Giving your Home Some First Hand TLC

For many people a house is much more than just a place to sleep at night, it’s a sanctuary from the troubles of the world. Unfortunately, even the best made homes can undergo damage and abuse while standing against the harsh elements. While the option is always available to hire someone who can fix these problems, relying on a repairman can be expensive and time consuming. Instead, consider whether or not it is in your power to improve the situation yourself. Feel the empowering pride of sprucing up your own home by handling these common issues with your own two hands:

Repairing the Sidewalk

Powerful weather conditions, traffic accidents, and other misfortunate events will find their way to your doorstep from time to time. Though they may go unnoticed at first, repeated abuse can lead to cracks and damages on your sidewalk. If you notice uneven or shattered pavement, don’t fret. Cement replacement slabs can be purchased for severe cases, but crack filler and sealer can be found to tidy up smaller disturbances.

Replace your Mailbox

Sadly, mailboxes for residences tend to be a popular target for vandalism. If you’ve noticed that your mailbox has been damaged or completely destroyed, a replacement can be purchased for a reasonable fee. In fact, this may be the perfect opportunity to invest in a mailbox that would better match the appeal of your home. Don’t feel obligated to get an identical copy of your previous box, have some fun and add a little flare to your front yard.

Installing New Windows

Your windows serve many more purposes than offering you the ability to see outside. They also let in sunlight and work to make your house feel more like a home. While they tend to be one of the most fragile parts of a building, that doesn’t mean a broken window is an irreversible fate. Many hardware stores sell replacement windowpanes for standard size windows, and also offer services to help you install them if you aren’t sure how. You may even find a new design or style that looks better with your home décor!

Painting the House

While this may be one of the biggest projects you could hope to accomplish on your own, it’s still a viable option none the less. If you’ve been unimpressed with the color or shade of your home, don’t begrudgingly accept it. It is within your power to make your house look and feel the way you want it to. With a bit of paint, a ladder, and patience, you could be living in your dream home within a week!

5 Awesome (yet Simple) Halloween Mailbox Decoration Ideas

Halloween is coming fast! If you haven't already put something up, you may be looking for simple ways to show your enthusiasm and indicate to trick or treaters that you offer candy. One of the simplest ways of doing this is to decorate your mailbox. Here are some easy decorations that will get you into the spooky mood and let everyone know you are taking part:

1.  Battery operated string lights – This is one of the easiest, cheapest ways to show your Halloween colors and, on Halloween night, these lights will act as a beacon for the kids. Battery operated lights are especially ideal for residential curbside mailboxes because you don't need to run an extension cord all the way out to the street. Get plain orange lights, purple lights, or orange and black mixes, or look for themed shapes like bats or ghosts.

2.  Big Halloween bows – Making a simple decorative bow to festoon your mailbox with is easy! Just head to your local craft store and grab some seasonally-themed ribbon (anything with skeletons or jack-o-lanterns will do) and a bit of floral wire, watch this video or one similar, and you're set! You can accentuate the bow with some fake flowers sprinkled with fake blood. Better yet, pull off the flower tops and glue in fake eyeballs!

3.  Menacing Figures – One great way to use your box is to prop a life-sized witch, ghost, or scarecrow up on the mail pole. You can find these at any local Halloween store or, for a more cost-effective option, make your own! For a scarecrow, grab some old jeans and a flannel, some string to tie the openings, and a bunch of plastic bags to use as stuffing. Add a scary, stuffable Halloween mask for the head. Tie your figure to the pole to ensure that they stand up. For some extra skin-crawl factor, get some fake chain and make it look like you're trying to keep them from escaping to wreak havoc on the neighborhood.

4.  Spider webs – Nothing says creepy like spiders! Cover your mailbox with fake spider webs and have some little spiders dangling beneath it and all around. If you want to add some variety, trap a couple of eyeballs or severed fingers in the web with the spider babies. Get one larger mama spider and place it directly on top of the box in a predatory position.

Something like this would work!

5.  Body Parts – One way to make this one eerier is to go a bit more subtle with it. Find a garland of fake leaves at your local crafts store and wrap it around the top of your box and down the pole. Next find a bloody severed arm or moss-covered skeleton hand at your Halloween store and have it creeping out from beneath the leaves. Aim it towards your visitors!

Don't forget to leave your address number visible for the postman when decorating your mail box. Aside from that, go wild! You can always check out Pinterest and various craft sites for more inspiration. 

