Homeownership is one of the most expensive things that most people take on during their lives. From the costs of buying the place, to keeping it clean and maintaining it, you will always have to be spending to keep a home afloat, even once you’ve paid off your mortgage. Of course, though, while there are bills to pay, there are also loads of ways to make them cheaper. To help you out with this, this post will be exploring some simple rules which can help to keep your home’s infrastructure in tip top condition for years to come. This will take some work, but will be worth it when you see the savings.

The matter of fact is, death is a part of life, and there’s nothing that any of us can do about that. Accepting this rather than fighting against it is likely to be the best way to go, and it’s something which we all need to think about if we are to live as fully as possible. When there is a death in the family, whether it is sudden or after a long period of decline, it is always something which is likely to shake the family to its core. Everyone will feel tested and it will be unlikely that there will not be any kind of arguments or problems arising from the situation. As long as you bear that in mind, you will be in a better situation to try and deal with the death. You should also consider the following points, in order to make it a little easier.

Keep Busy

One of the most important things at first is to make sure that you keep yourself busy with whatever you can. Generally, you will find that you have a lot t plan in terms of getting the funeral and wake ready and sorting out the possessions of the person who has passed away and so on. You might actually be a little more busy than you would like, but it is better to have something to do than to be at a loose end. Starting to call round local funeral homes and get the funeral sorted as early as you can, as you will find that this really helps and you probably don’t want to wait too long anyway. The busier you keep, the more likely it is that you will be able to deal with the situation at hand, so it i definitely worth bearing in mind if you feel a little at a loss as to what to do. The truth is: do anything that occupies your mind.

Home repairs can be expensive. Sometimes even smaller jobs are a lot more expensive than you’d expect them to be. It can be tempting to save money by putting things off or papering over the cracks. But, it’s important to weigh up your options. Putting jobs off or doing the necessary minimum today could end up costing you a lot more, in time, money and stress down the line. Is it really worth it Well, sometimes, yes, it is. When it comes to our appliances and smaller repairs, using hacks and patches can get a little more life out of things before we replace them. But, in other cases, putting things off just makes the problem worse, costing you a lot more. Let’s take a look at some of those issues that you simply can’t afford to ignore. 

Roofing

An issue with your roof needs dealing with as soon as possible. It’s even worth having your roof checked every year so that you can fix things before the damage is done. Damage to your roof can lead to leaks, poor insulation, blocked gutters, water damage to the structure and massive heating bills. If you are worried look into roof repairs straight away.

Boiler

Most good boilers last for around ten years, but it’s important to have it serviced every year, preferably before winter time so that you don’t have to go without it if there is a problem in the cold weather. An issue with your boiler could lead to frozen or burst pipes causing water damage to your home or even flooding. It can also leave you without heating and hot water and could even result in a dangerous gas leak. If you notice any issues with your boiler don’t wait for your service, get it checked out asap. 

Windows

Some window issues are obvious. If they are cracked, broken or the seals are hanging off, then they clearly need replacing. Other problems might not be as easy to spot, but they can still lead to further damage. Windows with loose or damaged seals, or windows that always seem to sweat or be covered in condensation can leave your home cold and damp. The excess moisture around them can also seep into the wood or brick around the window sill, eventually leading to cracks and damage to your walls, especially if this water freezes and expands. Replacing your windows might seem expensive, but it’s nowhere near as costly as dealing with rot in your walls. 

Mould

Mould is common in most homes at some point. Often in the winter when there’s an excess of condensation around the windows or in poorly ventilated bathrooms. A little mould might not seem like a huge problem, but it can quickly spread and can cause skin conditions and breathing difficulties. A small area can be easily treated with a mould and mildew remover from a supermarket. For a larger area, you may want to hire help.

If you spot any of these issues in your home, don’t ignore them. They’ll only get worse, more dangerous and more expensive to repair. Get them dealt with straight away and don’t make the mistake of thinking that new builds are perfect and impervious to damage.

When you’re looking for a new house, you might be drawn toward a new build. A lot of people are because an older house often has a lot of problems. It makes sense that an older house will be far more likely to need repairs and renovation before it’s liveable so even though you’ll be able to buy it for less, you could easily end up spending more money in the future. However, that’s not the whole story. People think that a new build is so much better because it’s in perfect condition and you can just move in right away, but that’s not always the case. Before you dive into anything, you should be aware of the serious problem with new build homes. 

When you move into a new build you expect it to be in tip-top condition, but the reality is, they often aren’t. A recent survey found that over half of new build houses have major faults. The report found poor standards across the industry as pressure to build more new houses means that companies are prioritizing speed over quality. There’s also a big problem with the building regulation bodies because they are often turning a blind eye to problems in order to get houses signed off and put on the market. When there is a huge lack of homes, the sellers know that they won’t have trouble finding a buyer and so they aren’t as bothered about making sure the houses are in good condition. This has left a lot of people in a bad situation. They’re moving into new places, finding that they have serious issues, and struggling to get any kind of compensation or even get the problems fixed. Once they’ve put all of their money into that house, they have no option but to stay there, regardless of how bad the damage is. A lot of these people have tried to sell the place on and move somewhere else but they’re finding it difficult to shift because of the damage. A new build also loses a lot of value as soon as you move in so even if they can sell it, they’re doing so at a big loss. 

