Though every lake house has different needs and circumstances, here are a few helpful tips you can put into action in order to get your house “summer ready.”

1. Install or Maintain your Deck

One of the best parts about owning a lake home is the direct access to the water. But in order to maximize your enjoyment of the water, you need the proper dock setup that allows you to fish and dock your boat and water toys.

If you already have a dock on your property, it’s highly recommended that you have it inspected before the start of the summer. This gives you plenty of time to address any issues that could prevent you from using the dock for a good chunk of the summer.

If you don’t already have a dock – or need to upgrade/replace an existing one – you have some options. This includes:

• Stationary boat dock kits. These docks secure to the bottom of the lake bed using pilings. They’re typically purchased in sections and can be adapted to your needs. If installing a stationary boat dock kit, you’ll almost certainly need a professional with experience, skill, and the right equipment. This is something you have to get right the first time. Otherwise, you could have serious (and expensive) issues on your hand.
• Roll-in docks. If you need a removable option that can be hauled away during the winter months, roll-in docks are a good option. They’re lightweight enough to be versatile, but sturdy enough to moor your boat during the summer months. Best of all, roll-in docks can easily be installed on a DIY basis. This makes them a simple, no-fuss option for lake home owners who just want to be on the water without worrying about installation and maintenance.
• Floating boat docks. For lakes with fluctuating water levels and variable conditions, a floating dock is an ideal option. The docks can also be purchased in kits for easy customization and installation.

Regardless of what you’re looking for, WholesaleMarine.com has a wide selection of boat dock kits and components that make upgrading or repairing your dock a breeze. Just make sure you give yourself plenty of time to prepare for the summer.

2. Inspect Key Systems

When it comes to the lake house itself, be sure to inspect all key systems to ensure they’re operating efficiently and safely.

• Check your furnace and AC intakes and replace dirty filters with new ones
• Check all pipes for damage prior to turning on your water.
• Look for any signs of critters (check screens, electrical cords, soffits, etc.)
• Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries (if necessary).
• Test and replace light bulbs (particularly on the exterior)

You won’t catch every single maintenance, but a thorough inspection and review of key systems will lower your chances of a major breakdown or issue occurring in the middle of your summer fun.

3. Stock the Cabinets With Essentials

According to LakeHomes.com, there are certain essential items that you’ll always want to have on hand in your lake house. Now’s the time to make one big run to the supermarket and stock up on things like toilet paper, paper towels, light bulbs, cleaning supplies, bug spray, sunscreen, water bottles, and non-perishable food items.

Any non-perishable items that are considered lake house “essentials” should be bought in bulk and stored in a closet. This ensures you always have what you need (without feeling like your living space is cluttered).

4. Give Your Landscaping a Refresh

Depending on how much landscaping you have around your lake house, it’s possible that things have gotten a little out of control since you last checked in. Hitting the refresh button on your landscaping today will give you less work to do during the summer.

CabinLife.com suggests you begin by mowing the lawn, edging, pruning shrubs, raking up yard debris, and blowing off hard surfaces. Pressure wash your siding and deck/dock if necessary. The key to landscaping is to be proactive. Once you have your property looking like you want, it’s simply a matter of small, regular upkeep. Roughly half an hour every other day is typically enough to maintain.

5. Deep Clean the House

A lot can happen over the winter. While you might not have used your lake house much over the colder months, it still got dirty. In fact, the lack of use can actually make it look and feel dirtier than if it was occupied. Dust, dead bugs, spider webs, and other grime can emerge. The best way to address it is by conducting a deep clean at the very start of summer.

Whether you hire a professional cleaning crew or decide to tackle it on your own, make sure to dust, vacuum, wipe down surfaces, change out sheets and linens, and clean windows. This is also the ideal time to give your appliances – including the oven, stovetop, microwave, and outdoor gas grill – a little love. Attention to detail makes a big difference in the look and feel of your lake house.

Get Ready for an Amazing Summer!

