Home Tech

Turning a house into your dream home is a long-term plan for many people; however, carrying out extensive renovation work is often expensive. It is inadvisable for you to cut corners and do things on the cheap, as while it might cut costs, the result might be ugly and unsafe, making your dream home more of a nightmare. Read on to discover four ways to finance your home renovation, ensuring that your end result is aesthetically pleasing and completely safe to live in.

1. Personal savings

If your home renovation is a long-term goal that you are not seeking to achieve immediately, setting up a personal savings account specifically for your dream renovation is a good way of saving up funds. If you can afford it, you could deposit a set amount into your savings account each payday, ensuring that you are consistently building your savings. Or, simply resist the urge to blow any leftover cash on unnecessary expenses instead of depositing it into your renovation savings. You might prefer to save for your renovation work all in one go or do it bit-by-bit as you can afford it. For instance, saving for your dream kitchen, then saving for new windows and doors.

2. Personal loan

When carrying out your renovations, you may come across surprise expenses that you had not factored into your budget. For example, you might have removed wallpaper to discover faulty plasterwork that needs to be fixed, or an accident might occur involving a smashed set of brand-new bathroom tiles. Personal loans provide you with quick access to money in as little as two hours, and you can qualify for one even if you have a limited credit history. They can be accessed at any time in any place; for instance, look for loans in Dallas if you are located in that city. Your repayment schedule will take place over several months rather than weeks, making it easier for you to repay your personal loan in full.

3. Home equity loan

A home equity loan – also known as a second mortgage – provides you with a lump sum that is paid back over several years in regular fixed monthly payments. This is a great option if you know exactly how much your renovation work will cost, as you receive all the money upfront. However, as your home is used as collateral, there is the risk that it could be foreclosed should you fall behind in repayments.

4. Inheritance

You might occasionally receive an unexpected windfall in your life. If a loved one had died, for example, you might become the beneficiary of their will and receive an inheritance. Although this is undoubtedly a difficult time for you, one benefit might be that you can use your inheritance to finally carry out the home renovation work you were previously unable to afford. You might find that turning your house into your dream family home is the best way for you to remember your greatly missed family member.

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Throughout the course of the year, your home is subject to typical wear and tear that is caused by everything from the weather to general use. Because of this, it is important to place emphasis on home maintenance whenever the seasons officially change.

Not only does performing home maintenance based on the change of season allow you to put preventative measures in place that will help avoid damage caused by certain types of weather, but it also gives you the chance to give everything a good looking over so that you can catch any issues as soon as they start to arise. Developing a yearly routine for your home maintenance can save you a great deal of hassle and money in the future.

Because spring brings about such drastically different weather to that of winter, it is important to prioritize your spring home maintenance each year. You might find yourself dealing with anything from water damage that occurred unnoticed throughout the winter to unexpected critters who made themselves at home in order to stay warm.

In order to help you develop your own spring home maintenance checklist, here are three projects that you should certainly look to tackle as soon as winter fades away.

1. Inspect Your Attic

For most people, the occasions to go into the attic of their home are few and far between. This can be even more the case throughout the cold months of winter. Perhaps you went into your attic to fetch your Christmas decorations and then once more to put them away. Aside from that, your attic has most likely been left to its own devices all winter long.

It is important to go up into your attic at the start of spring and have a good look around. Water might have found its way into the space if your area experienced high amounts of snow and ice. Furthermore, certain critters like birds and mice might have used the space for shelter from the cold. If you find evidence of any unwanted guests, make sure to call in an attic professional to help you out.

2. Clear the Rain Gutters

Even though springtime is generally the time of year that brings the sunshine and warmth, it is also the time of year for rain showers and even thunderstorms in some regions. Because of this, make sure to take the time to clean out your rain gutters once the ice and snow are gone for good. This will help you keep your roof protected from leaks once the rainy part of the season hits.

3. Air Conditioning Maintenance

When it comes to the temperature inside your home, you don’t want to take any chances. This is why you should have your air conditioning units serviced at least once a year. The start of spring is the right time to have this done, especially if you live in a climate that experiences higher than average temperatures as soon as winter is over.

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As a homeowner, there is a large number of important tasks to undertake as part of your year-round routine maintenance. High on your list of priorities is your air system, both the home’s heating and HVAC units. Aside from avoiding the costly repairs that damaged units can bring, there is also the potential for danger should you notice any airflow issues throughout the house. With an eye on the safety and health of your family, let’s look at a few ways in which blocked vents could be dangerous should they go unchecked.

