New Roof: 4 Ways a Replacement Roof Will Save You Money on Heating Costs

Defective roofs may not stand rising temperatures over time. This will, in turn, lead to unexpected expenses on repairs. To prevent such a problem, getting a roof replacement is advisable. 

Since the roof is one of the major structural components of a building, it plays a role in maintaining a steady balance in indoor temperatures. Here are ways your new roof will help you save some bucks on heating costs.

Energy Star Shingles

Roof manufactures offer energy rated shingles which can help regulate heat in the attic. Additionally, the energy star rated shingles are highly reflective which means they expel heat away from the house. 

Upgraded shingles also offer resistance to wind ensuring maximum protection of the layers underneath. Replacing your shingles with energy rated ones will undoubtedly cut down the energy costs.

Hurricane Straps

During roof construction, the roof is fixed in several ways like toe-nailing, clipping or using hurricane straps. The fixing method depends on the age of your home, your builder’s skills, and your location. 

Since hurricane straps offer durability and strength, they are preferred for quality roofing. The straps secure the roof in right position preventing effects of extreme winds and hurricanes. 

Due to the strength factor, using hurricane straps prevents voids in the roof structure which allow excess heat into the framework of the building.

Proper Insulation

Like any other structural component of your house, your roof offers insulation. As time passes, the roof deteriorates and loses the insulation property. 

Metal roofing replacements, like that available from Leon Construction, offer added insulation which is much better assurance for long-term use. Metal roofing also is more of a guarantee against extreme weather conditions. 

Such roofing components last longer compared to shingles. Therefore, to ensure the effectiveness of your roof structure, you should replace it after a few years.

Underlayment Upgrade

When fixing shingles, roof specialists place a layer underneath known as the underlayment. The primary purpose of attaching the underlayment is to prevent moisture from accessing your house through the roofing structure. 

Over time, these products have improved with a guarantee to protect the home from water damage and excess heat. Additionally, the underlayment strengthens the roof structure and minimizes the need for routine roof repair.

Improvements in your roof structure can contribute to increased insulation, added protection and prevention from water damage. As a result, you can prevent the need to apply heating, cooling and ventilation systems to aid in balancing indoor conditions. 

This will, in turn, help to save on energy costs. Additionally, you can cut down on repair and renovation costs of defective roofs.

4 Keen Ways to Save Money on Fall Home Repairs

Fall weather is a perfect period to renovate homes. During this time, you can do little things that can bring notable differences and improvements in your compound. 

If you disregard these minor maintenance tasks in your home, you are likely to pay higher insurance premiums to cater for costly home repairs in the future. Therefore, to prevent more damages in your home during the winter, you need to adhere to annual fall maintenance activities. 

Fall home repairs will save you thousands of dollars and increase the value of your property. You can either hire a professional to perform these activities or do them on your own to cut costs. Below are 4 essential ways that will save you money on fall home repairs.

Debris Cleanup

Before winter sets in, you should remove debris on your compound. Additionally, you should collect litter and fallen leaves. If you leave fallen leaves and broken tree branches on the compound, they will destroy the grass underneath. 

With the aid of your family members, you can perform these activities on your free time and save money to launch other projects.

Gutter Maintenance

Gutter maintenance is a vital activity to observe. It ensures roof and home protection. You should repair gutters multiple times per year to avoid costly home damages. 

Also, you should clean them and remove fallen leaves to prevent water damages in the future. It is advisable to hire a qualified contractor to perform these activities.

Garage Maintenance

Garage door repair is not something that comes up often. However when it does, you do not want to be stuck without a way to fix it. 

 Whether the door is stuck up or down, or will not open at all, the right skillset can ease any potential worries. Some companies, such as Raynor Door Company, know that you should regularly lubricate the chain. 

 Also, make sure to oil each individual hinge so that rust does not creep in. This will keep your door looking and operating great.

Hire a Qualified Home Inspector

Hiring an experienced home inspector is a commendable decision to make during this period. The professional will examine the condition of several things in your house. 

Additionally, the expert will advise you on the areas that require immediate renovation. Every household should hire home inspection services more than twice per year. However, it is advisable to work with a licensed and reputable professional.

Insulate Water Pipes and Repair Damaged Walkways

You should insulate hot water pipes, especially in areas extremely exposed to cold temperatures. Additionally, this is the best period to renovate drives, walkways, and other routes in your compound. 

If you neglect damages on walkways, when the icy weather steps in, it will cost you more.

Conclusively, you should prune unhealthy trees in your compound. Moreover, you should hire a professional to inspect your HVAC system to prevent unbearable problems during the winter. 

If you neglect a small problem in your heating system, it will be costly to fix during the cold period. Therefore, proper observation of the above ways and tips will save you money on fall repairs.

6 Renovation Tips to Increase Your Property's Value

Since you have decided to sell, you may want to work out how you can get the most out of your old house. There are improvements you can make for a relatively small amount of money which is bound to prove to be a good investment. 

 Some you can do yourself, others are better done by a professional. Since you are doing them to increase the value, you want them done properly. Here are the alterations you can make and not go wrong.

