Livingston Reporting - page 117

Wedding Fights to Avoid as An Engaged Couple

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Every couple wants the wedding of their dreams without the expense of their relationship.  Here are common but avoidable fights couples often experiencing when planning a wedding and how they can be handled.

Different Sized Guest Lists and Unequal Family Contributions

There are a number of solutions to help avoid the issue of uncontrolled guest lists and unequal family contributions.  This like many other times finances and family will be involved must be met as you would any business situation.  One approach is to set boundaries immediately with the number of guests each family can invite and how much they will be required to contribute to cover the cost.

Another approach, especially if the bride and groom are paying for the wedding together is to break it down, “This is the cost of your guest list, this is the cost of my guest list.  It seems as if there is an imbalance, can you address this with your family to see if they are willing to chip in and if they are not able to then how can we make the wedding more affordable, so everyone can come or how can we trim down your families guest list to fit within our budget.”   Compromising in financial situation is something that will be required throughout marriage.  Learning how to properly handle financial issues now will help prevent a lot of headaches down the road.

Lack of Interest in Wedding Planning

Many brides are so excited to plan for their wedding day.  It is a day they have thought about forever and are anxious to be detailing each and every intricacy of the day. The problem arises when brides see that their grooms are lacking their enthusiasm.

It is crucial that brides remember that although they have been thinking about this day since they were a little girl most grooms haven’t thought about it even once.  Most grooms don’t really want to be involved in each and every decision and are happy as long as their bride is happy.  What brides need to do to combat what they see as a lack of interest on the groom’s part is to get them involved in areas of the wedding that actually matter to them.  If they are into music hand that over to them.  If you have a foodie on your hands invite them to take charge of the menu.  It is important to be honest with your soon to be spouse and to speak honestly about a division of labor and where interests lay.

Allocation of Wedding Funds

When planning a wedding most often the first thing that is discussed is the budget.  Problems can arise quickly if a detailed allocation of funds has not been agreed upon.  Are you eyeing a four-thousand-dollar dress?  Does your spouse have their heart set on a two week, all inclusive honeymoon?  You can instantly see how problems can occur.

Unfortunately, when you are working with a large sum of money it is crucial that the two of you meet in the middle with how and on what the money will be spent.  This may require some give and take but, in the end, it is important to recognize the end goal, a happy life spent together.  After much thought you may see how a four-thousand-dollar dress you will wear one night is slightly impractical when you can spend two solid weeks together away from the stresses of the real world to enjoy your new husband and wife status.

As wedding consultants, we have seen some of the littlest arguments turn into something ugly, fast.  It is important to remember that although you want this day to be as magical as you always dreamed, it is in fact just that, one day.  Make sure that the small loop holes you are experiencing before the walk down the aisle are not bigger hidden issues looming in the dark.  Work together to make sure that a mole hill isn’t turned into a mountain.  At the end of the day what really matters is that you are marrying the individual you will spend the rest of your life with even if they don’t care about the pink napkins or choose invitations fit for a kids fifth birthday party.

Event Planning DC provides full event planning, partial event planning, month-of (day-of) event coordination, event styling/design and decorating services throughout DC, Maryland, and Virginia, with access to local and national vendors who may provide additional services suitable for your event and budget.  We pride ourselves on providing only the highest quality event coordination, giving you and your guests the perfect day, no matter what the occasion including exclusive corporate and non-profit events, weddings, Bar & Bat Mitzvahs, community events and milestone celebrations.  More information can be found online at http://www.eventplanningdc.com.

Event Planning DC

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Problems and Solutions to Common Issues in Real Estate

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

If you want a job in an industry where everyday is different and no two transaction are ever the same, you into real estate.  A boring day just doesn’t happen when you are working daily with a wide variety of people and personalities.  As much fun as it is to work with several different types of people on a regular basis, there are some challenges that can arise when working to find a buyer their dream home or a seller who is selling more than just a home, but an abundance of memories as well.

Common Real Estate Problems and Solutions

  1. Market Conditions That Are Not Ideal

Realtors do not have control over local real estate markets.  It is inevitable that local real estate markets will have ups and downs that need to be dealt with.  The longer you are in real estate the more you will see the market conditions fluctuate. The market conditions will play a huge role in if a home sells or not and if it sells at, below, or above the average market value. Realtors must understand and recognize if they are currently dealing with a sellers or buyers’ market.  The advice that you offer to your clients will make a huge difference in their perception and the outcome of the transaction.