4 Simple Ways to Touch Up Your Home's Exterior This Fall

The exterior of your home makes a daily and lasting impression on neighbors, friends, and family. It's the first thing people see, so maintaining its appearance is important. Since the fall season brings cooler temperatures, making outdoor work more pleasant, what better time to update your home's exterior than now? And all it takes is a few small projects to effect a big change on your outdoor space.

Below are four simple ways to touch up on the outside of your home this fall.

1. Brush up the paint

A quick touch up on paint can do wonders for the exterior of your home. Take a careful look at your house and the outside elements like your garage and work on selected spots. A fresh coat of paint can improve your home immensely, without the cost of a serious remodel. It may even be time for a completely different color to really give your home new life. Whichever you decide to do, a new coat of paint can be aesthetically transformative. Early fall is an especially smart time to paint, since you'll be less likely to get heat stroke and it'll brighten your home during the darker fall and winter months.

2. Do some landscaping

As we all know, fall means a lot of leaves. Although clearing your lawn of leaves, twigs, and other debris is tedious work, it not only makes your lawn look nice but also keeps it healthy. And despite the approaching winter season, you should continue to improve the health of your grass. Remove any weeds and feed your grass with nutrients.

3. Check up on your mailbox

Because the winter weather can be rough, autumn is a good time to make sure your mailbox is in good shape and can withstand whatever the colder temperatures may bring. Check to see if any hinges on the door need to be tightened or replaced, ensure that the mailbox is correctly mounted and not loose, and replace or add house numbers if need be. It may be time for a completely new mailbox. We carry a large selection of decorative mailboxes for you to choose from, which can be personalized to meet your specific requirements.

4. Improve your Lighting

As the colder months approach, the sun will set sooner and the nights will be longer. Make sure your outdoor lighting works properly and be sure to replace any dim or broken bulbs. Also, since the wet winter weather has the potential to cause problems in lighting systems, fixtures may not be avoidable. If you want to add some charm to your home, consider installing garden lights along your pathway or front door.

Traditional Mail Thrives: Why Traditional Mail is Here to Stay

3 Ways to Avoid Being Targeted by a Burglar

Becoming a victim of burglary is one of the most common anxieties people have, and for good reason. According to the F.B.I., there were 2.1 million burglaries reported in the United States in 2010, which accounted for 23.8 percent of all property crimes in 2010. These victims lost an estimated $4.6 billion in property, amounting to an average of $2,119 lost for each offense. 

People want to be able to protect their family and property at all costs, and burglary is one crime that can be avoided if you take the right steps to prevent it. Sometimes installing a nice home security system can give you peace of mind, but there are other things you can do to avoid being targeted by robbers. Keep your home and personal information safe by following these tips.

Be aware of your garbage

Once most people are done with things, they will throw them in a garbage can without giving it another thought. That line of thinking could easily make you the target of a robber. If you recently got a flat screen TV, computer, or other expensive electronic, don't throw the box it came in on the curb as soon as you unpack it. Boxes for expensive items are basically advertisements for thieves, so wait until garbage day to put it out. Also, be sure to not throw out any mail or paper that has personal information on it; always shred these documents. While we're on the topic of throwing out papers, we should mention…

Secure your mail box

In a world where people do a lot of their shopping online, most people are concerned about having their identities stolen by a cyber-criminal. Online identity theft is still an important problem, but your mail is still a popular way for identity thieves to get their hands on your personal information. Installing a locking curbside mailbox can help eliminate the problem of mail theft, and help ensure everything you receive will be safe.

Don't make it obvious when you aren't home

Burglars will usually strike when they're sure that their targeted house is empty, so you should do whatever you can to make it difficult for them to see if your home still has people in it. Invest in a lamp or a TV with a timer that can turn the device on at a certain time to make it seem like somebody is using it. Don't leave your curtains and blinds open wide enough so that people can see inside easily. Also, turn down your telephone ringer so that they can't tell that the phone is going unanswered.

By taking certain precautions, you can drastically decrease the likelihood of having your home or identity compromised. For mail security specifically, check out Forsite's locking mailboxes or contact us today!