Work on the curb appeal

Start at the front and leave a good impression. Decorate your porch and the entrance to your house. If need be, replace the front door as it is an invitation into your home. Keep your lawn tidy and do a bit of gardening and landscaping. 

Repair the path leading to your home, you do not want potential buyers to come across any obstacles on their way in. Another thing people tend to notice when approaching is whether you have a garage or not and how big it is.

Keep your conscience clean

Instead of hiding the flaws of your house, try fixing them. Inspect the entire house for little cracks, wobbly floorboards, and steps. These types of problems are usually easy and inexpensive to repair. 

Make sure everything is done prior to painting so you don’t have to redo the paint or even worse, leave something unfinished. The market does not have a rule in pricing related to these issues but this is a way to improve your buyer’s mood and opinion about the house.

Repaint the house

Depending on your budget, work out what parts of your house you can afford to repaint. Preferably it would be good to give it both, a fresh exterior and a fresh interior. If that is too much, make sure to at least repaint those rooms that needed plastering due to cracks, kitchen and bathroom if there is mold. 

I am not sure what your usual choice is, but this time choose neutral colors as you want the house to be liked by most people or at least neutral enough for them to be able to picture their things in the house. A new façade will add to the curb appeal.

Fix the fixtures

Again, this is an easy and moderately inexpensive trick. Fix or even better replace all fittings and fixtures in the house or at least the ones which are visibly run-down. Replace the sockets and light switches. 

If it is possible, install additional power sockets in rooms as people like when there are plenty. Replace doorknobs and you will provide that extra shine to your doors.

Adapt for special needs

Make your house a rare find. Not every house out there is suited for a family with members who have special needs. You can add a ramp and handrails to your front entrance. 

Level all doorsteps and have doors wide enough for a wheelchair to pass through. If possible, have a ground floor bathroom with a walk-in shower and at least one bedroom on the same level. 

The bathroom and the bedroom can be used by people who need home care, people with disabilities or elderly. Make sure that the bathroom is equipped with grab bars and anti-slip stickers.

Understand importance of kitchens and bathrooms

The more bathrooms you have, the better. Adding another bathroom may be a great expense so try to upscale the one or the ones you have. 

Again, replace all the fixtures and faucets. You want to remove traces of rust, lime scale and mold. Make sure that new fixtures match the bathroom tiles in style. If it is a really old bathroom, you can perhaps fix it up to look sparkly and vintage. 

The same goes for the kitchen, replace the sink and the faucets so everything looks shiny and new. You can repaint the cabinets and cupboards. Try to make it as spacious as possible.

Apart from the last bit of renovation, none of the things above should cost you much but will definitely leave a great impression and boost your house’s value. The only question is whether you will still want to sell after seeing the house in such a pristine state.

Everything That You Need to Know About Second Mortgage Loans

For many, the mortgage industry is as complex as it can be. With proper guidance from reliable source you can apparently make the most of it for your business or home. 

Now, one of the most common elements of this industry is second mortgage loans what exactly is this loan about and who can avail it? This article explains everything that you would want to know about second mortgage loan and how beneficial they can be.

What Are Second Mortgage Loans?

A second mortgage is defined as another type of mortgage secured in your business or home that you haven't mortgaged. This is the reason why it is regarded to be one of the best sources of capital. 

The structure of second mortgage is similar to that of the first one, where you are going to have a contract term, follow monthly payments and equity in business or home. 

However, a major difference between the both is that in case of second mortgage the lender will assume responsibility in case you default the loan. Even though the risks with second mortgage loans are higher, the interests will be lower. 



You need to understand that there will be strict limits on the second mortgage and this is limited to the home's equity. This means you will not able to borrow more than the overall worth of the home and the lender is going to approve about 80% of the equity value of home. 

So, on the bright side if the price of your home increases then so does the value of the mortgage loans.

How to Understand Whether You Need Second Mortgage Loan?

There are several reasons due to which you may consider opting for another mortgage on the home and some of them include:

• Debt Consolidation
• Mortgage insurance on the first loan
• Creating line of credits for home equity
• Refinancing for the first loan and
• Renovating or repairing the home 

What Are the Benefits of Second Mortgage Loans?

There are many benefits of opting for second mortgage loans and they are:

• Tax Benefits: In some of the loans there will be deductions based on the interests that you pay for the second mortgage. Since there are innumerable technicalities involved, you will need to consult your tax preparer beforehand and then reap maximum tax benefits. 
• Interest Rates: The interests that you pay for the second mortgage is lower compared to any other financial option. Further, securing the home can be advantageous as it involves risk to the lender. Unlike other forms of unsecured loans such as credit cards, the interest rates of second mortgage loans are almost single digits. 
• Loan Amount: The overall amount of the loan that you get to borrow from the lender is huge. This is because you have your home secured against the loan and with this you get the access to having more without apparently having to use the home as a form of collateral. The exact value that you can borrow depends upon the lender that you choose.

Who Can Avail Second Mortgage Loans?

