Louisville Home Care

Maximize your homeowner tax deductions and credits

Should you itemize?

by MIKE HALL, Owner/Agent/Broker

Tax forms

Most individuals take the standard deduction on their federal taxes. The standard deduction for the 2023 tax year is $13,850 for single or married filing separately, $27,700 for married filing jointly, and $20,800 for heads of household.[1] However, if you decide to itemize, what expenses can you deduct on your annual taxes?

Qualified expenses that you can deduct include:[2]

There are...

Homeowners Ask: Best Security Systems

Secure your home and yourself

by MIKE HALL, Owner/Agent/Broker

Virtual Security

You’ve finally purchased your first home. You want to make sure that your home is safe and secure.

We get asked a lot about services to enhance your home and after being in business for many years, Red Edge agents have seen a lot. When it comes to security systems, there are several options available for Louisville homeowners.

You can subscribe to a security system service, such as ADT or Vivint. These can be all-inclusive providing not just the equipment but also 24/7 monitoring of potential issues. Prices vary for the amount of coverage, and many require minimum year contracts with cancellation fees, so be sure to read the fine print of all contracts.

Another option is purchasing your own security system from a company like Ring or SimpliSafe. This usually entails one-time equipment purchase. With some you can add on 24/7 monitoring, while others alert you through an app instead of third-party monitoring your home.

You may want to start off simply with just a few outside cameras or a video doorbell. Adding onto these starters with motion-sensing flood lights, window and door sensors and interior cameras...

Buy a Great Housewarming Present This Christmas!

Tips for buying gifts for the new homeowners in your life

By Mike Hall, Broker/Agent/Owner

bird feeder

Say “Welcome home!” with one of these perfect housewarming gifts during the holidays.

As you’re going through your Christmas gift list this year, here are some tips for the new homeowners in your life. Or, if you’re settling into your own new home, here are some ideas to pass along to the friends and family who might be looking for the perfect gift for you!

Consider these housewarming gift ideas for the perfect way to say, “Welcome home!”

  • Personality-specific welcome mat
  • Mini wreath
  • Monogramed keychain
  • Succulents or other small house plants
  • Custom painting
  • Welcome sign for the front porch
  • Lily bulbs that can be planted in the spring
  • Birdhouse
  • Personalized throw pillows
  • Key holder with hooks
  • City or state themed candle
  • Homeowner tool kit
  • Bird feeder
  • Framed city art

Of course, if you’re still looking to find that perfect home, we’d love to talk with you today about finding that dream...

August Home Maintenance Tips

Some Steps for Getting Your Home Ready for Fall

By Mike Hall, Broker/Agent/Owner

Home tools

Use this month to get your house ready for fall!

Your home has probably taken a lot of abuse this summer! Between hot days, thunderstorms, and the regular wear and tear from a summer full of kids at home, there are probably some jobs you need to tackle this August around your house. Here are six tips from the professionals over at Realtor.com.

  1. Check your washing machine connections. All those kids, all those summer days, and all those messy memories mean a lot of extra laundry for your machines. Check to make sure your connections didn’t get loosened or damaged through all of that summer use.
  2. Clean up and clear out the lawn and garden. Now’s the best time to clean out dead branches, weeds, and old perennials from your garden and flowerbeds. Prune out the dried and damaged parts, and get a clean slate for what you’ll want to do next.
  3. Get those gutters cleaned out! Louisville has had a summer full of thunderstorms and wind. It’s time to clean out the muck, debris, mud, and leaves from your gutters. It’s better to clean them out now than to experience water damage or...

Steps to Take for Your Flooded Basement

Tips and tools to take on your flood fiasco.

By Mike Hall, Broker/Agent/Owner

Drain

The first step to clearing a flooded basement is to get rid of the water.

With all the rain Louisville has had lately, more and more homeowners are struggling with flooded basements. You should always consult a professional and your homeowner’s insurance agency, but here are some tips and suggestions for you to think through as you respond to this major experience.

  • Wear protective gear, especially boots, a mask and gloves.
  • If you have a floor drain, make sure it’s clear.
  • Start removing water. You could use a sump pump, pool pump, wet vacuum or an old-fashioned mop. Soak up the last of it with towels or sponges.
  • Move damaged items into an area where they can thoroughly dry for at least 48 hours. You might need to discard things that are still wet after that time.
  • Don’t touch electrical things, even if the power is turned off. Let them dry in place, then have a professional handle them.
  • Get carpeting and padding up as soon as possible. Wet carpet is a magnet for mold and mildew.
  • Let the basement dry a few days.
  • Wash down walls and...
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