3 Simple Things the Average Tampa Resident can Do to Boost their Home's Curb Appeal

If you're a homeowner in Tampa, you could be sitting on thousands of dollars that are waiting to be spent. People love living in The Sunshine State, and if you're in a city like Tampa, you have some much-desired property. You may be comfortable living in your current home, and may not see yourself moving for quite some time, but as the years pass and your life and family change, you may be willing to go to someplace new. Don't worry about scrambling to fix your home when you decide you want to sell it; instead, you should add some curb appeal to your home to make it attractive to potential buyers. If you do these small things to the outside of your home, you could make it one of the most coveted on the block.

Make your door memorable

Your lawn, siding, and window shutters are all an important part of your home's overall outdoor look, but your door can actually draw more attention than all of them combined. Your door acts as both a barrier and a passageway to your home, and making your door stand out can be a simple way to improve people's first impression. Adding a simple new coat of paint, or cleaning and varnishing your old door can make a huge difference when you are trying to sell.

Add simple decorative elements

If you want your home to stand out from the others on your block, a few outdoor décor elements can help. Lawn ornaments can also help improve the look of your home, as long as you get the right kind. When some people think about lawn ornaments, they imagine gnomes and plastic flamingos, but you don't have to decorate your lawn with clichés. A few stones to make an alternate path to your door, or some small stone sculptures can add some class to your yard and create a relaxing, garden-like atmosphere that buyers will covet.

 

Remember, a prospective buyer just might find these guys creepy. Look for tasteful decorations that hold almost universal appeal.

Replace your small and old home features

Has your doorknob lost some sheen? Is your wall-mounted mailbox falling apart? Sometimes simply replacing the worn out metal and brass elements of your home can help drastically change its look. Get rid of your old box and look at residential curbside mailboxes in different colors and designs. Find new house numbers for the front, and see if you can get them in a different font.  

Mailboxes 101: Your "How To" Guide

Whether you're seeking mailbox refurbishment in Tampa Bay after a storm, or simply looking to spruce up the family front lawn, installing a post mounted mailbox on your own can offer plenty of difficulty. Often, the job requires some concrete work and the use of specific tools that aren't always found in the common garage. If you insist on handling the task on your own, this article should offer plenty of tips of how to get it done properly.

Keep in mind that your mailbox should have the following specs if you want to ensure the best setup possible: a body made of cast aluminum with accompanying stainless steel hardware, an attractive design with a powder coated finish, a sturdy aluminum post, matching signs that alert deliveries to your specific house number and address, and locking door options to keep your mail safely intact.

As for the setup of your mailbox, follow these four easy steps:

Step 1- Creating a hole for your post: Find your desired location, and dig a new hole using a post-hole digger. Keep standard postal service codes in mind, as usually a mailbox should not sit any higher than 45 inches from street level.

Step 2- Securing your post: After you place the post in the hole, be sure to level it and attach two support beams at the center to keep the post standing up straight; place one at the side of the post, and then add another to the back for proper support. This will ensure that the post does not move while you are pouring the concrete. Additionally, this will help keep everything level while the concrete is drying.

Step 3- Adding concrete for support: Pour dry concrete straight into the hole leaving 3 to 4 inches of space from the top open. Typically, a 50-pound bag of quick-dry concrete should do the trick here just fine. Next, you will have to saturate the concrete, and experts recommend using about a gallon of water per 50-pound bag used. Remember to leave your support beams in place for 4 to 6 hours or until you are certain the concrete is dry.

Step 4- Attaching and finalizing your mailbox: Typically, most mailbox installation kits come with a wood anchor to attach to the post. After screwing the anchor to the post, slide the mailbox over this anchor and secure it with galvanized screws. You're done!

When it comes to the refurbishing of existing mailboxes, typically, expert assistance is recommended. If there is a pre-existing cement base on your property, you are going to have to fully remove it prior to preparing your new post set up. Typically, homeowners don't have the necessary equipment (such as a jackhammer) to properly remove excess concrete, damaged posts, dinged up boxes, etc. It is also extremely important to install a temporary box in place of the one being refurbished, so that your mail service is not interrupted in any way.

Whether you are adding a custom mailbox to your new home or are in need of mailbox refurbishment inTampa Bay, following this quick guide on how to install a new postal box on your property can make things much easier. Remember to always consider using expert help for the tasks that require concrete work, and to utilize the ideal specs mentioned above, which your new mailbox should feature.

What Mailbox Should You Buy? An Infographic

What mailbox should you buy? Check out the infographic below to find out.