Despite the benefits that second mortgage offers, there are many who are not sure whether they should count on it or not. You can consider taking second mortgage loans if:

• You are struggling with poor credit scores
• You were rejected by banks and other financial institutions for mortgage loan
• Your income cannot be verified
• You do not have the patience and time to wait for the approval of loan from traditional banks
• You need the loan for unconventional needs 

So, what are you waiting for? If you want to make the most of the equity of your home then do consider opting for a second mortgage.

Older Home? 3 Tricky Health Risks to Check For

If you live in an older home, there are a variety of health risks that you may not think to look for. Building and housing regulations weren’t as strict in the past as they are today, so older homes can present unexpected dangers. 

Because of this, knowing what hazards to look for is key to keeping your family safe. Here are three health risks to watch for if you live in an older house.

Lead Paint

Lead paint was famously banned from residential use in the U.S. in 1978, but many old houses still contain lead paint. The older your home is, the greater the danger. 

Research suggests that homes built before 1978, 62% contain lead paint, while the percentage increases to 80% for pre-1960 homes and 90% for homes built before 1940.

Old Wiring

Old wiring isn’t always a potential danger, but when it is, it’s usually because of ‘knob and tube’ wiring. Knob and tube was one of the first standardized wiring designs, and the problem with it is that over time, the insulation can wear down and expose bare wires, causing electrocution hazards and fire hazards. 

If your home is old enough that it still has knob and tube wiring, you should have it updated by an electrician as soon as possible, even if it’s still functioning. If the electrician finds no serious danger, it’s still a good idea to upgrade to newer, safer wiring.

Asbestos

Asbestos is relatively common in old homes, and if inhaled, asbestos particles can cause respiratory problems, including mesothelioma, a deadly variety of lung cancer. If you have stable, undamaged asbestos in your home, it’s not an inherent risk and is best left alone. 

However, crumbling or worn-out asbestos is a very serious health hazard that must be dealt with immediately. If there is dangerous asbestos in your home, contact professional contractors that offer asbestos removal services, such as Mendelssohn Construction.

If you’re living in an older home, it’s important to be aware of the variety of potential health risks. Old or faulty wiring, asbestos, and lead paint are just three common hazards in old homes. 

By checking for hazards and hiring professionals to fix issues when they arise, you can ensure that your family remains happy and healthy in your home. Remember, when in doubt, it’s always best to have your house inspected.

5 Tips for Managing Dental Insurance Costs

Regular brushing, flossing and generally taking care of your teeth contribute a lot to your dental health. 

Going for the right dental insurance coverage also plays an important role to your dental health. Dental insurance is not as popular as the other forms of medical covers available but it can have a significant impact on your finances if not well utilized.

If you do not utilize your dental insurance cover well, you might end up paying the costs from your pockets. This will not look nice on your personal finances. 

You should consider smart ways of using your dental cover well to save you lots of frustration and money in the long run. Here are 5 tips for managing your dental insurance costs.

Going for the Right Plan

In order to save on your dental insurance costs, you must first choose the best plan. You should go through your preferred plan carefully before signing it to check whether the benefits you stand to get will be worth the cost. 

There are so many dental plans that come with lower coverage limits. This will mean that your dental insurance will cover up to a certain limit and then you will have to shoulder any amounts above that.

The best insurance plan should be the one where the maximum benefit you stand to get is higher than the amount you pay as your premium. 

A dental insurance cover will help reduce your costs as the company will negotiate for lower rates with the dentists in your area. After making your choice, ensure that you fully understand the coverage that you will get to enjoy.

Timing

You should plan your procedures well in order to maximize on your dental coverage. If your dentist in New Hudson, Michigan has recommended that you undergo a number of procedures, you should not do them all at once if they are not emergencies. 

Doing them all at once will exceed your maximum benefit and force you to pay the extra costs from your pockets. You should check when your benefits are due for renewal and schedule the procedures just before they expire and immediately after. 

This will increase your coverage and save you the agony of paying for dental costs from your pocket. Dentists will help a lot in planning for your schedules to maximize your coverage.

Staying in Network

Staying in the network of your dental plan will assure you of spending the least amount of money from your pockets. It will see you pay less for your dental procedures as your insurance cover will cover most of them. 

You should always ask your insurance provider whether they need to approve your dental work before you pay your preferred dentist a visit as it will save you a lot of hassles later on.

Shopping Around

Just like the normal medical procedures vary in terms of costs from one area to another, dental treatments also vary. Even though you are insured, you should consider shopping around for reasonable rates without compromising on quality. 

This will ensure that one dental procedure does not exceed your annual maximums leaving you stranded the rest of the year. You should call around and inquire the rates that different dentists charge for the specific procedure you need to undergo.

Discount Plans

If your dental insurance has lower limits, you can consider going for discount dental plans to save on your costs. These discount plans give you access to a number of dentists who offer their services at discounted rates for patients paying in cash. The discounts range from 20%-30% and at times more.

Final Thoughts

At the moment there are so many dental insurance options available for you to choose. You should consider getting a plan that offers you with the right balance on costs versus savings. You should follow all the above tips in order to manage your dental insurance costs better.