To help you protect that investment and find a safe, comfortable place for your family to call home, here is a list of some of the things you should look at before you buy a home, to make sure you won’t end up having to pay for a lot of expensive repairs:

Decks and porches—look for signs of rotting wood, even under a fresh coat of paint. Soft spots or places where the wood is splintered could be a sign of more widespread damage.

If you’re a homeowner, you know that it’s imperative you protect your home from the ravages of winter’s cold temperatures. Likewise, you can keep your home running smoothly during summer’s hottest months with just a few, simple jobs you can do in a day. Besides adding value to your home, you’ll gain peace of mind knowing your home will be able to withstand the hazards that summer weather can bring.
      

With summer here, lots of families have renovations on their minds. Here is a list of design and planning advice most often given to clients by professional renovators:

• Know why you want to renovate. What problems are you trying to solve? Most renovations begin with practical issues. For instance, your bathroom may be cramped, you need more storage space in the kitchen, or there is nowhere for the children to play or do homework under your supervision.