Home title theft is a serious concern for homeowners across the country. The term describes real estate fraud, where scammers and identity thieves target properties to fraudulently transfer their ownership. Once they successfully do this, they can forge deeds to apply for home equity loans, refinance the mortgage, etc., in the homeowner’s name, leading to severe financial and legal trouble for homeowners. Thus, here are some things homeowners must do to protect their properties. Keep track of their mail and bills Monitoring the mail closely is an often overlooked aspect of ensuring that there has been no home title theft. If one notices that they have not been receiving their regular mail or bills, it could be possible that something is amiss. In such a situation, one must contact the billing companies to find out if there has been an error from their side. If not, there may be chances that identity thieves have changed their home address. Moreover, it is also essential to ensure that the mailboxes have enough safety. This is because thieves may attempt to intercept the mail to gain access to sensitive documents or information related to the property. Regularly monitor credit reports Whether one is a homeowner or not, they must regularly monitor their credit report.

If there are two things pet owners do not want to see on their beloved dogs, it’s fleas and ticks. Fleas can be a seasonal or round-the-year problem, depending on where you live. While formal healthcare treatment is the most effective solution to get rid of fleas, many people also resort to kitchen ingredients to fight fleas on dogs. If you’re looking for creative ways to get rid of fleas, try these simple home remedies: Lemon spray If you’re looking for a way to get rid of fleas that enter your home, a lemon spray can be effective. Simply boil a slice of lemon in some water, and pour this mix into a spray bottle. Spritz this concoction over your pet’s bedding and toys and other home furnishings and carpets until damp, and let it dry overnight. The acidic pH makes an unwelcome environment for fleas. However, speak to a veterinarian before using this remedy. This is because your dog is likely to lick several surfaces around the home, and ingesting too much lemon can be potentially toxic to dogs. Rosemary mix Another common kitchen ingredient that could help get rid of fleas is rosemary. It is essential to make sure that your dog is comfortable with the smell of rosemary before using these techniques.

Swapping out old furniture for new choices is one of the most common things people do when renovating a home or moving to a new place. Furniture shopping is exciting and can bring a sense of freshness to one’s home. However, making certain errors while buying furniture could hamper one’s shopping experience and the overall aesthetics of their home. Therefore, one should avoid the following mistakes when shopping for new furniture. Going with approximate measurements People tend to purchase furniture of various lengths and widths based on approximate measurements of the available space at home. However, eyeballing this factor is a mistake, as one may buy furniture too large to fit in the space. Therefore, one should carefully measure the dimensions of the room and the size of the doorways and hallways before purchasing. Ignoring scale and space When measuring furniture, it is essential to consider the scale of the furniture and the available space. Even if a piece appears to fit and look good inside the house, it may take up too much space and block walkways. To better understand how a piece of furniture will fit inside a room, it is recommended to use masking tape to mark the item’s size in the area.

The front, or exterior door, is one of the most essential elements of a home. Apart from making a first impression on people who walk up the porch, the door also affects other aspects like a home’s energy efficiency, security, and comfort. An exterior door is subject to wear and tear and will eventually require attention. While it may be possible to repair the existing door, replacing it with a new exterior door can have various benefits. Enhanced home security The front door is the first line of defense against intruders. If one upgrades the exterior door, one could consider a more secure option and a better frame than their older door. The upgrade could give homeowners and other family members an enhanced sense of safety and security. One could also make other additions to improve security, such as installing new door locks, automatic lighting to ensure the front area is well-lit to detect movement, and installing security cameras. Improved appeal Since a door is the first thing people see when they walk up to a home, looking at an old, worn-out entryway may not be appealing . Installing a new exterior door could help improve the overall aesthetic of the front of the home and make guests , as well as family members , feel good about walking through the upgraded structure.

At a time when property prices are skyrocketing, real estate investment is a lucrative decision because the value of a well-invested property is most likely to appreciate. There is a rising trend of people purchasing properties not just to stay there but as a long-term plan to gain a steady income. However, buying property is a major decision, so one needs to beware of certain common mistakes when investing in real estate: Not having a definite investment goal Like any other investment, one also needs to have a definite goal when investing in real estate. The objective should be concrete, such as receiving a specific amount of fixed income by leasing out the property, letting it out as a vacation home, staying in the house, and letting out a part of it as a paying guest accommodation, etc. One should be clear about the purpose of the property once it is bought. Choosing property at the wrong location Where one’s property should be located largely depends on the purpose of buying it. For example, if one plans to rent it out, buying a house in a prime or emerging area in the city makes sense, which can provide one with sufficient rental income.

A reverse mortgage provides the elderly access to equity in their homes and supplements their income. With its flexible repayment option, it gives homeowners more control over their money. However, the government has laid out strict rules and guidelines concerning reverse mortgage eligibility criteria. So, if you’re considering a reverse mortgage, read on to know the reverse mortgage eligibility criteria and the types of reverse mortgages. Reverse mortgage eligibility criteria The first criterion for a reverse mortgage is that the primary homeowner must be at least 62 years of age. If your spouse is under the age of 62, you might still be eligible if you meet other reverse mortgage eligibility criteria. If you’re not 62 or older than 62, then you won’t qualify for a reverse mortgage even if you satisfy the criteria mentioned below. You must be the primary resident of the home you’re seeking a reverse mortgage for. Note that vacation homes or rental properties do not qualify. You must either entirely own the house or have at least 50% equity in it. If you have any mortgage balance remaining while applying for a reverse mortgage, you must be in a financial position to pay off that balance.

Are you thinking of switching to a smart home? If yes, an array of smart devices will come to your aid. Cyber Monday, slated for November 28 this year, is the best time to buy products for your smart home. Searching the deals is a big task, so to help you, here is a list of the best offers on some smart home devices that help you innovate your home. Nest Cam IQ series Google has launched its range of security cameras, and customers are in love! Such cameras are equipped with features that help identify people, things, and animals, ensuring security. The Nest Cam (battery) version is even better and comes with a rechargeable battery. Additionally, you may get lucky and find a great deal on it, making it cheap. There is also a Nest Aware subscription plan that costs $6/month. Ring Video Doorbell 4 When it comes to ensuring security, this video doorbell is the perfect option. It can be connected to batteries, or it may be wired. Additionally, it gives a 160-degree view, so you know who is at the door. It would be an excellent addition to your smart house! The original price of this product is $99.99.

People often ignore the importance of home security, putting themselves and their families at risk. Door and window locks and human vigilance are sometimes insufficient to keep malicious elements at bay. In today’s age, security cameras and smart doorbells are gaining popularity. Luckily, Black Friday will be here soon, when homeowners can enjoy discounts on the latest smart systems. Here are ten types of home security devices to look out for during Black Friday 2023. Video doorbells Video doorbells, also called smart doorbells, let people view the area in front of their main door. In doing so, they reduce the possibility of harassment by sneaky intruders or pesky neighborhood kids who ring the doorbell before running away. Modern video doorbells come with unique and valuable features, such as 1440 x 1440 resolution visuals, a clarity-driven 1:1 aspect ratio, and a wide field of view. Some models also send alerts to the homeowner’s phone or computer, store free surveillance data on the cloud, and offer two-way communication. The Wyze Wireless Video Doorbell Camera Pro is currently selling for a discount of $8 at Best Buy, but if customers hold off buying it until Black Friday 2023, they may enjoy a better deal.