Posts in category 'House Tips'

Ah, spring! The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and the windows are finally open! Now is definitely the time to take a realistic look at your home's exterior (and all that goes with it), and do the necessary cleaning, or make repairs or replacements. Winter can be harsh, but springtime is all about renewal!

1. Roof and shingles

Winter storms, snow, and wind can take a toll on your roof shingles, and the summer sun doesn't do your roof any favors, either. If you can, get up on a ladder and really take a good look at the condition of your shingles. Are they loose? Do you see any cracks or wearing? If so, you may want to begin to budget for a replacement roof by next winter. While you're up there, make sure you check any skylights, and clear away debris. Examine the flashing around your plumbing vents and chimney to see if they should be repaired or replaced (by a qualified roofer, of course).

2. Gutters

Make sure your gutters are intact, and...

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Real estate agents see pet doors all the time. But more often than not they're put into doors that go outside, or maybe to the basement. So, Tampa agent Kristen Brown and her buyer clients were pretty surprised when they saw one that looked like it went into a closet in the middle of a house they were touring...

Where in the world did this lead to? The basement? Only one way to find out...

When they opened up the bottom part of the door they found a purrfectly private place for a litter box. Not only does it give the cat a little privacy, but it hides the litter box from sight. And the vinyl tiles on the floor and wall help make keeping it clean a cinch.

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You can take the cat out of the wild, but you can't entirely take the wild out of a cat.

Many house cats would love to break free and roam outside, but it can also be a dangerous place for a domestic cat. So, they're unfortunately often confined within the walls of a house and have to make do by sitting and looking out through a window or door.

But you could let your cat safely get just the right amount of wild with an amazing catio addition like the ones Hellas Pet Enclosures builds!

Take a look at one they built for one of their customers…

It started 2 years ago with the section attached to the house by the upper window, giving the owners' cats a little freedom. But then they added the "stairs" going down to…

…a bridge that crosses over their yard. You see where this is headed?!

The 42' bridge takes a right turn in the trees and leads to the grand catio.

There's a handy door for humans to get into the 12'x16' enclosure. (Way better than having to crawl out of the second floor window and through the bridge! LOL) Let's take a look inside…

It's prime time for climb time for a cat who wants to!

But there's also plenty of cool perches to just chill out and watch the birds, breathe in the fresh air, and soak up the warm sun.

But just in case kitty wants a little break from the sun, or just a little privacy, there's a little hideaway they can curl up in.

This is quite an elaborate "catio". If you're interested in doing something like this for your cat, you can always do something more modest just off the side of your house. But remember, this one started out with one smaller section! So, you may just find yourself putting on additions after a while!

Spring has sprung, which means it's the perfect time to get the outside of your home in top shape before the summer months. A little sprucing can go a long way with enhancing your home's curb appeal. In fact a property's outdoor appeal can dictate people's home buying decision. And while it's not always necessary to keep a perfectly manicured lawn and flawlessly trimmed trees and bushes, little updates and refreshers, such as washing the windows and re-painting the front door, can make a positive impact. Plus, yearly maintenance can prevent big, costly overhauls down the road.

Use this infographic from The Grass People to hit all the bases—from the lawn and gardens to outdoor lighting and walkways.

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Spring is coming soon, and with it comes the opportunity to begin remodeling projects! Because there are many things that could go wrong with any remodeling project, it pays to have some help from the pros who have already done what you want to do. This way, you'll save time, money, and a boatload of frustration at possibly having to redo a project.

Here are seven of the most common mistakes people make when they begin a remodeling project. Once you're aware of them, you can work to avoid making the same mistakes on your own projects.

Avoid impatience

Don't rush into any remodeling project. Think it through, decide what your priorities will be for the project, and come up with a good plan that you can follow. Revise this plan until it seems rock solid, and all your goals for the project will be met. Price out the work, and then try like crazy to stick to your plan, and your pricing. Of course, you should always expect the unexpected, but if you have a sol...

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