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There are more flooring options now more than ever, but the age old question still remains: carpet or hardwood? Depending on your preferences and lifestyle, you could prefer one or the other, but you should know the pros and cons of both. Follow along as we discuss the many pros and cons of both carpet and hardwood flooring for your home.

Carpet

Pros:

• More Cost-Efficient – Although carpet is cheaper, it’s important to remember that it will need to be replaced every 10 yrs. 

• Warm on Feet – A great feature of carpet is the softness and warmth it provides for your feet.

• Easy to Install – Carpet is much easier and faster to install than hardwood, even experienced DIY-ers can tackle it!

• Absorbs Sounds – Unlike hardwood, carpet does absorb sound which is nice when you have a big family or a sleeping baby you don’t want to disturb.

Cons:

• No Added Home Value – A big con, especially for resale, is the lack of added home value carpet provides. 

• Needs Replaced Every 10 Years

• Hard to Remove Stains – Carpet is easy to vacuum but the stains can be difficult to remove.

• Synthetic

• Traps Pollen and Pet Hair

Hardwood

Pros:

• Added Home Value – A great benefit to hardwood is the added home value. Hardwood is very attractive to home buyers.

• Long Lasting – Hardwood has been proven to last almost 100yrs, whereas carpet has to be replaced every 10 years.

• Easily Cleaned – With hardwood, it’s easy to see the dirt on the floor which makes it much easier to clean. Also, if you spill a liquid on hardwood you can simply wipe it up where carpet stains easily.

• More Attractive – Almost everyone would agree that hardwood floors are more attractive and provide a clean, modern look.

• Natural – The fact that hardwood is a natural material is appealing to more home owners and buyers.

• Better for Allergies – Dirt, pollen, human and pet hair are easy to spot and clean with hardwood floors which is better for those with allergies.

Cons:

• More Money – Installing hardwood does cost more money upfront but is longer lasting than carpet.

• Cold on Feet

• Easy to Scratch – Generally, hardwood is more durable than carpet but it does get easily scratched if you’re not careful.

• Sounds Travel

Is carpet or hardwood better?

The answer to this question is up to you! Read through the pros and cons above and decide what is better for you and your lifestyle. If you’re wanting to add value to your home, hardwood is the way to go. If you’re not concerned about adding home value and are aiming for soft and cozy, carpet is for you! Please call us at 574-527-1700 or email us at Kim@homeswarsaw.com to talk through your concerns about carpet or hardwood. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Buying a home is a big decision. Buying an old farmhouse is an even bigger one. With a farmhouse comes many extra responsibilities and considerations. Are you ready to take on the commitment? Read below as we list 7 important considerations when buying a farmhouse.

1. Old Piping, Heating, and Electrical

Many old houses will need a few updates when it comes to piping, heating, and electrical but old farmhouses may require a complete overhaul. The year the farmhouse was built can determine if the piping meets current building codes or not. Another way to figure out if your piping needs replacing is to hire an experienced plumber to inspect your home.

Old homes usually lacked sufficient insulation making it hard to effectively heat the whole house. These homes also aren’t built to support a new heating system, so you may have to explore other options when it comes to heating your home.

Like heating systems, old farmhouses typically weren’t built for modern electrical devices like computers, televisions, or in some cases, refrigerators. If you’re looking to purchase an old farmhouse, odds are you will have to rewire at least a portion of the home which can be costly.

2. Renovations

One of the biggest considerations when buying an old farmhouse is the price of renovations. Any farmhouse you buy, unless it’s been recently renovated, will require serious work to achieve move-in ready status. Whether it be adding extra insulation throughout the house, replacing outdated fixtures, or knocking down a wall, you need to be prepared.

3. Building Codes

During the buying process, you most likely will have an inspection done on the home and find out what isn’t up to code. The good news is, if the home is old enough it should be grandfathered in and not required to meet current code requirements. However, if the home undergoes any modifications or replacements, those areas of the home will have to be compliant with the current building codes.

