Our Home and Our House

Basements are not just additional storage spaces anymore. They can be great for many things. People use them for game rooms, movie rooms, bedrooms, and even full apartments if they have the space. They’re also considered safe spaces in areas where tornadoes are a big concern. But if you’re considering buying a house with a basement, there are a few things you should look for to make sure it’s in the best shape.

Water leaks or stains

Some homes, especially older ones, might have basements with foundations made of material other than cement, such as stone. Stone is not a good material for blocking water, which is devastating to other foundational elements such as untreated wood or drywall. It can also wreak havoc on your health by harboring mold and other harmful allergens. In these situations, it could be quite costly to make the necessary improvements to … Read more

If you’ve ever owned rental properties, then you know how much of a hassle it can be to keep track of everything. Between maintenance, advertising your property, making sure paperwork is organized, and keeping up with property laws, there’s a huge amount of responsibility involved. The last thing you need is a tenant making things more complicated. Of course, as you know, some of this will be unavoidable. There will be complaints on occasion, and late rent payment is just something that’s bound to happen every so often. However, you can protect yourself from a lot of headaches through a thorough tenant screening. Most landlords will conduct some form of screening in some way, but many make the mistake of forming their decision based on their feelings toward a potential tenant. This is understandable, as landlords want to fill their vacancies as soon as possible, but it’s worth keeping … Read more