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Learn how to make the most of your next or current investment. When to sell, or if it’s even the right move? There is more ways than one to use your equity and property to propel yourself forward!

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5 Tips for lighting your basement

How to maximize the lighting in your basement? 5 How-to tips on basement lighting!

Making your basement an enjoyable place to spend time can be tricky. Without the right lighting, it may feel too much like a dungeon (unless you’re into that!). Here are a few quick tips.

1. Maximize the natural lighting. Trim back shrubs and other plants that block sunlight from window wells. If the window well has a cover, keep it clean or replace a cover that blocks light with one that lets light pass through.

2. Choose light colors for walls, carpet and furniture. As much as we all miss the dark brown faux wood paneling from the ‘70s it doesn’t do much to create a bright space.

3. Accent Lighting. This will not only make the space brighter, it also makes the space feel less like a basement because lamps make the space feel decorated and lived in.

4. Light Bulbs. Depending on the types of fixtures in the basement there are various new types of lightbulbs. Consider talking to a lighting expert to find which type of bulb is going to give you the best results.

5. Create a false lighted window. This is simpler and more effective than you might think. Just frame and trim a “window” on a basement wall, and use creative lighting and decor (blinds, reflective paint, daylight spectrum bulbs) to make the light coming from the window look natural.

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Tips to keep mold out of your basement.

How to keep mold out? These are my best tips…

Finding mold in the basement is a problem that many homeowners have to face. Unfortunately, once you do, it can be difficult to get rid of, plus it can cause health issues for those residing in the home. That’s why it’s best to be proactive and take steps to prevent its growth.

  1. Monitor humidity levels. If a basement reaches a humidity level of 45 percent or higher, there is the possibility for mold growth. Purchase a hygrometer, which is fairly inexpensive, and schedule regular checks for yourself.
  2. Increase airflow. One of the main reasons for an increase in humidity levels in the basement is stagnant air that does not get circulated throughout the area. If you live in an area where the weather doesn’t permit you to regularly open windows or you don’t like to, consider installing dehumidifiers and run them at least one or two hours daily.
  3. Review your drainage system. Make sure the ground outside your home slopes away from your walls to allow for rain and melting snow to drain away from your foundation. Homeowners should also inspect all downspouts to make sure they are pointed in the right direction and extend far enough away from the home.
  4. Choose synthetic carpet. If you are installing carpeting in your basement, opt for mold-resistant fibers like nylon or olefin and steer clear of natural fibers that feed mold.
  5. Avoiding overloading. Clothes, books, and even cardboard boxes are materials mold can feed off of. Plus, if your basement is packed to the brim with items in storage, it reduces airflow and ventilation.

I’ve recommended mold remediation specialists to my clients on a few occasions and have had to use some in my own homes! Contact me today if you have any questions on what to look for when hiring a professional.