Blog – Chris Nooney

Chris Nooney June 6, 2013 Leave a Comment

Four Important Home Maintenance Tips Everyone Should Know

Four Important Home Maintenance Tips One of the important aspects of owning a home is having the knowledge of how to keep it maintained to avoid costly repairs and serious damage. Over the years weather and use will wear down both the interior and exterior of your property.

If you are able to practice preventative care on your home, then you will prolong the life of all of its systems and components. At least every six months or so, you should be performing an inspection of your property so that you can ensure that it is still functioning properly and safely.

What should you be looking for when it comes to preventative home maintenance?

Here are a few important pointers to keep in mind:

Pests and Insects

Check your home thoroughly for any insects and unwanted pests such as carpenter ants and termites. Make sure that there is no point where the wood of your home is in contact with the soil and trim away and bushes and trees away from the foundation of the property.

If you can catch the infestation right away, it could save you thousands of dollars on repairing future structural damage.

Windows and Doors

Take a close look at the windows and doors of your home to see if you need to repair any leaks to save energy. A draughty door or window can really add to your energy bill over time, so it will be worth it to ensure that everything is sealed properly.

Gutters and Downspouts

Another important home maintenance task is to go around the exterior of your home and clean out all of the debris from your downspouts and gutters. This will ensure that they are draining properly and moving water away from the house. Otherwise, the water can collect on the eaves of the roof or around the foundation and cause leaks and damage.

Check the Roof

Make sure that you also inspect the roof at least every six months. Look for any loose shingles or damaged roof tiles. If you spot any damage early, it will be a lot less expensive to fix than the water damage that would be caused in your attic by leaving a leaky roof for a long time.

These are just a few of the most important preventative home maintenance tasks that every Houston property owner should know. For any additional questions regarding your home maintenance, feel free to contact your trusted local real estate professional.

Chris Nooney June 5, 2013 1 Comment

3 Critical Tips To Improve Your Credit Score And Mortgage Terms

3 Critical Tips To Improve Your Credit Score And Mortgage Terms When you are looking for a mortgage for your home, your credit score is very important. Any potential lender will check your score and will use the number to assess your creditworthiness and the interest rate that they offer you.

The better your credit score the lower the mortgage interest rates will be available to you, as the lender will be able to see that you can handle credit well.

However, if you have a very bad credit score, it could be causing you to be offered high interest rates on your mortgage that could cost you thousands over the years.

Improving your credit score before searching for a mortgage will ensure that you get the best rate possible. But what can you do to improve your credit score?

Here are three tips that can help you improve your credit score and your mortgage loan:

Be Patient

Remember that improving your bad credit will be a little bit like losing weight. You might not see results right away but it is the long term benefit of your good habits that will make all the difference.

When it comes to all of the ways to improve your credit score, there are no quick-fixes and the best way to rebuild your credit is to be responsible over time.

Check Your Credit Report For Errors

If you don’t know precisely what your credit score currently is, the first step will be for you to obtain a credit report. You can request a free copy of your credit report and check it over carefully for errors. There might be an error on the report that is making your score appear worse than it should be.

Set Up Payment Reminders

If you have trouble remembering to make your credit payments by the due date, this can be one of the biggest negative factors bringing down your score. You can ask your bank to set up convenient reminders through the online banking portals so that you will receive an email or a text whenever your payments are due.

Your credit score is very important when looking for a Houston home mortgage, as it will mean that you receive much better program options and interest rates. Keep these tips in mind so that you can enjoy the best rates possible on your mortgage.

For more tips on how to improve your prospects for the best mortgage, feel free to contact your local, trusted mortgage professional.

Chris Nooney June 4, 2013 Leave a Comment

6 Ceiling Solutions To Update Your Home

Ceiling Update Options If you’re absolutely sick of looking at the popcorn ceiling of your 1980’s home – it’s time for a change.

However, behind the facade of a ceiling is a mess of plumbing, wiring, joists and structural beams, so you have to be careful and creative when updating your home.

Whether you’re dealing with an older home, a tricky duct system or an unfinished basement, below are several ceiling solutions to brighten up the space above your head.

Bring Back Wood Paneling

The 70’s are making a comeback. If you have a flat or slanted ceiling, wood paneling is easy to affix and can create a cozy cabin-like feel. This works well in living rooms, bedrooms and basements where you want generate a warm, comfortable atmosphere.

Create An Industrial Vibe

If you like the look of a modern home, then this might be the most cost-effective solution for you. If there’s an existing ceiling, remove it and then buy a paint sprayer and coat everything except the duct work in one dark color. Many converted lofts and urban spaces use this technique.

Drop It Like It’s Hot

These aren’t your parent’s drop ceilings. Today’s drop ceilings come in pressed metal, compressed wood panels and other attractive designs. They’re affordable, simple to install and allow easy access to the plumbing and electrical systems.

Go Back To The Basics With Drywall

Whether you’re looking to get rid of a popcorn surface, fixing water damage or finishing your basement, it might be prudent to minimize the cost and work involved by using drywall. You can purchase drywall for as little as 50 cents per square foot and it’s easy to paint once installed.

Utilize Soffits

Duct work and plumbing that cut through the middle of a room can be an eyesore and hard to work around. Utilize soffits to create ceilings of different heights, called tray ceilings, or use them to blend uneven surfaces into corners along a wall. They’ll help hide obstructions and make it easier to cover with drywall and paint.

Don’t let an unattractive ceiling get you down. Use one of the solutions above for an eye-catching ceiling that will keep you looking up and improve the value of your home at the same time.

For additional advice on updating your home for top-dollar, just give your trusted Houston real estate professional a call!

Four Important Home Maintenance Tips Everyone Should Know

3 Critical Tips To Improve Your Credit Score And Mortgage Terms

6 Ceiling Solutions To Update Your Home

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