1. Don’t Stop Talking. Money is still a taboo topic and we often don’t have a clear idea about how our partner thinks or feels when it comes to spending versus saving. Talking about your goals with your partner is a simple way to make sure you’re both on the same page when it comes to your finances.

2. Find Balance. Balance power around money. One person making all the decisions and having all the control when it comes to finances is often a recipe for disaster. Find ways for you both to be equally engaged in all money decisions.

3. Create a System. Have a clearly defined money management system that covers everything from who handles the mail to who sends out the checks. Without a well thought-out plan in place, it’s more likely that things won’t fall through the cracks.

4. Immediately Address Problems. When problems arise, address them immediately (no secrets allowed). Avoiding the issue only makes it more toxic and drives a wedge in the relationship.

5. Have Annual Checkups. Schedule an annual money checkup. Things change and just like our physical health, money management needs an annual checkup to keep it healthy and relevant. Set aside time to sit down with each other and evaluate what’s working, what needs to be fixed and address any questions or concerns that either of you may have.

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In the end, you and your family want to be as comfortable as possible in your new home, and so it is important that you find the perfect environment for your property. Once you begin shopping for homes, try to search for property that is located in a good area, and more importantly, the property should be close to your work and to your children’s schools, as this in turn will ensure that commuting does not take too much out of your time. Do not focus on pricing alone, as this will limit your search. Instead, focus on how much room you are looking for, and make sure that these rooms are spacious enough so that no one feels crowded. Pricing can always be negotiated down the road, and you will find that if you negotiate a price on a home that you truly do like, then you will feel that you got a great deal. In the end, you and your family want to feel comfortable in your home, so it is important to begin your search on the right foot.

1. Pick Up a Paintbrush
Painting your home’s exterior is one of the most cost-effective ways to update its look. When devising your color scheme, consider your home’s architectural style — elaborate Victorian homes might be able to handle four or five colors, while Colonial styles look best with two or three. Also consider colors that can’t be changed, such as stonework on the home or in the landscape, roof color, and the palette of surrounding homes.

2. Update with Colorful Siding
Vinyl siding was once offered in only a handful of neutral colors, but today’s products provide nearly unlimited color choices so it’s easy to find siding to complement your home’s exterior.

3. Make a Statement with Windows
Cladding, the aluminum wrap on an exterior window frame, lets you have the beauty of wood inside and a low-maintenance covering outside. Manufacturers offer cladding in various colors, so you can make your windows stand out or blend in with existing siding.

4. Coordinate Hardware and Lighting
Entrance hardware, door knockers, house numbers, mailboxes, and porch lights all add character to your home’s exterior. Choosing the same color or finish for these elements creates a sophisticated look.

5. Create a Welcoming Entrance
Your front door is a great place to add a dash of bold color — and boost home value. If you want to add color, look for doors that come ready to be painted and opt for a high-quality acrylic latex paint, says Sara Theiss, a Therma-Tru spokesperson. Decorative glass inserts offer additional color and complement a range of house styles.

6. Add Shutters
Whether operable or decorative, these accents add color and bring a historical touch to a Federal or Colonial home. For easy maintenance, look for fiberglass models, high-density PVC, or composite wood materials; they offer the look of wood but don’t crack, split, or rot.

7. Set It in Stone
The natural colors of real stone enhance any style of home. Stone veneer, a lightweight alternative, makes it even easier to add the appeal of this natural material to exterior walls.

8. Consider Roof Color
It might not be sexy, but this practical aspect can have a big impact on your home’s overall look. For cohesiveness, choose a tone in the same color family as the paint or siding on your home — or pick out a color that repeats hues found in the brick or mortar.

9. Go Glam with Copper
The eye-catching metal comes with a high price tag, but the finished look can be worth the cost. For example, copper gutters transform an overlooked feature into a design element. “If you have a bay window with a copper roof or a porch with a copper roof, and you couple that with copper downspouts and gutters, it can be very handsome,” says Washington, D.C.-based architect Bruce Wentworth.

10. Stain Concrete
Curb appeal extends from the front door to, well, the curb! By staining existing concrete, you transform a drab patio, sidewalk, or driveway into an eye-catching surface that resembles stone, wood, or leather. Acid-base stains are available in earth tones, such as tan, brown, terra-cotta, and soft blue-green, while water-base stains expand the color palette.

