Smart Homeowners
Daily tips and resources to help you improve, care for and protect your home.
I will give you something every day so you can live smarter. With my team of experts, we’ll cover what matters to you: security, energy efficiency, maintenance, home improvement, finance and insurance.
Poke some holes and watch it grow
Now that we’re in peak growth season for lawns, you can identify the areas that need some TLC. 
Zoom in: In areas of your yard where the soil has gotten compacted, aerating the lawn is an easy remedy. NOTE: You can de-thatch and aerate the whole lawn earlier in the season for maximum growth. For […]
Turning your brown thumb green
This $10 gadget can help your indoor plants thrive. Why it matters: Plants need the right amount of water and light and the correct soil pH. 
How it works: Stick the probe 2-4 inches into the soil. To know when it’s time to water. To see if it’s getting enough light. To find out if […]
Going off grid during peak hours
My wife asked me this morning about the timing for doing laundry. She saw a notice from our electric provider about possible grid issues during this heat advisory. Why it matters: We will see the grid pushed to it’s capacity more than once this summer. How it works: Since I have solar and a battery, […]
Manning the grill this Father’s Day
With a big assist from my Traeger grill, our Father’s Day celebration — with 6 dads this year — was a smokin’ success! Why it matters: A delicious meal opens the door for sweet connection with your loved ones. How it works: Traeger combines the ability to smoke or BBQ, monitor your cook from […]
The monster in the machine
If it’s been a minute since you’ve done a deep clean of your dishwasher, get ready! Why it matters: The gunk that sticks to the filter and strainer can make your dishwasher less effective and can produce bad odors. 
The bottom line: 10 minutes a month of extra care can extend the life of your […]
DIY weekend?
The big box home improvement stores will be busy this Father’s Day/3-day weekend with the DIY crowd. Why it matters: If that home project you’re planning brings you joy, then go for it! But if your main goal is saving money, consider this: 
Hiring a pro could be a better use of your resources. Unless […]
To permit or not to permit?
I relate to this question as both a homeowner and a contractor. Why it matters: Your local permitting office can seem more like a toll booth than a helpful partner in your construction project. It would take an hour long podcast to unpack that statement! 
Zoom out: Building permits are supposed to protect consumers by […]
Waking up to wet windows
I woke up to find all of my windows covered in condensation. Why it matters: Condensation can damage building materials. Knowing when it will occur can inform how we manage the issue. 
Nerd alert! The good news is I won’t make you do any math. 
The big picture: Water condenses on a surfaces when that […]
It’s getting hot in here, so take off …
As temperatures rise, staying comfortable in our homes is more challenging. Why it matters: Comfort is important for productive days and restful nights. The number of design flaws in our homes and mechanical systems affect the level of difficulty for staying comfortable. How it works: 6 factors affect comfort: Metabolic rate —> Varies among individuals […]
Hail proof roof?
Another round of large hail storms hit DFW last night leaving many homeowners shaking their heads … “here we go again.” The big picture: There’s no such thing as a hail proof roof, but the Fortified Roof program by IBHS aims to make homes significantly more resilient. A Fortified Roof provides greater protection against hail, […]