(Click to Enlarge)

How to Start a Homeowners' Association

Have you ever wondered how to set up a Homeowners' Association (HOA) in your neighborhood or condominium building? With a HOA, the houses or condos in the community tend to be more uniform and the properties are maintained at a high standard. Whether it be custom mail boxes or custom street signs, neighborhoods run by an HOA are visually appealing. Your home will likely have a higher property value as well. With all these advantages, it's easy to see why you would want to start a HOA. Here's how:

1. Form a Group – Look for people who are willing to commit to the work that is required to run the association. Aim for 10 people or less, and figure out where and when to hold your meetings. Devise a strategy during your initial gatherings and set up your main goals before inviting residents to the first official meeting.
2. Research Laws and Regulations – There will be specific property codes within your state that you need to abide by when setting up a HOA. Research your local statutes online and think about hiring a lawyer or real estate expert who can make sure the association stays in line with local regulations.
3. Establish CC&Rs – These are covenants, conditions, and restrictions of the homeowners' association. These rules will establish how often meetings are held, how operations will be executed, and the voting guidelines for electing leadership of the HOA. Research existing CC&Rs in other communities as a rough guideline, and then tailor yours to your specific requirements.
4. Establish HOA as a Business – You will need to contact the IRS to obtain a tax identification number. Then you need to form an LLC or a nonprofit corporation. Open up a bank account to deposit the funds that will be paid to the HOA.
5. Create Committees – Set up a committee for internal matters and neighborhood affairs. The internal affairs committee will be in charge of social events, fundraising, and creating publicity. Neighborhood committees will be in charge of law enforcement, maintenance, community services, and traffic safety.

Following these steps will put you on your way in creating a valuable homeowners' association. People will be more likely to join the HOA if your buildings and community are well-kept and -ordered. Custom street signs, mail boxes, and other small amenities can all make your community one-of-a-kind. 

Types of Mailboxes: Pros and Cons

Mailboxes come in many different shapes and sizes, and not all provide the same convenience. That means it's important to choose the right kind of mailbox for you. Not sure what to pick? Here are the pros and cons of the major mailbox types:

Residential curbside mailboxes

This is the most common kind of mailbox, and it's what most people think of when they hear the word "mailbox." A residential curbside mailbox is the archetypal variety located at the end of the driveway where the mailman can drive right up and drop off mail. Typically, residential curbside mailboxes are attached to a vertical post and have a weatherproof box with a closing door on the front. The main advantage is that these boxes have a "flag" that can let the mailman know there's mail to pick up, making it easier to send, as well as receive, mail.

A potential disadvantage of the residential curbside mailbox is that you have to leave the house to get to it, which may not be pleasant in inclement weather. However, this can also be a plus – after a heavy snowstorm, you do not need to clear your driveway and walkway to receive mail, because the mailman does not have to walk up to the door. This can also be good for dog owners who don't want a barking fit every afternoon when the mailman comes.

Door slots

Door slots are the older type of home mail receptacle and are more common in Europe, as well as larger American cities where space is limited. In an urban environment, it may be problematic to crowd the sidewalk with curbside mailboxes, so a mail slot in the door makes a good alternative. The advantage with these is that they take up no space and weather is not a factor. But to send mail, you have to hang it outside the door and hope the mailman sees it – not exactly ideal. Another disadvantage is that, depending on the design, a mail slot could allow a stranger to peek into your home. They may also cause drafts near the door.

Lobby mailboxes

Multi-unit buildings almost never have individual mail delivery to each unit. Instead, a set of lockable mailboxes in the lobby allow a central mail drop-off point for the whole building. The biggest advantage to this method is security: your mail is put into a locked box and cannot be stolen. The biggest disadvantage is that this is delivery-only and you have to go to the lobby to get your mail.

What kind of mailbox do you prefer? Why?

Spring Revamp: 5 Small Home Exterior Design Projects That Make a Big Difference

While you take pride in the appearance of your home, when you see other homes in the neighborhood, you may feel that they look more inviting and appealing. How your home looks on the outside is what sets it apart from other houses. With spring here, and summer to shortly follow, now is the opportune time for Tampa residents to update their home's curb appeal.

If your home's exterior needs an upgrade but you aren't looking for a large, upscale project or are on a tight budget, we've provided our professional tips to help you.

1. Add new lighting

Whether your outdoor light is next to your front door or you have a lamp post, a new lighting fixture can instantly enhance your home's exterior. Light up your front yard in style for entertaining, beauty, security and safety with new residential lighting. We carry a large selection of residential lighting, lamp posts and more, to really light up your home.  

