SkyFive Properties Blog

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The home is the most important place for people. It is a place where we can relax and spend time with our family and friends. But, we should prepare for dangers because they might happen at any time. The most common types of threats to in-home safety are burglars, fires, and other natural disasters.

What are some ways to keep your home safe? For the prevention of burglaries, people can install locks on doors and windows, use sensors in doors and windows, or use alarms enabled by wireless security systems when going out, etc. Other than that, one should also be prepared for fire emergencies such as installing an alarm system or extinguisher or stocking up on fire-retardant materials such as blankets or dry chemical extinguishers to put out small fires before they spread.

But let’s take a look at the four tips you might want to focus on the most

Tip 1 – Being Vigilant & Staying Safe

In this day and age, it is essential to be vigilant and take precautions to protect your home. Make sure to stay alert at all times while you are at home. This means being aware of what’s going on around you and not letting yourself be distracted from watching out for anything that seems out of place or suspicious.

Next, you might want to think about keeping protection in the house. Look for the Best Non-Lethal Weapons that you can get for this. You should also keep in the loop with what is going on in your neighborhood by joining a neighborhood watch group or other organizations that help look out for each other’s homes, children, pets, and so on.

Tip 2 – Install Motion Sensors

Motion sensors automatically turn on the light when there is movement nearby. The sensors can be installed in a way that is easy to detect and they are also highly efficient. When the motion sensor detects any movement nearby, it switches on the lights and it does not require any manual activation.

Motion sensor lights are usually placed at an area where there is a high chance of someone entering and exiting such as entrances and hallways. It also helps if the area surrounding the sensor is well lit for better detection. They can be a great way to get lights on for security reasons when someone is on or close to your property.

Tip 3 – Install Deadbolt Locks on Doors

Homeowners can install deadbolt locks on their doors for added security. Deadbolt locks are more secure than the standard doorknob lock. A deadbolt lock is a more secure way to protect your home against burglars because it has a metal bar that slides into the door frame on both sides of the door, which prevents someone from being able to open it from the outside without a key.

Deadbolts also have higher break-in ratings than other common locks. They may be considered less convenient than electronic locks, but they are cheaper and easier to change in case of emergencies or break-ins.

Tip 4 – Install Camera System with Audio Capabilities

It is important to install a security camera system in order to see who is trying to break into your house or yard. If you have a hard time installing the cameras yourself, then you should call in professionals. Installing cameras with audio capabilities will allow you to hear what is happening outside your house, which can help alert you if there are any intruders.

Although we rarely notice them, the tell-tale signs for a home upgrade are quite clear. Perhaps the neighborhood is changing, and the place doesn’t feel quite at home.

Whatever the reason, these subtle signals often prove that you need an upsize from your current residence. Here are four of the most potent signs in that respect.

A Change of Need

Change comes in various ways, and most times, it calls for a shift in thinking and action as well. Maybe you initially moved into your current residence as a bachelor, but you now have a family. Your current house’s demands might be insufficient to accommodate everyone’s needs and as such an upgrade is essential.

If you didn’t own a pet during your initial move and now feel the need to adopt one, then a change of space is vital. You might want to consider moving into a house with features like glass barn doors that facilitate easy movement.

Regardless of the circumstance, your needs will always determine the kind of space you deserve.

The Market Looks Good

If you’ve been entertaining the idea of an upgrade but didn’t get a chance, an ideal situation may present itself. With the housing market in a state of constant shift, a once in a lifetime opportunity might come along.

For example, a homeowner may be in dire need of cash as they are willing to sell the house at a bargain. It is better to purchase the home but remain alert of red flags within the property in such circumstances.

Other indications that the market is favorable include:

Buyers’ Market being Dominant

The conditions during a buyers’ market favor the purchase of property in the real estate industry. Low mortgage rates, reduced property prices are some of the signals of a prevailing buyers’ market.

Tax Rates are Low

During times of economic recession, the government introduces stiff tax rates for every industry, including real estate, and as such, these periods are not the best time to upgrade.

Purchase Change

When you first moved, you probably only had basic furniture in your home. However, after settling in, your immediate purchases grew, and their sizes along with them making the house feel cramped.

Such a change in consumption often prompts an upgrade of straying residence for better comfort.

