April is a time for renewal, when the world bursts back into bloom. This issue of Good to Be Home offers ways to help you refresh areas of your own life with a look at unique rental properties across the United States, seasonal upgrades for your porch and patio, a guide to when to review your homeowners insurance, and savvy strategies for cutting household costs.
Bid farewell to cookie-cutter stays and traditional hotels, and instead explore the countless rentals that turn the lodging itself into a destination. Whether you crave something whimsical, serene and isolated, or eco-conscious, check out these six unique options that promise to provide a transformative experience.
With warmer weather knocking on your door, seize the opportunity to revitalize your porch or patio into an inviting haven for springtime entertaining. From simple upgrades to creative touches, the enclosed guide provides several ways to turn your outdoor space from drab to fab, creating an oasis right outside your door.
Spring-cleaning isn’t just about closets and cupboards—it also means reviewing important aspects of your home, including your homeowners insurance policy. The article inside unpacks when you should revisit your policy, such as after changes in home values or recent renovations, to better guarantee your coverage accurately reflects your current needs.
During this break between intense heating and cooling, it's an opportune time to identify ways to trim your utility bills. Discover practical energy-saving hacks for every key area, from electricity consumption to water usage. Remember, even the smallest efforts can contribute to significant savings.
Wishing you a fantastic April! As always, it's a pleasure to send you this magazine.
Traveling can be a remarkable experience, especially when the properties you stay in are astonishing destinations in themselves. Whether you are interested in whimsical charm, elevated solitude, or an eco-friendly haven, such unique rentals offer once-in-a-lifetime opportunities unlike what you could find at a standard hotel. Among the numerous options the United States has available, here are six retreats that truly redefine the art of the getaway.
Featured in season three of Magnolia Network’s Beach Cottage Chronicles, this charming tiny house overlooking Holmes Bay and the Long Point Preserve truly embraces the spirit of Maine. Beyond the cozy confines of the cottage, guests can indulge in the timeless charm of a lobster boat that’s been converted into a library and lounge. Revel in moments of literary wonder, spin records, and engage in vintage board games in this sanctuary by the sea. While not vast in space, the tranquility this property offers—coupled with its proximity to enchanting hiking trails, a secluded private beach, and serene, tourist-free coastal towns—positions it as an ideal spot for a quaint getaway at any time of the year.
This architectural masterpiece was once the residence of renowned painter Reginald Marsh, and now it invites visitors to step into a realm of artistic grandeur. The house boasts sixteen-foot ceilings and expansive windows, sitting off a private pond that serenades dwellers with a harmonious chorus of croaking frogs. Surrounded by majestic, century-old cone-shaped trees, the grounds promise an awe-inspiring backdrop that will leave you breathless.
The magnificent furnishings and intricate details throughout the estate echo the storied history of its esteemed former owner, creating a gorgeous escape that unfolds like the pages of a living magazine. Immerse yourself in the artistic legacy and timeless elegance of this distinguished residence, where every corner whispers tales of creativity and refinement, offering an unforgettable trip for those seeking an inspired sojourn in Upstate New York.
A glamping experience on the water, this floating home is the perfect option for a quick trip with a significant other. Because it’s set out in the harbor, visitors are able to fully immerse themselves in the vibrant ecosystem of Key West, especially upon taking advantage of the provided inflatable paddleboards and snorkel gear. Picture waking up to playful dolphins, swimming alongside graceful sea turtles, and perhaps even spotting an elusive shark from the patio.
Naturally, the home is only accessible by boat shuttle, requiring you to book passage for your arrival, departure, and any other trips to the mainland during your stay. But the effort is well worth it to experience the unparalleled blend of luxury and nature this buoyant gem offers, allowing you to create memories that drift beyond the ordinary.
Nestled in the northwestern outskirts of Austin, the Bloomhouse resembles a giant porcelain seashell, which helps it claim its place as one of America’s most interesting residences. This extraordinary dwelling’s design seamlessly blurs the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living, inviting guests to retreat from the everyday hustle and bustle and embrace all that nature has to offer. Enjoy the remarkable view of the hills of West Austin over a morning cup of coffee, savor a meal on the large outdoor patio, or even take a quick rinse in the refreshing back-porch shower.
With its absence of straight lines (apart from the sliding back doors), the home’s curvilinear designs create whimsical architectural elements unlike any other, including the twisting fireplace, sloping indoor shower, bone-like shelving, and much more. It’s a fantastical escape where it may feel likely that at any moment, a magical creature could come galloping across the grounds. The height of extravagence, the Bloomhouse is guaranteed to be a fairy-tale-esque experience for every visitor.