  1. Emotional Sellers

Many times, the sale of a home can be quite emotional.  Real estate agents will get the full brunt of the emotion’s sellers are feeling during this process.  A wide range of emotion is felt from sadness, stress, excitement, uncertainty, and nervousness.  Selling a home is a time of mixed emotions for homeowners and you as their agent will need to help them overcome the feelings that they are having to get to the point of sale.  It will be important to remind the sellers of their initial motivation to sell, the benefits that come from the sale of a home, and how these play into their situation.  It is important not to become invested emotionally yourself in the sale of any home so that you can remain impartial throughout the process.

  1. Listing Price

There are many sellers and buyers out there that will take your recommendation when it comes to putting an offer in on a home or listing their home for sale.  However, there are times when people will feel like their home is worth more than it is or that a lower offer is better for later negotiations.  Price points are the biggest challenge most realtors will face with their clients. It is important that you as the realtor educate your clients with concrete evidence and current stats to validate your reasoning.   Point out how long comparable houses have stayed on the market and the difference in pricing points.

Most of the time real estate professionals can work out issues with their clients by listening to them and providing concrete information to reassure them.  Proper wording and empathy can often overcome any challenge that arises to help facilitate a compromise.

C21 Lady of the Lakes is a full-service realtor serving Livingston County and the surrounding areas with all their real estate needs.  More information can be found at http://www.ladyofthelakes.com/.

C21 Lady of the Lakes

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Creating Website Content That Is Ready for Voice Search

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

One of the most important aspects of creating a new website is making sure that your target traffic can easily locate you.  The planning process involved requires business owners to consider what keywords and keyword phrases people will type into search engines in order to find them.  Content is then created around these searches to maximize ranking results.  That has worked well in the past but with new technology and voice search now is the time to reconsider website content.

Voice Search Technology

Voice search technology is when people use their voice to ask devices such as computers, phones, Alexa, Google Home, and such devices to aide in their search of the internet vs sitting at a device and typing the search into a search engine.  More than half of all internet searches are said to come from voice activated technologies by the year 2020.  Each year the number of voice-activated speakers purchased increases ten-fold.  It’s pretty obvious to us that in order to continue to be successful websites need to be adjusted to accommodate for both voice and type searching.

People are using voice search technology mainly because it is so fast and easy to use.  You can search using your phones while on the go.  Information is easily received whether you are in the car, at a restaurant, or sitting in your front room, no matter where you are at voice search technology allows you to easily access information.

What Does This Mean for Your Business?

There are a number of things voice search technology changes when it comes to search engines and optimizing your website to meet the needs of your customers.  One thing this means is longer search phrases. When people speak they tend to talk in complete sentences whereas when typing the phrases are shorter and more to the point using basic keywords.

Voice Search vs Traditional Typing

Voice Search: Clients are more likely to ask a question such as: “What are the voice search statistics for 2018?”

Traditional Search: Clients are more likely to input a keyword or phrase without adding to it: “voice search” or “voice search stats 2018”.

Voice activated applications have been programmed to understand our natural speech patterns.  They will understand longer text phrases and questions.  When planning to optimize your website for search engines it will be important to take this new information into consideration.  Keyword optimization will no longer only revolve around simple keywords and long-tailed keyword phrases it should now include answers to questions and longer phrases.

The Future of SEO

With voice search technology becoming more and more common, optimization for search engines is going to focus more on the long-tailed keyword, a keyword that is more than three to five words.  Whereas previously websites would have been optimized for “kitchen remodeling” with voice search optimization should include “kitchen remodeling trends for 2018” or “local contractors specializing in kitchen remodeling 2018”.

Websites that are designed with voice search technology in mind will have a huge advantage over older website designs that do not redesign their sites to include optimization for the new technology.  Long tailed keywords and phrases are less competitive and therefore easier to rank for.  Designing a website around this now will ensure you are prepared as voice searching becomes more and more common.

What Can You Do Today?

Currently the most common voice search is your business’s phone number and address.  Don’t hide that information on your site within an image or logo.  The phone number and address need to be easily found and recognized.  Your companies Google business listing should include an up to date address, phone number, and website address should be easily available if a client does a quick search of your company’s name.

If you are looking for local customers include phrases such as, “near me”, “local”, or “close by”.  The popularity of keywords that include these phrases has increased over 500% in part due to voice searching.