Increase in Income

At your workplace, you might be doing significantly well to deserve a raise. An increase in earnings often means higher disposable income that you can invest in a better house.

With more money, your tastes and preferences improve, including staying residence.

Conclusion

As humans, we have an insistent need to progress our lives. Homes remain essential, and as such, the desire for better living spaces is always there. However, every few people notice the signs showing it’s time to upgrade their current residence.

Begin taking note of changes in your needs, the market, purchase change and increase in income to know the best time to upgrade your house.

Selling your home can be emotionally draining and time-consuming. And most of the time, it feels awkward because strangers will come into your house to look around. Others will criticize the design and even offer less money than the value of your home.

With no experience and a substantial financial transaction on your hands, it is easy to make costly mistakes. Your home is the most expensive item you’ll ever sell. And a simple mistake can drop a bomb on your financial goals.

But with some knowledge, it’s possible to avoid these snares.

• Ignoring Home-Selling Costs

Selling a house means you’ll get the cash, and someone gets the house, and that’s it! Sadly, this is not the case. Not preparing for expenses associated with the home-selling process is a big mistake.

Surprisingly, the cost of selling a home is approximately 15% of the selling price. So, if you’re selling a house at $400,000, you may incur about $60,000 to cover selling costs. That might sound a lot, but the costs change based on various factors.

Some of the selling costs include:

• Agent Commission – The listing agents will need some commission, and you, as the seller you have to cater for this cost. According to several real estate websites, the cost might be about 6% of the home price.

Is it worth it? Definitely! A reliable agent will help you meander through a cumbersome selling process. More so, they can help you negotiate a better price, enough to cover the selling expenses.

• Staging Costs – Home staging is where you display your house to entice buyers. It’s worth the effort because it will fetch you more money. On average, a staged home sell 88% faster than non-staged homes.

As you stage your home, ensure you take account of the target market. Keep the décor neutral but don’t be afraid to use some solid colors. Declutter as the clutter makes people feel uncomfortable.

Make sure you remove personal items such as pictures, framed certificates, family plaques, among many others. Finally, never put an empty house on the market. Selling a vacant home is challenging.

With all these activities, you must incur costs.

• Closing Costs – These expenses include a title transfer fee, sales tax, attorney fee, and a title company. The expenses are usually 1-3% of the selling price.
• Your Next Home – Selling your home means moving to another house. Whether you’re sizing down or up, ensure you can cater for your new house expenses.
• Moving Expenses– Relocation is a stressful affair, whether local or international. The cost will depend on the distance, the weight of your items, and hiring movers. And if you’re moving to a new home, you’ll be forced to account for warehouse and rental fees.

• Selling it by Yourself

“For sale by owner,” popularly known as FSBO, might seems like an exciting way to save some bucks. After all, hiring real estate agents will cost about 5-6% of the selling price. Given the percentage, you might think acting your own seller is worth the savings.

Unfortunately, you may end up losing more. The buyer’s agent understands that there is no professional on the other end. The agent may discourage making an offer citing risk and hassles.

More so, you might not be able to negotiate for a better price, forcing you to sell the house at a snow-ball price.

Real estate is a full-time job. It’s cumbersome, complicated, and time-consuming. Will you be able to rush home every time a potential client wants to inspect the house?

Will you have ample time to market your home out of a busy schedule? Do you have experience in marketing homes? Probably, no.

An agent is working full-time and will cater for all errands. They will meet potential buyers at any time of the day. Agents are professional and knowledgeable in this field.

Agents access large networks, and they can sell your home pretty fast and at a great price.

• Failure to Repair Your Home

Buyers look for homes that need few or no repairs at all. A little prevention will spare you from reselling your home at an extremely low cost or watching a buyer walk away. The renovation will also enhance the value of your house.

Ensure kitchen appliances such as dishwasher, microwave, and refrigerator are in good shape. The bathroom and kitchen cabinets should be free of water damage. Water features must run leak-free, and drains should operate clear and free.

Repair nail holes and dents in the drywall. You can paint your walls to freshen up your room. From carpet to laminate, everything should be in excellent condition.

When it comes to the exterior, Ensure the doors and all codes are functional. The handles and weatherstripping should be intact. Repair the windows and replace them when necessary.