There’s no better place to spend a summer than at your lake house making memories with the family, friends, and good weather. By planning ahead and proactively addressing these important maintenance items, you can ensure more of your summer is spent enjoying life on the water (rather than playing handyman).

If it helps, create a summer maintenance to-do list for your lake house. By systemizing and streamlining the process, you ensure nothing important gets missed or overlooked in any given year. Your list will probably evolve on an annual basis, but many of the tasks will remain the same. And if you include the items outlined in this article, you’ll find yourself well ahead of the game.

The post 5 Tips for Getting Your Lake House “Summer Ready” appeared first on Along the Boards.

Therefore, if you are interested in buying a property in Vancouver, be sure to first determine the right funding method. When we look at the market in recent years, the prices are constantly on the rise. While some people are predicting that it might be a trading bubble, where the prices will start falling at some moment, it seems as it will remain stable, especially because of the benefits of living in this place.

If you are interested in buying real estate here, check redfin.ca to see available offers. Also, you should find out more about some important factors before you make the decision. Here are the most important things to know about the real estate market in Vancouver.

1. The Demand is High

As we already mentioned, this city is very popular, and many people want to immigrate to Canada and live there. Therefore, it is not a surprise that prices are constantly increasing over time, for both apartments and houses. Also, we advise you to first find the way to get enough funds, and then start looking according to your resources. The main feature is that houses and apartments are selling very fast, which means that you will have to react on time when you are prepared to buy real estate.

The great thing is that you can contact an agency and schedule a visit to the estate that you are interested in. Still, be sure to leave a deposit if you think that you have found the right option. Moreover, the fact that the demand is so high makes this as a great investment since it is expected that the values will continue to grow.

2. Prices of Houses and Condos

If you are interested in buying an apartment, the prices can vary from $300,000 to over $1million for an average condo. In case that you are looking for an option with two bedrooms, a decent apartment can be found for around $500,000. When it comes to houses, the values are much higher, and a decent house costs at least $1.5 million. Still, if you are interested in something even better in a nice suburban area, you will need at least $3 million.

3. Subject Free Offers Are Very Popular

Since there is such high demand, buyers are often using this approach to secure the property for themselves. The main features of this kind of deal are that you will make an offer and buy the asset without looking for factors that could lower the price, like required repairs, disputes, debts for utilities, and more. Therefore, it represents a high risk since you could become a victim of fraud if someone masks a lot of deficiencies, which will require a lot of money for repair. In that matter, always use the services of real estate agents before you decide to use this approach.

On the other side, if you don’t want to risk with subject-free offers, you should learn more about the habits of people who are selling the property. First of all, avoid a bargain and offering a low starting price. Owners are aware of the popularity and demand, and they are not interested in any games related to the final price. Some of them might even get frustrated and leave the negotiations even if you were prepared to pay what they wanted for the property. In that matter, you should learn more about the prices of different types of property and compare various offers to find the best solution.

4. House in Suburban Area is The Best Solution

The main issue when you want to buy real estate in Vancouver is related to apartments and joined houses in the city. The demand is incredible, and prices are going up all the time. That leads to the fact that available apartments might not be the best choice. Even those owners who don’t have such a good apartment don’t want to lower the price or at least invest in some repairs before selling.

They are aware that someone will eventually buy it in any condition. On the other side, the market for houses is much more stable, and you can expect a decent home for the price you pay. Also, it will be much easier to buy a house since most people are looking for a place in the city. That is especially beneficial if you want to move there with kids. The prices are much higher when you want to buy a house, but this part of the market is more stable, and it will continue to grow, while there are some chances for ups and downs when it comes to the apartments in the city.

The Bottom Line

The most important thing when buying assets is to never rush with your decision. Owners of properties in this city are aware of the demand, which means that they are not interested in dealing with repairs and other things that would lower the price in many other places. Therefore, make a thorough research of the market and try to find the best option for your budget. If you don’t have enough funds, and you are looking for a loan, be sure to choose an option that won’t create issues with debts.

