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9 Hacks To Help Keep Your Home Warm This Winter.

A cold winter breeze infiltrating your home can chill you to your core. However, by making a few simple and cost-effective changes around your house, you can stay warm and cozy all winter long.

Install a smart thermostat

Adding a smart thermostat can not only improve the comfort of your home but also lower your energy costs. Some smart thermostats enable you to adjust your heating based on the time of day, allowing you to set a warmer temperature when you wake up or when you arrive home from work. Best of all, installing a smart thermostat can help you save up to 10 percent on monthly heating costs.

Check your ceiling fans

Your ceiling fans can be an effective way to distribute warm air throughout a room, especially in spaces with high ceilings. However, you need to make sure they are adjusted correctly. Your fans should run clockwise, as this will help push warmer air downward.

Put up heavy drapes or curtains

You should replace any thin curtains or drapes with heavier alternatives to help keep warm air inside your house and chilly winter air out. However, you should open the drapes and curtains of any south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to flow into your home and heat your space naturally. Just make sure to close your curtains and drapes at night, which can help reduce heat loss by 10 percent.

Examine your furnace filter regularly

You should clean or replace any filters for your furnace once a month or as the manufacturer recommends. If you have pets or several people living in your home, your filter may get dirty faster. Also, make sure to clean registers, baseboard heaters, and radiators as needed.

Keep your ventilation ducts open

Placing furniture, carpeting, or drapes in front of your HVAC registers can reduce the effectiveness of your heating system and, depending on the heating system you have, become a fire hazard. If you moved furniture during the warmer months, check to see if it’s blocking the flow of heat in the room.

Use rugs

Rugs are not only a stylish addition to a room but also a practical one in winter. If you have rooms with hardwood, ceramic tile, or laminate flooring, placing rugs throughout the space adds a layer of insulation to help keep your feet warm this winter.

Make sure dampers are open

Some ductwork has dampers used to close off ducts and adjust airflow depending on the setting. So if one of the rooms of your home feels particularly cold, look for levers or dials in your ductwork to ensure the dampers are in the correct position.

Install door snakes

If there is a pesky draft coming from one of your exterior doors, a door snake may be able to put a stop to it. These weighted fabric tubes are placed at the base of doors to seal the gap and block cold air from entering your home. You can find door snakes at many major retailers, or you can find a guide online to make your own.

Close your chimney flue

While a wood-burning fireplace can warm your home, it can also allow heat to escape and lower the temperature. Ensure the chimney flue is closed when the fireplace is not in use to prevent warm air from leaving your home. However, always confirm that it is open before using your fireplace again. You can also purchase a fireplace plug to seal the flu.

In addition to cold temperatures, you may need to prepare your home for snow and ice this season. Use these tips to get your home ready for any winter storms you may face.Carolina Life ~ REALTORSNorth Carolina Lifestyle and Real EstateContact Carolina Life with any questions!GET IN TOUCH(919) 263-1808Directinfo@carolinalife.homesEmailwww.carolinalife.homesWebsiteFacebook.com/CarolinaLife.HomesSocial MediaInstagram.com/carolinalife.homesSocial Media

Wake Forest NC, 27587Office

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Designing Backyard Spender!

The dog days of summer are often the perfect time to lounge lazily on the beach or in a hammock by the lake for hours on end. However, with a little effort and upkeep, you can create a personal oasis right in your backyard.

Go for green

Step one to achieving a healthy backyard is assessing your needs. Is your yard in need of a large landscaping project? Do you want to add a garden, potted plants on the patio, or both? Once you figure out the spots in your yard that require extra attention and those that require only cosmetic touch-ups, you’ll feel a lot more organized.

One of the first steps to creating a backyard that’s the envy of the neighborhood is fertilizing your grass. Think of fertilizing as feeding grass the nutrients it needs; a healthy-looking yard is ensured for months to come. When choosing a fertilizer, it may be a good idea to go the organic route. Synthetic fertilizers are full of compounds that could damage your soil over time, whereas organic options retain water better and, while they may work slower, they do more for the long-term benefit of your yard. You only need to apply fertilizer once between June
and August (and it should be six to eight weeks after you did so in the spring).

Mowing your lawn properly will also help keep your grass in tip-top shape. Some tips to keep in mind include not mowing it too short—it should be around two to four inches high, depending on your grass type. Mow in the early hours of the day so both you and the grass don’t suffer from too much heat. And don’t forget to sharpen the blades of your mower. Dull blades aren’t just ineffective—they could also damage your lawn. In addition, water your grass a couple times a week in the morning, or set your sprinkler timer accordingly, so the sun doesn’t soak up all the moisture before it has time to sink in.

However, for those who don’t have a lush, green lawn, or for those who don’t live in an area conducive to this kind of yard, have no fear—there are alternatives. Ornamental grass is a great low-maintenance choice and is best paired with other types of landscaping: flowers, shrubs, and the like. Make sure to spread mulch around it to ensure its longevity.

If you live in an area that gets extremely hot weather, warm-season grasses are the easiest to care for in your climate. These could include Bermuda grass (what you see on golf courses), or midiron grass, a turf option that does well with significant foot traffic. To forgo greenery altogether, consider gravel or slate, which requires very little maintenance; a wood or composite deck, which boosts your home’s return on investment and is ideal for an entertaining space; or consulting with a landscaper about installing a rock garden, which is eye-catching and can withstand hot and cold temperatures.