You can use casement windows, which offer superior ventilation, better views, and excellent security. There should be no missing tiles, ridge caps, or shingles. Fix any damage, blisters, cracks, and bubbles.

• Not Using Authentic Photos
  

Technology advancement makes buyers cruise for houses from the couch. Research shows that most home buyers found their homes online. Therefore, your photos online should be authentic.

It can be disappointing to find a house in lousy shape, yet the pictures show no faults. If you post false images, the client will walk away. That’s why the photos should be a true reflection of the home in question.

Invest in a good camera to take crystal clear images. Alternatively, you can hire a pro who will make your house shine on camera.

• Setting Unrealistic Price
  

Setting the right price is critical, whether you’re selling it yourself or working with an agent. Unrealistic prices will only drive potential buyers away. You may also not sell the house at all.

Conduct a market analysis and determine the right price tag to put on your home. Buyers also know the market prices, so you should be ahead of the curve.

The Bottom Line 

Selling your home can be unnerving. Being a significant financial decision, you must ensure you avoid the above mistakes, lest you dive into financial pitfalls. Set the right price, market your home and work closely with a professional.

Real estate is an exceptionally effective way of making money, with numerous forms of doing so. With demand for housing increasing – even while in the middle of a pandemic – we believe that the coming year will be one of the hottest of real estate ever.

If you are seeking ways to cash in on this demand, there is no better time. Investing in real estate pays off in the long-term and is a viable investment option. To find out more about the ways that you can make money in real estate, keep reading! Detailed below are a handful of ways to do just that.

Increasing Property Value

One of the biggest, and most common ways to make money from real estate, is by increasing the value of a property through buying and selling, also known as appreciation. Appreciation of property happens in different ways for different property types; there is no one-size-fits-all method of creating income through property investment. Appreciation of a property can include the location and any renovations that have taken place, like developments or improvements.

Flipping a property is a way of increasing the value of a property and is a term that many home developments and improvers use at present; people will purchase properties that are run-down for a low price. They then fix the property up and will sell for a profit. This can be a fun and creative way of making money from real estate and is accessible to many, mainly if you have the funds.

Buying and Holding Properties

Another popular way of making money in real estate, and we think that most of you have heard of it. Buying and holding a property comes in various forms, including purchasing a property and then renting it out to a family yourself. The payments that would come as a form of rent would contribute to and cover the mortgage costs and other associated fees. While there is the option to manage and maintain the property yourself, some property investors choose to hire an external company to do that for them instead.

Income from Other Real Estate Operations

As mentioned previously, the appreciation that results from the property depends on the property itself, and this is especially important for those investing in commercial properties. If you own businesses like hotels, you will naturally accrue more income from the add-ons included within the day-to-day costs of running a hotel.

There is a lot to understand about the world of real estate. If you are interested in finding out more about how to do that or how you would go about being a real estate agent, check out companies like Agent Advice. Providing all you need to know about the property world, you are sure to be on the road to making money in real estate in no time.

Furthermore, many real estate agents invest in property themselves, as they understand the ins and out of the industry like no other. You will be earning money from selling houses, investing money earned into flipping houses, then making a further profit on selling the property. What isn’t to love?!

Whether your house has been on the market a week or a year there are always ways to make it more appealing to buyers. And raise the market value in the process. You’ll be even more pleased to hear that there are ways to do this without spending a lot of money.

As you have clearly already discovered (because you’re reading this article) the internet is crammed full of useful advice. If you need any more help preparing your home for the market, check out http://thehomedweller.com/. Even this old DIY expert learned a few new things on their site.

Want to learn more about increasing the market value of your home, on a budget? Read on…

#1- Install new taps

This first hack is so simple and will take less than five minutes, but it will win over potential buyers.

No matter how old your sinks and bathtubs look, the right taps can take them from looking outdated to intentionally vintage.

If you’re feeling adventurous why not try installing gold or brass colored taps and add a little glamour back into your bathroom.

Bonus tip – whilst you’re at it why don’t you redo the grouting around your bath and sink.

#2 – Paint your tiles

This next hack is going to shock you. Hate the color of your bathroom tiles? Want something more trendy, but can’t afford to place the whole room’s worth?

