There’s no doubt about it, getting a mortgage can be one of the most stressful things that people go through in their lives. Getting a mortgage requires a lot of paperwork, time, patience, but it can be done more easily than you might think. Look for a mortgage agent and a real estate agent who can guide you through. Try these tips to make the loan process run smoothly and with less stress.

1. Check your credit report for errors. You can get a free copy of your credit report once a year. Make sure you go through it thoroughly to make sure there are no errors, such as incorrect address, phone numbers, or accounts. If you do find errors, you can contact the credit bureaus directly and ask them to correct the errors.
2. Buy what you can afford. Your debt to income, or DTI, is the number of monthly debt payments that you have compared to your monthly income. Mort mortgages will allow a maximum DTI of 41% and ideally, you want a DTI ratio of no higher than 36%.  See how much house you can afford using MortgageCalculator.Org. Don’t stretch yourself too thin. If your DTI is too high, you’re more likely to have to miss mortgage payments if an emergency comes up.
3. If you can afford 20% down you can avoid private mortgage insurance. Mortgages will require mortgage insurance if you have less than a 20% down payment. PMI is between 0.35% – 1 % annually, depending on the type of mortgage program that you choose. FHA loans PMI is 0.85% of the loan amount and is required for the life of the loan. Conventional mortgage PMI is 0.51% and is needed until the loan balance reaches 78% LTV.
4. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need perfect credit to qualify for a mortgage. A lot of mortgage programs do require a credit score of 620 or higher in order for you to qualify for a loan. FHA loans are available to people with credit scores as low as 580, however. Remember though, that just because you have a credit score of 580, that doesn’t mean that you will automatically qualify. Lenders will need to look at a lot more criteria than just your credit score. You will also need to have a reasonably clean credit history over the last twelve months, with no history of late payments or collections.
5. You should try to improve your credit score before applying. Everyone applying for a mortgage should make sure that their credit score is as high as it possibly can be. If you have credit card balances, for example, aim to pay them below 15% of the credit limit. If you have negative account information, dispute it with the credit bureaus to get if off your report. Speak to your creditors and negotiate a pay for delete. If you have a friend or a family member who has a credit card in good standing, ask them to add you as an authorized user to improve your rating.

When you start thinking about joining the world of real estate and starting to invest in flipping properties, you might also want to start thinking about how to learn everything you need to know in order to do this successfully. It’s not like you can just wake up one day and have all the knowledge you need. As nice as that would be, it’s pretty much impossible. Instead of hoping that the knowledge will come to you, you should get more info about how things are done in this world.

There are quite a few ways in which you can learn how to succeed in this business, but it appears that most people learn best from real estate investing seminars. These are usually really helpful and, the best part is, they are created both for beginners and for a bit more experienced investors. Of course, you will have to make sure to find the right seminars and avoid those that just take your money while not teaching you anything in the process.

Once you find the right seminars, though, you will certainly be able to learn a lot of useful things about real estate investments. If you are thinking about taking a seminar, you should definitely do some research before joining any particular one. After all, you do want to get the best value for your money and you definitely don’t want to end up wasting that money on something that isn’t exactly helpful.

I understand that finding the perfect program can be a bit tricky and overwhelming, especially if this is your first time thinking about attending a seminar. Don’t worry, though. With a little bit of help, you will be able to choose the perfect program, i.e. the one that will teach you everything you need to know in order to finally get started with those investments that you have been planning for a while. Speaking of help, I’ll share a few useful tips on how you can find the right real estate investing seminars.

Here’s a nice read to get you familiar with the whole topic first: https://medium.com/@wjlinville/those-free-real-estate-seminars-are-run-by-the-best-marketers-around-de1a4088bcd6

Do Proper Research

The absolutely worst thing you can do is simply join the first program that you come across without first doing the necessary research. This would be just like buying a car without first having it checked out. So, before you decide which program to attend, you should find a few of those and start doing your research.

For starters, you should check if the business model that the particular program is advocating for is actually proven and easy to be replicated. It would be best if you found a seminar run by someone who is running an investment business. This means that you should also do proper research on the coach who is running the program.

Find Reviews

As I have briefly mentioned above, there are some programs that aren’t actually that good and it is your responsibility to find the one that will be able to teach you everything you need to know. The only question is how you can do that. How can you separate the great from the poor quality seminars and join the one that will be able to teach you all the right things?

