SkyFive Properties Blog

One of the main focal points of any home is the luscious green lawn sitting at the forefront of the property. A flourishing expanse of vibrant grass is sure to catch your guests and any envious onlookers off guard at the sophisticated atmosphere of your front yard.

Unfortunately, that image of suburban perfection requires intense labor of love to keep the unruly turf in check. Considering the sheer amount of skill and perseverance it takes to keep your lawn looking its best, it may be best to call in the professionals.

Luckily, such servicemen have dedicated their careers to keeping our greenery in exquisite condition. Recruiting a top-notch lawn care company is a surefire way to keep your lawn looking its absolute best.

Professional Care

You want to bring in the absolute best of the best in the lawn care industry. You want to make sure whoever shows up to service your turf knows their stuff and is accountable for their work.

Hiring a great lawn care company ensures that you will get the best bang for your buck! Not only do they pride themselves in providing high quality and affordable services for their customers, but they are masters in their trade and have perfected their skills in taming unruly foliage.

Most homeowners have little to no knowledge of the art of lawn care, nor would they have an interest in learning the skills required to care for their yards. Even if they managed to figure things out themselves, their attempts at landscaping would never reach the level of professionalism seen with expert services.

Furthermore, the average joe would not possess the keen eyes of a professional in the field. What a homeowner might overlook, experts can spot problems and create a unique plan of action for each yard.

Save Valuable Time

The maintenance behind the perfect greenery takes lots of TLC and even more time. Countless hours of planning, collecting materials, and physical labor tend to scare away prospective landscapers.

With so much to do and so little time, it’s no wonder so many homeowners leave the care of their lawn to the professionals. While you handle the daily ongoings of the household, lawn care professionals move in to tackle the daunting task of keeping your yard looking fresh and fabulous!

With excellent time management skills and a tight schedule, your lawn is sure to look its best in half the time you would spend struggling over the maintenance. Plus, while your lawn care needs are being professionally managed it leaves plenty of time for you to attend to your other obligations.

Save Money

Money makes the world go round and the care and keeping of your yard is no exception. Between acquiring all the necessary equipment and tools and spending time you could be out managing your obligations; you’re pouring thousands down the drain!

Fortunately for many consumers, hiring a lawn care company actually saves money! Handing over the financial responsibility of equipment, time, and labor can lower the cost of upkeep on your yard!  The upfront cost of hiring a third party to care for your lawn could be significantly less than what it would cost to do it yourself.

Unfortunately, some unseen costs concerning the care and upkeep of your lawn might arise. Unforeseen weeds and pests can invade and cost you hundreds in damage repairs! With a top-notch company on the job, these problems will be handled with the utmost care and professionalism, saving you the cash and the stress!

The Best Equipment

Needless to say, perfecting your landscaping requires the right materials for the job. Between the high-tech machinery, an assortment of miscellaneous tools, and a handful of chemicals and pesticides, acquiring the equipment to tackle your lawn care yourself could put you in the hole for thousands!

Your lawn care company will stock its arsenal with the top-quality machinery, tools, and chemicals! All their equipment is cleaned and primed for accuracy and saves you the hassle of maintenance and storing the larger appliances. Along with removing the hassle of collecting machinery, hiring professionals saves you the task of sorting through endless stashes of tools!

Keeping up the health of your lawn often comes at the cost of keeping harsh chemicals on hand, which can pose a danger to the inhabitants of the home. Luckily, with hiring a top-notch company to handle the chemistry for you, there’s no need to worry about outside chemical warfare encroaching on the sanctity of your home!

Along with keeping toxic chemicals out of the house, experts in the field know that there are cleaners and less dangerous substitutes of landscaping chemicals so you can rest easy knowing there is no danger in your yard.

Accountability

Along with saving you time, money, and other burdens, hiring a professional lawn care team ensures that the care and keeping of your yard will be handled by the best professionals with the best credentials!

The lawn care industry is highly competitive, and if anyone wants to survive in the cut-throat trade companies must pride themselves on excellence and the highest standards of service.

With the proper certifications and liability insurance, your professional team is sure to provide only the best services at exceptional levels of quality, ensuring that you will receive the benefit of expertly trained individuals doing extraordinary work!

Your Beautiful Lawn

Maintaining a beautiful landscape of lush green grass adds an extra touch of class to the front of any home! Why skimp on the details when you can hire a cost-effective, professional team of experts to ensure that your lawn is kept looking its best year-round?

