Archives for November 2015

Everyone wants to live in their dream home at some stage in their life. However, not everyone gets the chance because they cannot buy their dream home. The price is partly to blame because a property is incredibly expensive in the modern day. But, more often than not, they don’t know what to look for in their perfect home. They don’t know what constitutes a great house because they are not real estate agents. Realtors have an expertise and experience that allows them to spot a good property a mile away because they are professionals. Here’s what they would look for in a home before they decided to make a purchase.

Price

The best home is always the most affordable. No matter what people think, they cannot live in a home they cannot afford. Rather, they can, but it will cost them a lot in the long run, and that means more than money. Obviously, the prices are quite extravagant, and there are not too many people who have hundreds of thousands in the bank. In that case, a buyer has to find the best loan option. The interest rates and the monthly repayments are always an issue and are something that needs a lot of consideration beforehand.

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Location

Prime real estate is in a great location. Buyers want to be in the mix of the action, but not too far in that they cannot get away when necessary. For example, plenty of people love big city life – going for drinks, eating out, catching a show, etc. Yet, when it comes to the end of the night, they want to go home to a nice, quiet house. The buyer has to decide what they want from the location. Do they want a relaxed atmosphere or something busier? What the commute into work? Everything needs thorough analysis when investors are looking for a near perfect property.

Schools

It is not just about the buyer, not if children are involved. The odds are that most buyers have more people to think about other than number one. When kids come into the equation, so do schools. A parent will always want the best for their children, and their education is a big part of their well being. Being closer to a good school is something that will go in the child’s favor because they are a part of the local community. Also, kids and parents don’t want to commute for half an hour on a school run every morning.

Transport Links

Being outside of the city means that a buyer needs a quick route back to town. The availability of the buses, the trains, the trams, etc. turns a good house into a great one. The homeowner doesn’t have to worry about living on the outside because it is so easy to get anywhere within a short space of time. That way, they get the best of both worlds.

Resale

A property investor should never forget the impact of the resale value. Sometimes, a buyer won’t want to stay in one place, or they might want to flip it for a profit. In that case, how much can the property go for when it goes back on the market?

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We tend to spend hours working on the inside of our homes. We spend a fortune upgrading the kitchen and renovating the living room. After all, these are the spaces we spend most of our time. But, we all tend to forget about the all-important front aspect. Wouldn’t it be nice to have the best-looking house on the street? Property developers refer to this as ‘curb-appeal’. In other words, it’s all about the first-impression your house makes. Getting it right will add value to your house. Most importantly, it will give you a sense of pride!

The roof – The roof is one of the most neglected parts of the house, and it will degrade over time. Think about it; when was the last time you updated your roofing? Perhaps you need to replace missing or wonky tiles. Perhaps the roofing parts are starting to come loose. In terms of aesthetics, make a point of cleaning out your guttering. It can easily gather excess dirt, and start to look unsightly. Eventually, this will lead to more damaging problems.

The front door – It’s the first thing you notice when you approach a house, and it makes a real statement. It’s time to make sure yours is looking its best. If you’ve got a wooden door, start with a new coat of paint. That will cover up any peeling, and hide any scratches. Next, replace the fittings for a more modern and up-to-date look. Try replacing the letterbox, the door knocker, and the house number. Make sure they match, and shine them so they glisten. Of course, you could simply replace the front door with a new alternative.

Windows – Don’t forget to keep those windows perfectly clean and shiny. Give them a regular thorough clean inside and out. Windows have a habit of collecting dust and grime, and you often won’t notice the slow build up. It’s also worth turning your attention to the window sills. If the paint is peeling, choose a bright white paint to cover it up, and bring it back to life. If the windows are particularly old and rotten, consider replacing them with double or triple glazing.

Front garden – If you’re lucky enough to have a small garden space, make sure you keep it well maintained. That means mowing and irrigating the lawn every couple of weeks, and trimming the edges to the keep it neat. Try planting flowers to mark the edges, and create border lines around the garden area. Last of all, keep any bushes and trees neatly cropped back.

Patios and paving – The final thing to do is check your driveway and paving area. If you have a path leading up to the front door, make sure it is free of weeds and cracks. You can replace broken slabs quite easily, and at an affordable price. Use a power hose to keep them clean too.

Follow this advice, and you’ll quickly create the best-looking house on the street! You’ll boost your property value, and create a fantastic first impression.