There is a pretty easy way to do that. Of course, you will, once again, need to engage in some serious research. What you should do is find reviews written about the specific seminars for real estate investing that you have in mind, so that you can make sure those are legitimate and of great quality. These reviews will be enough for you to determine which programs to avoid and which to look further into.

Check The Prices

When you start doing your research, you will probably find a lot of free seminars, as well as a lot of those that are paid for. The paid ones don’t necessarily have to be better than the free ones, but the truth is that professionals aren’t usually willing to give their knowledge away without charging for it. So, it’s your responsibility to check the prices, make some comparisons while keeping quality in mind and then choose the perfect, affordable seminars to attend.

Looking after a home, regardless of the style and size, can feel like a part-time job. There’s all the cleaning, organizing, and up-keep that takes place daily, and then on top of that, you may have that seemingly never-ending list of “to do” jobs. With all that going on, there are some basic maintenance jobs that can often get pushed to the side or forgotten about altogether. The problem is that many of these jobs are important to the safety and comfort of your home.

So with that in mind, we’ve gathered a few jobs that often get forgotten about that you will want to add to your yearly list.

Make Sure All Smoke Alarms Are Working

Here’s a job that is so important that it can prove to be a life-saving one. Checking to make sure all smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms work properly is something all homeowners need to do. Experts suggest doing this at the start of each season so that it acts as a reminder. If your alarms are hardwired into the house, they will still have a backup battery so you will want to replace it a few times a year so as not to take any chances.

It should also be noted that all of these alarms do have an expiry date, so this is something you should make note of.

Clean the Gutters

Drainage is something that every homeowner needs to be concerned about as you never want to give water the chance to collect and pool near the foundation. This will only lead to problems, which can be pretty extensive and expensive to repair.

The gutters on the home play a huge role in water drainage, so it’s wise to clean them out at least 1-2 times per year. It’s typically best to do this in spring to get rid of all the winter debris, and then again at the end of fall heading into winter. Even if you live in a climate that doesn’t experience four distinct seasons with falling leaves, debris can still build up so you still want to be sure you check them and clean them out.

Replace the Furnace Air Filter

Another job that homeowners often forget about is to replace their furnace air filters on a regular basis. For those who live in climates where the furnace is running most of the winter season, it’s a good idea to time it with the start of the new season. This ensures the furnace is able to run efficiently all season long. Because you can purchase furnace air filters online, it also makes it easy to grab a few at once so you’ve always got a back-up on hand.

While replacing the furnace filter, this can also be a great time to give the vents/air ducts in your home a quick cleaning with the vacuum.

Keeping the House Well-Maintained

Sure, these jobs may not seem like a big deal, but the fact is that each plays a vital role in the comfort, efficiency, and safety of your home.

Whether you’re buying or selling a property, you’ll need to get a great real estate agent on your side. When you’re choosing an agent, there are many considerations to be made, so let’s take a look.

Get A Referral

Want to get the best real estate agent out there? Why not look for referrals from friends and family? If you have a friend who’s had an excellent experience with a realtor, you could fast-track the search process. When getting a referral bare in mind that different individuals have different needs. Ask whoever is referring to you to talk you through their experience. Note down any questions you have beforehand. You’ll need to determine if the realtor is likely to meet your needs.

Research Your Potentials

When you’re considering a potential real estate agent, it’s important to research them thoroughly. Check out the fine details on their website, their experience, their testimonials, and reviews. Once you’re happy with all this kind of information, set up an interview. At an interview, you can ask the agent all your important questions, and check they are a good fit. With so much info online, it’s easy to get an accurate impression beforehand.

Market Knowledge

When you’re looking for a real estate agent, ensure that they have strong knowledge of local patterns in the market. It’s a good idea to quiz your potential agent to gauge how strong their market knowledge is. Ask them about how long properties stay on the market, prices, and real estate market trends.

Prepare a list of questions

Testing their market knowledge isn’t the only important thing; it’s useful to prepare a list of questions for your real estate agent. With the right questions, you can ensure your needs are met. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

1 . Can you show me your real estate license?

Real estate agents are required to pass a real estate exam to obtain their license. Taking a look at their license will assure you that you are dealing with an accredited agent.