Embark on an off-the-grid retreat with this exceptional New Mexico home, designed for a brief reprieve from the chaos of modern life. It is sustainable living at its finest, where solar power, water harvesting, and an integrated greenhouse coalesce to form an eco-friendly sanctuary you won’t want to miss.
Conscious consumption is encouraged here, requiring mindfulness during your stay, but the reward is vast. Gaze through expansive windows to behold crystal-clear skies during both the tranquil mornings and enchanting nights. Whether you choose to hunker down alone or connect with loved ones, this dwelling invites you to embrace the serenity of both self-discovery and Mother Nature’s unspoiled beauty.
Crafted as an homage to the US Forest Service’s fire-lookout towers of the early 1900s, this lofty home stands as a testament to adventure and exploration. Approximately thirty minutes from the nearest town, it is perched forty feet above the ground, commanding a stunning view of its 160 acres of private land and the pristine beauty of the surrounding Umpqua National Forest.
The tower is more than just a retreat—it’s an elevated sojourn into solitude and natural wonder that fully embraces the tranquility of the great outdoors. An important note: it is only available for booking from April through mid-November, making it a seasonal treasure for those seeking a limited-time escape. Even still, visitors are guaranteed to make memories that last a lifetime.
These six extraordinary rentals redefine the essence of a getaway, inviting you to transcend the conventional and embark on a journey where the lodging becomes an experience all its own. But these are only a sampling of the endless exciting abodes available for rent across the nation—with a little research, you’re sure to find the one that perfectly suits your next adventure.
Now that spring has sprung, it’s the perfect time to update your porch or patio. Although doing so will likely involve a few weekend hours and perhaps even some elbow grease, you’ll be happy you put in the effort once you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the beauty of the space.
Pollen and dirt can quickly accumulate on outdoor surfaces and items, so the first step is tidying up. As feasible, remove everything from your porch or patio, including furniture and flowerpots, and then give the area a good sweep with a broom or blast with a leaf blower. Once any loose debris has been removed, scrub all surfaces with soapy water and a mop or large sponge; you could also tackle them with a pressure washer for a deeper clean.
Before returning furniture to the space, remove dirt from these pieces with a soft-bristled brush or a vacuum. (Just make sure you’re gentle with certain surfaces and fabrics, such as painted wood and natural wicker, to avoid causing damage.) If your pillows and cushions are made from hardy all-weather materials, you can scour them with water and soap before rinsing them and letting them air dry.
Now that everything is spruced up, you can identify quick and inexpensive upgrades that can easily improve your spaces’ overall appeal. For instance, if the color of your front door has faded, give it a refresh by lightly sanding it and brushing on a semigloss exterior paint that can stand up to the elements. Or create a new look for your concrete porch by staining, painting, or stenciling it with a beautiful pattern. Other options you could try include replacing your house numbers, upgrading your lighting, or simply implementing a new color scheme through your decor. Seasonally appropriate combinations to consider are black with daisy yellow or even grassy green with brown.
Adding inviting touches to your entryway is an easy way to prep your porch or patio for the season. Try placing a spring-themed welcome mat by your front door or layering one over an outdoor area rug with a complementary color or pattern. To continue the welcoming vibe after the sun goes down, include some colorful metal lanterns or twinkling string lights that can brighten the space and make your other decor pop.
Furthermore, nothing says “spring” like flowers—there are numerous ways to incorporate them in your outdoor spaces. Hot-glue fabric tulips to a grapevine wreath to place on your front or back door, or hang a basket filled with faux springtime florals from an over-the-door hook. For a more natural touch, fill pots with fresh blooms like marigolds, geraniums, pansies, and ivy to place anywhere on your porch or patio; you could also add hanging baskets with petunias and begonias for a low-effort impact.
To get the most out of your outdoor areas, you’ll want a comfortable spot to sit and perhaps a table for enjoying a meal or setting down a cool drink. If you already have furniture, arrange it to suit your needs, whether you want a place to entertain or simply to enjoy the lovely weather. If you don’t have furnishings, search out inexpensive pieces to fill the space; a bistro set, porch rocker, or small bench would work great if you don’t have much room. Choose weather-resistant cushions to ensure longevity, and maybe even add a woven blanket and a throw pillow or two for extra coziness.
Your porch or patio may be worse for wear after winter, but you’ll find that even just a little cleaning and decorating can create a vibrant look and feel to help you usher in the lovely spring season.
