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If you’re already doing spring cleaning, it might be wise to get out the toolbox and do some home improvement projects as well. A little maintenance can go a long way after the tough winter months.

Here are some crucial tips to making sure your home is ready for the warm weather.

1) Fix the roof

There’s probably no part of your home that takes as much of a beating every winter as the roof, according to BobVila.com. After all, it not only deals with snow, sleet, and rain, but also harsh winds, cold weather, water runoff and bearing the weight of snow and ice that builds up over the course of a few months.

With that in mind, it’s quite common for shingles or tiles to crack, loosen or fall off during the winter. When the spring thaw hits, going…

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Renovations. Weekend Warrior Projects. Pinterest Craft? Whether a big scale or small scale – home improvement can always feel daunting. That’s why we’re talking about projects that boost your home’s resale value. Improve your home for yourself, but also, do so in a smart way that directly contributes to a higher resale value. Not planning on selling your house soon? Think about making these improvements to enjoy your home before you sell. Don’t find yourself down the road wishing you had done it sooner!

Update Kitchen & Bathrooms

Yes, kitchen and bathroom updates may not be what you’re wanting to hear – but as the high use, high traffic areas of your house, and a proven rise in home value: it’s worth the number one spot. However, keep in mind…

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Need a little inspiration to dive into some spring cleaning? What if we told you, you could clean your entire house with cheap, effective cleaning products that only took simple, grocery store ingredients to make?! Not convinced? If you’re going to eventually clean regardless, we highly recommend tearing a little page from the DIY page and giving these safe, and inexpensive cleaning recipes a go. (P.S. Here are ten reasons people are switching over to natural cleaning products).

3 Ingredient All-Purpose Cleaner

  • ½ cup distilled white vinegar, 2 cups water, 20 drops essential oil

Combine in a spray bottle, swirl to mix, and spray. Perfect for everything except granite or marble, as the vinegar will etch!

No Scrub Microwave Cleaner

  • …

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Just like potholes are filled in (we hope) and trees grow back their leaves, our homes need a little extra loving care to bounce back from the winter season. As the sun starts to shine a little more (thank goodness), and we prepare for spring, keep this checklist in mind when it comes to preparing your home for spring:

Roof Inspection

Use a zoomed in picture, binoculars or (very carefully), a ladder to inspect your roof for any shingles out of place, water pooling, or just plain damage. (Even a popped up nail means that there is now a place that water can get through). It’s better to do a quick check now and a small amount of maintenance if necessary, than deal with the potentially very expensive consequences later.

Reseal Exterior Woodwork

…

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Whether you’re renovating for style or repair, making changes to your home is exciting –and daunting! Planning what to upgrade, where to purchase the supplies, who to trust to do the work are just some of the daunting tasks involved.

But there’s one other detail that needs to be figured out before anything else: how to finance the renovation.

The cost of renovation varies quite a bit, but generally speaking, we’re talking a few thousand.

As in most situations, saving for a big project is ideal, but it’s not always possible. You may be able to crowdsource some of the funding by asking your parents for help or possibly asking friends and family for cash gifts for your wedding or birthday. But it’s unlikely to be enough to finance your home…

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April showers bring May flowers… and unfortunately those pesky allergies, as well. But this year? This year is going to be the year that those allergies don’t slow us down. (Or at least slow us down a little less). How? By preparing ahead and making some key changes to the way you prepare your house for this beautiful time of year. Below are six ways that we recommend cleaning to avoid allergens.

Air Filters

The first step to keeping allergens out of your house is to work to keep them literally outside. By getting a HEPA air filter, you are removing over 99% of the particles in the air before it ever comes into your home. However, just installing the filters doesn’t mean that you are good to go. Be sure to keep them cleaned or changed every three…

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During the depths of winter, millions of people struggle with feeling restless, lethargic, unmotivated, and downright bored. The chill seems to seep into your bones, and it’s likely dark long before you get a chance to leave work.

If this describes your situation, you might be experiencing what’s commonly called cabin fever, and you’re not alone. Humans experience real fluctuations in their physiology as the dark of winter settles in, and the results aren’t always conducive to our modern lifestyle.

The good news is that there are concrete steps you can take right away to alleviate your symptoms. If you haven’t been able to banish the winter blues this year, here are 8 tips for beating cabin fever.

1.) Don’t Sleep Too Much

While it’s tempting…

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Moving tests the “planner” in us all. The details, the prep –  the lists of what to prepare for seem to be never-ending. But one thing that seems to slip people’s mind is prepping to move your pets. After all, they’re members of the family – so it feels like they can just hop in the car and go, too! However, depending on the type of pet and move – there is likely some planning involved. Here are some things to keep in mind when it comes to moving your beloved furry one:

Research Ahead of Time Each state has different regulations for pets. This includes any type of permits, certifications, and vaccines your pet may need in a new location. Also if applicable be sure to check in with future landlords or HOAs for regulations that must be…

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Tennessee’s fertile soil, warm climate, and dedicated farmers have made our state a culinary destination. Our restaurants feature special dishes showcasing each chef’s ability to delight diners with produce grown locally and sustainably to such an impressive degree that Tennessee cuisine has long since influenced food trends in surrounding states.

This collection of recipes will allow you, at-home chefs, to do the same. Each recipe focuses on one local produce item that you can grow yourself, find at the farmers market, or pick at U-Pick farms throughout the area. Eating fruits and vegetables is always healthy, of course, but we didn’t limit this collection to perfectly healthy meals. There are salads and baked fries, but there are also desserts and…

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In today’s digital world we are all connected to each other and to objects like never before. Technologies allow for objects to do more for us than ever before, from thermostats to garage doors to slow cookers.

The modern conveniences of a smarthome are an appealing trait for many home buyers. A recent survey reveals interesting insights about smarthome technology: what homeowners want.

What Homeowners Want

The survey by the National Association of Realtors showed that while most homeowners (82 percent) are not asking real estate agents about smarthomes, they are still interested. Customers want smarthome functions that provide them with particular benefits, the top of which are:

  • Security (81 percent deem it “very important” or “somewhat…

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