Content should be structured for the intent of your users.  What are your users looking for?  What information are they trying to find from your site?  Optimizing for Google means that your sites content gives answers to the user’s questions.  Blogs or a blog series should be written in a manner that also answers your customers questions.  Posts should specifically address questions that will be asked.

Creative Programs and Systems, CPS, is an all-inclusive IT solutions company offering a variety of services including: managed IT services, IT consulting, residential computer services, custom programming, website design, iphone & android app development, and more.  More information can be found at https://cpsmi.com.

Creative Programs and Systems

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Radiation Therapy: Goals and Understanding

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

High-energy x-rays or particles used to destroy cancerous tumors and cells is known as radiation therapy.  A number of doctors specialize in treating cancer.  A radiation oncologist is the specialist that is trained to deliver radiation therapy to treat cancer.  The team of cancer specialists treating you and your cancer will develop a radiation schedule that delivers radiation at consistent intervals over the course of a set time period.

Radiation Therapy Goals

The goals of treatment using radiation is to slow the growth of cancerous tumors and destroy cancer cells without causing permanent damage to the surrounding healthy tissues and cells.  Most often doctors will recommend radiation therapy as the first line of treating cancer.  It can also be given with great results after surgery or chemotherapy.  When this is done it is known as adjuvant therapy.  This targets the “leftovers”, the cells containing cancer after the initial treatment.

Sometimes it is not possible to destroy all of the cancer.  If this is the case with your cancer specialists will use radiation to shrink the tumor to relieve the symptoms.  This is known as palliative radiation therapy.  In palliative therapy treatment is done to reduce the pressure, pain, and symptoms of cancer.  It is done to create a better quality of life for the patient.  If palliative therapy is done it is not done necessarily to cure the cancer but instead to increase the quality of life after diagnosis.

If you are diagnosed with cancer there is more than a fifty percent chance that you will receive a form of radiation therapy in treating your cancer.  Many forms of cancer react better with a combination of treatments such as radiation therapy with surgery, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy.

Using a Linear Accelerator

The most common delivery of radiation therapy is external-beam.  This consists of radiation being delivered to the patient using a machine known as a linear accelerator from the outside of the body. This machine creates a beam of radiation that is delivered through the skin directly to the cancerous tumor.   Specialized computer software is used in conjunction with LINAC to adjust the size and shape of the radiation beam specific to each patient’s tumor.  Targeting the exact shape and size of the tumor and cancer cells allows radiation oncologists to avoid healthy tissues that sit near the cancerous cells.

Treatment is normally given every day, Monday – Friday, for several weeks.  If treatment is to be given to the head, neck or brain, a form-fitting support or plastic mesh mask is used to prevent the patient from moving during radiation therapy.

As an independent LINAC service company, Acceletronics is dedicated to delivering the best equipment performance and services for linear accelerators and CT scanners across all major brands and models, as well as new and refurbished LINAC systems for sale.  More information can be found online at https://www.acceletronics.com/.

 

Acceletronics

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The Pros to Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plans

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Protection from Astronomical Medical Bills

Health coverage through Medicare only covers 80% of the total costs which leaves you to cover, out of pocket 20%.  In order for Medicare Part B to begin paying it’s 80% you must reach the yearly deductible.  Depending on the Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plan you choose the extra 20% will be partially covered.

Coverage When Visiting Outside the United States

Some Medicare Supplement Plans offer coverage outside of the U.S. in case of an accident or unexpected illness.  If you find that you travel outside of the United State on a regular basis it is important to purchase a Medigap plan that covers your health care needs outside of the country.

During Open-Enrollment – Guaranteed Acceptance

If you apply for Medigap within your open enrollment period (six months after the 1st of the month in which you turn 65) coverage and rates are guaranteed.  This means that it doesn’t matter what illness you bring to the table, Medicare and Medicare Supplemental Plans are guaranteed to accept you for coverage.  This is just one of the reasons it is important to enroll during the open enrollment period.  After this time, insurance companies can deny you coverage or increase your rates, on top of a late enrollment penalty that you will be responsible for.

Renewable Policies

No matter what health problems arise, all standard Medigap plans are assured to be renewable to you.  This means that no matter what you are diagnosed with insurance companies cannot deny you plan coverage as long as you make the premium payments.  Your policy renews automatically each year.

Choice of Medicare Doctors

When you purchase Medicare Supplemental Insurance you will be covered when you visit doctors that participate with Medicare.  The only exception is Medicare SELECT.  This is a type of Medicare Supplemental Insurance that requires use of select medical providers and hospitals within the network.