Therefore, the best solution is to determine your budget in advance and contact an agency where people with more experience could help you with the right solution. Also, consider location, distance from important things in the town like your office, school if you have kids, shopping malls and other stores, and more.

The post 4 Things To Know Before Buying Real Estate in Vancouver 2023 appeared first on Along the Boards.

The safety and protection measures for securing property and family are important but the advent of technology has evolved big changes immensely in the last decades. It has improved the functionality and capabilities of a security system. The early security systems based on guards, moats, and drawbridges failed and are replaced with 24/7 mobile monitoring systems which offer a lot of enhancements and advancements.

Wonder Role of video cameras

Video cameras are an essential part of a home security system. The earliest model of a video security system just allowed the view of the exterior of the house. The camera quality was so poor that it only offered a grainy view of the scene. The camera itself was attached to intercom or alarm buttons. Now, we have automated systems that are spread all over the garage, every corner of the house, or wherever you want. The total cost of this system is extremely pocket friendly and very economical for all types of families.

How to choose the best security system for you?

Now we are done with knowing the importance of these systems, but many people get confused over some questions like how we can make the best decision? What things we should keep in mind while choosing a security system. The first step is to ask yourself what you are protecting. Decide your cause and aim behind setting up a security system. Is it for your office, home, or any building? Secondly, think about how you want to install it. Either you can set it up on your own or hire any technician to set it up for you. Thirdly, decide on your security system by keeping the size of your home in your mind. You don’t need too many gadgets for a tiny flat or house. Also, if your home covers a wide area, you will need to cover up the maximum corners of your houses with wide-view cameras.

Your doors and windows must contain motion sensors so that intruders can’t break-in. Fourth, keep the schedule of your family members in your mind while making a decision. Intruders follow you for some days or ask about you and your family member’s routines from others before breaking in. They attack when there is a minimum number of people in the house. In this way, you will know that this is high time for protecting the house, so concentrate on the security notification at such time through your gadgets to get rid of dangerous situations. Plan your schedule accordingly as it saves you from burglaries. Last but not the least; the budget is the main consent. If your house is a small one you can have basic gadgets and it will work perfectly fine for you. Companies have made three types of plans according to their needs and budgets. They limit the facilities in initial plans which are also a good option to choose.

Trusted System; Every day and everywhere

People think about securing their vehicles and houses through insurance, but they fail to think that the protection of expensive things and other assets is important as well. Their savings are the future of their family and need to be secured. We do insurance for the home and car but what about our partner, parents, and children? Don’t we need their safety and protection? They are more important than valuable things. With security systems, not only the assets will be secured, also, our family members will be in safe hands. This system is the one on which we can rely every day and from anywhere. The special characteristic of these systems is the remote monitoring from remote locations.

The safe system at your service for securing

A security company offers a wide range of gadgets under one roof. You can live in contentment by securing your world with us. Home is not just a place to live. It is a tiny world where we spend quality time with our friends and family, where we enjoy get-togethers, family parties, or sit on the couch while having a cup of coffee with a good book to relax our minds. A home is a place that gives us moments to cherish. Every corner of the house has special memories. To save this world with good memories, we need to make it safe with security systems offered by well-known companies. They will help you out in knowing which plan will be suitable for you.

Being a homeowner, it is one of the biggest achievements and happiness to give your family a secure roof and confidence in living in a safe place. It helps you and your family to focus on other important things. Your sleep will be without any worry. There will be no fear if you’re alone at home. The sensors attached to the doors and windows will provide you enough time to get up and take precautionary measures. The detectors will help you if there is any gas leakage or burning possibility. For more info, click here.

The post How to Fix the Professional Security for Ourselves – 2023 Guide appeared first on Along the Boards.