Homeowners insurance is not merely a luxury—it is a financial safety net to protect against the costs of repairing or replacing assets damaged by unforeseen events like fire, theft, or flood. However, what was adequate coverage in the past may no longer be sufficient today; it may even be excessive, inflating your insurance premiums unnecessarily. If any of the following factors have changed recently, now may be the time to review your policy to ensure it properly suits your needs.
In most states, insurance providers utilize a credit-based insurance score to assess the risk of insuring you. This assessment is based not on your ability to pay your premiums but rather on the likelihood of you filing claims since individuals with lower scores tend to do so more than those with higher ones. While your insurance score does not factor in your credit score, it is calculated using the same information, so if the latter is higher, you can safely assume the former is as well. As such, if your credit score has improved since you first purchased your policy, you may want to request a reassessment of your insurance score from your insurer or shop around for better quotes to potentially reduce your costs.
Before your insurer will pay for any damages or losses to your home or personal property or for injury-related claims, you’ll be required to pay an out-of-pocket expense called a deductible. As with most other types of insurance policies, the lower your deductible, the higher your premium will be and vice versa. Though opting for a higher deductible can save you money in the short term, it’s crucial to ensure you have enough financial reserves to cover the deductible amount should you need to file a claim. If, for example, you just had to pay a big expense, you may no longer have those important funds, prompting you to consider lowering your deductible, at least until you can build them back up.
Though your employment typically doesn’t factor into your homeowners insurance, there are a couple of instances where it may impact it. First, if you start a home-based business, you’ll need to notify your insurer and potentially increase your coverage. The average homeowners policy provides only about $2,500 in coverage for business equipment, so if you want to insure any inventory or protect against liability or lost income, you’ll need to take out a separate policy, such as a businessowners policy. Moreover, once you retire, your insurance company might reduce your premiums since being at home more frequently lowers the chances of burglaries and increases the likelihood of detecting and addressing potential issues, like a burst pipe, before they become more costly problems.
Many insurance providers offer attractive premium discounts to homeowners who modernize their homes with the latest technologies and features. These cost-saving measures include updating your electrical wiring, installing a security system, and adding smart-home technology such as smart locks, water- and gas-leak detection systems, or even freezing pipe sensors—especially crucial for those in colder climates. Furthermore, if you live in a region more susceptible to wind-related damage or natural disasters, you may experience additional savings by installing shatterproof glass windows and storm shutters. Regardless of any discount, though, always promptly notify your insurer anytime you make such upgrades to ensure your policy covers the cost of replacing them.
Making significant home improvements, such as increasing your square footage by adding a screened-in patio or extra bedroom, will require you to reassess your coverage. Even for projects that do not modify the blueprint, like a kitchen renovation or finishing your basement, you’ll want to update your policy so your coverage encompasses these larger-scale improvements and accurately aligns with the replacement cost.
Most homeowners insurance policies include liability coverage that will pay (once you’ve met your deductible) for injury-related incidents experienced by you, another household member, or a nonhousehold member. Therefore, if there have been significant changes to who lives in your home—an older parent moving in or a child moving out, for example—you may need to change your policy. Also, be aware that some insurance companies will not insure certain breeds of dogs they consider dangerous. Communicate with your agent in advance if you plan to get a new pet to understand the extent of your policy coverage.
Acquiring valuables such as jewelry, artwork, or antiques, whether through purchase or inheritance, may necessitate adjusting your homeowners insurance policy to accurately reflect their replacement value and ensure they fall within your coverage limits. Conversely, if you part with valuables that are currently insured, you should adjust your policy to help reduce your premiums.
Over time, market trends can lead to fluctuations in your home’s value, making it a good idea to contact your real estate agent periodically to stay informed of any significant shifts in home prices in your neighborhood. If notable changes have occurred, you can update your policy so your coverage accurately reflects the current market value of your home.
An up-to-date homeowners policy can provide peace of mind, but only as long as it fits your coverage and budget needs. Make it a practice to review your policy annually, familiarize yourself with all its terms and conditions, and notify your agent whenever you make significant changes to your home. Even small adjustments can make a valuable difference in the long run.
When examining your budget for places to cut back, you may first look at expenditures like daily coffees, meals out on the town, or impulse buys. But unlike these delightful indulgences, some expenses rack up your monthly costs while offering you little in return. Perhaps the most variable of these are your utility bills. In fact, Forbes research found that the average American household spends $429.33 per month, or $5,151.96 per year, on utilities alone. Whether flawed equipment, outdated technology, or plain-old wasteful habits are responsible for cranking up these costs, taking the following steps could add up to serious savings.
