Being a homeowner has perks. You have privacy. You have freedom to do what you want with decor and style. As a homeowner you can decide to have a party that goes until 5am (if you're not too loud for your neighbors). It's great. But owning your home also means you have to take care of your home.

This is an article submitted by a guest author. Not all views expressed are those of AmeriFirst Home Mortgage or its employees.  Going to the mailbox or checking your email to see that you have a new utility bill can sometimes be a shock. Instead of letting the bill get to the point where you can't afford it without taking out a loan or sacrificing something else in the house, try a few tips and tricks to keep the utility bills as low as possible. Once you get into the habit of these ideas, then it'll be easier to complete them without even thinking about what you're doing.

This is an article submitted by a guest author. Not all views expressed are those of AmeriFirst Home Mortgage or its employees.  Warm weather is on its way, so now is the perfect time to take action in your outdoor area and prepare for a fun and relaxed summer outside. This article looks at five creative upgrades to enhance your outdoor space; adding a new terrace or wooden platform, upgrading your outdoor lighting, building in new furniture, designing a shady retreat and pool decking ideas for upgrading the area around your pool.

This is an article submitted by a guest author. Not all views expressed are those of AmeriFirst Home Mortgage or its employees.  Hard water contains a high concentration of minerals, such as calcium or magnesium. This might sound good since they are substances the body needs, but this is not always the case. Hard water can be harmful. In fact, 85 percent of the American population is dealing with its effects on a daily basis. The following should help such homeowners understand why it is important to soften the water in their households.

This is an article submitted by a guest author. Not all views expressed are those of AmeriFirst Home Mortgage or its employees.  The new trend is to create a home for the 21st century. Smart home technologies give you total control on your smartphone or laptop. Work with remodelers to create a home that looks and feels like a five-star hotel. More people are interested in building modern homes that suit their personalities. Most of all, they want convenient features and custom styles. Modernize your home using one or more of these four main ideas.

When a customer calls you about a problem with their electric water heater, you know it’s potentially urgent. Electric water heater problems can cause a variety of symptoms, including issues with water temperature, leaks, discoloration, odor and noise. Here’s a guide to troubleshooting electric water heaters in order to figure out the root cause of the problem.

This is an article submitted by a guest author. Not all views expressed are those of AmeriFirst Home Mortgage or its employees.  Improving yards, lawns and other exterior environments can have a positive impact on the market value of a home. For home and property owners who have little experience with lawn care, finding the best ways to make improvements can be a challenge. The following five secrets can provide insight on how to create and maintain a greener and more efficient yard.