1. Settle paperwork and documentation as soon as possible.

In order to avoid all future hassles in terms of documentation and paperwork, it’s important for homeowners to submit all the necessary documents they need in order to secure their ownership of their new home. These include submitting the right documents for the house title and necessary deeds, tax paperwork, and even papers securing utilities and necessary expenses. That way, homeowners can rest assured that their new home is ready for occupancy by the time they go all-out with their particular move.

2. Save time by going digital for meetings.

If homeowners need to visit physical locations for parts of their moves – such as the submission of documents or meeting with some professionals like movers – it may be to their benefit if they try scheduling your appointments online. These can take the form of video conferences or even digital submissions, as these may remove the need to go to distant places just to submit some documents, visit your new home, or even meet with people.

3. Maximize time outside by ticking off some of the moving tasks.

If homeowners need to go outside for some moving tasks, they may as well maximize their time outside by making sure to do everything needed for moving tasks outside the home. For instance, if they’re going to their new home’s neighborhood to submit some documents, try to schedule a meeting with their movers the next day, and even squeeze in a bit of time to buy packaging materials in the nearby hardware store. That way, they’ll avoid wasting precious time throughout the day.

4. Allocate tasks to everyone in the household.

If homeowners have finalized their moving dates, they may be able to maximize the time they have between now and the move by making sure everyone in the household has allowed tasks. That way, everyone can contribute to the move to make it as smooth-sailing as possible. These may include assigning the packing of rooms to their respective owners, or having older children accompany the adults when meeting with movers in order to be more knowledgeable on how to deal with adults better.

5. Organize the inventory early on in the house move.

If homeowners have finalized their moving timeline, make sure they organize your inventory as fast as possible. Others might think this is an inconvenience, as they’ll likely move everything to their new home anyway. However, it’s important for them to have access to a nifty inventory – especially in the form of a digital document – as this helps them and their family members take note of things they own. That way, they’ll be able to decide on things you might want to sell, throw away, or keep in their new home.

6. Create a moving timeline based on their routine.

One of the mistakes homeowners make when conducting a move is focusing too much on ensuring their moving timeline is followed to the letter. Granted, a delayed moving timeline can be hassling to the entire household. However, life shouldn’t revolve around the move even if the relocating day is looming extremely close. In fact, if you’re going to make a moving timeline, make sure you create one based on your routine and not the other way around. This means your moving timeline should have tasks flexible enough for you to be able to allot your breaks, days off, or even paid time off in order to accommodate them without risking your studies and your livelihood.

7. Talk to affected parties before you start the moving process.

In order to make room for any adjustments, it’s important to make sure you talk with the affected parties before you even start the moving process. If you’re still studying, make sure you talk with your professors about any potential absences you might incur. Likewise, if you’re working, you should talk to your manager and concerned parties regarding your move. This way, they may be informed in advance of what might happen in the moving process, and they may be able to give some form of assistance to make your move more accommodating for you and your needs.

8. Connect with professional moving companies.

One of the best ways for homeowners to conduct a stress-free move would be relying on a team of moving companies in order to help out with their house move. Companies such as Roadway Moving have the skills, training, and manpower necessary in order to facilitate any kind of house move. Moreover, these companies most likely have a wide range of services homeowners can hire and rely on depending on their particular needs. In turn, the clients of these movers may have a more comfortable time with their move as they may be able to handle all the stressful parts of logistics.

Fast And Safe Moves: Make It Work For You!

With the above tips in mind, it’s important to remember that homeowners can actually conduct a house move safely, securely, and all according to their plan. In fact, with the above handy moving tips, they’ll be able to maintain their active and busy routine without having to worry about interrupting your move or risking their academics and professional life. Moreover, the important thing here is to remember that moves are only as successful as the homeowner’s plans of action, meaning you need to be precise and direct with what they want to do with their house move in order to properly conduct it properly.

