep them happy and peaceful. We want them to sleep as tight and peaceful as they can and wake up brimming with energy for the day.
So the question is, how do you make your kid’s bedroom as peaceful and safe as it can be?
There are plenty of ways to do so, but one of the best among them is to soundproof their room. It’s basically keeping internal and external noise from distracting our kids while they sleep, play, read, or do whatever they please in their territory.
The best thing about this is that soundproofing is easy to do. And cheap! If you’re looking to improve your kid’s bedroom’s soundproofing, here are 6 easy ways to do so.
#1 Install soundproof art panels on the walls
You can turn to soundproof art panels for help, both for soundproofing and for interior design needs.
These stylish panels are made with sound absorbing and soundproofing materials to control noise from entering and leaving your kid’s bedroom. They also come in different colors and styles, so you’ll have plenty of options for panels that match the interior of your child’s bedroom.
Fortunately, there are soundproof art panels readily available on Amazon. But if you’re picky about the style of the art panel you’re installing, you can opt for custom-made panels instead.
They’re as easy to install, maintain, and remove as acoustic foam panels, so you won’t run into any problems when placing these soundproofing aids in the bedroom.
#2 Get a white noise machine
If you’re looking for the easiest and instant way to block noise completely from your kid’s bedroom, a white noise machine is the solution you’re looking for.
A white noise machine drowns the distracting noises for your kids by producing sounds that make them subconsciously ignore all other distracting sounds and noises. As a result, white noise can help your child get a peaceful good night sleep you’re looking for.
However, you must use a white noise machine with caution. Use it only when the situation calls for it, say when a sudden loud commotion erupted outside during your kid’s sleeping time.
When you use them to comfort your kids during their sleep, they’ll develop the habit of relying to white noise to drift to sleep. Not to mention that other children don’t respond well to white noise. Some may actually prefer a little noise playing in the background as assurance that they’re not alone at home.
You can check out this guide to learn when to stop white noise for babies.
#3 Double-glaze the windows
Double glazing your windows means placing one more windowpane, separated by a vacuum or gas-filled space.
Not only does this add some soundproofing for the bedroom, but it also improves the overall insulation of the room. The extra glass layer traps heat from coming in and out, saving you from relying too much on the air conditioner during the summer or the heater in the winter. Soundproofing and savings off the electricity bill, all in one go.
The only downside to this is the remodeling needed to install the new layer of glass window panes. You’ll also need to spend a little more on the installation.
You can also hang soundproof curtains to adore your new double glazed windows. These curtains are made with tightly-woven fabric to help keep noise out.
#4 Lay more rugs or carpets on the floor
Children are just full of energy. They love to run, jump, and play around in their bedroom whenever they feel like it, and that’s a good thing.
Well, except when their bedrooms’ on the second floor and you can’t concentrate on what you’re doing with all the thumping on the ceiling. Or when it’s the middle of the night and you suddenly hear lively footsteps and thumping in their bedroom.
In that case, you need more rugs or carpets in your child’s bedroom. These can help deaden the noise produced by the thumping, especially if their bedroom is made of hardwood or vinyl. The thicker the rug is, the more noise it can absorb, so feel free to layer those rugs on the floor.
Rugs and carpets can also add more security to your kid’s health while they’re playing in their room. When they accidentally stumble, fall, or trip, the thick rugs or carpets can serve as a cushion for their bodies, lessening the impact of the fall.
#5 Soundproof your doors
Noise from other rooms can still sneak through your door, even when it’s tightly shut. Those small gaps are more than enough for noise to penetrate, so you need to fill them up too. You can do this through weatherstripping.
The most common type of weatherstrip used for soundproofing doors is adhesive-backed foam type. They’re easy to install – you just measure how long you need, remove the adhesive, and stick it around your door frame where the gaps are located.
If you’ve got the budget to spare, and you’re already planning to do some remodeling, you can replace your hollow-core door with solid ones, preferably those made with 27.5-inches-thick wood.
You can also paint your new door with a plywood coat or soundproofing paint to make the bedroom door perfectly fit for soundproofing.
#6 Place more soft furniture in the bedroom
We don’t want our kids to play in their bedroom only to get hurt by bumping into corners of the furniture. But the lack of furniture in their room allows noise to keep roaming around since there are no surfaces to deflect them around.
To fill the white space in your room, provide more surfaces for noise to deflect around, and prevent your kids from getting injuries, soft furniture items are your best friends.
Fluffy, overstuffed sofas, bean bags, and other soft furniture also help balance the ratio of hard and soft surfaces in their bedroom.
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