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.
Mulch with magic powers
We add mulch to our landscape beds to improve appearance, suppress weeds and conserve water. Why it matters: The cost of mulch is a fraction of the cost of the money and/or time we spend planting and maintaining our beds. 
Instead of choosing mulch based on color, consider what happens to the mulch as it […]
Your lawn is hungry
If you haven’t fertilized your lawn this spring, now is the time! Why it matters: 3 weeks after your grass starts greening, there should be enough activity for your grass to put those nutrients to work. 
The bottom line: Maintaining a regular feeding program for your lawn keeps it healthy and beautiful. 
I’ve been using […]
Get help fighting the tax man
I’m in a story telling mood today, but if you’re in a rush here’s the tl;dr The bottom line: Stop paying more in property taxes than you should and hire Evan to fight for you. 
Story time I have memories from my teen years of stories of my mother going down to the appraisal district […]
Should you go native?
Choosing native plants for your landscaping can be a smart investment of your money and time. Why it matters: Native plants have adapted to local soil, light and moisture conditions. 
The big picture: The most important factor is choosing plants that are well adapted to local conditions. 
Zoom in: Here are a 3 of my […]
Leak spotting after the rains
The rainy season is a good time to walk around your house and check out all the ceilings for potential leaks. Why it matters: Early intervention is the key to minimizing damage and preventing mold growth. 
Two tips for finding leaks and determining their seriousness: Turn off any can lights and shine a bright LED […]
Floor shopping in the right light
When you’re shopping for new flooring, the sample you see in the store is NOT what you see in your home. Why it matters: Unless the color temperature of the store’s lighting is the same as your home, you’re literally seeing a different color in the store. The bottom line: Always use samples to audition […]
The insurance process — Part 2
Part 1 covered the 2 main concepts — proving the loss and defining the scope. Today we’ll look at what to do BEFORE you file a claim. Why it matters: Simply put, if you need to file a claim you should and if you don’t need to file a claim you shouldn’t. How do you […]
The insurance process — Part 1
Stating the obvious: insurance only matters when you need it. The big picture: The process of filing a claim lacks clarity and certainty, often leaving the insured in a weak position. Zoom in: For this example, we’re focusing on homeowner’s property insurance. Prove the loss —> Was there a singular event that caused coverable damage? […]
Not a water feature
At a client’s house recently, I saw a tiny stream of water pouring out of a small pipe near his 2nd story roofline onto his 1st story roof. Why it matters: If the HVAC was installed correctly, I was looking at his secondary condensate line. Zoom in: The evaporator coil in your AC can produce […]
Termite Alert
It’s spring time and the termites are hungry! Why it matters: Termites can destroy your home from the inside out. Michael Bosco has been getting calls from homeowners who’ve seen termites swarming. Go Deeper 
Other signs to look for 
For your Smart Homeowner list Best, Travis