2. Put up a new mailbox

You probably don't think of your mailbox as anything more than a container on your porch or front lawn used to hold new letters and documents -- after all, that is its purpose. But adding a new mailbox is one of the cheapest and most overlooked ways to boost the curb appeal of your home. Because they have to withstand various weather conditions, over time, mailboxes become old and worn. We have a wide selection of mailboxes in Tampa Bay, including some created with weatherproof materials, to add more style to your home.

3. Do some gardening

Breathe new life into your front yard by doing some gardening. Look around the area for any weeds or dead plants and remove them. Add fresh mulch and either buy flowers to plant or plant seeds and watch the flowers grow during the season. Choose lively colors to help your garden stand out and be sure to water the garden regularly.

4. Buy new outdoor patio furniture

Make your front porch feel and look inviting, and make it a place to bask in the warm weather by adding new patio furniture. Create a beautiful haven for relaxation by simply adding a set of chairs with cushions and a small table. Be sure to select patio furniture with colors that complement your home.

5. Keep clutter away

In order to give your home exterior a clean and appealing look, avoid filling it with clutter. This includes items like sporting equipment, gardening tools and lawn ornaments. Instead, move these items into the garage, shed or side porch when not in use.

Residential Mailboxes in Tampa: An Easy Way to Improve your Home

Everybody in the Tampa area knows how blessed they are to live there. Simply visiting the area of Tampa, Florida will leave a lasting imprint for years. There is plenty to do and much to see in Tampa, Florida. If you live there, however, it is important to focus on maintaining the quality of your home. 

How can you improve your home’s outdoor appearance? It’s easy. One of the simplest and most interesting ways you can improve your home is to look into residential mailboxes in Tampa. 

When it comes to looking into residential mailboxes, you have a plethora of choices that you can consider.

For one thing, your mailbox alone can be made out of different materials. You could choose to use a classic style steel post mount mailbox or even a Berkshire cast aluminum curbside mailbox.

One of the best parts about ordering a mailbox is that it is a very reasonable price for something which will add incredible value to your home. Additionally, you can pick a color out as well. 

Once you pick out the style and material of your mailbox, the next step is to look into address plaques. Your choice in an address plaque can add sophistication, style, and flair. They can also be customized and made of a material of your choice, such as cast aluminum. 

You can also choose a specific mailbox post to go with your mailbox. There are a number of styles to consider, such as an Ashland decorative double mount mailbox post. You could even select a mailbox post with more stylized features which can accentuate your home easily. 

These are only three options out of many that you have to choose from when it comes to decorating or updating your home. It all starts with a mailbox, a mission, and a home.

Decorative Mailboxes: A Career and Passion for a Man in Durham

One man in Durham knows the value of a good decorative mailbox.

When you own a home, one of the most important parts is maintaining its quality. After all, our homes are places of relaxation and rest. Some people invest in siding or roofing, while others tend to consider the benefits of decorative mailboxes. However, there is no underestimating the power of a mailbox. A mailbox isn’t simply a mailbox; just ask Ted Maynor of Durham, North Carolina. 

Ted Maynor’s story is truly a remarkable one. As a disabled survivor of both liver disease and cancer, he wasn’t interested in sitting around at home watching television. Instead, Ted Maynor decided to pursue a more worthwhile hobby: selling, installing and repairing mailboxes from his big white business van. His van is unmistakable; on the top of the roof is a selection of decorative mailboxes. On the side of his work van are the words Mailbox Makeovers/Curb Appeal Transformation.

According to Maynor, who is 60 years old, there is a tremendous market for the mailbox industry. Maynor supplies his customers with interesting mailbox designs, such as U.S. flags, Carolina Panthers and UNC ram logos, and more. Inside of the van are posts, decorative decals, letters, and numbers. 

Maynor carries his tools with him wherever he goes, helping to improve the community of Durham, North Carolina with their mailbox needs. He has been very successful installing and decorating mailboxes.

Ted Maynor has assisted many citizens of Durham with their mailbox needs. Over the years, he has held many different professions and even graduated from the University of North Carolina with a degree in business administration.

If adding a little bit of curb appeal to your home has caught your interest, then there is nothing like a good decorative mailbox. Not only will it improve your home, but it will improve the rest of your community as well.