3 Reasons to Get a Custom Mailbox

More and more people are choosing custom mailboxes in Tampa, FL. Custom mailboxes have many advantages over off-the-shelf varieties, both in terms of design and quality. But many home and business owners still haven't heard of custom mailboxes and don't see the difference. What draws people to custom mailboxes? Here are three huge benefits:

• Appearance – By far the biggest reason people seek out custom mailboxes in Tampa (or anywhere else, for that matter) is for style. Your mailbox is generally very visible outside of your house, condo or apartment building. It is as much a part of your property's first impression as the landscaping, the front façade or the décor inside. Accordingly, many people prefer not to be stuck with the cookie cutter stock mailboxes that are found at big box stores. Instead, they want something that will match a particular home style, color scheme or look. And custom mailboxes provide those options, often at surprisingly low prices. An attractive mailbox can make a big difference in how the outside of a property looks.

• Security – A second reason that many people seek out custom mailboxes is security. The truth is that most stock mailboxes just aren't that secure. If they have security options at all, they are often of low quality, or can be easily broken into. Our custom mailboxes are created with enough space to fit a locking insert inside and built of quality materials that are properly joined and, thus, hard to break. Many businesses, apartment managers, and homeowner associations prefer mailboxes that are designed with these security features in mind. Some individual homeowners feel the same way. You will often send or receive sensitive personal documents in the mail, so it is very important that your mailbox is secured against identity thieves. A concern for security overlaps with a wish for style: many so-called "security" mailboxes that come off the shelf may be secure, but they're certainly not stylish. Custom mailboxes can give you the best of both worlds.

• Durability – Finally, custom mailboxes of quality construction can deliver far more in terms of durability. Durability may not always be something you think of when shopping for a mailbox, but it makes a big difference. If you want to spend the least time and money on maintenance or repairs over the years, a custom mailbox is your best bet. This is especially true in Tampa, where the wet climate can wreak havoc on a low-quality mailbox.

Are you looking for a custom mailbox? What style or type are you interested in? Browse our selection of mailboxes at Forsite and find the right one for your needs.

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.