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However, you might not be wondering – how can I seal all the air leaks in my home? Well, if you are searching for an answer to this question, this article might help you quite a lot. Let’s take a closer look at the 5 easy and effective ways that you can take care of all the leakages around your house:

1. First Things First: Determine Where The Holes Are

Before you do anything else from this list, you’ll definitely want to check and determine where the air leaks are. Now, you can opt for professional services that will help you with this, however, you can also do a relatively simple DIY test. All you’ll need to do is wet your hands and hold them near your windows, AC ducts, doors, as well as any other places that you think there is a possible hole or crack.

How can you know that there is a hole? Well, your hands will feel cooler when the air enters your home. Keep in mind that you’ll want to write down all the leaks in order to ensure that you do not forget a location. Once you do the same things everywhere in your home, you can then focus on repairing the damage.

2. Opt For Caulking

Caulking might be a bit messy, however, it will efficiently cover any air leaks. It is basically a paste-like substance that you can get either in rope or card form. For the application process, you can utilize your fingers for sealing any cracks around your windows or doors.

Keep in mind that you’ll want it to be a high-quality caulking agent, especially since it might need to sustain high temperatures – but this will depend on the area you live in. Additionally, if you do not know how to choose it, you can always ask the salesperson for help when choosing.

3. Foam

If there are some gaps that are over an inch, you can opt for purchasing a foam sealant that most commonly comes in two forms: latex and urethane. Latex can be applied in an easy way, it can be reused, and the process of applying it is not messy. Urethane can be quite difficult to remove from your skin and clothes, and it is not easy to apply which is why you might want to opt for the latex option.

4. Stopper Plugs

Out of all the methods in this list, stopper plugs are the easiest to use. Why you might ask? Well, it is mess-free, easy to apply, and it is extremely cheap. These rubber plugs such as the ones featured on etolrubber.com are most commonly used for small, medium, and large holes.

They come in all shapes, designs, sizes, and colors, which means that you’ll be able to easily combine it with the surroundings of the hole. Additionally, all you’ll need to do is purchase the stopper plug, use your fingers to push it into the hole, and the entire process is done. Yup, it is that easy.

5. Weatherstrips

Weatherstrips come in a wide range of forms, however, people frequently use vinyl, felt, and/or rubber strips. This method is quite helpful when you need to take care of air leaks around your windows or doors, and if you do not know which ones might be suitable for you, you can always ask the salesperson to assist you with choosing.

Keep in mind that you might want to purchase the ones that are adhesive since this will help you with applying it, but, there are some that need to be tacked on or nailed in the wall. If you do not want to risk damaging your windows and doors with nails, opt for the adhesive weatherstrips.

Tips And Tricks That Can Help You

There are some tips and tricks that will make the entire process easier for you. The things you should keep in mind are:

1. Start From The Top – when you learn where the holes are and when you purchase all the equipment you need, you can start making your home more Eco- and budget-friendly. However, you should start with your attic. Now, do not forget to wear protective equipment such as gloves and goggles since attics do tend to be full of dust. Once you are done, you can move on to the next area.
2. Insulating All The Ducts is Wise – you might not know this, but, the ducts that are connected to your cooling and heating system are most likely to have air leaks. You should plug any holes that you discover with foil tape or you can opt for utilizing a water-based mastics combined with mesh tapes. Also, you should not forget to insulate the ducts by putting insulation around it and taping it in place.
3. The Low Spots Need to Be Taken Care of As Well – after you have finished the aforementioned steps, you should also seal the leaks that you can find in the low spots. Hence, ensure that you check the bottoms of your windows and doors, as well as check your outlets, chimney, and flues. All of this will ensure that you completely get rid of any air leaks in your home.

Conclusion

As you can see, there is a wide range of sealing methods that you can utilize. Not only are all the options relatively cheap, but by doing all of the things mentioned in the article above, you’ll save money on your electricity bills, it will keep your house warmer, and you’ll not have to worry about any pests entering your home through the holes or leaks.

So, now that you know what you can and definitely should choose to do, you might not want to lose any more of your time. Instead, determine how many air leaks you have in your home, gather all the tools and supplies you’ll need to seal them and start improving the overall condition of your home!