Pick yourself up a tin of tile paint. Yes, that’s right you can get paint designed especially to go over tiles. Meaning that you can change the colors of your bathroom as often as you like. Without having to worry about buying new tiles or hiring someone to install them.

#3 – Install a backsplash

We love this hack as it requires so little work, and can completely change the vibe of your kitchen.

Installing a ‘backsplash’ above your kitchen countertops can be a great way to change how the room looks. Pick a color that you think will make your kitchen look as desirable as possible and off you go!

Can’t afford new tiles? Why not reuse your tile paint from tip #2 and repurpose some sad-looking older tiles.

#4 – Hang up more mirrors

This is a hack that we’ve taken straight from the handbook of an award-winning interior designer.

Mirror, mirror on the wall, is it true you can really sell my home?

Well, it turns out that mirrors really can make your homes a lot more appealing to buyers. Not only do they make rooms lighter and brighter but they also give rooms the illusion of being bigger.

Paint the frames of your mirrors white to give an even bigger impression of spaciousness.

#5 – Repaint your front door

All you’ll need for this next hack is a paintbrush, some newspaper, and a set of great tunes to keep you going.

Studies have shown that the three most attractive door colors to buyers are Teal, Bright Red, and White. Why not give your door a new lick of paint, polish your letterbox, and try adding a new door knocker.

It’s the little touches that make the big differences.

#6 – Add more plants

This is one of those rare hacks that is as equally appropriate to the inside of your house as it is to the outside.

Let’s start by talking about how more plants can help the outside of your house. Note, that when we say more plants we don’t mean overgrown gardens, what we mean are well-loved and neatly trimmed plants. Add some hanging baskets around your newly painted front door. Dig up some of your paving and put a lawn in. Add a climbing plant to hide your rundown fence. Create a little heaven in the middle of your city.

Plants can also make a huge difference indoors. They can brighten up an office or make a bathroom feel more like a spa. They’ll also improve the air quality of the rooms, and you’ll have someone to talk to.

#7 – Repaint your window frames

Our final hack is a pretty simple one, but it will strike your potential buyers as soon as they set eyes on your house.

Fashions have changed in the last few years, where dark window frames used to be in, now white is the color of choice. That’s not to say you have to go with something so basic. Go for a drive around your neighborhood and check out what color the coolest looking houses are using.

Both in a personal and professional context, property can be an incredibly powerful thing, filled with deep potential and meaning.

On a personal level, the property we own affects multiple dimensions of our everyday lives. The environments we raise our families in. How productive we can be at work if we are entrepreneurs. Even how our social lives play out, and how healthy we are over time.

In a professional, financial context, property often represents the sum total of a person’s investment portfolio.

Wise – or lucky – property investment has made fortunes for all sorts of people. But mismanagement of property – and poor skills or instincts as a landlord – has caused endless headaches and dramas.

There’s a lot that goes into ensuring that you are in the best possible position for managing your property. For one thing, it really helps to be aware of potentially pertinent local legislation. If you know how to stop foreclosure in Texas, for example, that insight could be a game-changer. A lot depends on your specific circumstances.

While specifics will vary from person to person and case to case, here are some tips for avoiding common property-related woes.

Conduct a thorough inspection of any property you’re planning on buying, in advance

It might be that a property in a particular location is immediately appealing to you.

Maybe it seems – at first glance – to “tick all your boxes.” The right location, the right size, Good lighting – including well-placed windows – and so on.

While your initial instinct about a property is something you shouldn’t ignore, however, it’s not the whole picture either.

Unfortunately, unscrupulous sellers do exist, and they will often superficially “paper over” real issues.

If you jump onto the property after only a cursory inspection, you put yourself at real risk of exploitation. Even if there isn’t any deliberately nefarious activity going on, there’s still a lot that can be missed.

Even though it will likely seem very inconvenient in one sense, you need to conduct a thorough inspection of a property before buying. Particularly for larger and pricier properties, this will mean involving your own surveyor, among other things. It’s also important to pay attention to the paperwork, and make sure that everything is “accounted for.”

Especially if you are new to property investment, it’s natural That you will be exuberant and restless. But one thing that consistently separates the successful from everyone else in the world of property, is patience and an eye for detail.

Always be very skeptical if you’re being subjected to artificial pressure concerning a property you are thinking about buying

It’s natural for property in a prime location to be competitive. In other words, you shouldn’t expect a great place, in a great location, to stay on the market for too long.