The Tell-Tale Signs of Vent Blockage

Before looking at the potential safety concerns, it’s important to know what signs to look for if any of the vents in your home have become obstructed. Simply put, blocked vents obstruct airflow, and that airflow can build up into a bigger problem. First off, always remember to keep the vents from your furnace or heating system, as well as those from the air conditioner, uncovered by furniture or other items that could block the airflow. Likewise, during the winter months, check your chimney and keep valves free of any snow accumulation. Keeping these in mind can extend the whole life of your system.

A common problem with an HVAC unit is built-up allergens, dust, and debris within a dirty filter. However, other issues aside from the air filters can cause higher health risks. Once you’ve checked to make sure all the registers are open and air filters are clean, any warning signs will become much more noticeable. With your HVAC system, it’s a good idea to keep at least a few of the unit’s registers open throughout your home at all times. Any cold spots or leaks may put a damper on your comfort, but when all the vents are shuttered, the potential for frozen coils could damager the unit’s compressor to the point of no return. The same idea goes for the air conditioner’s ductwork. Closing all of your registers at the same time can cause the pent-up airflow to make any minor leaks of cold air significantly greater, and that pressure could eventually cause a dangerous burst duct. Your home’s heating system requires just as much attention, as toxins can leak throughout the house, many of which can be undetectable if left unchecked.

Mold and Biological Toxins

Aside from damaging your HVAC unit or heating system, leaving your registers closed indefinitely can also lead to numerous potential health risks. Within those closed ducts and pathways, condensation can build in the any unused rooms in your home. Over time, mildew can lead to mold spores and some forms, such as black mold, can actually become deadly over time. If you spot mold anywhere in your house, it’s easy to clean. However, service technicians should be consulted for routine maintenance, as mold can also accumulate within the air vents and air ducts themselves.

Believe it or not, certain types of life insurance for homeowners even stipulate that proper maintenance of the home takes place annually. Depending upon the life insurance company and the type of policy, health risks that come from improper home maintenance or irresponsible disregard of avoidable, health-related factors on behalf of the policyholder can bring about an end of the term clause or invalidation of future payouts. Aside from the crucial concerns regarding the health of you and your family, your life insurance and ultimate financial wellbeing can sometimes hinge on your competency in caring for your home.

Carbon Monoxide and Chemical Toxins

Although biological toxins can lead to high levels of mold and other allergens throughout the house, the single most dangerous outcome of vent obstruction is the potential for a carbon monoxide leak. While your home should have multiple carbon monoxide detectors in different rooms, be sure the batteries are full and the units are functioning. As an odorless, colorless gas, carbon monoxide is undetectable without the aid of a properly installed unit. To be on the safe side, let your home’s air flow freely by leaving the air vents opened. This will help prevent build-up of the dangerous fumes.

In general, carbon monoxide leaks are often caused by either a blocked vent, which can damage your household’s furnace or heating unit, or a cracked pipe or rupture in the system itself. Although there are warning signs (dizziness, blurred vision, nausea, or a dull headache, among them), carbon monoxide poisoning acts quickly. If a leak is detected, it’s crucial that you and your family evacuate the house right away.

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Technology is advancing every day, and more of us are keen to make the most of that by bringing it into our homes. There are all sorts of ways that technology is developing which is making life easier for homeowners – we’ve picked out some of our favourites.

1. Smart Fridges

How many times have you opened the fridge to find out something you were really craving has run out? With smart fridges, this can be a thing of the past! These fridges will monitor the contents and place an automatic order for more when you’re running low on certain items.

These fridges are perfect for those who are constantly on the go and don’t always have time to go food shopping, saving you time and stress!

2. Robot vacuums

Roombas are now one of the most popular additions to homes, which will create a floorplan of your house and then clean throughout the day, crossing a job off your chores list. There are several different models available, with some of the more advanced versions having specific modes for certain types of flooring – and even with a speaker to play music through!

They can also be programmed to run through the day when you’re out, keeping it out from under your feet and having you come home to a clean house.

3. LED lights

These lights have been featuring in more and more homes in all sorts of different ways, and there are some stunning designs that we’re seeing! Whether it’s a case of strip LEDs around rooms that are controlled by an app which can be personalised to any colour, or smart bulbs that can be connected through your Alexa or Google Home, allowing you to turn them on and off though voice control.

Another bonus of LEDs is that they are more energy-efficient too, so this is an even more popular option in homes looking to reduce costs.

