Jim Hairston Blog

With many adults working from home, the demands on your WiFi are probably much greater than in the past. You could be trying to connect with colleagues over Zoom while several kids are watching online lessons from their teachers. And with everyone stuck at home a lot more, several family members could be streaming movies or other content during the evening. As a result, your WiFi could be slow or disconnecting much more than it did in the past.

Our REALTORS® suggest the following tips for making sure your WiFi is up to the task:

• Check your Internet service plan
  Your internet service plan may have been fine for your needs earlier in the year, but now that more users are logging more screen time, you should make sure it covers your current needs. If you have only two users with only one streaming video or attending a teleconference, a medium speed is the lowest level recommended. For multiple people — with at least two using video — advanced speed is needed.

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Do you hear that noise? Your home is trying to tell you something!

Believe it or not, some sounds are scarier than those that go bump in the night. The creeks, cracks, squeaks, and scratches that you hear around the house shouldn't be ignored. While some of these issues are minor, others are indicative of destructive and dangerous problems. Our REALTORS® suggest investigating and resolving these annoying noises ASAP. 

9 Household Noises & How to Fix Them  

1. Whistling
   Do you hear a whistling sound in certain rooms? Don't worry, it's not a ghost, but it could be one of two other issues — either your furnace or your windows. A furnace that makes a sucking or whistling sounds means it's working too hard because of dirty filters. Replacing them with new, clean filters will stop the sound. A whistling window means your weatherstripping is loose and needs to be resealed.

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Does our recent warming trend inspire you to start a garden? Spring is advancing, but it's not too late to raise vegetables or flowers on your Mansfield area property if you start right away. 

Whether you're embarking on your first vegetable garden on your new property, or you're landscaping with flowers to make your home stand out from other Mansfield homes for sale, a garden pro can help. So can our agents with other valuable tips for improving your home and landscape.

Tips for Starting a Garden 

1. Plan your garden
   If you're a garden novice, consult a pro at the local garden store or a horticulturist at your local extension service for advice. You can also go online and find garden planning kits to help you design your garden, or consult websites and books to develop a plan.

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Everyone has had more time at home, and one of the things our REALTORS® have discovered in recent weeks is that working from home provides an opportunity to work on your home as well. 

There's never been a better time to tackle DIY projects. These simple home upgrades will revitalize your space—something we can all use right now—at little or no cost to you.

• Eliminate Clutter
  It's spring, and we all have some cleaning to do. Getting rid of clutter is a great way to revive your space and make your home feel more open and spacious. Go through every room and gather up items that you don't need, never use, and are tired of looking at. Some can be tucked away in storage or given away, while others can be donated. If all goes well, you might even be able to have a big yard sale soon!

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Though all of us are fortunate to have roofs over our heads, it's easy to forget that these elements of our home won't last forever. While the standard roof should last a few decades if properly installed and maintained, there are a number of issues that can weaken the integrity of your roof faster than you'd believe. Our REALTORS® encourage you to pay attention to these five signs that you might need to replace your roof this summer, especially if you plan on listing your property alongside other Mansfield homes for sale.

1. Dark Spots on the Roof
   While a shingle on your roof may fade or become slightly discolored over time, any large patches of discoloration may be signs of a serious problem. Dark streaks or spots on the roof are typically caused by algae, which causes staining and could make shingles deteriorate, eventually causing leaks. These stains can also harm your curb appeal, even if they aren't actually damaging the roof. A roof that looks like it may be problematic can instantly make buyers assume that there might be mold, leads, or other problems present in the home.

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