Nonetheless, two essential skills that everyone involved in the property needs to develop are timing and patience.

One of the most immediate and blatant of all red flags is sellers who try to artificially ramp up pressure for a sale.

For example; you are attending a private viewing for a property, but find you are “accidentally” double-booked with someone else. On the surface, this may seem innocent. But unless the seller is unusually amateur or clumsy, you can count on it being a calculated strategy. After all, if there are two or more “competitors” viewing a property at once, thoughtful consideration naturally decreases.

Instead, an element of desperation can kick in, and decisions can be made in haste.

All too often, this is the kind of thing that sellers are directly looking for. It is always in the interests of a buyer to consider a decision carefully, and to investigate as much as possible. But it is virtually always in the interest of the seller to push for a quick sale with as little scrutiny as possible.

Whenever you encounter these sorts of dubious psychological tricks, be on guard. In fact, you might want to outright head in the opposite direction.

At the very least, refuse to be nudged into impulsive high-pressure property purchases. The more you can keep your cool and act thoughtfully and strategically, the better by far for you.

If you end up being tricked into buying a property without doing your due diligence, trouble’s almost guaranteed. Whether in the form of dubious legalities, shoddy repair jobs, problem neighbors, etc.

Ensure that any property you are thinking about buying abides by legal regulations, and that the documents match the layout

One thing that can easily get you into trouble when buying a property, is if the property isn’t legally fully “above board.”

Often, it will be difficult to tell at a glance that something is awry. But, if you look at the documentation for the property including the schematic and floor plan, you can learn a lot.

Have there been extensions built on the property which aren’t marked on the relevant documents? If so, what’s the explanation for that? Is the paperwork out of date? Is the correct paperwork missing? Has an extension been built on the property illegally and not declared? If the extension is supposedly legal, where is the proof, in writing?

People often “bend the rules” with properties, and hope to pass them on before anything comes to a head. But even if it’s a “normal thing” for the rules to be bent in the area, that can be a real problem for you. Anything that isn’t perfectly above board in the clearest terms makes you potentially liable.

Out of all the things that can cause you an immense headache, legal property issues are among the most serious. You certainly don’t want to go straight from feeling awesome about your new acquisition, to having to attend court the very next day.

It should go without saying that your lawyer should review any and all property documents. Ensure that you know exactly what you’re getting into upfront.

Properties that have been built in contravention of regulations, or where rules have been bent, risk totally ruining you. This is true with regards to your money and your time, but it goes beyond that. Your reputation is on the line, and so is the potential health and safety of future tenants.

Set careful standards for prospective tenants, before renting a property

Many new landlords begin their careers full of enthusiasm and optimism – only to then land a bad tenant.

In most places in the developed world, laws protecting tenants are stringent. This is a good thing since no one wants to return to a time of Dickensian landlords. But these protections unfortunately can be – and often are – abused by bad tenants.

It is hardly uncommon for landlords to encounter tenants who disrespect the property or outright stop paying the rent with no warning. While there is no perfect formula for completely mitigating the risks, there are certain pre-emptive steps to take.

First and foremost, don’t be careless when beginning to rent out your property. At the start of the process, you have all the power when it comes to choosing a tenant. But once the tenant is on your property, getting them evicted can be a real problem.

What you have to do is to set careful standards and criteria for your prospective tenants. People who come with good references, who have families and stable employment, are typically golden. This is because they come pre-approved, and have “skin in the game.” It is likely to be against their own interests to be bad tenants.

Wherever possible, make a point of meeting your prospective tenants before renting to them. This should, of course, be done in addition to seeing their references, proof of identity, and so on.

If you rent out a large number of properties, are overseas, or are otherwise unavailable, get someone to meet the tenant on your behalf. Someone you can trust, and who ideally has experience in property management.

Perhaps the main reason why many landlords choose to work through letting agencies, is precise because of problem tenants. When working with an agency, it is the job of the agency to chase up tenants and handle these sorts of issues.

Of course, working with an agency involves other fees and complexities as well.

Keep the curb appeal of your property up consistently

Virtually nothing is likely to tank the resale value of your home quite like letting the curb appeal down.