2. How long do your listings stay on the market (an average)?

You can compare their average time with other agents, and judge which professional you’d like to work with.

3. What is your plan to market the property?

If you are selling, it’s crucial to get an idea of the marketing plan that your potential agent will use.

4. Can you explain your list to price ratio?

You might want to check the comparison between listing prices and selling prices. This can help you gain a better understanding of what you can expect.

Your questions will vary depending on your needs and situation, but it’s vital to have a few ready before you start searching. Lastly, it’s helpful to find someone who you feel that you can trust. Choose an agent with who you can establish a great rapport. Trust and rapport result in great communication. Excellent communication is precisely what you need when hiring a real estate agent.

There are many benefits to choosing planed timber for hands-on home improvement projects. Planed wood is sawn down until it has a smooth finish. It’s designed for projects where you can see the results. The quality is visible from each side. Unlike roughly sawn wood, it will have an even uniform look on all sides.

It’s also much easier to build something from planed wood, especially if you’re new to carpentry. You can even build something that compliments a specialist garden or interior. There are several popular uses of planed wood in the home. These include shelving, hung or sash windows, homemade furniture, and flooring.

The benefits of planed wood

There are several benefits to using planed wood for home improvement. Planed wood has a superior finish that you can either create yourself or buy pre-planed. If you’re looking to turn scrap wood into planed wood, learn this here now. You can invest in a wood planer if you’re really serious about your carpentry projects.

Planed wood along with its smooth appearance also offers a depth of color. A planed base is also the best for staining, paint, or treatment. You’ll be able to create the look you want due to its incredible versatility and workable surface.

Planed timber can be customized to your needs. It’s great if your planning on sprucing up a new house. You can put up a few shelves, or build or refurbish furniture. It’s a very versatile material.

Popular uses of planed wood

Planed wood is used in a number of DIY projects. This is because it makes the work easier and faster. The difference in quality is also visible at the end of the project. There are several popular uses of planed wood for home improvement.

Sash windows

A timeless classic, sash windows give a home a more traditional look. Planed timber as a window frame is much more durable and insulating. Sash windows are a great project for a self-builder. If you’re into a more rustic or traditional style, planed timber is ideal for your sash window design project. Certain woods are recommended for this type of project such as fir, oak, ash, beech, and maple.

Shelving

Planed wood is ideal for shelving because it’s cut to size, and finished to perfection. Even if you’re a bit inexperienced in DIY, planed wood shelves couldn’t be easier to put up. Shelving units double as a great space saver and a decorative feature. You could use planed wood for a simple elegant design.

You can also find a combination of planed wood with metal among Interiorbeat bookcases selection. They feature an industrial modern design and raised metal base to match your other furniture.

Using planed wood for shelving is much less time-consuming. With an even finish, the quality will be visible immediately and you won’t need to do any more work to it.

Homemade furniture

Learning how to build your own homemade furniture is a wonderful skill to have. As well as customizing your own home’s interior you can give pieces as gifts, or even sell them. There are plenty of fun scrap wood projects for all levels of carpentry from complete beginner to expert.

Bespoke planed timber is a great choice for homemade furniture. Planed timber provides good usage, color, texture, figure, and stability. It’s also easy to paint or stain to any color you desire. You can even use reclaimed wood for a more environmentally-friendly approach and create the effect yourself using a planer.

Flooring

Timber flooring is one of the most popular for home renovations. The unique quality in the marking and grains is very appealing, and no piece of flooring is the same. As well as looking good, home flooring should be flat and even. This is where planed wood comes in.

Planed wood makes a perfectly flat floor for walking on. It also creates a seamless effect. Each edge is so smooth and uniform that the pieces fit perfectly together. Planed wood flooring has a beautiful ascetic while being practical at the same time.

Roofing and fencing

Timber is one of many common roofing materials. Planed wood is used typically somewhere it can be seen. For example, if you’re planning on building a shed in your yard or a porch, the syle of planed wood will give a nice neat effect.

It’s also used for fencing, building frames, and animal hutches. Seen as the wood is so versatile it can be used for outdoor home improvement projects as well. Planed wood is not only pleasing to the eye, but it can go anywhere. It’s safe and easy to work with and great for many different types of home improvement projects.