 

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Home improvement is a crucial aspect of everybody’s life. All homeowners want to live in an environment that makes them proud. And millions dedicate lots of time and money to perfecting their properties.

Sadly, very few do so in a successful manner. There are many mistakes that could be committed during this process. Choosing the right form of improvement can be harder than a first glance might suggest.

But the homeowners that do get it right will reap huge rewards. Here’s how they do it.

Prioritize Function

One of the main aspects that make a home improvement successful is good planning. As such, this means prioritizing the workload. The majority of homeowners cannot afford to make all the necessary upgrades at once. Getting the most important ones completed is a must.

This could mean renovating the kitchen, or building a more comfortable bedroom. Either way, the key is to stick with rooms that serve the biggest purpose and require the most work. After all, there’s no point improving other areas if the basics aren’t in place.

Quite frankly, prioritizing is one of the most important steps for any homeowner to take.

Go Green

Nowadays, society has more knowledge about green living than ever before. Most people appreciate the responsibilities of looking after the environment. With regards to the home, though, those upgrades can directly benefit the owner too.

A number of improvements such as better insulation will keep the property warm throughout the winter. It results in cheaper bills and fewer carbon emissions. However, one of the smartest changes is switching to an environmentally-friendly toilet. This can cut water waste by around 70% by itself.

Going green is primarily about helping the environment. Nevertheless, smart homeowners appreciate that it can work wonders for their personal circumstances too. No wonder it’s near the top of their agenda.

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Add Personality

Every homeowner wants a property that looks and feels great. But a smart one wants a home that is tailored towards their specific needs.

Making a property stand out from the crowd is one of the best ways to cement those feelings of homeliness. Luxury items like swimming ponds and garden decking are fantastic options for achieving those vibes. Anything that takes enjoyment to another level has to be considered a good move.

Without character, the property is just an empty building. Personality is what makes it a home. Those sentiments should be central to all home improvement projects.

With Money In Mind

Money isn’t the most important thing in the world. But, for most, the property signals the number one financial asset. As such, it’s important to always consider those aspects.

A smart homeowner will know when to call a professional and when to complete a DIY job. Moreover, they will understand which projects will add value to the home. Creating a better home environment remains the priority, but these aspects can have an influence.

The last thing any homeowner wants is to look back on their upgrade work with regrets.

 

Moving home can be one of the most stressful things to do. You have to try and organize everything in between work and other obligations. Whether you rent or buy, coordinating the move can be difficult and expensive. If you own your home, you have to juggle the sale and purchase of each property. And if you rent, you have to match up your old and new lease, so you always have somewhere to stay. If you’re dreading your next move, don’t get too worked up by the prospect of it. Use the tips below to take the stress out of moving and make it easier on yourself.

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Try to Avoid Deadlines

It may be easier said than done, but moving home is less stressful if you can take your time. You don’t want to feel pressured to find a new home because you can no longer stay in your old one. If you’re buying a new home, purchasing first and selling later is the better choice. If you sell first, you’ll then have new owners who are keen to get into their house. Buying first will give you plenty of time to look at homes for sale and choose one you love. When you rent, try to start searching long before your lease is up.

Hire Movers

When it’s time to start moving your things, hiring professional movers is a must. You won’t have to do any heavy lifting, and you can even get them to pack for you. On the day of the move, you can spend your time supervising and worrying about moving your family. It makes things much easier if you have children or pets you need to take care of. Before you choose your movers, make sure you get several quotes from different companies.

Make Arrangements for Kids and Pets

Trying to handle the move when you have children and animals is even harder. Both of them can get under your feet and make the process more stressful. So try to decide what to do with them before the big day. It’s often a good idea to put cats and dogs in boarding facilities for a day or two. Unfortunately, you can’t do the same with children. But you could send them to friends or their grandparents’ for the day. If that’s not possible, try getting them to help out by giving them something to be in charge of.

Get a Feel for the New Home

Before you move, try to visit your new home a few times and map out what it will look like. You might have furniture that isn’t going to fit, or you could have some great ideas for how you’re going to decorate. It will help you decide what you should leave behind and how to arrange everything when you start to move in. And it will give you the chance to start thinking about anything new you want to buy too.

Moving home doesn’t have to be stressful. It will always take effort, but you can make it easier.