That doesn’t mean you should never buy a new build home but you’ve got to be careful when you do. One of the biggest problems people are having is that the contract they signed gives them no power to demand money back or get the house fixed. Before you sign anything, get a conveyancing solicitor to look over the contracts and make sure that you have adequate protection if there are serious problems with the house. When you’re looking around the house, don’t take it at face value that the house will be in good condition. You need to get your own surveyor in to go over the whole house with a fine tooth comb and identify any potential problems. In most cases, if you notice damage after signing the paperwork, it’s too late and you’ve got no way out. 

When you’re looking at homes, be aware of this systemic problem with new build houses and make sure you know exactly what you’re buying.

We all know we should be doing more to help the environment and reduce our carbon footprint, but did you know there are plenty of things you can do without even leaving your home? Here are some of the ways you can be kind to the planet- while saving yourself some money in the process!

Use Less Energy

It’s not to say you need to walk around in the dark! But don’t waste energy, if you need to use electricity or heat your home then make the most of these things. Don’t put your heating on full when a window has been left open upstairs, or go out forgetting to turn the heating off. Don’t leave lights and appliances running when you’re not in the room. The energy we use comes from power plants that burn fossil fuels, so when you waste energy these fossil fuels have damaged the environment for no good reason. As well as being mindful about what you’re using, there are some upgrades you can make in the home to help too. Consider having solar panels installed to get some (or all) of your energy from a renewable source. Cavity wall and loft insulation is another example, this helps to keep your home warm meaning you don’t need to use as much heat and therefore less energy. Even switching your light bulbs to energy efficient models can make a big difference. 

Waste Less Plastic

In recent years, we as the public are becoming more and more aware of how bad plastic is for the environment. In the near future, it’s thought that there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish. In fact, a whole ‘island’ has been created from washed up plastic. It ends up in the sea and on beaches, and in many cases in landfill where it will take approximately four hundred years to degrade (leaching out chemicals that are toxic to the environment as it does). Aim to use less plastic at home. Stop buying plastic straws, instead go with metal varieties that can be used multiple times, or paper straws that can be recycled. Stop buying bottles of water in disposable plastic bottles. Companies like Bottletidy.com have re-usable varieties that not only look good but can be used time after time. Even things like plastic carrier bags are a huge issue- remember to take bags with you wherever you go shopping instead of buying and then binning new ones each time. 

Opt For Eco-Friendly Renovations

Renovating your home is a great chance to freshen it up and make it a more enjoyable place to spend your time. But renovating can be bad for the environment. However there are ways that you can be more eco friendly during your projects. First, reusing materials is a good way to go. Not only is this more eco-friendly than buying new but it will also save you some money as well. Check to see if anyone is getting rid of wood, bricks, soil or anything else before you purchase new. Secondly be sure to recycle any materials that you have no use for after your project. You could use environmentally friendly paints, these have a lower VOC levels meaning they don’t release volatile chemicals that damage the environment and ozone layer. A few simple considerations can make such a big difference, especially as more and more people get on board how important it is to look after the environment.

You may have moved into your current property thinking that it would last you years. Sadly, however, a growing family and the trappings of life mean that our properties fill up quickly- and a place that was once perfect now feels cramped. You may be considering moving to a bigger property, but doing that is incredibly expensive. Not only do you have the increased mortgage payments of a more expensive place, but you also have to deal with property tax, solicitor’s fees, moving costs, and so much more. If you want to avoid the headache of moving, it may be worth looking at ways to increase the storage and living space you currently have. Below are a few ideas to help you do just that.

Convert unused space

One of the easiest ways to add a lot of storage and living space is to convert areas that are being unused. Companies like Empire Lofts can help to make your loft a more easily accessible space so that it can be used for storage, or you could even convert it into a fully furnished living space. If you have a damp basement that only seems to get used as a wine cellar, you can get that sealed and turn it into a second living room, a bedroom, or even a home cinema. The possibilities are endless.

Vacuum storage

If you are the kind of person who can’t stop buying the seasons latest trends, but also can’t bear to throw any of your old purchases away, this could be the perfect solution for you. Separate your wardrobe into summer-wear and winter-wear. You will likely have a large staple of your clothes that are useful for either season, and that is fine. The important part is to create a big pile of clothes you definitely don’t wear when the temperature is in single digits and another pile that is perfect for winter warmth. Then you simply pack those clothes into a vacuum bag and suck all the air out. Those big fluffy jumpers and jackets will be taking up hardly any room in next to no time. Find somewhere out of the way, like the attic to keep your out-of-season clothing, and your wardrobe can finally breathe easily.