If you are situated in Roseville, California, and wondering how to find a reliable property manager to handle your rental building and its affairs, you’re in luck because I’m going to provide you with excellent tips and suggestions on how to go about your search.

As you already know, owning a rental building or property is a lucrative investment. To get the proper returns that you deserve, your assets must be appropriately managed and adequately by the right person.

Should you Manage Your Real Estate Personally?

Some people might think of managing their properties by themselves. Still, a good investor will know the perks of hiring a Roseville property management expert to take charge of his/her building affairs and would be on the lookout for a professional to help out.

Hiring an expert’s services to manage your property is the right thing to do in this age and time. A property manager helps you handle all the necessary paperwork that has to do with the details of maintenance and issues that comes with buildings and real-estates. But how do you find a professional to manage your property in Roseville, California?

Property management companies are growing at a high rate in Roseville. There aren’t many people who own homes now, because they feel it is more convenient to rent one. For this reason, the numbers of property management companies are at a growing number. Studies have shown that as of 2019, there were about 281,350 companies that run building and real-estate management services in the U.S.

With the amount of property management companies in Roseville, how do you find one with expert and skilled managers? Now let’s get over a few things you need to look out for when finding a professional to handle your building affairs.

Check for Proper Licensing and Certification

The state of California needs all service providers and companies to have a license to remain in business. Still, some out there aren’t licensed by the government but always provide services to building owners. So, make sure to demand a valid license from your potential hire and ensure that the license is active by checking it with the real estate commission in Roseville, CA.

Are you considering home insurance for your property? The link here https://www.investopedia.com/insurance/homeowners-insurance-guide/ has useful suggestions to help you get started.

Also, try asking your potential hire if he /she is certified with a trade organization. Try to determine if they are accredited by NARPM (National Association of Residential Property Managers), an association that focuses on training individuals to manage single-family homes and residential properties.

They can also provide you certifications from the IREM (Institute of Real Estate Management) to prove they are skilled enough to provide reliable services to real estate owners. If your potential hire provides you with any of these certificates, make sure you look them up online to verify the credential.

Do your Research

You must do your due diligence and do proper research to find a trusted professional in your locality. You only need a stable internet connection and a couple of minutes to spare, and you can run proper research on the experience and reputation of a service provider.

Google is there for everyone, and it’s a more than reliable tool to do your diggings. Just ensure to consult real estate websites. The BBB is a very trustworthy website to find dedicated professionals. The Better Business Bureau can show you the ratings and reviews of a company. All professionals that feature on this website must maintain a consistent positive rating to remain on the platform.

You can also check reviews on yelp where people share their opinions and experiences on a particular company. The important thing here is finding a manager with positive reviews and a solid reputation for providing you with excellent services.

Ask for Recommendations from Professionals in Roseville

Although this strategy might seem mundane, a handy tool for finding excellent services is simple word of mouth. You only have to make sure that you ask people with similar niches who are experienced at their job. You need to seek recommendations from experienced service providers because they are more than capable of identifying a reliable property manager and should be willing to provide one to you.

Suppose you can’t seek the advice of a professional. In that case, there’s also the option of checking with co-workers and family members who are landlords to see if they are currently utilizing a professional’s services and see if they can recommend one to you.

With recommendations, you can create a shortlist of potential candidates. Afterward, do proper scrutiny of the suggested names to find a trustworthy and skilled property manager that can provide tailor-made services for you. Need help with home maintenance? You can check here for more information on the annual home inspection checklist.

Interview Several Contenders

It is necessary that before hiring any individual to take charge of your properties, you interview several contenders that you deem worthy of finding the best one that can provide you with excellent results. You must plan and arrange your question into three main categories

1. Experience and educational background, including the know-how of building and real estate, and the knowledge of laws governing landlord/tenants in Roseville.
2. Method of work, including how they maintain the properties and how they aim to collect rents and other charges.
3. Free structure

You should also ensure to find out the number of buildings and real estate they are currently handling and their level of commitment to your job. If a self-employed property manager tells you that they have several clients, then you should expect a little dedication from their part. On the other hand, if your planned hire is a company with several property managers, you should expect full commitment from both the company and the staff.

Final Thoughts

Make sure to pay close attention to your potential hire’s reactions to every question you throw at them. Try to find someone that is approachable and not dismissive. Ensure your potential hire is enthusiastic about the job and can provide you with knowledge concerning all matters regarding buildings and real-estate.

