Home and Garden Archives - Nine to Three Thirty

Top 5 Must-Haves for a Growing Family

As your family grows, so do your needs. Raising children requires a shift in how you live, work, and interact. For this to happen, you all need to be able to thrive in a space that works for everyone. Having the right setup makes all the difference in maintaining harmony and reducing stress. Making a few of these key changes will ensure that you and your loved ones can adjust to whatever comes next.

A Safe and Spacious Home

Your home should accommodate everyone’s daily needs. A simple start is to find somewhere with enough bedrooms and a versatile layout that can transition as your children age and require more personal space. New homes with modern designs and energy-efficient features offer the flexibility needed for the future. For instance, open-plan kitchens are ideal for supervising the kids while cooking.

Ensuring the property is in a safe neighbourhood is another way to future-proof your home. Knowing that your children can play outside and make neighbourly friends provides a strong sense of security.

Organised Storage Solutions

You’ll already know that clutter builds up quickly with kids. It’s easy for school supplies, sports gear, and everything else in between to pile up, so keeping on top of household organisation can keep chaos at bay.

Make the most of your available space with smart storage alternatives such as under-bed drawers for seasonal clothes or built-in shelves for books and toys. Multipurpose furniture like sofa beds can help free up room while offering the added benefit of keeping everything in its place.

Reliable Transport Options

A dependable vehicle always makes life much easier, especially when you’re ferrying little ones off to school or weekend football matches. SUVs or larger hatchbacks are reliable options because of their practicality, ample legroom and boot space.

If you rely on public transport, try to choose an area with good connections to minimise the commute and allow you to spend more time with your family.

Healthy Lifestyle Essentials

Prioritising your family’s health (including your own!) is essential for a happy home. Try to incorporate regular exercise into your weekly routine; this could be an evening walk, after-school sports clubs or a gym plan. For the children, investing in an outdoor play area where they can burn off energy will keep them happy and moving.

Meal planning also ensures that everyone gets nutritious and balanced meals, even on busy days. This also should reduce food waste and the weekly shop expenses.

Supportive Community and Social Networks

A supportive community is invaluable when raising children. This could be through meeting other parents or even a local group where families can get together. Building these connections provides emotional support, and it’s always helpful to have a neighbour who can lend a hand in case of emergencies. Social networks also contribute to your children’s development, giving them opportunities to interact and make lasting friendships.

How to declutter whilst you have pets

If you have pets, you know the trials of trying to keep your home clean and clutter-free. You might have just tidied away their toys, only for them to dig through the lot for their favourite. Or perhaps, they’ve left a paw-print on your freshly cleaned bedding.

Despite all this, we love our pets anyway – so here are a few ways you can keep your home clutter-free while you have pets.

Create designated pet areas

One simple solution is to have areas of your home that are off-limits to your pets. While this can initially feel harsh, you’re localising any mess and damage to fewer areas of your home. In turn, this makes it much easier to clean up after them, so you can spend more time playing with them instead.

If you want to take it one step further, using washable pet-friendly rugs in these areas can make clean-up a breeze. Simply pop it in the washing machine, and the mess is taken care of.

Invest in pet-friendly furniture and materials

To protect the wider home, you may want to invest in pet-friendly furniture and materials. These are durable, stain-resistant alternatives (like tweed or leather), which are much better suited to the wear and tear only a pet can create.

If your furry friend frequently moults, you might also want to match the colours to the fur. This can help conceal the issue, especially in between deep cleans. If you find that your pets scratch or chew a lot, you might want to get them something they are allowed to get their claws in. After all, cat trees are a much better alternative than your sofa.

Regular cleaning and grooming routines

To combat frequent hair and odours, you might have to regularly deep-clean the common areas. Vacuuming carpets, furniture, and stairs with specialised pet hair hoover heads can make your life much easier. Also, while it can be tempting to spray an air freshener on everything, make sure it’s safe to use around pets first. They can be sensitive to various chemicals, and the last thing you want is an expensive vet bill.

Organise pet supplies efficiently

The best tip to reduce clutter is to have a designated storage space for it. Using a plastic container for their toys gives you an easy place to put them when they’ve been left lying randomly on the floor.

