6 Ways To Protect Your Home From Unexpected Dangers

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1. Look for structural damage: It's important to have your home inspected for any structural damage that may have occurred as well as other issues that may be present. Keep a close eye on your heating and cooling systems, roof, foundation, insulation, and windows.
2. Take care of plumbing systems: Water damage can be very devastating, causing problems such as mold, mildew, bacteria, and viruses. Any water or moisture in your home including in the basement or from a running toilet should be checked out and taken care of. Make sure that sewer lines, faucets, and water lines are working properly and it's a good idea to have a plumber come out once a year to check on these things to prevent future problems from occurring. 
3. Get rid of pests: Termites can be a major problem and can eat away at the foundation of a home for years without being detected. Other pests such as ants, birds, and mice can cause significant damage to a home as well and can pose a health hazard. If any signs of pests are noticed, have a terminator check it out and take preventative measures such as keeping wood piles away from the foundation of a home and ensure that water basins are draining properly.
4. Check wiring and install smoke detectors: Make sure the electrical system is up to code and have a licensed technician come out and inspect it and make any necessary changes. Install smoke and fire alarms throughout the home and have each major appliance and fireplace inspected for any potential dangers. 
5. Invest in secure locks: An alarm system can be a great investment and can offer peace of mind and the installation of security windows and doors as well as theft proof locks can go a long way in preventing a burglary. Keep your home lit up at night as well. 
6. Insurance policies: Shop around for an adequate insurance policy to cover your home in the case of a disaster taking place.

Happy Friday!

5 Reasons To Replace Your Home's Insulation

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1. High utility bills:  A rise in your utility bill can mean that the insulation in your home has worn down and is doing a poor job of keeping your home warm or cool, depending on the season.  Replacing the insulation can regulate the temperature in your home and save you money on your utility bill.
2. Varying room temperatures: If rooms in your home differ significantly in temperature, such as an extremely cold living room and very warm bedroom, chances are there are insulation problems and it should be replaced.
3. Aging insulation: Insulation that was installed in older homes is usually of lower quality than what is available today. A good test to use to determine the quality of the insulation is to put on a glove and feel the insulation in the attic; if it crumbles when touched it's time to replace. Also, there are green options for insulation for older homes as well.
4. Pests: Pests usually like to make their homes in the insulation present in basements and attics. If you have ever had a problem with pests, it's best to replace the insulation to avoid future issues.
5. Water damage: Heavy rains and flooding can cause water to soak through the roof or walls and that water gets into the insulation and soaks in. If the insulation is not dried out completely, mold will grow and cause a large problem. If your home has been through flooding or had any issues with heavy rain, there is a good chance that the insulation does need to be replaced.

*The national average for replacing insulation is between $1,400 and $1,800. It's best to replace the insulation before the extreme heat of summer or cold of winter.

Illinois Fun Facts

Reboot Illinois

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• Each Illinois farmer feeds 156 people.
• More than 3/4 of all pumpkins harvested for processing in the U.S. come from Illinois.
• Charles Lindbergh crashed two planes in Illinois in 1926; one in Rutland Township and the other in Covell.
• The Australian Lungfish named Granddad came to the Shedd Aquarium during the 1933 World's Fair and is the oldest fish living in any aquarium or zoo in the world.
• In Mount Pulaski, IL, it is illegal for boys to throw snowballs at trees (girls can).
• The world's first farm silo was invented in Spring Grove, IL.
• The official state dance of Illinois is square dancing.
• In Galesburg, IL, "fancy bike riding" is illegal on any city street.
• The first U.S. blood bank was at Cook County Hospital in 1937.
• Jane Addams was born in Cedarville, IL and was the first American woman to win a Nobel Peace Prize.
• Belleville, IL banned anyone older than 12 years old from Trick-Or-Treating.
• "Wild Bill" Hickok was born in Troy Grove, IL.
• The wind power in Illinois reduces 5,550,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually which is equal to taking 980,000 cars off the road.
• Peoria is the oldest community in Illinois, holds the country's oldest community theater, and has the country's oldest Santa Claus parade.
• Olney, IL has squirrel protection laws that can carry up to $750 in fines for an offense.