Buying a house and wedding are among the most memorable events in one’s life. Do you and your fiancée desire to wed and purchase a house at once? Well, it can be done. However, it can be overwhelming since a wedding may cost around $29000. A house’s down payment for first-time buyers is nearly seven percent of a home’s price.

A young couple may feel pressured, planning for a wedding and house buying is possible with a bit of saving and persistence. A1 Credit has helped many in saving for a wedding and house at the same time. But how can you be successful at this? Please continue reading to see how.

Saving strategies

Consider priorities

Sit down with your spouse and set priorities about the matter before developing the savings plan. Ask yourselves several regarding the idea. For instance, of the two, which one is more important? What do both of you value more? Depending on your earnings, what amount of combined income is enough to attain these goals? Are you ready to sacrifice and commit to achieving your desires? Following the answers, both of you agree on all the questions and find out how much you can afford for a house and wedding expenses.

Develop a budget

Almost all projects and plans requiring money deserve a budget. Therefore, begin by creating a monthly budget determining the additional income amount needed. From there, as much as possible, try and figure out how you can make the wedding and home purchase affordable. You can save on a fancy wedding by becoming more creative.

For example, trim your guest list, only invite very close friends and relatives. Changing the wedding day to a weekday or Sunday could also help cut on spending. You can as well opt for hard liquor instead of beer and wine. In other words, consider cutting off the wedding parts that don’t matter a lot. It doesn’t necessarily have to occur at an upscale hotel. It can also be non-floral.

Find out what you can’t do without and see what can be cut back for a house. Perhaps a condominium would be more favorable than separate family homes. The price goes even higher, with more bathrooms and bedrooms. Furthermore, get quotations from various mortgage lenders and make comparisons. Raising your credit score and getting a professional real estate agent for negotiations can save a lot more.

Time to begin saving

Once you’ve developed realistic goals, now, how much can you spend and save monthly? Is there anything you can eliminate completely or reduce its expense? Things such as food and monthly subscriptions should have adjustments. If you both are fans of having frequent lunch or dinner out, it’s time to limit. Are there services paid for every month, and you rarely use or can do without? If yes, go ahead and get rid or minimize.

Additionally, come up with saving accounts for each of the events; wedding and house buying. A wedding may have multiple popping expenses developing from time to time. For this reason, have a separate account for a better position to track the much you’ll need as time goes by. The amount for each account should be made automatically on payday. Doing this will avoid spending temptations when checking your general account.

Shun away from debts

The secret to getting a great interest rate and mortgage term is by maintaining a good credit score history and keeping it high. Therefore, you should avoid borrowing personal loans or credit card debt to keep you clean in your house buying plans, lest it ruins your score. Please keep reminding yourself that getting a loan to budget for your wedding will kill your credit score. And might cost numerous thousands of dollars on the house mortgage’s life.

Avoid debt for your wedding if you plan to buy a house too in a short period. Not only will it harm your score but also force you to pay interest, which is money you could save as a down payment for the new house. Suppose you lack other options for funding the wedding than taking a loan or using a credit card, ensure timely repayment to have a positive history. It’s because history is the best qualification to grant favor during the mortgage application.

Be accountable

Work as a team by keeping one another on track. It’s a time for frequent communication between you two- good exercise for couples to practice. Set monthly check-ins to assess your financial headway. Think about meeting a professional on matters finance just to ensure everything is on track. Have you ever budgeted using apps like Mint or Quicken? They’re among the best easy-to-use tools for financial tracking. Using such will help you understand where you overspent and become responsible next time. Holding ourselves accountable will ensure you stay on the same page with your partner.

Make your credit ready for the mortgage

Preparing your credit is essential for the best mortgage approval terms. How are your credit scores and reports? Do they stand you a better chance of winning good terms? Ask yourselves these questions and start sorting any mistakes or inaccuracies. Kindly don’t hesitate to dispute them where necessary.

In case of any pending debts, you should pay for reducing the credit utilization ratio- a percentage of your present total credit in use. Credit utilization is crucial in determining your credit score; the lower you use it, the better for you. Moreover, limit more significant expenses, especially ones letting you utilize the credit card and pay all bills timely.