You might also want to make use of drawers or cupboards, as they can provide convenient storage for leads, collars, harnesses, and other accessories.

Can you still make money on your house when selling for cash?

Despite recent years of relative instability, the housing market in this country has helped a lot of people make a lot of money. Ordinary people have consistently been able to invest in an asset that they can also live in, and then sell it a few years down the line while still making a nice little profit.

However, is that still possible to achieve when selling a house for cash, or is it only feasible when selling using more traditional routes? Let’s take a quick look at whether you can still make money selling a house for cash or not.

Selling a house for cash

When selling a house for cash, there are a range of both benefits and drawbacks. The benefits are usually connected with the speed of the sale, with the process being up to around 10 times faster than ‘traditional’ sales.

The drawback is that you won’t generally get the full market value for your property. Typically, cash buyers will offer somewhere between about 80-90% of what you could get from going the traditional route, which does make it more difficult to sell at a profit compared to the price you bought the house for.

Doing the maths

To determine whether you can still make money selling the house from cash, you need to compare the price you bought the property at with the current full market value. If the difference between those two figures is more than around 25%, then there’s a good chance you can still make money.

That being said, even if it isn’t, certain properties will be easier to sell for cash at a higher percentage of market value. You’ll need to speak with an estate agent or other expert, to see whether or not you will be able to command a high price.

When it’s worth it

In some cases, it can still absolutely be worth selling below market value, otherwise cash buyers wouldn’t be able to command such a discount.

This will typically apply to situations where the seller needs to liquidate their assets quickly, to avoid expensive fees, free up their cash for other investments, or any number of other reasons.

In these situations – and in cases where the house has been inherited, not bought – your ability to make money from the sale isn’t directly related to the price you would have paid for the house. There can be many more factors at play, and they all deserve your consideration.

When it’s not worth it

If you’re not in a rush to sell your house, then it’s generally worth selling it using a more traditional method. By waiting just 5 or so more months, you can potentially get a lot more for your property, and barring other time constraints, this will normally be the way to go.

It’s important to get advice on all of these matters before making a decision. They can have a big impact on your future, and it’s worth having an overview of all relevant factors.

A shout out to the team at Property Sale Watchdog, for their pointers and words of advice for this article.

Seasonal HVAC Maintenance Tips for Families

air conditioning — Image by IntelligentVisualDesing from Pixabay

Is your HVAC system ready for the changing seasons? Regular HVAC maintenance keeps your home comfortable and your energy bills low. Small issues can turn into big problems if ignored. Cleaning, checking filters, and scheduling inspections can make a difference.

A well-maintained system lasts longer and works better. Simple steps can help your family stay cozy all year. Keep reading for easy tips to keep your HVAC in top shape!

Check and Replace Filters

Dirty filters make your HVAC system less efficient. This can lead to higher energy bills and poor air quality. Checking filters every month helps prevent problems. Most filters need to be replaced every one to three months. A clogged filter can cause system breakdowns and costly repairs.

Clean filters improve airflow and keep your home comfortable. Regular filter changes are an important part of furnace maintenance. Choosing the right filter helps reduce dust and allergens. Simple maintenance keeps your system running smoothly all year.

Clean Vents and Ducts

Dust and debris can build up in vents and ducts over time. This can reduce airflow and make your HVAC system work harder. Cleaning vents help improve air quality in your home. Blocked ducts can lead to higher energy bills and uneven heating or cooling.

Regular cleaning prevents dust and allergens from spreading. A vacuum or a damp cloth can remove dust from vents. Professional duct cleaning may be needed if there is heavy buildup. Clear vents allow your system to run more efficiently. Simple maintenance helps keep your home comfortable all year.

Schedule Professional Inspections

Professional inspections help keep your HVAC system in good shape. A trained technician can find problems before they get worse. Regular check-ups improve efficiency and lower energy costs. Experts check for leaks, worn parts, and safety issues.

Fixing small issues early prevents expensive repairs later. Inspections also help improve air quality in your home. Many professionals recommend a check-up before summer and winter.

