HomeKeepr Blog

Before you move into the home of your dreams, you'll need to decide what type of mortgage will work best for your financial needs. One type is an adjustable-rate mortgage, also called an ARM. What is an ARM? We’ll explore this kind of loan so that you can decide if it’s right for you. An adjustable-rate mortgage or ARM is a home loan with an interest rate that adjusts over time. These rates are governed by benchmarks such as the U.S. Treasury and are influenced by economic conditions and your credit score. These are unlike a fixed-rate mortgage which keeps the same interest rate and payment for the life of the loan.

Well-functioning gutters are essential for reducing potential damage to your foundation. Gutters direct rainwater off your roof and away from your foundation reducing the potential for damages caused by ponding water. It's important to clean your gutters regularly to avoid becoming clogged which could lead to avoidable costly repairs. In cold climates, clogged gutters can cause ice dams allowing water to seep up and under roof shingles. Here are some gutter-cleaning tips and safety measures to keep your gutters in good health while also protecting you from injury.

Although today’s homes contain more comforts and conveniences than medieval castles, they usually lack a moat and drawbridge, and an army of sentinels to prevent intrusion. Assuming your home does not have a moat, here are easy ideas to make your property more secure.

Since the Pandemic, many homeowners have spent more of their time inside their homes, whether for entertainment or work. IAQ (indoor air quality) and water have, thus, become increasingly focused, especially during the winter. As we spend more time indoors, our health can become negatively impacted by contaminants in our residence that we are not aware of yet should be. If you are experiencing acute symptoms such as allergies, frequent colds, nasal congestion, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, or fever only when present at home, it could be due to certain toxins in the air and water. Here are some steps to identify and address a current issue and some easy preventative measures to preserve the air and water quality in your home and protect your health.

Are you tired of facing another year looking at the same humdrum colors, designs, and surfaces in your kitchen? Do you feel materials need to be updated? Like others, you spend much time here prepping, cooking, and entertaining. Consider redecorating for the new year! Peruse the following kitchen design trends for 2023 that many designers are predicting or currently observing as popular. Let these invigorate your drive for change and help you decide what appeals to your needs, wants, and budget.

How much do you know about home maintenance? Test your knowledge by responding to each of the statements with TRUE or FALSE.

When most people talk about curb appeal, at least part of what they’re talking about involves landscaping and other greenery to make your home look inviting. That’s great during the spring and summer, and even the fall to an extent. What happens when the icy winds of winter sneak in, though, and a lot of that greenery is taken out of the equation until spring rolls around again? For some reason, it seems acceptable to just abandon curb appeal and making your home look inviting once the days grow short and the temperature drops.

While everyone is home trying to stay healthy, there are a lot of people who have taken to trying to do things around the house on their own. This has helped homeowners keep busy when they have little else to do. Unfortunately, there are some jobs that are just too big for a DIY; for these jobs, you’ll need to bring someone in to tackle the issue.
This can be anxiety-inducing if you’re still trying to practice proper social distancing and avoiding contact with others. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce your risks when bringing someone into your home. Not only will these steps keep you safe, but they will also protect the worker who has to come in to do the job.

There has been a lot of focus in recent weeks on “essential” workers in our economy. In most places, this includes at least portions of the construction industry as well as a few other types of home pros. Unfortunately, this can leave some of our favorite professionals temporarily shut down due to local restrictions. This is a scary time for some of these pros, as the extended shutdown puts significant strain on both their personal livelihoods and their businesses.