Posts Tagged ‘Best realtors in Houston’

No parent likes to think about their child being bullied or, even worse, being a bully but the fact is, more than half of all children are involved – either as a perpetrator, victim or witness. There are many warning signs that may indicate that someone is affected by bullying. Recognizing the warning signs is an important first step in taking action against bullying. Not all children who are bullied or are bullying others ask for help. It is important to talk with children who show signs of being bullied or bullying others. These warning signs can also point to other issues or problems, such as depression or substance abuse. Talking to the child can help identify the root of the problem. Signs a Child Is Being Bullied Look for changes in the child. However, be aware that not all children who are bullied exhibit warning signs. Some signs that may point to a bullying problem are: Unexplainable injuries Lost or destroyed clothing, books, electronics, or jewelry Frequent headaches or stomach aches, f...

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Why do we often neglect our front porch? It's the first impression your home puts out there and yet they end up boring, outdated and sad.  If a dark or dated design is deterring you from making the most of your porch, then let our gallery of some amazing yet easy porch remodel ideas inspire you.   Sometimes small porches, especially if they are enclosed, can be dark and uninviting.  A way to improve the look is to paint your front door.  Go with a color that compliments the body of your home and doesn’t clash with it. This will add life back to your front porch and gives you the opportunity to bring in some color.          As we all know, black is timeless! Bold, black paint can turn even the most basic builder-grade doors into architectural statements.          Updating the concrete by painting a geographic pattern or adding a fun rug will turn a boring patio a bit more inviting and fun.    ...

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Image: Melanie DeFazio/Stocksy Want summer comfort but hate the AC? Follow these tips on how to keep your house cool without frosty air conditioning. You don’t have to switch on the air conditioner to get a big chill this summer. These tips will help you keep your house cool without over running your AC , which will save energy (and avoid AC wars with your family.)   Block That Sun! When sunlight enters your house, it turns into heat. You’ll keep your house cooler if you reduce solar heat gain by keeping sunlight out. Close the drapes: Line them with light-colored fabric that reflects the sun, and close them during the hottest part of the day. Let them pillow onto the floor to block air movement. Add awnings: Install them on south- and west-facing windows to reduce solar heat gain by up to 77%, says the U.S. Department of Energy. Make your own by tacking up sheets outside your windows and draping the ends over a railing or lawn chair. Install shutters: Interior and exterior shutters not ...

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There is nothing wrong with having your TV as the main focal point of your room, I'm certainly not embarrassed by my TV having center stage, not one bit! If you watch yours frequently, I see no reason to hide it. That said, it's not necessarily something you want to attract attention to - not because you're ashamed of it, but because a giant black box with cords takes attention away from all the other really nice things you've done with the room. Aside from actually hiding it, there are many ways to minimize its presence in a room. Here are some great ideas: Camouflage With Color Instead of contrasting your TV with crisp white walls, camouflage it with dark neutrals like navy blue, dark grey, and black. LED Mirror TV If you really want to get creative, try buying a LED Mirror TV to hang on a wall or over your mantle. The TVs are crafted using the finest frame styles and highest quality dielectric mirror. The framed televisions are ultra slim and are available in a wide variety of finishes to blend seamlessly with your déco...

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Looking to beat the Texas heat? This summer, grab your sunscreen and towels and head to a water park for a fun-filled day in the sun. You can plan a trip and explore a new one you haven't been to before. There is certainly no shortage of water parks in the lone star state, so here is our list of the best water parks in Texas.   Schlitterbahn New Braunfels 400 N Liberty Ave, New Braunfels, TX 78130 https://www.schlitterbahn.com/new-braunfels Named the world’s best water park year after year. Schlitterbahn New Braunfels is the original water park resort. With an eclectic resort, and two distinct waterpark experiences with 51 attractions over 70 acres, it's easy to see why New Braunfels is Schlitterbahn's flagship location. Tube chutes, rides, tube slides, and pools use spring fed river water that always stays a cool 72 degrees and flows right back into the river. Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark 2970 Epic Place, Grand Prairie, TX 75051 https://epicwatersgp.com Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark is an indoor waterpark in G...