Even if the interior of your property is absolutely immaculately maintained, external appearance matters.

Ensure that street-facing elements of your home, in particular, are Immaculate. Particularly if you are planning to sell or let the property, get the place freshly painted, and fix any cosmetic issues.

While the property is certainly more than its facade, the facade largely drives the market and consumer decisions.

In this regard, it may also be important to keep your property looking “fashionable.” Certain looks and features are timeless, but if the property seems dated to the 1970s, it may not be an easy sell in the 2020’s.

Moving house is one of the most stressful things that you can do as there is all manner of arrangements. You must pack items, arrange schedules, and complete necessary legal work.

The uncertainty about what will happen next and inevitable human anxieties can play a pivotal role in adding to the stress of moving. You become naturally attached to the place where you live which makes moving an understandably stressful situation.

In a wide-ranging survey, 62% of people stated that moving home was their most stressful experience. It doesn’t need to be however and there are some things you can do before, during, and after a move to alleviate stress:

• Organize your move as best you can
• Get help with moving
• Take essentials with you

As with anything in life, organization is key to success and getting friends or relatives to help you can ease any burdens. Your utilities or things you need might not be ready so pack some essentials that you need and make them as accessible as possible.

Organize Your Move as Best You Can

Preparation is a key component of a smooth transition from home to the next. One of the most helpful things you can do is to organize to the best of your ability to help ease your move.

A great starting point is to actually begin with the house you are moving to. If it is not empty then look around and remove anything you don’t need. This will be easier since you will not have any attachments to any of the furniture already there. Check everywhere, including drawers, the basement and the attic.

Clearing out your new home will make it ready to receive your possessions and you can now begin to think about where they will go. You can either get rid of items from the new house or donate them if they are in good enough condition.

For items that you are taking with you, place them in clearly labeled boxes and group them by room. For example, place all of your bedroom linens, lamps, and pillows in boxes labeled bedroom/pillows and place them together. This will be a great help when unloading.

Get Help with Moving

Whatever you do, don’t try to do all the moving on your own as this will cause undue stress. Almost always, moving from one home to another is a lot more work than you initially anticipate. Getting someone to help you, even if it’s just one person can be a huge relief and it can be fun.

If you have a lot of items, and most people do, then the car alone won’t be enough. If this is the case then hiring a self-drive van or a professional team like those found at www.thissideupmoving.com will take a lot of the workload from you. As well as loading and unloading, most of these companies also offer packing services.

Being organized, as mentioned earlier, makes this process a lot easier. Getting friends or family involved in loading and unloading a van is a great social experience. You will get to see those you care about while you are in the process which helps with the stress.

Ordering a pizza or some snacks while you get everything into your new home is a great ice breaker between you and your new property. The first meal in a new home can be a fun experience, even if you have no dining table.

Take Essentials with You

One of the things you should be most aware of is that appliances and utilities might not be ready as soon as you move in. Even if they are, it could take you days to unpack your stuff and get everything where it needs to be.

This is why it is important that you pack any essential items into an overnight bag or clearly labeled and accessible boxes. Things like women’s products, medication, toothpaste, and soap are still needed so make sure you have access.

You might still need to go to work as you are in the process of moving so make sure to have your office clothing or uniforms prewashed and pre-pressed before moving. Hang them up or place them in an easily accessible area as soon as you get to your new home.

Women might need access to makeup as part of their routine and men may need their shaving products. Cosmetics, while optional, are still a vital part of a person’s life so don’t forget to place these in your essentials bag as well.

Renting your first property is an exciting step in the life of any person. For many, as well as taking that first step into the property market, renting your first property is a sign that someone is growing up and looking to live outside of the family home or college accommodation for the first time.

Like with any major life change there’s a lot to consider when it comes to renting your first home. Before you sign on the dotted line, check out this step by step guide to renting your first property.

Saving To Be Able To Pay Rent

When you’re thinking about renting your first home, it’s a major economic adjustment. You’ll likely be making the transition from living at home or in a dorm to paying proper rent. For the first few months, it will likely feel like you’re taking a major financial hit every single week when rent is due. For this reason, before you move out, you’re going to want to have a decent amount saved up to draw upon once you have to start paying rent.

