House Long

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Hi,

Today is a time when everybody is security minded and rightly so. It is amazing how many products are out there to save your home etc. These all involve high costs. I think one of the best pieces of advice I ever had was this: If you lost your house keys how would you get into your house? That made me think because it is a very useful exercise. It took me about five minutes to find a way to get in and I am not a burglar. Imagine how it made me think about my own home security. This is an effective method of finding the weak-spots in your security.

Burglars like the easy option with the least amount of effort and noise. One tip would be to make sure your ladders, if you had any, were in a secure place as a burglar would be able to use these with ease. Make sure that any locks you put on your windows are also on the upstairs windows as burglars will gain entry on any level. I would also make sure that your main house doors were solid ones as any locks are only as good as the door or window they are fitted to. One does not need to spend a fortune on security devices especially if you are on a budget. In fact a third of all break-ins are through an open window or door. It is therefore important to get into a routine of doubly making sure that your doors are locked and all windows are closed and locked.

Sometimes it is the old fashioned advice and common sense approach to home security that will make the burglar look elsewhere for his victim. Be alert to what potential aides you may have laying around your yard that will be of use to the burglar. A pair of ladders or steps, bushes overgrown to hide behind, rotten window frames or door frames. Loose boarding around the house and loose windows. If you buy a burglar alarm make sure it is from a reputable company with a warranty. Your home is only as good as the security system and measures you employ.

I believe in common sense values when it comes to security. My book is full of useful tips and advice http://www.online-homesecurity-tips.com

Remodeling the Guest House

There are few real estate features that are more impressive to buyer's than having a property that includes a guest house. Not only is a guest house a promotional point for your home, but many homeowners utilize the extra square footage of the space to house long terms guests, to rent out for extra money, or simply to afford privacy to a college-age child. If you have a guest house but don't visualize yourself going for any of these traditional options, then it is time to consider converting this extra square footage into something that you can really use. Perhaps a pool home, a gym, or a home office would work better for you?

 Of course, the true amount of remodeling required to achieve your goal for your guest house will differ based on what kind of shape the guest house is in now. It will also depend on how much alteration you want to make. Even if you wind up needing to hire a contractor, you can go ahead and start the planning process now.

The majority of guest houses are basically setup like a mini-house. It probably has a cooking area, one or two bedrooms, and a living room area. You need to determine how you can best use the square footage for you, rather than how the guest house is presently setup.

For example, if you would like to turn your guest facilities into a pool house, chances are you won't need a kitchen unless you intend to do some serious entertaining, but you may want to keep the bathrooms and bedrooms as changing and storage areas. If you want to turn your guest house into a home gym, you may want to get rid of every room except the bathroom in order to make space for your exercise equipment.

When you are determining exactly what you do and do not need, it can be helpful to figure out what your needs are first. Think about how much space you actually require, depending on what your project is. Do you need open spaces? Or, just an office? Next, consider how many separate rooms that you are going to need. Keeping the bathroom is a good idea no matter what your purpose is. You also may need storage space. Now, think about the course of remodeling. How much work will it take to get your guest house looking the way you want it to look? The amount of remodeling needed will depend on how many actual structural changes you will have to implement. If the amount of remodeling is outside of your budget, be willing to change your plan until you find the right balance.

Whatever you decide to use the guest house for should determine what materials you decide to install. For instance, you wouldn't want to install carpet in an office or a gym because it can be damaged by office chairs or equipment. On the other hand, installing tile can still make the area look inviting and cozy. Also consider the height of the ceilings in your guest house. If you have a dropped ceiling, you may not be able to squeeze exercise equipment in. Also, if it is in your budget, consider the window placement. If you want a desk with a view, your guest house may not be able to give this to you depending on the window placement.

Mull over your likes and dislikes as well as what function you would like the space to have. Look in books, magazines, and online and get lots of ideas and suggestions. After all, this remodeling venture should be something that you take pleasure in!

About the Author

Find an ideal property in Texas: Springtown Cheap Housing and Southlake New Homes for Sale Real Estate Agents benefit greatly from our comprehensive real estate search engine optimization.

Anita has a BA in English literature and writes articles for real estate interests.

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