With a wide range of companies and prospective lawn care providers to choose from, you’re sure to find the best choice for your patch of gorgeous greenery! Enlisting the professionals means that your lawn will receive the finest care and save you time and money in the long run!

Invest in the care and keeping of your yard and hire a high-quality professional team so you can rest easy that your turf is in the best hands!

Are you in need of a new roof? Maybe it is a minor or major leak? A bad roof is embarrassing not to mention that it can cause permanent damage to your home. It also makes the house feel incomplete and less comfortable.

Rooftops can weaken over the years. Adding a new rooftop to your home when needed helps prevent roof leakages. Hiring expert roofing contractors are pretty important. Without any doubt, the rooftop is one of the most fundamental parts of your home. It safeguards your house and also keeps water out.

However, there are some important things to consider when adding a new rooftop. It’s a major project that is expensive and tedious work so you have to ensure you get it right. Before you start your upcoming roof replacement project, here are some things to consider:

The Roofing Material

There are many types of roofing materials you can pick from. Part of the points you will have to consider when choosing which material to use include: your geographical location, financial plan, and desired style. All these can play a part in your decision.

Your physical surroundings will also affect the kind of material to use. If you have a lot of trees around your home, and this affects how much sunlight it gets, all these can make a difference. Whatever you decide, understand that roofing technology is always changing and getting better every year.

One of the common types of roofing materials is asphalt shingles. Asphalt shingles are available in almost every region in the U.S. There are varieties for outrageous chilly climate, extreme sun, and even tropical storm circumstances.

There are two major types: the 3-tab shingle, which will stand up to 60mph wind rating, and the architectural type, which will resist 130mph wind rush. Both types are great for use.

If your rooftop doesn’t get a lot of sunlight, you may have to use a shingle that has more copper in the granules. This will help to limit grass growth.

If you are searching for a new roof that promises a maximum life span, metal roof material may be your best bet. Once more, there are a few personalization choices, for example, style, thickness, and color.

Note that some metal rooftops have uncovered clasp that needs maintenance every 7-10 years. A maximum rib or classic rib panel is a case of this.

Choosing a new rooftop can be a little bit tasking, there is a large number of options available. Simply make sure to investigate your particular needs to decide on the best material for your home.

Cost

Money is often a factor you have to take into account when choosing a new rooftop. You don’t want to spend more than your budget on a new roof. While it is true that the cost of a new rooftop (material and installation) is expensive, the prices among rooftops vary.

However, while the price is an essential factor, you ought to predominantly zero in on the Return On Investment (ROI). The worth and value you will get from your new roof are what matters. You should search for a reasonable cost that will combine the expense of value roofing materials and the installation.

You will need to ask your contractor whether the provided cost estimate will cover all that the roof replacement entails. Cost management is very essential but also bear in mind that you are paying for worth and value, not just the hardware and installation. You can’t put a price on good worth and value.

Pick the Right Roofing Contractor

Changing a roof is not the same as changing a leaky pipe or faulty bulb, it is best left to the experts. You can always hire a professional to get the job done for a fee. Sadly most people just hire the cheapest contractor out there and then lament about their choices later.

Get suggestions from family and friends or visit sites that have a list of guaranteed rooftop installers for more data. Check out online reviews from trusted sites. Hire someone that has the experience and can get the work done right. If there are warranty issues in the future, you need somebody that will be there to fix them for you.

Written Contract

Before any rooftop replacement begins, ensure that your contractual worker gives you a composed agreement of everything the job entails. It should contain details from the idea of work to shingle types. You need a contract for legal reasons.

Pose any inquiry you may have and check that all the verbal agreements you reached with your roofer are in the agreement before any undertaking begins. Legitimate contractual workers will request a portion of the cost as down payment, and the balance on completion of the job. Note that this payment structure exempts the cost of materials if you haven’t bought it.

Ensure Complete Service

On the off chance that your old rooftop gets stripped off and you lose a huge number of nails with it, you will discover the nails in your mulch, grass, or garage. Contractors should have a large magnet that assists with gathering these nails. However, rooftop specialists may neglect to carry this enormous magnet to the worksite.

If you notice that nails are everywhere in your yard and the road surrounding your home, request that your contractual worker brings the magnetic tool and clean the region before ending the agreement.

Adding Value to Your Home

Adding a new rooftop increases the value of your home. A faulty rooftop is not an asset for you, instead, it pulls down the value of your home and damages the walls and floors.