Multiple Plans to Choose From

Medigap offers 10 different plans to choose from to help Medicare enrollees pay for expenses not covered by Original Medicare costs.  Medigap plans that offer the most coverage also have the highest monthly premiums whereas the opposite is true with lower premium Medigap policies.

Standard Policies

There are ten different Medigap policies.  The plans are standard throughout the U.S. and are regulated by the law.  Plan benefits are the same from state to state meaning that the Medigap Plan F coverage in Michigan is the same as Medigap Plan F coverage in Texas.  In Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin standardized plans are a bit different.

The experts at eMedicare Supplemental Insurance, powered by Omega, have all the answers you are looking for when it comes to your Medicare Supplemental Insurance needs.  More information can be found at http://emedicare-supplemental-insurance.com/.

 

 

 

Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plans

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Medigap Plans – Two Popular Plans Ending In 2020

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Are you enrolled in Medigap?  Do you turn 65 soon and know you will be applying for Medicare and enrolling in a Medigap policy?  If so it is important to note that two of the most popular Medicare Supplemental Plans will no longer be available to enroll in.  Medigap Plans F and Plans C are being discontinued as an enrollment option as of 2020.

Medigap insurance is purchased to cover the medical expenses that are not covered under Original Medicare.  Believe it or not Medicare Insurance doesn’t cover 100% of copayments or deductibles and also has limitations to what it will cover.  Private insurance companies offer Medigap plans, also known as Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plans, were created to fill in these voids.  Currently in 2018 there are 10 different Medigap plans available.  Each of the ten plans offers a different combination of insurance benefits.  This allows participants to decide the combination of benefits that is right for their health needs and budget.

Two Most Popular Plans

Medigap Plans F and Plan C remain the most popular plans offered because they both cover the full deductible of Medicare Part B.  This means that if enrollees participate in Medigap Plan F or C they do not have to pay the Medicare Part B deductible. In fact, Medigap Plan F is the most complete Medigap coverage available to participants including: doctors fees, medical tests, and hospital fees.  Medigap Plan C is very similar to Plan F however does not cover extra fees that doctors charge over what Medicare allows.  These two plans, Medigap Plan F and Medigap Plan C are the most enrolled in plans available, more than 53% of enrollees have coverage under one of these two plans.

Litigation was passed by Congress in 2015 that states in 2020 private Medigap insurers are no longer going to be allowed to offer any Medigap plans that cover the Original Medicare Part B deductible.  Participants that enroll in either Medigap Plans F or C will be allowed to keep their coverage for the rest of their lives, but no new enrollees will be allowed to enroll in either of these plans. Critics believe Medigap Plan F makes it too easy for Medicare enrollees to see a doctor without considering the cost.

The Future Of these Two Plans

For participants that are able to enroll in Medigap Plan F and Plan C before they no longer exist may seem like a no brainer.  While it appears that you would want to lock in the coverage while you still can participants should note that premiums could increase over time as there would be no new enrollees.  This occurs because the participants enrolled in these plans will continue to age without the younger, healthier participants enrolling to offset the expense.  As premiums rise participants enrolled in these Medigap plans may no longer be able to afford to stay enrolled.

Choosing a Medigap plan is crucial as it is difficult to switch once you are enrolled.  During your open enrollment plan, companies cannot consider pre-existing conditions in deny coverage or set the costs of premiums.  After this six-month period which begins on the 1st day of the month you turn 65 because there is not a guarantee that you won’t be charged more based on your health.

While Medigap Plans F and Plans C are being phased out there are still an abundance of Medigap coverage to choose from when picking a plan that will help participants fill in the health care gaps left from Original Medicare.

The experts at eMedigap Plans, powered by Omega, have all the answers you are looking for when it comes to your Medigap Supplemental Insurance needs.  More information can be found at http://emedigap-plans.com.

 

Medigap Insurance Plans

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Common Eyesight Problems That Are Solved with Laser Eye Surgery

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Lasik surgery is not the cure all for every eye sight issue. Not every issue that you have with your vision will be solved with the same surgery; just like every ailment with your body can’t be solved by undergoing the same surgical procedure.  In the article below we will educate patients on the most common eye issues that laser eye surgery, LASIK, can possibly remedy.