A well-maintained system lasts longer and runs better. Scheduling inspections keeps your family comfortable in every season.

Adjust Thermostat Settings

Changing thermostat settings with the seasons saves energy. Lowering the temperature in winter at night can reduce heating costs. Raising it in summer when away helps cut cooling expenses. A programmable thermostat makes adjusting settings easier. Small changes can lead to big savings on energy bills.

Keeping temperatures steady prevents your system from overworking. Setting the thermostat correctly keeps your home comfortable. A smart thermostat can learn your schedule for better efficiency. Simple adjustments help extend the life of your HVAC system.

Prepare for Weather Changes

Seasonal changes can put stress on your HVAC system. Checking your unit before extreme weather helps prevent issues. Sealing doors and windows keeps your home energy-efficient. Cleaning vents and ducts improve airflow and air quality. Outdoor units should be cleared of leaves and debris.

Adjusting thermostat settings can lower energy costs. A professional tune-up helps catch small problems early. Replacing filters ensures the system runs smoothly. Simple maintenance keeps your home comfortable in any season.

Seal Windows and Doors

Gaps in windows and doors let air escape and waste energy. Sealing them helps keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer. Weatherstripping stops drafts and improves comfort. Caulking around windows prevents air leaks and moisture damage. A well-sealed home reduces strain on your HVAC system.

Lower energy bills are a big benefit of proper sealing. Checking for leaks every season helps maintain efficiency. Simple fixes like door sweeps can block cold or hot air. Heavy curtains add extra insulation in extreme weather. Professional sealing services can help if leaks are hard to find. Small changes make a big difference in home comfort.

Clean Outdoor HVAC Units

Dirt and debris can block airflow in outdoor HVAC units. Cleaning them helps the system run more efficiently. Leaves, grass, and dust can build up around the unit. Removing debris prevents overheating and damage. Washing the coils improves cooling and heating performance.

A clear unit reduces strain on the HVAC system. Checking for obstructions ensures proper airflow. Trimming plants around the unit allows better ventilation. Regular cleaning helps lower energy costs. A professional can deep clean the unit if needed. Simple maintenance keeps your HVAC system working well.

Test Your Heating and Cooling System

Turning on your HVAC system before the season starts helps find problems early. Testing the heat before winter ensures it works when needed. Running the air conditioner before summer prevents surprises. Strange noises or weak airflow may signal issues. Checking the thermostat settings keeps temperatures accurate.

Weak heating or cooling could mean clogged filters. Inspecting vents helps confirm proper airflow. A professional can fix problems if the system is not working right. Regular testing helps avoid sudden breakdowns. Catching issues early can save on costly repairs. Simple checks keep your home comfortable all year.

Improve Indoor Air Quality

Clean air helps keep your family healthy. Changing HVAC filters removes dust and allergens. Opening windows when possible improves ventilation. Air purifiers can reduce indoor pollutants. Cleaning vents and ducts prevents dust buildup. Using a dehumidifier controls moisture and mold growth.

Houseplants can help improve air quality naturally. Regular HVAC maintenance keeps the air fresh and clean. Checking for gas or carbon monoxide leaks is important. Avoiding strong chemicals indoors helps reduce air pollution. Simple steps create a healthier home environment.

Plan for Emergency Repairs

HVAC problems can happen at any time. Having a plan helps you stay prepared. Knowing a trusted repair service saves time during emergencies. Regular maintenance can prevent sudden breakdowns. Strange noises or weak airflow may mean trouble. Keeping emergency contacts handy makes repairs faster.

A backup heating or cooling option can help in extreme weather. Checking your warranty can reduce repair costs. Setting aside money for unexpected fixes is a good idea. Learning basic troubleshooting can solve small issues quickly. Being prepared keeps your home comfortable all year.

Learn More About HVAC Maintenance

Regular HVAC maintenance keeps your home comfortable and energy efficient. Simple tasks like cleaning filters and adjusting the thermostat make a big difference.

Professional inspections help prevent costly repairs. Taking care of your system ensures it runs smoothly all year.

Visit our blog for more!