4. Land Upkeep

Most farmhouses come with a large amount of land which means more upkeep for you. You’ll be responsible for the property and anything on it. Usually, land owners will maintain the lawn around their home and let the other areas naturally grow, though the land will still need periodic checks.

5. Isolation

If you’re considering purchasing a farmhouse as a family home, there are a few things to consider. Most farmhouses are outside of city limits which means a longer trek into the city for shopping, school, and other activities. If your kids play sports or want to go to a friend’s house, it will mean a longer drive for you.

Living in an isolated area does mean less traffic, less noise, and more privacy for your family. You can invite guests over and they can park wherever they want, stay as late as they want, and you’ll have all the space you need. It also means lots of land for your family to explore and make memories on.

6. Internet and Cell Reception

A large downside to living in an old farmhouse is the lack of cell phone reception and internet access. As mentioned above, farmhouses weren’t built for the modern world so they didn’t have internet hookups. It may be costly and difficult to have wireless internet installed in your home.

7. Hidden Issues

Lastly, any farmhouse is going to have hidden issues that you may find early on or down the road. It’s important to have an emergency budget in case something urgent presents itself. These hidden problems can greatly range in cost and it’s better to be prepared when they do occur.

Is a farmhouse right for you?

Living in and renovating an old farmhouse isn’t for everyone. It takes vision, patience, and money to transform an old farmhouse into a suitable home for modern living. A farmhouse has many pros and cons, just like any home. If you’re considering buying a farmhouse, give us a call at 574-527-1700 or send us an email to Kim@homeswarsaw.com. We’d love to walk through this journey with you.

Why do bugs want to come inside our homes? Like us, bugs are longing for a safe place to live that offers shelter from the outside, clean water, and good food. When they find a way in your home, it’s hard to make them leave when they’re getting everything they need. But the good news is, there are a few things you can do to bug-proof your home!

Inside the Home:

1. Door sweeps – Door sweeps should be installed on all exterior facing doors, where no light comes through. The less accessible your home is to pests, the better. In addition to entry doors, the garage door should also be sealed using a rubber seal.
2. Screens – All doors and windows that can be opened should have screens installed. If possible, keep windows and doors closed at all times to prevent small bugs from entering through the screens.
3. Repair leaks – Inspect your home for leaky pipes and repair them as soon as possible. Water attracts pests and can also cause water damage, allowing for another easy entry point.
4. Cracks should be filled – Make sure all cracks around windows or doors are filled as well as larger openings that can give bugs an accessway.
5. Clean – Cleaning your home is so important and can greatly reduce the presence of pests in your home. Don’t leave crumbs or dirty dishes sitting out overnight and keep trash sealed.
6. Utility openings should be sealed – Seal any utility openings such as around pipes, wiring, faucets, or anything that can serve as an entrance for bugs.7. Store food in containers – Using airtight containers to keep food in will prevent ants from sneaking their way in. Everything in the kitchen should be sealed off and fruit should be thrown away when it goes bad.
8. Use wire mesh – Wire mesh can be used to cover vents located in the chimney, attic, and crawl space to prevent rodents and small animals from getting in.

Outside the Home:

1. Self-closing trash lids – If possible, it’s important to choose an outdoor trash can that is self-closing and seal tightly to stop pests from sneaking in. If you have been provided a trash can by your waste service, there are a number of ways you can pest-proof your garbage receptacle.
2. Keep the yard clean – Maintaining your yard is a simple way to keep bugs and rodents away from your home. The less clutter, leaves, and limbs touching the house, the less entryways into your home.
3. Maintain compost bin – If using a compost bin, there are several best practices to note when trying to keep out bugs and animals. Avoid composting meats, bones, or manure and try to keep the fresh waste buried towards the middle of the pile to mask the smell. For more tips on bug and rodent proofing your compost bin, read this detailed article from the Green Bay Press Gazette.
4. Add flowers – Planting flowers will attract helpful bugs to eat on any decayed matter they find in your yard, reducing the amount of unneeded bugs and animals.
5. Attract bats and birds – Along with flower flies and parasitic bugs, attracting bats and birds to your yard will only benefit you. Birds will set up camp in your yard if you provide trees to nest in and fresh water to drink. Bats look for places to roost during the day, so consider providing them with housing.