4. Air purifiers

These gadgets will pull in air and purify it around the house, which helps to balance humidity levels and keep the air fresh. Some also have a setting available to diffuse the air and remove bad odours, making it a great option for homes with pets.

Air purifiers are popular in houses that are prone to damp and mould as they will pull the humidity out of the air and reduce it; they are also beneficial for those who suffer from allergies, especially asthma.

5. Automatic gates

More and more homes are installing gates to increase privacy and security, but it can be a real inconvenience to have to keep opening and closing them, especially as a driver. This is why automatic gates have become such a popular option, making life easier and saving you time.

These gates will open automatically when you approach and put in a specific code, ensuring that they only allow access to those with permission. They are also a great way to increase your property value as they will be very attractive to buyers – a perfect choice if you’ve been asking yourself “how can I sell my house fast?”

Looking at introducing technology into your house is a very popular way to modernise your interior, as well as helping to make everyday living easier!

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We all like to improve our homes; something that adds comfort and value to our major investment and more and more Australian homeowners are turning to DIY due to the rising cost of labour. Of course, you start with easy projects; a cupboard or replacing a few doors, but as time passes and your skillsets develop, you will have more ambitious projects in mind. If you have access to all the tools and are looking for a new challenge, here are a few cost-effective improvements to add to your list of things to do.

1. Bathroom Makeover – The best quality tiles from Amber Tiles in Sydney and a new colour combination is all it takes to brighten up the bathroom. Replace the blind and make some bespoke shelving, while luxury vinyl is perfect for the floor, with stunning stone and timber finishes. You can source all the materials from online suppliers and with trade prices, you will save some money and might even get free delivery.
2. Loft Conversion – This might sound ambitious but turning the attic into a comfortable room is not that difficult. Of course, you must have a loft, and with a couple of skylights and extraction fans, you can clad the walls and floor with chipboard, boxing in pipes and wires. One interesting aspect is to build a set of dropdown steps that fold up when not in use. This is regarded as a major improvement and the extra room will boost the value of your home and if you are unsure, YouTube videos come to the rescue and you can watch them over and over until you’re sure of what to do. Click here for tips to make your home smart.
3. Replace the Decking – This could be a simple replacement of the hardwood decking, or it could be to add some floorspace by extending the terrace, depending on how much space you have to work with. This is a relatively simple project and with online suppliers of quality Australian hardwood, you can buy what you need at trade prices, and if want a few design ideas, Google Images is your best friend.
4. Stair Cupboard – If you have a staircase that backs onto a wall, you could box in the space underneath, making a handy storage cupboard. Carpentry skills will stand you in good stead as you come up with new projects; walk-in wardrobes and new kitchen cabinets are well within your capabilities.
5. Engineered Flooring – Rather than solid timber, engineered timber is identical but much cheaper and that solid wood floor you want in the living room is affordable if you do it yourself with engineered timber. Hire a floor polishing machine and you can really bring up a shine and if you would like to see a few ‘how to’ videos, the Internet is full of them.

Working to improve the home is a great way to spend the lockdown and all of the above projects are well within your capabilities and with online tutorials, you have the perfect teacher.

When it comes to watching livestreams, there are a number of potential devices you could watch them on. Some people, for example, watch livestreams on computers, while others may watch livestreams on their tablets. It’s definitely possible to watch livestreams on any of these devices, but phones are some of the most popular. Should you watch livestreams on your phone, especially instead of watching livestreams on other devices? Here’s what you need to know.

The Pros of a Phone for Livestreams

• Portable

The biggest benefit of a phone rather than some other device is that phones are extremely portable. Portability could be an important thing to think about if you want to watch a livestream but you won’t be at your home or your office, or if you’re suddenly interrupted in the middle of watching.

• Versatile

The versatility of a phone instead of another device is an important part of the reason why many people choose phones over livestreams. A phone can go anywhere with you, from your home to the bus to the office to the passenger seat of a car.

• Many Apps

There are millions of apps out there for just about every conceivable device. Whether your phone runs on iOS, Android, or any other platform, you can find plenty of apps available. That means it’s very common to be able to find an app for your livestream.

The Cons of a Phone for Livestreams

• Some Apps Might Be Locked By Device

Although there are many apps available across the entirety of iOS, Android, and all other platforms, some apps might only be available on certain devices and not on others. That means your ability to watch a livestream through a specific app could be limited by your choice of device.

• Mobile Options Are Often Pared Down

When you choose a mobile option, which may include either an app or a browser, you might notice that the options are fairly heavily pared down. You might not be able to do as much on the app or browser as you do on the computer version of the website.