You need to consider each progression cautiously before getting started. The correct rooftop for you can last for decades. Ensure you do an in-depth study on what you are getting into and the rooftop contractor you intend to employ.

With the correct information, the replacement should go seamlessly, and you’ll be able to enjoy your new, beautiful roof for years to come.

If you are a landlord wanting to solidify the safety and security of your position and property, there are various risks and issues that may arise in owning a rental property. Understanding how to mitigate risk and minimize the occurrence of these problems, as well as how to resolve disputes is crucial in order to successfully rent out your property.

The Problems That Landlords Face

There is a wide range of problems that landlords will encounter at some point in their renting process. Whether an issue arises regarding finding a good tenant in the first place, managing regular property maintenance, regulating rent pricing without causing disagreements, or encountering problems with the way your home is treated, there is a lot that can go wrong without a proactive, comprehensive approach to being a landlord. If you are a new landlord, an overview of tips to consider when renting out your property will help you to be prepared and ready.

Reducing the Occurrence of Issues

There are a number of measures you can take to reduce the probability of issues arising as a result of problem tenants.

Possibly the most obvious step in the rental process is appropriately screening potential tenants. Undertaking tasks such as conducting background checks, getting in touch with previous landlords, and going through an interview process of sorts is key in ensuring that the tenants you choose to respect and value your property, and are financially suitable.

Next, a step that is fairly standard is to require a security deposit. Not only does this ensure that any damages are covered, but it also encourages the renter to be mindful and take care of the property.

Maximizing the appeal of your property is an often overlooked approach to encouraging good tenant behavior. When tenants appreciate and value the home they are staying in, it encourages respect and good behavior. In addition, a safe home is just as important. This means that things like liability insurance are useful in this regard, however, minimizing the likelihood of accidents occurring is also crucial.

Finally, reducing the likelihood of damages and problems with tenants can come as a result of regular inspections and check-ins. Doing this on a regular basis, whilst ensuring that you are following laws and respecting the privacy of your tenants will ensure that they keep the house in a good condition.

Minimizing the Impact of Problems

Although many measures can be taken to reduce the likelihood of problems occurring in regard to your property, it is impossible to completely eliminate this risk. Therefore, minimizing the impact of problems that do occur is another key step in ensuring success as a landlord.

In particular, you may end up with problems regarding the condition of your home and belongings. Therefore, a key aspect of minimizing the risk that comes with renting out your property is protecting the contents of your home, as well as the home itself. An effective way to limit the impact of this issue is through the implementation of landlord insurance. As likely the most effective way to minimize the problems surrounding the theft, damage, and more, a service from a reliable and reputable insurance company such as NRMA landlord insurance is paramount.

A second point regarding this is ensuring that you have strong knowledge and understanding of your rights and responsibilities as a landlord. Knowing the laws and regulations surrounding renting out your property, as well as the laws focused on tenants, will ensure that if problems do arise, you know the most appropriate actions to take in order to resolve any problems. With this being said, also be sure to document and maintain any relevant paperwork and files – doing so will mean that you have covered yourself and have the appropriate evidence to address any problems.

Florida’s property insurance market is seemingly gearing up for hurricane season, with several local insurers filing for hikes of up to 31% this summer. If approved, these hikes could add hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars onto the current premiums paid by homeowners.  According to ABC Action News, hurricanes Irma and Michael, together with insurance fraud, may be the reason behind rising costs, and why a number of property insurance providers have abandoned Florida. This is of great concern, not only to private owners but to property managers as well. In fact, property managers have many considerations as far as insurance is concerned, as they need coverage that protects their clients, their tenants, their business, and the properties they are tasked with managing.

General liability insurance is of the utmost importance

General liability insurance is of great importance to a property manager, as it provides coverage for claims resulting from injury or damage caused. If a tenant, for example, slips and gets injured on a property that you manage, your general liability insurance will grant coverage for claims made against you. The insurance will not only help cover the medical expenses of the injured party, but also the costs associated with obtaining legal assistance, as well as the payouts from settlements. With hurricane season in full swing, the importance of general liability insurance cannot be stressed enough.