Fall Lawn Care Tips

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1. Aeration: This is an important step in caring for your lawn because it allows new grass to grow by pulling up sections of grass, creating small holes in the lawn which allows water, nutrients, and oxygen to reach the roots. If your lawn is played on regularly by kids or pets, plan to aerate your lawn twice a year, during the fall and spring. If you lawn is more just for show, aerate once a year or even every other year. This process can be done with a hand-aerating tool, which costs around $20, and is meant for small sections of grass. In order to do an entire lawn, you can rent a gas-powered aerating machine for about $20 per hour. If you want the aerating done professionally, it can cost around $150 depending on the size of the lawn.
2. Seeding: During the fall when the soil temperature is about 55 degrees is the best time to seed your lawn since turf roots grow rapidly during the fall and winter. Once your lawn is seeded, water it everyday for the first 10-20 days until it germinates. 
3. Fertilizing: Fertilizing the lawn during late fall, before the first frost, helps the grass to survive the winter and encourages it to grow back green and lush during the spring.
4. Mulching: Instead of always raking leaves and removing them from the lawn, try mowing over them with the lawnmower to grind them into mulch. The shredded leaves actually help to protect the lawn from the harsh winter and they also decompose into organic matter to feed grass roots.

Designing The Heart Of The Home

Consumer Reports

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Today's kitchens are being built as 'social kitchens' and are being designed to accommodate more than just cooking. Electronics are finding special nooks and the heart of the home is now being used for parties, homework, more than one cook....you get the picture. Here are some tips for creating a functional hub of the home:

• Carefully open up the space: Opening up too many walls and allowing too many entrances to the kitchen can create a sense of chaos instead of openness. Half walls and arched openings are a great way to really open up the space visually while still controlling traffic. It's also important to merge the kitchen with the rest of the home. A great way to do this is by utilizing the repetition of color such as by having artwork in the kitchen the same color hue as the walls of the adjacent room.
• Create zones: Keep guests and kids away from the work zone of the kitchen (the triangle between the refrigerator, stove, dishwasher and sink) by installing a beverage and snack station near the public facing edge of the kitchen. Ideas for a drink/snack station include a wet bar with a wine fridge, or a coffee area with a coffee maker, some snacks, and a cabinet for cups and mugs. Another cool idea is a baking station for the homeowner that loves to bake; have this near the stove with space for baking supplies and equipment and a marble surface for dough rolling.
• Hide the mess: Some homeowners are opposed to an open kitchen because they don't want the mess in the kitchen visible to guests. To avoid this, put in a raised bar on the public side of the island so that guests have a place to sit while the meal is being prepared and then the dinner mess can be hidden from view once the meal starts. Island bars can also be used for casual seating as well.
• Drop zone: Since the kitchen is the hub of most homes, that can mean lots of clutter such as paperwork, backpacks, jackets, etc. Create an area for these things such as a mudroom with durable flooring and shelving with baskets assigned for each family member or for homes short on space, try using a hallway closet as a makeshift drop zone.
• Eat in: Casual dining is an important feature of a social kitchen and is also great for resale value, ranking as one of the most desired features in a 2013 home buyer survey conducted by the National Association of Realtors. Built in banquettes are also great, providing a cozy place to eat, pay bills, do homework, etc. The base of a banquette can also have built in storage for items such as napkins or other tablescape accessories.
• Include an island: Islands are great because more counterspace is always good and they provide seating while meal prep is taking place and a place to sit for casual meals. Bigger isn't always better though-there should be 42-48 inches of clearance on all sides. Islands are awesome for entertaining, as they can serve as a buffet area, or an in-island sink can be filled with ice to create a raw bar or to hold beverages. 
• Charging stations: For many of us, our electronics spend a lot of time in the kitchen, so charging stations are an option that makes sense. They can be installed in a cabinet or drawer equipped with docks and outlets. Electrical outlets with built in USB ports are also available so your phone can charge while the toaster is plugged in. 

Single Family Home Or Condo?

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Freerangestock.com

When purchasing a new home, it can be tough to decide between a house and a condo. There are several different factors that you should keep in mind when making the decision:

• Location: Where do you want to be? Are there options for both single family homes and condos in your target area?
• Privacy: Do you want privacy and lots of space between you and your neighbors, or do you prefer to be close to others and see close neighbors as a comfort?
• Responsibility: Do you desire full control over decisions affecting your home and property or do you like the idea of shared responsibility between neighbors?
• Maintenance: Do you have a green thumb or love getting dirty in your yard? Or do you dislike the idea of having to mow the grass, pull weeds, etc?
• Budget: What is your budget like? Sometimes condos are the more affordable option in your area.

Consider these factors when making your decision and if your needs or lifestyle change in the coming years, you can always make a move to adapt to your life.