The bottom line

Honestly, saving for buying a house and having a wedding planner is not a walk in the park. But don’t worry because it’s possible. Simply commit to following the earlier discussed tips and be sure of success. For instance, setting priorities, developing realistic goals, and planning a budget that will run the processes. Please remember to avoid personal loans and maintain your credit card’s cleanliness for promising mortgage terms.

Additionally, ensure you stay on one page with your spouse and not forget to remain committed to the main objectives. Team up and consult whenever necessary for the wedding plan and home desire to come to reality.

It’s hard to find the ideal home. You could have been searching for months. Perhaps even longer. And you still haven’t come across the property that is going to suit you and your family. Nothing that will work for your needs, the location you want, the size you want, and the budget you have. It can feel like you’ll never get the home of your dreams. That you are going to have to settle for something that isn’t quite right.

The problem with settling is that you will always have that nagging feeling you should be somewhere else. There will always be regret. So instead of this, why not try something different? Why not build your own dream home in exactly the way you want it? Yes, there are rules and regulations to follow, and no, it won’t be easy, but it will be worth it in the end. Here’s why.

Absolutely Unique

If you have a property style in mind, once you start looking at what’s available, you’ll notice something. You’ll see that everything starts to look very similar. You might, if you’re lucky, spot something unique, but usually, it will be hard to tell one from another.

These properties are boring. They’re dull. They’re not reflective of your personality.

But when you build your own home, you can choose any style you want. You can even get ideas from the best home building podcasts.

You can make it formal or playful. You can make it quirky or traditional. You can do what you want (within reason) because you’re the one in control. Even if you have a designer to help you, you’ll need to give them some ideas. There will be no other house quite like yours when you build it yourself.

Save Money

It sounds like building your own home would be expensive. After all, you have to buy the land first. Then you have to engage architects and designers. Then you need to get builders and buy materials. Plus, you need to have the interior decorated and the yard landscaped. The cost will mount up, and it could be many tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in the end.

Yet isn’t buying a property going to cost you something similar? The average house price in the United States is $226,800. Some will be much more than this. Some will be much less. However, whether you pay that cost outright or you borrow on a mortgage, it will still cost you the same. If building a house costs about the same as buying one, why not build? It’s much more satisfying.

You Can Do It

You will face all kinds of challenges when you choose to build your own home. From searching for the piece of land to securing permission, and more. Plus, you need to ensure you are complying will the various regulations and laws. You need trustworthy contractors. There is a lot that needs to come together to create the end result.

Yet the point is, the option is open to you. There are more chances than ever before to buy land and build your dream home. So why not take that chance and create something that will be loved by generations to come?

Have you ever considered the importance of home lighting? Most homeowners take the incorporation of light fixtures for granted without understanding their vital role in interior design. The type, placement, and design of these fixtures are used to emphasize certain aspects of the room, assist residents in the completion of tasks, and contribute to the creation of a pleasant atmosphere.

Consequently, every room in the house imposes different requirements when it comes to the choice of fixtures and fitting. Fortunately, the extensive selection of chandeliers, pendants, sconces, and downlights is more than enough to complement one’s interior décor.

The following tips from a custom lighting company will help you lit your home adequately.

Start from the kitchen

In order for a kitchen to be entirely functional, it’s supposed to be perfectly lit. This is where homeowners spend plenty of time preparing tasty meals, eating, organizing dinner parties, engaging in family activities, or simply drinking a cup of coffee. Kitchen lighting should be functional enough for residents to perform all of the above-mentioned tasks. Therefore, homeowners are advised to opt for a mix of task and ambient lighting.

The former is essential for all of the work areas to be illuminated property, mainly focusing on the countertops, stove, sink, and kitchen island. As a result, overhead lights, in the form of pendants, are believed to be the right solution. There are numerous custom lighting companies, such as Karice, which specialize in designing and crafting unique light fixtures. Hiring such professionals to design fixtures of your preference will help you create a special atmosphere.

Moreover, recessed ceiling lights are another creative solution for creating a pleasant ambient. These fixtures are usually installed above shelves or in the center of the room. Regardless of their position, there should be at least a two-meter distance between them.

Look for coziness in the bedroom

While natural light is essential for waking up in the morning, restfulness is crucial when going to bed. Therefore, homeowners are recommended to opt for ambient lightings, such as table lamps, pendants, or sconces for a relaxing atmosphere. You should consider installing some recessed lights for accenting the unique features in the room, like the fireplace or a painting.