The three most common problems that patients are bothered by that can be treated with LASIK include: nearsightedness, farsightedness, and blurred vision.  When you meet with your ophthalmologist they will measure your vision.  Vision is measured using units known as diopter.  If you are nearsighted this final number is expressed as a negative number whereas farsightedness is represented with a positive number.

Myopia – Nearsightedness

Many patients that are plagued by nearsightedness can find their vision corrected with LASIK surgery.  LASIK eye surgery provides successful results to most patients suffering from Myopia however, severe cases may be told that laser surgery is not right for them.  A consultation will be done to see where your vision lays on the spectrum to determine if LASIK is an option for you.

Hyperopia – Farsightedness

Although LASIK surgery is available to patients with farsightedness the consultation is a bit more in depth than it is for nearsightedness.  The evaluation of patients goes into greater depths as it is important to determine the degree at which the cornea is flattened.  With a flat cornea the eye is shorter than normal and causes object that are in the distance to focus behind the retina.

Astigmatism – Blurred Vision

Patients with blurred vision in one or both of their eyes most likely have a condition known as astigmatism.  This occurs because of an uneven steepening of the cornea.  Often this ailment can be corrected through LASIK surgery.

As previously stated, the first step in determining if the problem you are experiencing with your eyesight makes you a candidate for LASIK is to schedule a consultation to meet with the surgeon.  Even if laser surgery is not an optimal treatment of your condition it is important for you to understand that you have other options, both surgical and non-surgical.

The professionals at Rohr Eye & Laser Center focus your treatment plan around achieving the best possible results for the candidate.  If LASIK isn’t going to give you the result you are looking to achieve we will explore both surgical and non-surgical solutions that provide you with the vision of your dreams.

Rohr Eye & Laser Center offers the most advanced technology available to suit your lifestyle and visual needs.  As a leader in laser vision correction and cataract surgery, our goal is to help you achieve the best vision possible without glasses or contact lenses.  More information can be found online at https://michiganlasik.com.

Michigan Lasik

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Filters, Purifiers, and Softeners – What’s the Difference?

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Water treatment terms are often switched between one another.  Many people, mistakenly, believe that the process between filtration, purification, conditioning, and softening are all one in the same.  With all of the confusion that surrounds the process of bringing quality water to your home and family it is important to have a basic understanding of the difference between each process.

Most homeowners believe, although it is incorrect, that when they are looking for cleaner drinking water, free of lead and chlorine that the installation of a water softener will meet this goal.  Of course, as stated previously, this is not the case at all.  Water softeners are installed in homes as a way of removing minerals in the water.  The minerals that are removed are those that cause your homes water to feel “hard” and create buildup in your plumbing.  To bring cleaner water, that is free of contaminants a water purification system would better suit your goal.

What Are We Trying to Eliminate in Our Water Anyhow?

Before we can truly understand the processes involved with taking the impurities out of our water it is important we understand what we are removing and why. Pure water is simply hydrogen and oxygen, H20; however, water doesn’t occur in this form naturally.  It picks up minerals, impurities, and a number of other chemical compounds as it makes its way to your faucet.

Mineral sediments in our water systems can be both good and bad.  Things like calcium and magnesium are needed whereas like chlorine, pesticides, herbicides, waste, bacteria, and viruses in your homes water supply can be quite harmful.  Impurities in the water are removed using two different kinds of water treatment systems: filters and purifiers.

Along with creating healthy water there are other reasons that people would want to treat the water in their home such as a reduction of in scale build-up which increases the lifespan of your appliances.   Water softeners are the system, once installed prevent minerals from passing through the water supply in your home into your home’s pipes and appliances.

Water Filters

Water filtration systems eliminate and work to decrease chlorine, lead, mercury, magnesium, copper, chromium, nickel, iron, hydrogen sulfide, and more.

Water Purifiers

Water purification systems work to remove bacteria and viruses.  Purification does not mean that the water is free of chemical contaminants that are removed by filters.

Water Softeners

Water softening systems work to replace the “hard” elements in the water with salt or potassium that will not create build-up.

A water treatment option should be chosen only after an analysis of water is done.  Many homeowners find that a combination of treatment systems work best to bring them the quality water they are looking for.

The experts at Reynolds Water Conditioning have a solution to your homes unique water quality needs including: arsenic, bacteria, chlorine, rotten egg smell, fluoride, hard water, iron, lead, acid, tannins, radon, and more.  More information on our water treatment solutions including water softeners and conditioners, water filtration and purification, reverse osmosis drinking water, and iron & odor removal can be found online at https://reynoldswater.com.