Property insurance covers the costs of repairs and replacements

Apart from taking care of clients and tenants, property managers are also responsible for the upkeep of the properties they manage. While some issues are easy to resolve, the damages caused by hurricanes, for instance, can be very costly to repair. For this reason, property insurance can be a lifesaver. Property insurance coverage can help cover the expenses associated with the damages caused by lightning, fire, windstorms, vandalism, and theft. Although a tenant’s own insurance can help to cover damage to the contents of the home, the property manager’s home warranty will cover fixtures such as the oven, countertop, and refrigerator. Should the expected premium hike be approved, this type of insurance cover is the one that will be the most affected by it. Perusing online appraisals of providers will enable a property manager to opt for the most suitable coverage plan available.

Don’t neglect your professional liability insurance

Although professional liability insurance, which is also referred to as Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance, is not going to protect you against a hurricane, it remains extremely important. This type of insurance is specifically designed to protect against claims such as those arising from wrongful evictions, the use of inaccurate leasing terms, invasion of privacy, and the hiring of unlicensed workers. At the end of the day, the tenant and landlord will both enjoy protection against financial losses incurred due to mistakes made by the property manager.

Adequate insurance coverage is essential for property managers. Not only will insurance protect you from the damage caused by forces of nature, but it will guard against unintentional mistakes as well.

When you are out and about house hunting, a myriad of mixed emotions may take over, from baffling stress to absolute excitement. However, none are as potent as the perpetual lingering frustration that is with you always. The stress mainly stems from the fact that a lot is riding on the line, since buying a new home is a huge investment.

Nevertheless, the process in itself is not all stress and hard work, as the excitement that is infused in the air around you can often be lifting. The mixture of emotions may tamper with your ability to think straight, ultimately setting you up for some of the most common mistakes. Ideally, part of the planning process involves accurately anticipating your future needs while being able to recognize and understand your current ones as well. That being said, here are the common mistakes people make.

Going to Open Houses Without Agent

A mistake often made by many house hunters is that they go to open houses without their agents. The reason this is a mistake is that, according to real estate experts, going in unrepresented can leave you exposed to the seller’s agent. It is likely that they will shift your attention to just the cosmetic features, such as high-end appliances and the overall materials used throughout the house. These features are the less sellable points you should be looking at, as you should also consider location along with the amenities. Your agent will point out the pros and cons and make sure you form a sturdy opinion before finally deciding.

Hiring Agents in Haste

Being too eager to hire an agent can result in a careless mistake, which often house hunters end up regretting. When on the lookout for good and experienced real estate agents, it is important to make sure both of your visions are aligned, so that you are guided with perfect ease, confident that you will find the perfect property. Make sure your agent provides real-time updates, that way, the process will be as enjoyable as possible, reducing the mistakes you might have been otherwise susceptible to making.

House Hunting for the Present-day

Another common mistake involves looking for right now, as opposed to the future. Most commonly, real estate prices appreciate unless the neighborhood conditions deteriorate. Other factors may come into play, with some being detrimental and others being beneficial. Moreover, wrongfully assuming that your needs will remain static can result in future costly renovations. That is why you will need to form a  detailed plan that is not just specific to your present-day needs.

All in all, house hunting is a very enjoyable experience, but it is one that requires you to be alert and quick on your feet. Make sure to always refer to your agent in every step you take. However, more importantly, make sure to pick a good and experienced agent that can guarantee you find the perfect property. And remember, always approach the process carefully and conscientiously, as to limit the mistakes as much as possible.

Are you familiar with the dangers of residential asbestos? This silicate mineral presents an invisible threat to homeowners whose houses are built with asbestos-containing materials. It becomes hazardous once these materials get disturbed or deteriorated, hence polluting the air in the form of toxic fibers.

These particles can be neither seen nor tasted due to their minuscule size, causing no symptoms during direct exposure. Nevertheless, the health effects of long-term exposure can be detrimental to individuals, most of which are cancerous.

Take a look at the most common residential asbestos dangers, the risk factors, and potential health effects of being exposed to its toxic nature.

Possible exposure scenarios

Virtually every home is built with products that contain a particular amount of asbestos, especially the ones built between 1930 and 1950 when it was commonly used as insulation. Consequently, it can be found in the form of pipe, ceiling, stove, and old furnace insulation. This hazardous material is also present in cement shingles, electric wires casings, vinyl floor tiles, fire-resistant fabrics, and a myriad of other products. Visit this page to check out some useful tips about identifying dangerous asbestos insulation.