Basic Budgeting Skills

The fact of the matter is, saving is tedious and it can be easy to fall off the wagon. To keep yourself on track we recommend creating a simple budget. How do you do that? The first step is to log your monthly expenses and then sort the expenses out into categories. Once you’ve got an idea of how much you’re spending and what sort of things you’re spending it on, you’ll be able to figure out how and where you can afford to cut back. For example, if you’re spending $200 a month on transport costs but most of that is being spent on petrol or rideshare apps, you might consider catching public transport. Similarly, if you’re spending $500 eating out every month you will want to cut back by eating at home rather than at restaurants.

The most important thing you can do once you’ve made a budget is to stick to it.

Find Your Dream Place

When you’re renting, the most important factor to consider is location. Typically renters are younger and will only stay in a property for a few years at most. When you’re choosing a rental property ask yourself what sort of life you see yourself living there. Who will you be living with your friends or with your partner? Where do you want to live: in the heart of the CBD or by the coast? Do you want to be near the coolest new bars and restaurants or would you prefer somewhere secluded? Answer these questions and you’ll be able to figure out what suburb you want to live in.

Insurance

Now we’ve reached the first of several paperwork heavy steps that are necessary for renters: insurance. Even if it seems very confusing and far too densely packed with impenetrable language and “legal-ease” and, yes, even if you’re only renting, insurance is undoubtedly important. Even if you don’t own your own property or even most of the fixtures it’s important to make sure you’ve got coverage for all the things that you do own in your home. Renters insurance is a great way to make sure you won’t be too far out of pocket if things you own are damaged or destroyed in the event of theft, fire, flood, or vandalism.

Every situation is different and it’s important to always do your research and consult a professional before choosing your insurance policy.

Packing: The Marie Kondo Way

Remember Marie Kondo? Back in 2019 (before everything changed) the Marie Kondo method was sweeping the globe and, through her Netflix show, Marie Kondo was promoting the life-changing magic of tidying up.

The fact of the matter is that decluttering your home can be incredibly liberating! For most of us, the process of moving opens our eyes to just how much stuff we’ve been able to acquire over the last few years. Too much stuff! Packing is the perfect motivating force for those who need to declutter their homes. As you pack, keep only the things that bring you joy and consider disposing of or donating the rest. If you’re looking for places to donate then you can check out this list of charities accepting donations of home goods – some will even pick everything up for you which makes the entire process even easier.

Bring A Whole Lotta Heart To Your Home

The difference between a house and a home is how it feels when you’re inside it. Put simply, the easiest way to make a house feel like home is to fill it with the people you love, who make you feel at home. Invite people over for dinner, for drinks, to help you unpack – it’s up to you! Just make sure to fill the space around you with warm feelings, good times, and the laughter of those who love you.

Not sure how much money you should spend on your lawn? Does it seem like you are spending too much or too little on the upkeep?

You are not the only one! A lot of homeowners struggle to calculate a realistic lawn budget for themselves. They either entirely neglect their property, or it becomes a financial burden to them.

But maintaining a beautiful backyard isn’t difficult once you set a realistic lawn budget and stay within the limit.

Does this seem like a lot? Not to worry! You have come to the right place for advice. Here you will find some amazing tips on how to maintain your curb appeal on a budget.

4 Tips For Calculating A Realistic Lawn Budget

Set Your Priorities

Getting your priorities straight is the number one step to creating a realistic budget for your lawn. You should determine:

1. What your lawn needs
2. What you want

Spending big bucks on a luxurious lawn fountain while your lawn has drainage problems is considered poor budgeting. That is why we recommend you make both a “need” and a “wish” list for your lawn on a monthly basis.

With these two lists in your hands, you will know exactly where to direct your funds first without ever going over budget.

Make A List Of Monthly Expenses

Your monthly “need” list should consist of things necessary for the preservation, safety, and security of your lawn. It should include expenses for:

• Lawn mowing
• Removal of rotten or diseased trees
• Buying new soil or mulch
• Replanting grass, flowers, and shrubs
• Buying fertilizers and weed killers
• Addressing drainage issues

Your “wish” list can include things or projects that will upgrade your property to increase its value. According to a Virginia Tech survey, landscaping investments can increase home value by 5.5 to 12.7 percent.

Investing your money in a good garden tractor is an especially good idea. A garden tractor is a fruitful long-term investment that will make your landscaping more cost-effective and easier.