Is your home a bug free zone?

If you’re having trouble with bugs and other pests, we hope these tips will transform your home into a bug free zone! Remember to let us know if you need any recommendations when it comes to pest control services. We would love to help you! Simply call us at 574-527-1700 or send an email to Kim@homeswarsaw.com to talk to us!

Many of us have trees around our home but have never thought about the endless benefits they provide. Along with curb appeal, trees can also help lower your heating and cooling costs. Trees add so much value to your home and your community. If your yard doesn’t have enough trees, it may be time to plant some!

Curb Appeal

Believe it or not, landscaping can greatly increase your home’s value. Curb appeal makes a house more attractive and it also requires less work for the buyer when they move in. Landscaping doesn’t just include flowers and shrubs. Trees, especially mature trees, can increase a home’s value by 20 percent, according to this article by the Arbor Day Foundation.

Lower Energy Bills

Another one of the many benefits of trees is their ability to save you money! Trees, when placed in the right place, can shade your home from the sun in the summer and protect your home from cold winds in the winter. Shading and protecting your house from the cold weather can help save you hundreds of dollars a year. Be sure to research what types of trees are hardiest and best for your area. Even newly planted trees, when put in the correct spot, will have an effect on your energy costs in as little as five years.

Cools Home and Neighborhood

Not only do trees benefit your home, but they also benefit your neighborhood. Trees have a unique cooling effect known as transpiration. Transpiration cooling is what happens when the water is transpired from the tree’s leaves and into the air around them. This water vapor cools the surrounding air and causes a cooling effect. When there are trees along the streets in a neighborhood, the neighborhood becomes cooler as a whole.

Increases Community Value

As we mentioned above, trees provide many advantages for our homes and our neighborhoods. When trees are planted in yards and along neighborhood streets, property values increase by as much as 15 percent. There are many other ways trees increase community value such as:

• Lowering energy costs
• Help purify the air
• Reduce noise
• Prevent erosion
• Attract animals

Provides Nutrients and Shelter for Animals

Last but not least, trees are used for shelter and food for wildlife. Birds can perch there to sing and nest, squirrels can use trees to find food, and many other organisms thrive off the nutrients and shelter the trees provide.

Are you thinking about planting trees in your yard?

Please contact us if you have any questions when it comes to planting trees and improving your home’s curb appeal. Call us at 574-527-1700 or send an email to Kim@homeswarsaw.com so we can help meet your needs.

What comes to your mind when you think about living in a lake house? The sound of waves splashing against the shore, the wind blowing through the trees, the warm sunshine on your skin… Though it may sound enticing, lake life isn’t for everyone. A lake house comes with added responsibilities and upkeep that you may not realize. As you consider purchasing a lakefront property, there are a few things you need to know.

Higher Property Cost

The initial cost of a waterfront property will be more than a normal lot simply because it’s on the water. Lakefront properties are limited and don’t become available too often. This makes these properties even more in demand and attractive to buyers.

If you are looking to buy a lake house as a second home, you will also need to be prepared to meet more requirements like putting more money down.

