As a homeowner, there are many things you can do to protect your home from the unexpected, like installing a home security system or performing regular maintenance. But one thing you can't control is what Mother Nature throws your way. From hurricanes and tornadoes to earthquakes and floods, extreme weather events are becoming more regular, with some disastrous results. That's why having the right insurance coverage is so important. It can lessen the burden of getting your house back together after it's been hit by wild weather. Here, our real estate agents will walk you through the basics of homeowners insurance to help you better prepare for unexpected damage before it's too late.

How a Homeowners Insurance Policy Protects You

• Damage to the Interior or Exterior of the Home
  If your home is damaged or destroyed by lightning, fire, hail, hurricane, vandalism, and other covered disasters, your insurance provider will pay to repair or completely rebuild the home. Destruction from earthquakes, floods, and routine wear and tear is generally not covered. Most standard policies also cover freestanding garages, gazebos, tool sheds, or any other structure that's not attached to the house.

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Colder weather is right around the corner, and that means it's almost fireplace season! Our real estate agents love seeing the glimmer in homebuyers' eyes when they start thinking about relaxing by their new fireplace on chilly evenings. But, before you light that first fall fire, you'll want to check your chimney. 

Now is the perfect time to review some important fireplace safety tips. These simple steps will help keep you and your family safe from the potential dangers that come with fireplace use.

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If you're looking for a way to boost your home's value, our real estate agents will advise you that you'll get the best return on investment from a fresh paint job. You can take years off the face of a kitchen by painting the cabinets. Our North Canton homes for sale are selling quickly, as are our Akron homes for sale, and fetching good prices, but with these five steps to a gorgeous kitchen, you can demand even more. 

• Make a plan
  Consider your budget, your time, and your expertise. You will have to decide between spraying and brushing. Spraying has the advantages of more durable lacquers, faster drying times, and smoother results. Brushing means no overspray and no expensive equipment. While an air compressor and spray gun can be rented at most home improvement stores, it will still take a little practice to achieve the best results. Drying time for spray lacquers is as short as a half-hour as opposed to about 24 hours for brushed enamels.

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The new homeowner's to-do list should be divided into two basic categories. Let's take a look at the top things that need to go on the list.

Before You Move In

• Get Connected
  One of the first things to do before moving into your new home is to make sure the utilities have been connected and are running properly. From electricity to gas and Internet to phone, make sure everything is as expected.

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After autumn leaves have fallen and your neighbors have started pulling out the holiday decorations, it takes more than a sweater to keep warm, even inside the house. You may be striving to balance your desire for frugality with a need to keep your teeth from chattering. Heating efficiency is one aspect of home comfort that our real estate agents look out for. But there are ways to keep your home warm while keeping the heating bill low. 

1. First Draft Pick
   Turn the heat up as high as you like, but with leaky windows and door frames, you'll be heating the outdoors as well. While older homes are more likely to have inefficient windows and leaks, new homes can spring a leak suddenly too. Use an infrared thermometer to identify cold spots, and take note of where there might be a gap to seal or caulk that might need touching up. If your home has an attic, know that even the best of the North Canton homes for sale must contend with a drafty attic on occasion.

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