Identify the source

The source of your problem could be a water leak or high humidity. Both can lead to mold, mildew, or other biological growth. Depending on the severity, conditions can lead to rot, structural damage, premature paint failure, and a variety of health problems. Water can seep into your house from the outside through a leak in the foundation, or small gaps around windows or doors. Water can also come from inside your house from a leaking water pipe, toilet, shower or bathtub. High indoor humidity caused by normal activities of everyday living, such as showering, cooking, and drying clothes, can also be a source of your problem. A damp basement is commonly caused by moisture migrating through a concrete foundation. There may not be a sign of any leak or standing water, but the moisture evaporates, increasing indoor humidity. Another common cause is condensation on the cold concrete walls and floors during humid months.

Prescription Checklist:

Where does the problem occur? Below a bathroom? Ceiling? Corners? Where the problem occurs can lead to what is causing the problem. If the problem is localized (a spot on the ceiling, wall or corner it is possibly caused by a water leak. If the problem is in a large area, like a whole wall or room, then it might be caused by humidity.

If you suspect a mold problem consult EPA’s Brief Guide to Mold in your home for more information.

If you plan to remodel your basement, it is important to control moisture problems at the before doing anything else. Corrective actions can be relatively easily but sometimes, depending on the severity of the problem, they can be difficult and expensive.

Stop water leaks

If a leak is the source of your problem, have it fixed first.

If you have standing water on the floor of your basement after a heavy rain then it is likely from a leak in the foundation.

Clean rain gutter and redirect downspout runoff away from the foundation.

Make sure the ground around the house slopes down away from the foundation. If necessary, re-grade so the ground does slopes away.

If you have a sump pump, make sure it is working properly.

If you have water stains on the ceiling or wall under or near a bathroom it could be a leak from a water pipe, toilet, bathtub or shower. Hire a plumber to repair the leak.

If the leak has caused substantial water damage or mold you will want to hire a contractor who specializes in mold remediation and water damage repairs.

Reducing indoor humidity

If your basement has a dirt floor, cover the floor completely with plastic to slow down water vapor coming through the soil.

Use ventilation fans in kitchens and baths to control moisture. Check to make sure ventilation fans venting directly outside. In some cases the vent fan may have been installed to vent into the attic or become disconnected or blocked.

Your clothes dryer should be vented directly to the outside. Inspect the vent duct. Make sure it is attached securely to the dryer. Check that it is clear of obstructions (e.g. lint). Check for holes that leak air. If vent duct is damaged replace it with a metal duct. The vent duct should be cleaned at least once a year. The Consumer Products Safety Commission additional safety tips for dryer vents .

Ask a heating and cooling contractor to check your heating and cooling system to make sure it is sized and operating properly to remove humidity. If you system is too big or the airflow incorrect your air conditioner will not remove humidity like it should. Also, ask the contractor to check your duct system for air leaks, and proper size and air flow to each room.

Sealing air leaks and sealing duct air leaks can help to prevent high humidity levels in your home. During hot humid months, using a dehumidifier in the basement can reduce condensation on the walls. This may work better after you’ve sealed air and duct leaks to reduce the amount of humid outdoor air you are bringing into the basement.

Risks that raise rates
While most people buy home insurance to protect property from damage, liabilities from accidents on your property are often what drive up your insurance rate. “Legal liability can be more costly to home insurers than property damage,” says Loretta Worters, vice president of the Insurance Information Institute. “People sue for millions of dollars for minor injuries. Companies are not going to walk away from the business because you have a dog or pool, but they’ll charge you more.” Unforeseen or overlooked risks can drive up premiums or even lead to a rejection. Here are some of the biggest rate-boosters.

Beware of dog
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 4.7 million people a year are bitten by dogs. More than 50% of dog bites occur on the dog owner’s property, and they account for one-third of all homeowners-insurance liability claims. Consequently, some insurers don’t like aggressive breeds of dogs and may reject clients or charge more if they own pit bulls and Rottweilers. Others will insist on policies that exclude dog-bite coverage. If your dog has a history of violence, expect higher premiums. One potential way to reduce rates: Get Rex some obedience training.