Added Expenses

With any home, there will always be needed maintenance and unexpected expenses that can arise, but a lake house is in a league of its own. A lake house comes with many added expenses that you may not know about:

• Flood insurance – Though it may not be required, flood insurance is always a good idea when it comes to a waterfront property. Even if your house isn’t right beside the water, it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to flooding.
• Maintenance costs – It may not come as a shock to you that a lake house requires more maintenance and regular servicing, especially if you have a dock or retaining walls. Lakefront homes will develop more wear and tear than a regular residence, which can take a toll on your finances if you’re not prepared.
• Higher insurance rates – Since a lake house is considered high risk, depending on how far away from the water it is, it is more of a liability. Along with flood insurance, don’t be surprised if your home insurance is more expensive than an inland home. Both water and wind can take a toll on your home slowly over time.

Lack of Privacy

Not all lake houses have the same amount of privacy. Even if your home, or potential home, is located in a small slough, boaters may stop around your property to go for a swim or to simply look around. Most lakes are accessible to the public which means you may have unexpected guests from time to time.

Owning a Lake House is Fun!

Although owning a lake house may have some disadvantages, the main purpose of having a lake house is to have fun and make memories. Living in a lake house or owning a lake house as a second home provides a constant vacation experience. From bonfires to boat rides, living on the lake offers endless entertainment for all ages. Buying a lake house comes at a large price, but most lake house owners would agree it’s the best investment they’ve made.

Homes Warsaw Owner, Kim Clark, is a Lakefront Property Specialist

If you’re considering purchasing a lakefront home, you’ve come to the right place! Our leader, Kim Clark, happens to specialize in lake house property. We would love to talk to you about buying a lake house. Please call us at 574-527-1700 or send an email to Kim@homeswarsaw.com so we can help you find the perfect lakefront property!

Choosing to buy a home is a huge decision that affects every aspect of your life. Purchasing a home isn’t the right move for everyone. Depending on your finances and personal goals, renting may be the right choice for you. However, if you are in a position to buy a home, it’s one of the best investments you can make. The journey of home ownership, with all of its ups and downs, is rewarding in so many ways.

You make the decisions

One of the main benefits of owning a home is the ability to make all the decisions when it comes to your space. When renting an apartment or home, you may be limited on what you can do when it comes to projects. You may not be allowed to paint a wall or even hang a curtain rod whereas when you own your home, you have unlimited freedom.

Good investment

If you are looking for a great investment opportunity, consider saving for a house instead of renting. While owning a home and renting both have their advantages and disadvantages, paying for rent is not an investment. Rarely have we seen homes lose their value. If you take good care of your home and add value to it through curb appeal and interior projects, you’ll be sure to see a return on your investment.

Build equity

Equity in a home is the difference between what you owe on your mortgage and your home’s worth. At first, your mortgage payment will mainly be paying on the loan interest, but over time more of your payment will go towards the loan. Any equity built in your home, is your money to keep. This means you can invest this money, use it as a loan, or simply keep it after you sell your home.

Privacy

Unlike renting an apartment, a house provides more privacy. You don’t have to worry about hearing your neighbors through your wall or the people above you stomping around. If you live in a tightly spaced neighborhood, installing a fence or privacy wall can easily provide seclusion from surrounding houses.

Stability

With home ownership comes stability: the stability of knowing what your mortgage payment will be every month and the stability of long-term residence.

Stable, consistent mortgage payments are a welcomed change from annual rent increases. Your monthly mortgage payment will always stay the same unless you refinance your loan.

A sense of stability also stems from getting settled in your home. Once you have been living in your house for a while and stuff begins to accumulate, moving becomes more and more daunting. Committing to a house means committing to the general location, creating a stable environment for you and your family.

Tax benefits

Along with the benefits mentioned above, another rewarding aspect of buying a house is the tax breaks it can provide. There are a number of tax credits and deductions when it comes to purchasing a home. Talk to a certified accountant to see what you can qualify for.

Are you ready to buy a home?

If you’re ready to stop paying rent and start investing in your future, let’s talk! Home ownership is truly rewarding and offers many advantages. If you want to learn more about the home buying process, we’d love to walk you through it. Please give us a call today at 574-527-1700 or email us at Kim@homeswarsaw.com so we can help you!