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Spring’s verdant foliage and fresh, sweet air brings cleansing and refreshing our homes to the forefront of our minds. Often the shift in weather provides just the kind of energy boost we need to get started! Spring isn’t just about cleaning, however; it's also the ideal time of year to give your home a thorough inspection and make sure everything is in good repair. 

This home maintenance checklist targets parts of your home that experience the most wear and tear during the winter. Take care of these tasks now so that you can relax all summer long! 

1.) Check for gaps in your building’s moisture barrier.

Winter can be extreme, wearing down your home’s moisture defenses. Crawl spaces, windows, attics, and anywhere your home meets the ground…

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While neighbors might not always show up with freshly baked cookies the second someone new moves in (although we can dream!), it is not a lost art to be a good neighbor in general.

Although it depends on the type of neighborhood as to what the specific social norms are, neighbor nice-ities should be a part of every neighborhood and community. Here is a list of some of our favorite tips, tricks and ideas to being a good neighbor:

Noise 

Oh, noise. The bain of all apartment complexes, college roommates and neighbors in general. Let’s face it - noise transcends walls and property lines whether we intend for it to or not. To keep your neighbors from being bothered, remember these best practices with noise:

  • If you are moving your lawn on a…

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Americans spent $72.5 billion on their pets’ care and keeping in 2018 alone, and nearly two out of three households are also home to a pet. If you are bringing a pet home, moving into a new home with your current pet, or refurnishing your home to better accommodate your furry or feathered friend, our Tips for a Pet-Friendly Home will have you picturing a den that is both durable and stylish.

1.) Protect Your Floors and Furniture

Whether this means laying down skid-proof rugs on hardwood, stain-proofing your carpet, or spreading a blanket down where your pooch naps, it’s the same principle: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

If you’re choosing a new carpet, opt for low-pile, which holds on to less hair. Patterns hide fur well,…

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In 2018, the US enacted significant tax reforms. Homeowners like you are among those who will have taken note of these changes, and may be wondering: under the new code, what are the tax breaks for second homeowners? Does it matter whether the second home is going to be a rental or a vacation getaway, or whether it’s a boat or a chalet?

When comparing the new tax code to the pre-2018 rules, there are four key ways the new tax code affects second homeowners. If you’re considering buying a second home or want to know how the new rules will impact your plans for an Airbnb income stream, read on! Our team at Parks has the information to help you second homeowners make the most of each potential tax break in 2020.

1.) Tax Breaks on Second Homes…

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Moving closer to work sounds reasonable but is it actually worth it? That’s what we want to help you answer with this article. If any of the points below sound like you, then buying a home closer to work may be the best move you could make.

Ready to buy your next home (or first home!) for reasons other than shortening your commute? We can make that happen! Contact us today to get pre-approved for a home loan and start home shopping.

Will buying a home closer to work save you money?

Sometimes you live out of the immediate work area because of high property values, thinking that it would be less expensive to commute. But the real test is to add up the cost of living, including the mortgage payment, utilities, and property taxes PLUS the cost…

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It's every homeowner's worst nightmare - you have a pot over the stove and turn the switch to find your burner won't light. It's the same idea with your refrigerator. No one wants to swing open the doors for a snack to see that their food is warm and spoiled. While your first reaction may be to panic and assume your machine has conked out for good, don't lose hope so soon. More than one-fourth of repair calls are resolved with a flip of a circuit breaker or push of a button.

Before you settle on the idea that your home appliance needs to be professionally repaired on replaced entirely, try these easy fixes to see if they bring your system back to life.

Refrigerator

If your fridge has stopped working efficiently, it may not be broken, but…

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When luxury homes collide with pet lovers, there are more than a few items when it comes to what’s on the luxury homeowners’ “must-have” list. Considering in 2018 that American pet owners spent $72 Billion on their pets, there is no shortage of love for all things “pet”. Below are some of our favorite pet elements to think about for luxury homes (in order from most practical to most lavish):

Food & Water Bowls

As something that is seen every day, usually right smack dab in the middle of the kitchen or other central places, having both stylish, and practical pet bowls are a great place to start. Depending on the aesthetic, pet owners are excited to add a little luxury by thinking about the height of the bowls, the freshness of the water, and…

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Whether it’s for safety, potential theft, or just your furry friend at home, the security camera industry is bursting at the seams with options. With so many options, it can be overwhelming to pick one to fit your needs. To help you out, we’ve put together a list of some of our favorites:

Best for Comprehensive Security: Arlo Pro 2 

This easy to set up, truly wireless indoor/outdoor system isn’t cheap - but highly versatile, with all the features you could ask for. The system requires a base for the system and then you decide how many cameras you’d like to add. While supporting night vision, motion detection, alarms, two-way audio - (the list goes on), there is also free seven-day video recording. 

Pros: Truly wireless, great picture in all…

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Whether you’re planning upgrades in preparation for putting your home on the market or prioritizing your list of upgrades for your first fixer-upper, it can be tricky to decide whether or not to heavily invest in any one room of your home. Most homeowners are working within tight financial parameters, and sometimes the list of upgrades one could make seems endless.

Kitchen remodels, however, are almost always a wise investment. As the modern home’s “family room” where families gather to eat, socialize, and plan their lives, kitchens have a major impact on a home’s marketability. As a rule, a home with a fresh, fully modern kitchen will easily fetch a significantly higher price than a comparable home with a shabby or outdated one.

Is this year…

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For many homeowners, bathrooms can be tricky areas to maintain; with water coming and going in multiple zones, flooring meeting toilet and tub, and at least a handful of fixtures per bathroom, keeping up on repairs can be overwhelming. Fortunately, 5 of the most common bathroom problems have easy, affordable solutions, so roll up your sleeves and get ready to DIY your way to a better bathroom!

1. Slow Drains

If your slow drains are caused by the usual accumulation of soap buildup and shed hair, you may be able to clear it with a few whooshes of a plunger. Make sure there’s enough water above the drain to give the plunger enough to send rushing through, then plunge the drain as you would a toilet.

If the plunger trick doesn’t work, you should be…

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