Depending on your usage behaviors and where you live, your home energy costs could be as expensive as your other utilities combined, so finding methods to reduce your electric bills can make a tremendous impact.
Modernize machinery
Upgrade to appliances with the Energy Star label, which indicates they are high-efficiency products offering greater power perks. You can find this sticker on just about every type of household machine there is, including dishwashers, dehumidifiers, small kitchen appliances, and even computers. Since swapping out every bit of technology in your home can be tremendously expensive, budget for them when possible, starting with major energy consumers like the refrigerator and air-conditioning unit. In the long run, these items could pay for themselves many times over with substantial electricity savings.
Illuminate for less
Rethink your light sources, swapping as many bulbs as you can with efficient Energy Star LEDs to sharply reduce your energy use in every room. Installing features like sensors and dimmers can also help prevent wasteful lighting.
Opt for off mode
Phantom energy loss is about as unwelcome as it sounds. This is when electronics that remain plugged in continue to consume energy even when they aren’t in use. While you shouldn’t necessarily go on a disconnecting spree in your home—you’re better off leaving major appliances like your dishwasher connected at all times, for instance—you can unplug charging devices, entertainment equipment, and small kitchen appliances once you’re done with them. Also consider getting smart power strips that will automatically cut electricity flow to outlets when they sense plugged-in devices are off, reducing energy waste and saving cash without you needing to lift a finger.
Schedule an audit
Did you know that some electric companies provide access to power- and money-saving tools? Many local services offer free electricity audits, or comprehensive reviews of your household power needs. In this appointment, a specialist will visit your home to identify causes of energy loss, such as flawed electrical equipment or inefficient building materials, after which they can recommend efficiency improvements.
Air-conditioning is essential for beating the heat, but the bill for this comfort can certainly make you sweat. According to Forbes, running just a small central AC unit can cost an average of $1,200 to $1,800 per year—and these days, many homes have large or multiple systems that may require tremendous energy, leading to an even heftier utility bill. You might also exceed these averages if you own an older, inefficient unit or practice wasteful habits that may counteract this appliance’s hard work.
To get the most out of your AC for less, keep window treatments and interior doors closed whenever possible, switch on the ceiling fan before turning down the thermostat, and replace your air filters regularly. Additionally, your AC maintenance company shouldn’t just be an emergency contact; schedule visits at least once a year so a professional can clean the unit’s internal components, refill vital fluids, and conduct other performance-boosting tasks.
Ultimately, though, one of the best ways to save on air-conditioning is to install a programmable thermostat, which enables you to set an automatic schedule for increasing the target temperature after sundown and while you’re away, giving your AC unit some much-needed rest. Once again, look for that glorious Energy Star label. To go the extra mile, consider hiring a home contractor or aforementioned energy auditor to identify culprits that may be leaking cool air, such as drafty windows, poor insulation, or dusty ducts. You may need to hire separate specialists for tasks like ventilation cleaning and window repairing, but these investments can sharply increase AC performance for fantastic monthly savings during warm-weather months.
Your water usage can really drain resources—and heft from your wallet. Here are some simple ways to better conserve water at home.
Empty or full?
Dishwashers and washing machines dispense several gallons of water per cycle, no matter what’s inside, so try to only run these appliances with full loads. Additionally, avoid handwashing items as much as possible since this can waste more water per minute than running automatic wash sessions.
Low-flow fixtures
Certain bathroom and sink fixtures are designed to achieve the right balance of low-flow and practical performance, reducing water waste without making you feel like you’re scrubbing your hands in a rainforest mist. For example, faucets with the WaterSense label can save up to 30 percent more water, while similarly labeled showerheads can save an average family 2,700 gallons per year. (Don’t forget the energy reduction on generating hot water too.) Yet despite this enormous impact, you may not even notice the difference until your bill arrives.
Thrifty toilets
As helpful as swapping your sink and shower fixtures may be, upgrading your toilets can lead to even greater results. According to the EPA, these major offenders may be responsible for as much as 30 percent of your indoor water use, and replacing yours with WaterSense models could save up to 13,000 gallons per year!
While there is no substitute for eliminating wasteful behaviors—we’re looking at you, people who give imaginary concerts in the shower—taking the above steps can reward you with significant monthly savings. Best of all, you lose neither convenience nor comfort when you adopt these habits, making them a win-win all around.
