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.
😱 I made my mother pay it!
I re-roofed my parents’ house in 2019. Why it matters: I still get the question every storm season. Reality check: Actually, you WANT TO pay it. (insert Jedi mind trick meme here 🤓) ⚙️ How it works: Replacement cost = Your deductible + Insurance proceeds. 👎 Is cutting corners on your roof 👎 Is running a shady ****business […]
🪤 The insurance process — Part 4
(Links to this series below) Beware the booby trap! Why it matters: When I help homeowners who have this on their policy, they always say to me, “I didn’t know.” 🤷♂️ What is it? 😬 Reality check: Here’s the real gut punch of this endorsement. 🥊 The bottom line: You need a great insurance agent who will […]
🍌 No more slippery stairs
A custom carpet runner can make your stairs safer for kids, people with mobility challenges and aging pets. Why it matters: A quarter million people go the ER every year in the U.S. due to stair-related injuries. 🥊 Reality check: We often address issues like this AFTER something bad happens. ⚙️ How it works: This is […]
🐶 PSA for your pups
A message for my fellow dog owners today. It’s tick season, so make sure your dog is current on tick preventives. Why it matters: Ticks can cause a variety of diseases in dogs. 🔬 Zoom in: Do regular tick checks on your dogs after hikes, visits to dog parks and outside playtime. 👉 Use a pair of […]
🧪 SixClasses: What’s in your stuff?
SixClasses.org is working to reduce harmful chemicals used in consumer and other products. Why it matters: Many of the products we encounter every day contain chemicals known to harm human health. 🥊 The bottom line: No one is looking out for you and your loved ones. 🖼️ The big picture: Become familiar with the Six Classes: ✅ For […]
🪚🌳 Hands up! Don’t Cut!
Arborist Tim Waswick has an important message to help you protect your trees. March-July is NOT a good time to trim oaks of any kind. Why it matters: Trimming an oak during this time leaves it vulnerable to attacks from beetles (since the tree is sappy) and can run risk of oak wilt. 🥊 The bottom […]
🏡 For a comfortable & healthy home
Your house is a system that should provide comfort and health for you and the people you love. Why it matters: Our ability to adapt to a variety of conditions — often harsh conditions — is a key to our survival. 🥊 The bottom line: If the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in your home is NOT […]
🎁 Cleaning out the dryer vent … for Mother’s Day!
My wife smelled an awful sulfur-like smell recently when a load of clothes was in the dryer. Why it matters: An overheating dryer is no joke — it can lead to an electrical fire! 🥊 The bottom line: Clean your lint trap after every load AND clean your dryer duct work as often as needed. 👇 Skip […]
📢 Yes, you need gutters
Controlling the flow of water around your house is critical. Why it matters: “If it can’t dry, it’s gonna die.” 🙋♂️ But what about making sure my foundation doesn’t crack during dry seasons? 🥊 The bottom line: A well designed gutter and drainage system moves water where it needs to go. ✅ For your Smart Homeowner list Best, […]
💨 Why you might replace that HVAC now
Huge savings are available for air-source heat pumps when you combine federal tax credits and local rebates. Why it matters: Rebates from Oncor are available now and as long as the fund still has money. 🙋♂️ Excuse me … what’s a heat pump? 🤓 Here’s a deeper dive for my fellows nerds. 🥊 The bottom line: Installing the […]