Only 47% of homeowners have a home inventory, per a Triple-I and Munich Re survey. It's the first thing your insurer asks for after a fire or break-in.
Ten minutes this weekend: walk every room recording video on your phone, open the closets and drawers, and say the big stuff out loud. Then save it somewhere that isn't your house.
One inch of rain on a 1,000 sq ft roof sends about 623 gallons of water into your gutters, per the University of Arizona's Water Wise program.
If leaves clog them, that water spills right next to your foundation.
Clean them once the trees are bare, and make sure downspouts empty a few feet away from the house.
Before the first freeze, unhook your garden hoses and shut off the indoor valve to your outdoor spigots. A hose left on traps water that can freeze and crack the pipe inside the wall.
Triple-I says about 1 in 60 insured homes files a water damage or freezing claim each year. Don't become a stat!
Takes 60 seconds: lay a 2x4 flat in your garage door's path and hit close. The door should touch the wood and reverse.
CPSC has told homeowners to test that reversing feature monthly since its 1993 rules. Most of us have never done it once...
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Depending on how deep the scratches are, you might be able to address them with nuts from your pantry (really). Or plenty of other tools that don't require refinishing. 🔗➡️ trib.al/82GugpE
Peak of Atlantic hurricane season is September 10, 2026 per NOAA.
Free prep you can do tonight: video every room and the full exterior of your house, narrate as you go, save it to the cloud!
Claims come down to what you can prove your home looked like before.
Booking a chimney inspection in August feels early BUT hear me out!
NFPA 211 says chimneys should be inspected at least once a year, gas furnace flues included, not just wood-burning fireplaces. Animals nest in flues you never use.
Sweeps book solid the week it gets cold. Do it now! Get it done with Oply!
Homeowner Tip of the Day!
Summer laundry piles up. So does the lint.
Failure to clean the dryer and its vent is the top cause of dryer fires, per the U.S. Fire Administration (about 2,900 a year).
Clear the lint trap every load. Vacuum the vent line twice a year.
When was the last time you cleaned your dryer vent??
Summer laundry piles up. So does the lint.
Failure to clean the dryer and its vent is the top cause of dryer fires, per the U.S. Fire Administration (about 2,900 a year).
Clear the lint trap every load. Vacuum the vent line twice a year.
🤖 Made with AI
It's peak AC season, and the cheapest fix in your house is a $15 air filter.
The U.S. Dept. of Energy says a clean filter can cut your cooling energy use 5 to 15%.
A clogged one makes your system run longer and wear out faster. Check it monthly all summer.
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🥕🌱 A kitchen garden is one of the most rewarding things you can add to your property, and it doesn't have to be complicated. Our guide covers all the lessons that make the difference between a thriving garden and a frustrating one!
bit.ly/3ZRvWLm
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I'm a 25-year-old single mom with two young boys. I bought my first home in Tennessee using a VA loan.
I purchased it sight unseen because I trusted the VA appraisal, paid for an inspection, and used a reputable real estate agent.
When I arrived, I discovered severe mold, major foundation and moisture issues, sealed crawlspace and attic ventilation, and a bedroom floor sitting over wet mud.
None of it was disclosed or mentioned during the inspection or appraisal.
I'm reaching out to lawyers, but I know that's a long-term process, and there's no guarantee I'll win.
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🏠 A poorly installed gutter can cause more damage than no gutter at all. @TomSilvaTOH breaks down how to do it right so your home stays protected every time it rains.
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How to get rich with real estate:
1. Make a lot of money doing something else.
2. Buy good properties without a lot of debt and take care of them.
3. Go do something else for a long time and don’t sell them.
Everything else is secondary.
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Got a sulfur smell that no drain cleaner can fix? This installment of Domestic Disasters details the likely culprit, plus how to prevent it. familyhandyman.com/article/d…
Most people don't know where their water main shutoff is until water is already spreading across the floor.
Water damage is one of the most common and costly home insurance claims (Insurance Information Institute).
Find your shutoff valve today. Tag it. A 30-second habit that can save you thousands.
Your attic is the hottest room you never check.
In summer it can hit 150°F (ENERGY STAR). That trapped heat cooks your shingles from below and spikes your cooling bill.
Clear your soffit and ridge vents so air can move. It protects the roof and the AC at the same time.
That outlet by your sink has a test button. When did you last press it?
GFCIs cut power in a fraction of a second to stop a shock. They also wear out silently.
ESFI says test yours monthly: hit TEST, it should click off, then RESET. No click, replace it.