• Smaller Screen

Of course, an obvious con of watching a livestream on your phone instead of on the computer or even a tablet is that a phone has a relatively small screen. Over the years, phone manufacturers have tried to do the best with what they have, maximizing screen space, but it’s still typically a smaller screen.

What Type of Livestreams Can You Watch on Your Phone?

The good news is that you can watch nearly endless livestreams on your phone. Do you want an educational livestream? Are you looking for an entertaining livestream? There are all sorts of livestreams out there, and it’s up to you to find the livestream you’re most interested in.

The OneClass livestream is great for all sorts of people, whether you’re looking for personal information for classes or you’re hoping to be able to help someone you’re close to. Watching the OneClass livestream on your phone is a great way to gain more information so you can do more with that information.

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In today’s time, kids are super-advanced; you will certainly never find a single teen kid who doesn’t have any online presence. The times have changed and now, more than ever, and while you cannot deny their fair share of freedom, you also need to pay attention to the security of your child on social media platforms. Being hooked on to the internet, kids and teens are most often the easiest targets of cyberbullying and several types of cybercrimes.

If your daughter is on Instagram, you can easily go through the list of people she follows, the kind of content she likes as well as views, and much more.

Wondering how to see who someone recently followed on Instagram?

Well, then you must know that there are advanced mobile applications to help you track the activities of your daughter on Instagram. Tracking her activities such as viewing what pictures she is uploading, going through the comments on her pictures, checking her follow list including the list of followers, even checking her direct messages (sent or received) on Instagram will surely give you an idea of what your daughter is doing regularly on Instagram and what kind of people she is interacting with.

What you need to understand

Parents must understand that Instagram is a platform where there are many fake accounts and people share inappropriate content such as nude pictures or violent visual content and much more. So, it is very important to know what kind of people your daughter is following. If you find anything inappropriate at all then, as a responsible parent, you must persuade your child to ‘unfollow’ such accounts or even block them if needed.

Instagram allows up to five accounts on one phone. If you wish, you can switch from one account to the other easily. So, get hold of your daughter’s email address and password of the Instagram account to get direct access to her account.

Let your daughter use Instagram, let her breathe, and interact with people freely because children, too, need space. In the meantime, you just relax because tracking applications are there to look out for you and your beloved daughter.

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If you love incorporating the latest technology into your home, you’ve come to the right place. Simply continue reading in order to discover a few handy tips on having a smart home.

Four tips on having a smart home:

Install smart lightbulbs in each room in your home:

Once you replace all of your outdated lightbulbs in your home with smart lightbulbs, you’ll be able to turn all of the lights in your home on and off, without getting out of your bed or off your sofa. Which is incredibly handy. As an example, if you’re snuggled up on your sofa with your family and you sponatanteously decide to watch a movie, you’ll be able to dim the lights in your lounge, without getting up off your sofa. As you’ll be able to dim your lounge lights using an app on your smart phone.

Install a smart home security system:

If you install a few smart cameras around your property, you’ll be able to check on your property and your family’s well being, even when you’re at work or on an overseas vacation. As you’ll be able to safely access your home’s security cameras from your smart phone or laptop. It’s also a smart idea to install security cameras outside your home, so that if you hear a suspicious noise outside of your home, you’ll be able to check what’s going on, from the safety of your home. As sometimes it’s not a wise idea to venture outside if you hear suspicious noises outside your home. As an added bonus, you’ll also be able to check whose knocking on your door, before you open up your door. Which you’ll find incredibly handy.

Purchase a virtual assistant such as an Amazon Echo device or a Google Home device:

If you’d love to be able to use a virtual assistant to play your favorite music tracks and to check the weather, it’s well worth investing in purchasing a virtual assistant such as an Amazon Echo device or a Google Home device. Both of which are highly rated. Both devices will also ring or message your friends and family members for you. All you’ll need to do is to give your home assistant a voice command to ring the intended recipient of your phone call and they’ll process your call for you.

Invest in a heat pump which boasts intuitive sensors:

When it comes to heating and cooling your home, you can’t go wrong investing in a heat pump which boasts intuitive sensors which will allow your heat pump to automatically adjust the temperature in your home. So that your family will be kept suitably cool or warm. If you hate having to constantly adjust your heat pump’s temperature as the temperature in your changes, you’ll love living in a home which boasts a modern heat pump, which offers state of the art, intuitive sensors.

So if you love being one of the first people you know to adopt modern technology into your home life, it’s well worth ensuring that your smart phone features all four of the fantastic tech features which are listed above.