homeowners

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When it comes to fire prevention, many homeowners focus on the inside of their house –but your yard, deck, and roof are just as important. Wildfires and stray embers can spread quickly, and maintaining a fire-conscious exterior can help reduce the risk of damage. Here are some practical ways to help protect the outside of your home from fire hazards.
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Pets are part of the family–but when something goes wrong, like a dog bite or property damage, homeowners may be surprised to learn how their insurance responds. If you have a dog or other animals on your property, it's important to understand how your homeowners insurance policy treats pet liability.
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As the weather warms up and nature comes to life, so do the critters looking for food, shelter, and nesting spots. While birds, squirrels, mice, and other small creatures may seem harmless, they can cause significant damage to your home if they find a way inside. Taking preventive measures in the early spring can help you avoid costly repairs and potential health risks.
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A simple slip-and-fall accident on your property could cost you thousands—or even more—if you don't have the right liability coverage in your homeowners insurance. Many homeowners focus on protecting their house and belongings from disasters like fire or storms, but liability protection is just as crucial. Without it, you could be left financially vulnerable to lawsuits, medical bills, and legal fees.
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Package theft is a growing concern, especially in urban areas where online shopping has become a staple. The convenience of having goods delivered at our doorstep often comes with the risk of these items being stolen by "porch pirates." This article will outline effective strategies to reduce the likelihood of package theft and ensure that your deliveries reach you securely.
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As summer heats up, nothing beats the joy of taking a refreshing dip in the pool. However, ensuring safety around the pool, especially for kids and pets, is crucial. Here are some essential tips to keep everyone safe while enjoying the water.
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As spring arrives and the days get longer, the sun feels warmer, and fresh buds start to pop out of the ground and on tree branches, green thumbs can't wait to get their hands in the dirt. Those living at higher elevations typically have to wait a bit longer to dig in than other flatlanders, as the nights can still be frosty, and the soil may still be wet from the snowmelt.
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Let's face it, sewer backups can be one of the more unpleasant aspects of home ownership. In addition, they tend to strike during some of the worst possible times (like when the in-laws are visiting) and can be costly and complicated to fix – if you can find someone to fix it fast.
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In a world full of visible dangers, the last thing anyone in Ohio wants to think about is the invisible ones. But they're there and, believe it or not, many of them may be lurking inside your home. According to the CDC, each year, approximately 430 people in the U.S. die from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning and more than 50,000 are treated for it. Mold is prevalent in an estimated 70 percent of American homes. And the EPA and Surgeon General attribute more than 21,000 annual deaths from lung cancer in the U.S. to radon exposure.
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Considering the barrage of daily concerns, your homeowner's insurance policy may be the last thing on your mind. And yet, examining and reevaluating home insurance policies on an annual basis is a critical facet of homeownership, ensuring adequate coverage and protection for the most valuable asset and source of equity for many people in Ohio and beyond. Premiums, like much else in the current economic climate, are forecasted to see some big increases in the coming year, with some expected to exceed $1,000 a year and many slated for rate hikes in the double digits.
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"If you're not getting better, you're getting worse." It's hard to say who was first to utter that phrase but you hear it most used in sports banter. It is a round-about way to say that we're not living in a static world – everything changes and the same is true for factors affecting the costs to replace your home. Your policy might have been up to the task of covering the expense of rebuilding your home at one time. But, chances are, it may no longer afford enough coverage unless it has been changed to reflect the reality of replacement cost. Insurance industry experts and others routinely estimate that up to two-thirds of homes in the U.S. are under insured. For most of us, checking our home's replacement cost periodically is a good idea.
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Does your home need a new paint job or a quick refresh on the trim? Are the gutters overflowing with the remains of fall foliage? Or are larger issues demanding immediate attention, like doors and windows, the roof, or the foundation? Whether you thrive on weekends filled with do-it-yourself projects or hide at the mere suggestion, summer's long days and generally agreeable weather in Ohio offer the ideal opportunity to take on the range of home maintenance and improvement tasks to preserve value and functionality for years to come. Here are a few considerations for fixing up the exterior of your home in the months to come.
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Summer's generally agreeable weather and extended daylight hours in Ohio make it an ideal season to tackle renovations, remodels, and other household fix-its. Still, these projects aren't without inherent challenges and risks. A little due diligence at the onset can do much to minimize unhappy surprises and make for successful, stress-free (or, at least, as close as it gets) renovations.
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With summer, comes a welcome invitation for people in Ohio to spend as much time as possible outside. Not only does nature replenish Vitamin D and support immunity; reduce anxiety and depression; lower blood pressure and reduce stress; increase serotonin and reinforce circadian cycles for better sleep; and improve focus, but it may also help reduce cancer risk by increasing anti-cancer proteins. "Being outdoors in nature can be healing and beneficial for the body and mind," says certified therapeutic recreational specialist Erica Price. "Whether at the beach, forest, or in a neighborhood park, nature offers a calming effect. And, when we combine nature with physical activity, it can help fight depression and anxiety."
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With spring comes cleaning, and with cleaning comes a fresh opportunity to take on tired interiors and welcome the light and liveliness that summer ushers forth.
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For new homeowners, if you managed to buy a house in today's market, you definitely have a lot to celebrate. So now what? Well, whether you just purchased your dream home and plan to stay in it forever, or a property you hope to use as a stepping stone to better things, there are a few things you need to know in order to make your investment work for you.
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Winter is coming, and with increased costs on gas, food, and just about everything else, it's no surprise that your energy bill might threaten to strain your budget this season, too. But there's actually a lot you can do to stay cozy and warm and reduce your energy consumption this winter. Here are some ways to save on heating.
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When you move into a planned community, you may be required to join a homeowners association. Also known as an HOA, these organizations often collect dues and set rules about things you can or cannot do with or on your property. So what do you need to know if you're about to buy a property run by an HOA?
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