The post 5 Easy Ways to Seal Air Leaks Around The House appeared first on Along the Boards.

Almost anyone with a steady job and the ability to save money after paying bills can afford a home. The only difference is how much different people can afford. Here’s how to find out how expensive of a house you should look for- and how to make sure you stay within that comfortable budget.

How Much Do You Make

The first step is the most obvious one. How much money do you honestly make in a year? This planning means cash from your job and any and every source of income that you have. Is your income steady? Although freelancing can be extremely lucrative, working as a contract worker can make it harder to tell how much money you’ll be making in ten years. If that’s the case, it’s better to save money for a larger down payment for your mortgage.

Think about the ways you can increase your earnings and start creating a plan. Perhaps there is a way to utilize your time better and do more for a shorter period of time. Sometimes asking for a promotion can do wonders. If you have been working for the same company for years and constantly showed your loyalty, then you can ask to be properly compensated with a raise.

This can be a little harder for young people who have just started working, but it is not impossible. If you are competitive and valuable to the company you are working for and if the company is ready to recognize your potential, it will be your ticket to success. It is worth the try.

What Do You Spend Money On

Take the time to figure out how much you spend per month. This number should include everything from groceries, to how much money you put into entertainment every month. Although tightening down your budget will help in the short term, it’s harder and unfair to yourself to keep a strict budget for years. Be reasonable; think about what money gets leftover at the end of the month.

Make a list of needs and wants. If your money goes on the things that are not fully necessary, then you are basically losing the money you should utilize later on to buy a house. Think about the cheaper replacements for the expensive food or cosmetics you are using because that will add up in the long run. Buy only the food you are sure you will eat and don’t throw food. Consider limiting the number of meals in restaurants and turn to home cooking because not only it is healthier, but it will also do wonders for your budget. You will realize that you have bigger savings after a while and it will certainly be visible in all areas of your life. It is necessary to be completely objective about your expenses so you can make a realistic plan.

Looking To The Future

What do you think the worst financial month for you would be? Do you have a savings account with money in it? You must consider these things before making a budget. If there are life changes you know are coming your way, look at how they may affect you. Typical life milestones can throw off even the best-laid plans. From having kids to getting married, the best things can improve or worsen your financial situation.

Consider all of this, and make sure to put those thoughts into your budget. You’ll have to keep the same income- or better- for the next ten to thirty years. Make sure that’s possible for yourself.

If that is too scary for you, you should make plans for shorter periods until you become more comfortable with making long-term plans. Of course, life cannot be fully predicted and that shouldn’t be your goal, but having a goal in mind that you can look forward to will give you a sense of confidence and accomplishment. Since you will have a goal in mind, you won’t feel pressured to save money because someone told you to. You will have an inner motivation to do your best to save as much money as you can.

Shopping For Your Home

This step is where all of your budgeting comes together. Take how much you make now, how much you spend, and what you think your worst financial months would cost you. If you’re having a harder time figuring this out, you can also look into a house payment calculator to figure out what you can afford. You can find these calculators on websites such as redfin.com. Look into homes that are at or below your price range that fit your lifestyle. If you can’t find a good home within your budget that matches what you want, the best idea might be to wait for it so that you can get what you want and not settle.

Be patient. Buying a home is a huge decision and it shouldn’t be taken lightly. Pen and paper are your best friends in this situation. By putting everything on paper, you will have a clear idea about the steps that should be taken, so you can enjoy your home with your family. Think about your requirements, preferences, and wants concerning your future home and find the one that suits you the most.

Be realistic. This is particularly important about cutting down expenses. You cannot cut down expenses for medications, but there are ways that you can reduce other expenses that are simply not necessary. The first step is usually the most difficult one, but after that, it will become easier. Remember, it is possible to have a dream home, you just need to figure out a good plan to get it!

The post What Can You Afford to Spend On a House? appeared first on Along the Boards.