Reynolds Water

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Winter is Right Around the Corner

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

When it comes to closing your plaster pool for the winter there are three goals for most homeowners:

  • Preserve the quality of pool water
  • Secure all pool equipment
  • Protect the pools plaster surface

Water freezes, it’s pretty simple.  When the temperature dips below 32 degrees Fahrenheit the water in your pool will begin to freeze.  When the water freezes it will expand.  Water that is allowed to freeze and expand without any special treatment given to it can cause homeowners a lot of grief in the from of busted plumbing, plaster cracks, and more.  The best way to prevent these issues is to follow a precise closing method when the season ends that includes draining the excess water from the pools plumbing.

When winterizing your plaster swimming pool one key element that must be taken into consideration is the need for chemically balanced water.  If the water is not balanced when you close your pool for the season there are a few issues that could arise including: build up and corrosion.  If water issues exist when you close the pool they will still be there when the pool is opened next spring which can make the opening process more difficult.  Stagnant pool water often “attracts” the growth of algae.  Chemicals also help to eliminate issues with pool staining from dissolving metals that are not being filtered.

Before the pool is closed down for the winter is crucial that homeowners not only take time to balance the chemicals in the pools water and include additives to prevent algae growth and staining.  Not only is balanced water important but also clean water.  The pool should be thoroughly cleaned and free of leaves, dirt, outside debris.  Any outside material left within the pools water has the ability to leave unsightly markings on the pools plaster surface.

Another step that is super important when closing your pool is the water level.  The pools water level should be lowered below the skimmer and all plumbing, drains, and pool equipment should be drained.  Once the pipes are drained it is important to use drain plugs to prevent the water from seeping back into the plumbing.  DO NOT completely drain the water in your pool.  This is especially true when it comes to plaster pools.  Water needs to be kept in the pool to avoid under ground water from putting pressure on the plaster which would cause it to crack.  Although having a pool re-plastered is common, it is not practical every year and is not financially cost effective to have done on a regular basis.

Pound Pool Plastering offers several options when it comes to servicing your pool including plaster, caulk, tiling, cement decks, plumbing, and coping in both commercial and residential settings.  More information can be found at http://www.pound-pool-plastering.com/.

Pound Pool Plastering

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Is It Time to Replace the Windows in Your Home?

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Our homes can’t tell us when something is wrong or not working in the manner that we need it to.  It does however give us a number of signs when something isn’t running exactly as it should be.  This is especially true when it comes to our home’s windows.  The windows on our home can last upwards of 20+ years when high-quality windows are purchased are well-maintained.  It is important that homeowners pay attention to their homes and know what to look for when it comes to replacing the windows of their homes.

Are the windows damaged, warped, or broken?

Sometimes windows need to be repaired instead of replaced.  Minor problems like replacing broken hardware, adding new weather-stripping, or fresh caulking are some of the simpler repairs that can be done on windows. Replacing a window that has a broken sash, has become damaged, or warped may be the better option.  The window may still be in “working” order but really need to be replaced.  Windows that have a draft, fog up, stick, or won’t stay open are telling you they need to be replaced.

Are you ready to lower your energy bills?

Properly installed windows lower your monthly utility bills year-round.  Drafty windows can increase your energy bills upwards of twenty five percent.  Replacing the windows in the home with more energy-efficient windows can reduce your heating and cooling bills.  It can also be a huge selling point down the road when you are considering putting your house up for sale.

Can your home’s curb appeal use an update?

The windows and doors of your homes are one of its most noticeable characteristics.  If they appear old and damaged the overall look and feel of your home will seem outdated.  Look at the color on the window frames and screens, are they faded, do the screens have holes in them? Curb appeal is everything when it comes to your home and your homes windows are a huge part of the overall look of your home.

The type of windows that you choose can also change the total appeal of your home.  Some homeowners choose to go from fixed sash windows to new ones that open.  Another option is to increase the size of the windows to increase the amount of natural light that comes into the home.  Daylight increases the productivity, adds coziness, and creates a warmth within your home.

As a full-service home improvement contractor servicing all Southeast Michigan, Kearns Brothers, Inc. offers clients a wide range of services to meet their construction needs including: roofing, siding, window, masonry, chimneys, gutters, and insulation services.  More information can be found at www.kearnsbrothers.com.

Kearns Brothers

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