The primary culprit to an unsightly backyard is weeds. You want to act fast and pull weeds as soon as you spot them. Pulling them by hand is the best way to go if you’re able, but, if not, you may need to use herbicides. Just be sure to use systemic options that kill the roots as well and protect your face and wear gloves and long sleeves.

Creating an oasis

Once your lawn is green and thriving, it’s time to spruce it up in other slightly more fun ways. If building a new deck or patio is outside your budget, there are still a plethora of small upgrades to make in order to fully benefit from summer’s sunny days and warm nights. It’s all about getting creative with the space you already have.

If you do have a deck or patio, consider adding an outdoor rug. It will immediately bring an element of warmth and character, transforming this space into a retreat-like atmosphere. Add floor pillows as well (or keep them stored nearby) for a unique entertaining experience guests are sure to appreciate.

For those without a deck or patio, the tips below can ensure you make the most of your space:

  • Add citronella candles around the yard to ward off bugs and provide a comforting feel.
  • Arrange furniture—even just lawn chairs—in a circle for easy entertaining. Other accessories to consider buying include side tables, glassware, trays, and larger seating to accommodate guests, such as a daybed or bench.
  • Maximize the space by adding various lighting options. String lights have been popular for years and do wonders for creating an idyllic setting. Outdoor sconces and other fixtures that hang from tree branches will create a cozy ambience.
  • While your backyard should be functional, it can also be whimsical. A hammock, game area, firepit, tree swing, and a splash pad for children are all great options.
  • Take it a step further by setting up an outdoor movie theater complete with a screen or sheet, projector, speakers, and plenty of extra seating options. This can provide the feeling of being on vacation without ever leaving home.

Bloom in style

A key factor of adding appeal to any outdoor area is through greenery. Planting the right annuals and perennials this time of year will breathe life into your yard (and may also result in a newfound hobby: gardening!).

  • For the sun-deprived yard: plant begonias, which do well in shade. This is a colorful pick that’s as stylish as it is low maintenance.
  • For attracting butterflies: plant black-eyed Susans, yellow wildflowers in the sunflower family that have the potential to grow to over three feet tall.
  • For adding a touch of personality to a fence: plant clematis, a perennial that loves to climb. (Cut the vine for reflowering later in the season.)
  • For variety: plant dahlias. They range in size and color, and they make for a grand centerpiece arrangement.
  • For a classic summertime look: plant daisies, which will look wonderful in any yard this time of year.

By giving your backyard some tender love and care, it will result in a lively and welcoming space to be enjoyed throughout the summer season.

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Making the Right Move: A Checklist for Homebuyers

Whether you are a first time home buyer or an experienced homeowner, buying a new home is always stressful. Here’s a handy checklist of six things you can do up front to make the process a lot easier. Before you start packing, here’s what you need to do.

  1. Prepare a budget. You need a clear picture of your family’s finances before you even think about calling a Realtor or applying for a mortgage. List all your monthly fixed expenses, such as car payments, current rent or mortgage, utilities, school tuition, and loan payments. Add categories for other expenses such as food and entertainment.
  2. List your debts. If you have existing credit card debts, student loans or other debts that require regular monthly payments, get them down in black and white, so you know exactly how much you owe. Figure out your debt ratio. There are plenty of online calculators that will do this for you. You need to know two ratios. Your housing debt expenses (including taxes and insurance) as a percentage of your gross monthly income should be 25-28%. Your installment debt ratio (credit cards and other consumer debt) should be around 10-15%. Your total debt to income ratio should not be more than 40%.
  3. Get pre-approved. #1 and 2 above are important because you want to get pre-approved for a loan before you start shopping. This is an important safeguard, to keep you from falling in love with something you can’t afford or can’t get a mortgage for. Getting pre-qualified means that you give a lender your overall financial picture, including your debt, income and assets. The lender evaluates this information and gives you a ballpark figure of the mortgage amount for which you could qualify. Pre-qualification can be done over the phone or on the Internet, usually at no cost. Pre-approved, on the other hand, means that a lender evaluates your debt ratios, your credit report, and your overall ability to repay a loan and says, “Yes, I would loan this buyer X number of dollars to buy a home.”
  4. Make a list. Before you begin working with a Realtor, you need to make a two-column list of needs vs. wants. Be sure you know the difference! You need three bedrooms. You want a swimming pool. You need to be very upfront with your Realtor about exactly what constitutes a deal-breaker in your purchasing process. If more than one person is involved in making the final decision, be sure that you are more or less in agreement about needs and wants. If one spouse wants a short commute and the other has visions of a country estate, you could have a problem. Resolve these issues ahead of time.

Call Carolina Life. Once you’ve done your homework, it’s time to start talking with a Realtor. You want to find a Realtor who represents you and puts your interests first. At Carolina Life our clients come first. It’s not about selling you a home, it’s about matching your wants and needs not just with a house but also an area and a lifestyle. Buying a home could well be the single most important decision you will ever make, both financially and emotionally, however, if you partner with Carolina Life and prepare thoughtfully for the process, it can also be a fun, rewarding and stress free experience.

Carolina Life & Homes Realty LLC

12400 Wake Union Church Rd #3-18

Wake Forest NC 27587

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