In addition, bookworms are advised to think about task lighting, which is incredibly useful when reading before going to bed. Make sure you install a few recessed floor lights in proximity to the doorway to switch on automatically when walking towards the door in the middle of the night.

Aim for aesthetics in the living room

The living room is of tremendous value for the largest part of homeowners, as residents spend most of their hours working, watching TV, relaxing, or having guests there. Consequently, they should choose a combination of ambient, task, and accent lighting to make the room both appealing and functional. Visit this URL to check out some helpful tips about choosing living room lighting.

Additionally, homeowners can install a chandelier to emphasize the central focus of the room, along with a couple of recessed lights placed in different corners. Make sure the lights you choose are dimmable in order to adjust them with various tasks.

Task lighting, in the form of lamps, is vital for residents who enjoy reading. Such lamps are best located behind sofas and armchairs. In contrast, accent lighting is recommended for homeowners that wish to emphasize the presence of art or a unique plant.

Don’t forget the bathroom

Many individuals skip the bathroom in their design plans, hence making a big mistake. This room has to be lit adequately in order for residents to groom themselves or enjoy a relaxing bath. It’s paramount to avoid installing a fixture above the mirror. Instead, make sure you place scones on each side of the mirror to minimize shadows.

Moreover, one is advised to use accent lighting by placing a fixture above the tub. A dimming option is vital to adjust the light to your mood when soaking in the bath. The following link, https://www.thespruce.com/types-of-bathroom-lighting-4799250, explains the most common types of bathroom lights.

Bottom line

A well-lit home contributes not only to aesthetics but also to functionality!

When we’re traveling around outside, we’re used to being in the know. Google Maps, Waze, and other GPS services can muster up several different ways to reach our exterior destinations, whether we’re walking, driving, or going by public transport. Basically every street in the modern world has been photographed and mapped out by Google.

But what about inside?

Buildings are getting larger and more complex every year, yet the technology to map these indoor spaces is limited. There is no Google Maps for finding your way around a shopping mall, airport, or large office building. However, MappedIn has created an indoor map application that helps to improve indoor mapping and reduce friction when navigating indoors.

The Problem

Large indoor buildings with complex layouts currently have very limited navigational technology for the most part. If you’re due to have a meeting in an office you’re not familiar with, you’ll have no trouble finding the building itself… but once you’re inside, you’re forced to ask for directions and search for the right room, unsure if you’re in the right place.

This is the kind of friction we should be avoiding in 2020.

Whether it’s an airport or a hospital, there are so many indoor spaces that people struggle to find their way around. This is especially true for premises that people don’t visit on a regular basis. Yet rather than come up with a technological solution, we rely on vague physical signs and complex oral instructions from people who work there. This is not a real solution.

The Solution

Indoor mapping solutions like those from MappedIn are able to reduce friction in our everyday lives, making it easy to find where we need to go. Large, complex buildings can be internally mapped, showing the layout of the premises room by room and section by section. Maps can be divided into sections and zones, or they can be left as one large navigational tool.

Navigational features show users arrows that tell them exactly where to turn and when making it easier for them to find their destination. Rather than just showing you where the destination is on the internal map, you’ll also receive speech-like directions to further cement your understanding.

Let’s say for example that you run a business in a large office building and you’ve got an overseas consultant coming to work with you. Using your indoor mapping software or a location intelligence tool, you can give them directions on the precise floor, room, and even desk for them, granting them digital access to only the places they need to access. This removes friction for all parties and makes the process much simpler for the visiting consultant.

Real-World Applications

So, where exactly would benefit from this kind of indoor mapping software? Some premises that can (and already do) make use of this technology include:

• Hospitals
• Airports
• Bus stations
• Train stations
• Hotels & leisure centers
• Corporate campuses
• Shopping malls
• Retail spaces
• Large office buildings

Of course, the scope for this technology is limitless, but these are the organizations where navigational friction is a frequently reported bottleneck.

With indoor mapping applications, we can expect hospitals to be better organized and easier for visiting friends and family to find their way around. We can expect congestion to be reduced in airports and travel hubs as people find their gates more easily. We can expect less friction in parking lots as people’s exact spaces are recorded on their smartphones.