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Your home: You love it, but sometimes you have to leave it. Whether it's the eight hours a day or eight days on a dreamy beach, allowing your biggest investment to fend for itself can be stressful. And it's a legit concern; when your home looks empty, break-ins happen. You could deter burglars by never leaving your house again. Or you could do the next best (OK, way better) thing, and just make it look like someone is there all the time. Here's how.   #1 Light Up a Room (From the Road) Your parents may still rely on their lighting timer — on at 8 p.m., off at 7 a.m. That old-fashioned option still works, but apps are more fun. They not only turn your lights on and off, but can do so randomly for a more realistic effect. And you can decide to flip on your porch light while sipping a mojito in Fiji. You can Google your options, but one affordable example is the Lutron Caséta Wireless system (about $80 for the device and $55 per switch). You replace your current wall switches with these wireless ones and "ta...

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Although this past weekend felt like Winter was back, the truth is, Summer will be here before we know it. As we all know, in Houston we can have chilly 40 degree weather one day and the next day it's a sweltering 90 degrees. But before summer makes it’s way to Houston make sure you and your home are prepared for the summer heat. Here are 8 quick tips to get your home summer ready. Give Your Air Conditioner a Checkup Now’s the time to make sure your air conditioning is in perfect working order. Replace your air filter to make sure the whole system runs smoothly. Clear any debris on or around your vents or exhausts, and clean off any dirt from the main unit outside. If your AC unit is more than 15-20 years old, you might consider replacing it with a more energy-efficient, Energy Star unit (bonus: you get a tax credit).   Test for Ventilation Leaks Probe the weather stripping around the door with a screwdriver and caulk any post-winter gaps before tightening hinges that may have come loose due to shifts in temperat...

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Is it just me or does it seem that appliances don’t last as long as they’re supposed to? Something I often hear from family and friends is that their dryer died years before a typical dryer’s lifespan is up and that they seem to be calling the refrigerator repair man out every couple of years.Rob Carpenter, owner of a Mr. Handyman franchise in Maryland, shares some insider tips about how to extend the life of home appliances. Refrigerators That Last Refrigerators break down when doors don’t close tightly, forcing motors to work overtime to keep food cold. To test your door seal, close the door on a dollar bill: If the bill slips, you’ve got a problem that requires refrigerator maintenance. Magnetic strips embedded in gaskets around refrigerator doors make doors close snugly, but they routinely wear out and should be replaced or re-magnetized every couple of years. If you’re handy, re-magnetizing is a DIY job — just run a powerful magnet along each side of the gasket, in the same direction, about 50 times....

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No matter the square footage of your home, trying to find a little extra space to store things is always an issue every now and then. I know the easiest solution is to just donate all those items you just can't find a place for or to store them in an already packed closet. But there is a good chance there are a couple spots you're overlooking. Whether it's a place to display a few kids books or those extra towels your linen closet just can't fit anymore, this list of places we found will help your storage needs!   On Small Blank Walls Many homes have unused walls and unoccupied corners so why not put those unused areas to work? Shallow wooden shelves can hold a row of books. You can use shallow picture ledges and simply attach them in a column on an open wall.   On the Backs of Cabinet Doors Use command hooks on the inside of cabinet doors to hang all your baking and cooking utensils, neatly. Now it won't take you a decade to find your measuring spoons! Make sure you are spacing them so that the ...

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How Long Should You Keep Tax Records?? If you ever have to prove you deserved a tax deduction, file an insurance claim, or figure out if your busted oven is still under warranty you’ll want to have your paperwork at hand. To help you prioritize your paperwork, we’ve created a handy “How Long to Keep It” home records checklist.  First, a little background on IRS rules, which informed some of our charts: The IRS says you should keep tax returns and the paperwork supporting them for at least three years after you file the return — the amount of time the IRS has to audit you. So that’s how long we advise in our charts. The IRS can also ask for records up to six years after a filing if they suspect someone failed to report 25% or more of their gross income. And the agency never closes the door on an audit if it suspects fraud. Just sayin’.   HOME SALE RECORDS Document How Long to Keep It Home sale closing documents, including closing statement As long as you own the pro...

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