Good to Know

“Where can I find a dog park?” Now, there’s an app for that. Take your dog anywhere and still find a place for her to roam by using mobile phone applications to direct you to dog-friendly parks and even playmates near home, or while on vacation. iOS AppsDog Park Finder Plus locates about 6,000 parks by location, city or ZIP code, and includes park rules and information. Off Leash simply locates nearby dog-friendly parks. It provides greater details to help with choosing the best park for your needs. Paw Parks relies on a community of users to update the content, […]

It’s that season again, when everything takes on a yellow tinge, including your lungs. Here are some tips to keep pollen outside where it belongs: Start at the door. Put a doormat outside and inside the door to scuff shoes free of pollen. Then once inside, leave shoes by the door, and try to head for the showers. Don’t shake out clothing, but put it gently into an enclosed laundry hamper to be unloaded directly into the washer.  Ask visitors to leave their shoes at the door, too. Indoor-outdoor pets are a problem. If you can’t wash your dog at

Here in Atlanta, taking down dead trees is a matter that often requires a professional. Many cases in the city and county require a permit for tree removal and the services of a licensed arborist. What do you need to know about how to apply for a permit and hire an arborist to help you take down your dead tree? Let’s take a closer look.  Size and Density Requirements In the city of Atlanta, homeowners need to know that permits are required to remove hardwood trees at least six inches in diameter and pines at least five inches. Tree density,

Almost everyone has experienced the out-of-control pantry or hall closet. They tend to be catch-all spaces where anything goes. But there are many great reasons to make an effort to organize your pantry or closet to keep it functional. You can keep up with expiration dates, stop overbuying, and know what you have on hand at a glance. Here are a few tips you can use to keep these spaces more organized.  Use Storage Bins In your pantry, storage bins can help you keep food organized and accessible. Even if it comes in colorful packaging, bags and boxes will only

The holidays are a time of celebration. According to the National Fire Protection Association, fire departments in the U.S. responded to 160 home fires caused by Christmas trees between 2014 and 2018 during the holidays. These fires led to an average of two deaths, fourteen injuries, and around $10 million in property damage. Trees aren’t the only cause of household fires or other accidents during the holiday season, so it’s best to create a holiday home safety checklist to ensure your family and house are safe this season. Here are some of the most common hazards and how to avoid them. 

If you’re looking to buy a home and single-family construction isn’t on your list, you may be looking at townhomes or condos. Here is a quick guide to understanding some of the differences and similarities when buying or owning one of these properties.  Definitions It can get confusing because there is some overlap. However, in the most basic terms, condos are single residential units housed in a larger building. They resemble apartments, but they are owned instead of rented. A townhome is kind of a hybrid between a single-family home and a condo. They can share walls with neighbors, but

If you’ve been shopping for a new home, you’ve undoubtedly run into Home Owner’s Associations or HOAs. An HOA is a private association formed either by owner-occupants of the houses in the neighborhood or by the real estate developer to market, manage, and sell homes in a residential subdivision or townhome development. HOAs are common across metro Atlanta, but before you buy a new house, you may want to know some of the details regarding HOA membership. Here are just a few pros and cons of living in a community with an HOA.  Pros First, let’s start with some of

Atlanta has the distinction of being one of the largest cities in the southeast. Whether you’re in the middle of the bustling city or any of the surrounding suburbs, you may occasionally feel like you need to get away. The best part of living in Atlanta is its proximity to other incredible places to visit. If you want to check out somewhere relaxing within 2 hours of Atlanta, we have a list to get you inspired.  Chattanooga When you think about Chattanooga, you may think of only one thing: The Chattanooga Choo Choo. You’re in luck, the famous train was

If you’ve spent any time in the housing market, you know that roofs are among the most talked-about topics. Before and after you buy a home, you need to know how to pay the right amount of attention to your roof. Here is a quick guide to help you keep your roof in good repair, know when to take action, and how to stay warm and dry.  General Life Span of Roofing The life span of your roof will depend on several factors, including the material used and climate conditions. When buying a home, be sure to have your roof

In May of 2021, real estate website Redfin reported that the number of buyers getting mortgages on second homes skyrocketed 178% over the same time in 2020. More than twice the increase over primary residences, the demand for second homes seems to have followed the coronavirus pandemic as many homebuyers were able to take advantage of work-from-home opportunities. In towns considered “seasonal,” where many of these second homes are, prices have risen 27%. If you’re thinking of buying a vacation home this year, it’s essential to understand a few factors affecting the market and your decision. Here are a few