You can use it for mowing your lawn as often as needed, aerating the land, cultivating your small garden, and even clearing snow off the grass in the winter.

Estimate Your Monthly Lawn-Care Budget

The best way to estimate your maximum lawn budget is to calculate your income and deduct your total monthly expenses, like groceries, rent, transportation, childcare, savings, etc.

Calculate how much money is left and how much you are willing to direct towards your lawn. Set a maximum monthly allowance that you can come close to but not exceed.

You can now check if the things listed on your “need” and “wish” list fall within your set allowance. If you have exceeded your budget, take some things off your “wish” list for now. You can aim for them again next month when you have fewer urgent lawn repairs scheduled.

Keep in mind that your lawn care budget may vary from month to month depending on unexpected living expenses. Pipe breakages and power outages happen when you least expect them.

Be Frugal

Taking care of your backyard doesn’t have to be expensive. You can reduce your monthly lawn expenses significantly if you use your knowledge and resources wisely.

Follow these frugal tips to set a more realistic lawn budget for yourself:

1. Maintain your own lawn instead of hiring a lawn care company. You will save a lot of money and have full control over the total cost.
2. Don’t cut your lawn too short so you don’t make it vulnerable to heat, drought, and weed infestation. This damage will only add to your expenses.
3. Make your own lawn fertilizer using natural and cheap ingredients like coffee grounds, eggshells, grass clippings, fall leaves, and even freshwater fish tank water.
4. Don’t water your lawn too much to reduce your water bill and minimize the risk of plant diseases.
5. Aerate your lawn twice per year, once in early spring and once in the late fall. According to BobVila, this gardening solution will aerate your soil and introduce more nutrients into it, making your lawn more vibrant and healthy for next to nothing.

Staying Within A Lawn The Budget Is Easy

It turns out that calculating a realistic lawn budget for yourself is not difficult at all. You only have to consider your financial status and arrange your priorities. By prioritizing the necessary things over luxury items and by practicing frugality, you will easily stay within your budget.

Do you agree? Let us know in the comments below, and feel free to share these budgeting tips with your friend and family on social media.

No matter the size nor the value of a property, it is always a significant purchase and one of the toughest you can make. Some may want a home to live in while others may want a good return on their investment. In both cases, being on the lookout for issues is essential. One major issue with the house and you could end up paying for it for years with no return. Let’s take a look at some red flags you should never ignore when buying a property.

Roof Issues

Roof problems are one of the worst issues you can deal with as a homeowner. They don’t always necessitate a full repair, but you must perform a visual inspection when looking at a roof and ask when was the last time it was replaced. We also suggest you check out resources like principlesbr.com if you want to learn the most common types of roof problems. This will give you a better idea of what to look for and what the proper course of action would be for different issues.

It will then be up to you whether you want to buy the house with the roof in its current condition or ask for them to repair or replace it after the inspection. You might find that a discount would be better for you, especially if you can find a contractor that can give you a good price.

Foundation Issues

While roof issues are bad, there’s probably nothing worse than having to deal with foundation issues. This is often something that only an inspection will reveal, but there are visual signs you can look for. For instance, if you see a crack near the foundation around the house, then this usually is bad news. Doors or windows that won’t close correctly are another sign.

Irrigation Issues

It would also be a good idea to visit a property after a heavy rainstorm, so you see how the irrigation holds up. If you see puddles everywhere, then this is bad news. This means that the irrigation system isn’t doing its job and you might have trouble with water drowning your lawn or other landscaping elements. You also want to look at signs of water pooling near the side of the house. The terrain might need to be graded to prevent this. Water that sits near the foundation can penetrate and cause widespread damage, so this isn’t something you can take lightly.

Electrical Issues

Electrical issues are another thing you can’t afford to take lightly. Issues with the electrical system can also be very expensive to repair. And, if left unattended, there is a high risk that there will be an electrical fire. This is why you need to have a thorough inspection performed, though you may have to wait until the contract stage. In the meanwhile, you can ask to check out the fuse box and see it’s in working order. Also, be on the lookout for any exposed wire or wires that don’t connect to anything.

These are all red flags that you can’t afford to ignore if you want to buy a property. These will protect your investment and will help accelerate your search.