Hands on Property Blog
“Learn from someone who had to figure it out the hard way.”
Simplifying How Homes Work
Most of what I’ve learned has come from just doing the work, years of projects, time in construction, and many lessons learned along the way. I’ve also kept learning on my own. Watching video guides helped me pause, rewind, and replay until things made sense, often late at night with headphones on. That mix of hands-on experience with repeat learning has shaped how I approach property and repairs today.
Hands-On Property aims to make property ownership easier to understand. Here I share what I’ve found helps maintain homes, rentals, and homesteads, along with tools I’ve used and trust. I also talk about what I’ve noticed in real estate decisions, and always point out when you should consider getting a qualified expert to review things.
If you’ve ever wondered how to keep up with a property, pick tools that last, or manage maintenance and ownership in ways that make sense, you’re in the right place. This isn’t theory, it’s what I’ve learned doing it. But nothing here should replace the insight of someone trained in the specific area, especially for safety, major systems, or legal requirements.
“Sometimes learning the hard way is just called surviving.”
Real Estate Advice
Traditional buying and selling of real estate tips.
Rentals & Property Management
Anything to do with Renting and the tenants who you help find a home.
Home & Property Maintenance
There are so many different systems in a home that will last much longer with proper maintenance.
Tool Reviews
Tools I’d Buy Again, reviewing things I use daily, to specific task tools, I spend a lot of time investigating before I buy.
This is all of the Blog posts in order of posting.
If you just want to see what is the newest thing.
Seattle homeowner’s pre-winter checklist for a cozy, dry home
Prepare your Seattle home for winter with this pre-winter checklist. Stay cozy, dry, and stress-free while preventing leaks, drafts, and costly repairs before the cold season arrives.
Should You Wait for Rates to Drop or Buy Your Way Out of Them?
Stop waiting for rates to drop: how buying points can lower your mortgage now.
Top 10 Tools for First-Time Homeowners
Buying a home means tackling projects you never expected, and the right tools make all the difference. From a cordless drill to a level and clamps, these top 10 tools will cover almost every common task. I also share the bonus tool I use for hanging things on walls, plus tips on choosing a battery platform and which brands are worth considering. Are you Team Yellow, Red, Blue, Green, or something else?
My dog broke into the refrigerator. (sort of)
Appliance maintenance isn’t just about filters and vents anymore—especially if you live with a fluffy dog. I recently discovered that my Bernedoodle’s fuzz had made its way into the cooling fan behind my refrigerator, quietly stressing the motor and wasting energy.
Survive the Layoff: Turn Your Low-Rate Mortgage into Opportunity
Seattle homeowners with low-rate mortgages can turn their property into a rental. Learn how to generate income and preserve equity in King & Snohomish Counties.
Seattle’s Market Makeover: Buyers, It’s Your Time to Shine!
Seattle’s housing market is shifting. See how rising inventory, rate cuts, and tech layoffs are giving buyers more leverage in King and Snohomish counties.
Stop waiting for rates to drop: how buying points can lower your mortgage now.