Home Ownership Tips

If you are a new home owner or a long time home owner; Welcome! Here you will find helpful information. Somethings I learned as a certified home inspector in the Twin Cities and some from being a homeowner myself. Covering topics from energy saving tips to information about mulch.

Is it time to add in-floor heating to your home? |

The two main types of in-floor heating are water-based and electric; electric heating tends to cost less to install.
Underfloor heating evenly warms up your home with the potential to cut energy costs.
Whether you're selling soon or staying put for the foreseeable future, in-floor heating is a desirable feature for many homeowners.
To help potential move-up buyers determine the Minnesota cities where they might want to move next, Edina Realty’s data team ran an in-depth query for cities that, within the last year, had more than 50 listings with the following criteria:

Single-family homes with 3 bed, 3 bath or more
2500+ finished square feet
Attached garage
The results were fresh, interesting and — dare we say — a little bit exciting? Here, we’re detailing the top 10 cities for move-up buyers in Minnesota, and giving the inside scoop on what these towns have to offer homeowners in the area.

10 ways to fireproof your home, inside and out

Routine maintenance is essential to preventing fires. Smoke detectors, furnace filters and gutters should all be checked regularly.
Swap out potential fire hazards, like open flame candles, for safer alternatives in your home.
Consult an expert if you have any questions regarding your home’s fire safety.
Whether you recently bought a new house or hope to increase the safety of your long-term residence, fire safety is essential. Moving forward, here are ten tips you can use to fireproof your home’s interior and exterior.

1. Install or check smoke detectors
Before assessing other fire hazards, be sure to check your smoke detectors. Make sure all detectors are installed and working properly. Then, set a calendar alert to re-check all alarms in your home monthly.

Not only is this the first step to creating a fireproof space, some home inspections check for smoke detectors, too.

2. Replace aging fire extinguishers
Have you had the same fire extinguisher for decades? Do you not have one a

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10 Simple Ways to Bring Order to a Small Kitchen

Contrary to what you might think, you don’t need acres of counter space or dozens of drawers and cupboards to have an organized kitchen that’s a joy to cook in. If anything, a smaller kitchen can encourage you to streamline your stuff and live more simply. Check out these easy ways to restore order to your less-than-enormous kitchen.
1. Start With a Utensil Rack

Not only will it give you a place to hang slotted spoons and ladles for easy access while cooking, it will also free up precious drawer space.

Even in the tiniest kitchen, you can usually find somewhere to squeeze one in — under a cupboard or shelf or above the stove. Stainless steel models work in most styles of rooms and are easy to wipe down.
2. Get a Knife Holder

A knife block or magnetic rack is one of those simple items that really do make a difference in how functional your kitchen is. After all, rummaging around in a drawer for a piece of kitchen gear you use frequently is time-consuming and dispiriting.
A wall-mount

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Is it time to get a new couch? Here's 6 signs

There’s no understating how important a couch is to your everyday life. It’s the foundation of your living room design palette, the gathering spot for your friends and family to enjoy quality time, and a comfortable place to rest after a long day. They don’t last forever though, unfortunately.

A quality sofa should stay in good condition for many years—on average, between seven to 15 years—but how do you know when time is up? Whether your couch no longer fits your style or space, or simply has seen better days, there are plenty of warning signs to pay attention to.
“By investing in a well-made, timeless piece that feels personal to you, your space can naturally evolve with you for many years,” Nidhi Kapur, founder & CEO of Maiden Home, shares with The Spruce.

Your Couch No Longer Functions For Your Needs
If the good old days of solo nights winding down on the couch are long gone—and maybe you’ve exchanged them for bouncing a baby on your knee and hosting overnight guests—you’ll need

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How to prevent and fix ice dams this winter

Ice dams, which form in the eaves and gutters of your home, can lead to significant water damage if left untreated.
Poor insulation and air leaks could be the culprit of your ice dams. Have a professional inspect the upper level of your home and recommend solutions.
To help minimize your risk of ice dams, remove leaves from your gutters before winter hits, and clear snow from your roof with a roof rake throughout the winter.
As the coldest months of the year approach, homeowners in Minnesota and western Wisconsin are preparing their homes for winter. On top of clearing the gutters and switching on fireplaces, homeowners may be wondering how to prevent hazardous ice dams from forming on their roofs.

Here’s everything you need to know to keep your home safe from ice dams and the damage they cause.
What are ice dams?
Ice dams typically follow a weather pattern that is all-too-common in the Midwest: A generous dumping of snow, followed by a warmer “heat wave” that causes the snow to melt

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WEATHERSTRIP THESE 3 SPOTS TO SAVE ENERGY

One of the quickest energy- and money-saving tasks you can do is weatherstrip your windows and doors.

Weatherstripping is a piece of rubber, foam, metal or other material used to seal the edges of a door or window to prevent outside air from entering.

Air leaks around window and door edges are a leading cause of high energy costs in your home. By sealing uncontrolled air leaks, you can save 10-20 percent on your heating and cooling bills.
Not sure if you need to weatherstrip? Try this test for air tightness: On a windy day, carefully hold a lit incense stick or a smoke pen next to your windows and doors. If the smoke stream travels horizontally, then you need to apply some weatherstripping.

Weatherizing your home is an easy and affordable DIY project. Here are three prime spots for air leaks and how to weatherstrip them.

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Adam Solko

Home Ownership Tips

Is it time to add in-floor heating to your home? |

10 ways to fireproof your home, inside and out

10 Simple Ways to Bring Order to a Small Kitchen

Is it time to get a new couch? Here's 6 signs

How to prevent and fix ice dams this winter

WEATHERSTRIP THESE 3 SPOTS TO SAVE ENERGY

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