Guarding the pool
Drowning is the leading cause of fatal injury for children ages 1 to 4. Insurers will cover homes with pools, but often at higher rates and with limited liability on their end. They will want to make sure the pool complies with local regulations and safety standards. “We require fences for homeowners with pools,” says Holly Anderson, a State Farm spokeswoman. The CDC estimates that more than half of drowning deaths involving young children could have been prevented by fencing that securely separates the pool from the house and yard. Homeowners can be liable for injuries that occur to strangers who use their pool without their permission.

Trampolines
Trampolines cause more than 100,000 emergency-room visits a year, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Because the devices have become such a headache, insurers sometimes refuse to cover properties that have them or place specific “trampoline exclusion clauses” in policies to address liability. To get coverage for that liability, you will pay more. The insurer may require you to take safety measures such as covering trampoline springs with padding and placing the trampoline at a distance from trees and buildings.

Treehouses
According to the National Safety Council, falls account for 26% of all accidental injuries and deaths in the home. Every day, approximately 8,000 children are treated in U.S. emergency rooms for fall-related injuries; that totals nearly 2.8 million children each year. Treehouses can be primary culprits because of their height. Some insurers have treehouse exclusion clauses or reject applicants if they consider a treehouse too high or poorly maintained. Expect to pay more to cover one for any liabilities.

Guns
Living in a home that contains guns increases the risk of homicide by more than 40%, according to the New England Journal of Medicine. Insurers will generally cover gun owners, with caveats. Whether you have used a weapon in self-defense, with criminal intent or by accident will obviously play a big role in how much liability an insurer will assume. Insurers want to know that guns are properly secured, have safety locks and are kept out of reach of children. Failure to disclose that you have a firearm could lead to an insurer trying to deny your claims in the event of an accident.

Big-ticket jewelry
“Standard homeowners and renters insurance policies include coverage for personal items such as jewelry and other valuables,” Worters says. “However, many policies limit the dollar amount for the theft of valuable personal possessions such as jewelry, furs and precious stones to $1,000 to $2,000.” That wouldn’t match the cost of most engagement rings today. Covering your most valuable jewelry for theft and loss will increase your home-insurance premiums and require both an appraisal of the property and policy riders detailing both the value and nature of the jewelry you want covered.

Home businesses
The typical homeowners insurance policy covers a maximum of $2,500 for business equipment in the home, according to the Insurance Information Institute. It usually doesn’t cover business-related liability if a customer or supplier is injured on your property. “To cover a home business definitely adds to the premium, due to the increased chance of loss, both from a property and liability point of view,” Anderson says. “In many cases, we recommend such a policy through our business lines, which provides much broader coverage than a basic homeowners policy.” If you don’t notify your insurer of your business’s existence and an accident occurs, chances are you won’t be covered.

Heating fires
More than one-third of Americans use wood-burning stoves, fireplaces and other fuel-fired appliances as primary sources of home heat, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Heating fires account for 36% of residential home fires in rural areas every year. Before installing a wood stove or fireplace, notify your insurer. Some insurers may require proof of certification indicating that a stove or fireplace was installed properly. Without that, premiums can increase. Stoves must also comply with local building codes. Failure to notify your insurer of the installation could lead to a voided policy should a fire occur.

Sewer backup
The nation’s 500,000-plus miles of sewer lines are, on average, more than 30 years old. The Civil Engineering Research Foundation reports that the number of backed-up sewers is increasing at a rate of about 3% annually. Unfortunately, sewage backups — just like floods — are not covered by standard homeowners insurance policies, although the damage from one can amount to thousands of dollars. Coverage will increase your premiums.

Zip lines
Backyard zip lines — cables suspended in midair for people to slide across — have become increasingly popular and can be purchased for as little as $150. These are not the zip lines you find at resorts, but smaller ones that typically run from 100 feet to 400 feet. Injuries from one can be life-threatening if it has been strung high enough from the ground. As with treehouses, insurers look askance at zip lines because of the risk that someone will be injured; they want you to disclose if you have one and may then exclude it from your policy.

Exotic pets
According to the Captive Wild Animal Protection Coalition, more than 10,000 big cats, 8.8 million reptiles and 3,000 apes are in private hands in the U.S. Whether you have a chimp in your garage or a fondness for tarantulas, chances are that your insurer will want nothing to do with it. Expect exclusions that don’t cover the creature in the house and a separate policy to cover potential liabilities. You may be able to buy a separate exotic-pet insurance policy.