As a result, there is a variety of exposure scenarios where homeowners are likely to directly expose themselves to the detrimental effects of asbestos. For instance, individuals are susceptible to such exposure while remodelling attics, drilling drywalls, removing vinyl floor tiles, removing ceilings, or cutting pipe insulation. In the course of replacing existing insulation or drilling holes in drywall, asbestos fibers are spread in the air. Once asbestos-containing insulation is disturbed, there is no way for homeowners to impede the dispersal of toxic particles.

The same goes for removing vinyl floor tiles, typical for the homes in the 1950s. Asbestos fibers are likely to be released during the process of removing tiles with a scraper. Owners of homes with vinyl flooring are encouraged to install the new floor tiles over the existing ones so as to prevent the release of hazardous particles.

Moreover, most of the textured ceilings tend to be built with asbestos-containing products, hence presenting a safety hazard for residents. When scraping such ceilings for the purpose of repainting, homeowners are exposed to the risk of inhaling asbestos particles, regardless of the dust masks fitted on their faces. The following link, https://www.webmd.com/lung/asbestos-exposure, explains the risk of asbestos exposure and the most effective ways of avoiding it.

In addition, dealing with deteriorated pipe insulation in old houses is yet another potential exposure scenario. Cutting the damaged insulation and replacing it with a new one will most certainly result in a release of asbestos particles.

Risk factors

Not removing this hazardous material properly from your home might result in a myriad of health problems. The likelihood of developing an asbestos-related disease depends on the amount of this mineral in the air, the duration of the exposure, and the exposure route.

In addition, a multitude of individual characteristics is believed to play a major role in the risk of experiencing severe health effects. For instance, both age and gender are considered to be relevant, as well as the nutrition and lifestyle of the affected person.

People who smoke tobacco and suffer from a particular respiratory condition are thought to be more susceptible to experiencing an asbestos-related disease. In a nutshell, asbestos concentration, the duration, and frequency of exposure are of crucial importance.

Health effects of asbestos

Unfortunately, the long-term exposure to this silicate mineral usually results in serious health consequences. The most common residential asbestos dangers manifest with the development of severe diseases, such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. Anyhow, the first symptoms of these medical conditions most commonly develop between twenty and thirty years since the commencement of the exposure.

Asbestosis is common in individuals exposed to asbestos particles for a minimum of a few years, whereas the development of this disease takes approximately ten years. This chronic lung disease manifests with severe inflammation and scarred lung tissue. Consequently, the lungs are no longer flexible enough to enable normal breathing. Due to the difficulties in the breathing process, patients experience wheeziness, extreme chest pain, cough, and bluish skin tone.

When it comes to lung cancer, the development of this aggressive disease is determined by numerous factors, such as the type of asbestos fibers, the length and starting point of the exposure, as well as the age at which the person became first affected by the toxic material.

Moreover, the symptoms of lung cancer are not experienced until it’s too late for any kind of treatment. Patients experience chronic cough, fever, chest pain, wheeziness, and sudden weight loss. Considering the similarity of lung cancer symptoms with the ones of other lung disorders, people are required to confirm their doubts with a laboratory test.

Mesothelioma is undoubtedly one of the rarest forms of cancer, most commonly developed in asbestos workers. The fatal character of mesothelioma provides patients with extremely short survival time, typically a few months. Unlike lung cancer, the tobacco-smoking history of the patient has nothing to do with the risk of developing mesothelioma. These individuals experience both chest and shoulder pain, fatigue, sudden weight loss, and dry cough.

Furthermore, asbestos is likely to cause a non-cancerous lung condition, known as the pleural disease. This condition is responsible for making changes to the pleura, referring to the lining of the lungs and chest cavity. As a result, the pleura becomes thicker, hence reducing the normal function of the respiratory system. These pleural abnormalities affect up to fifty percent of asbestos workers, as well as their family members.

Ultimately, the exposure to this hazardous material might result in a poor function of the immune system, particularly in patients suffering from asbestosis. Additionally, another asbestos-related condition is retroperitoneal fibrosis, referring to the presence of a fibrous mass in the abdominal cavity.

Bottom line

When doubting an asbestos-related danger, contact professionals to conduct a house inspection and ensure safe removal.

The health of your family is priceless!

Sustainability features for homes have come a long way in the last few years. Those who are currently in the market for a new build home have plenty of green-options to choose from. Here are five eco-friendly property features to look out for on your next property search.

Solar Roof

Solar panels work by converting the sun’s energy to electricity, then using this electricity to power the property. The panels are designed with photovoltaic cells which are used as semiconductors. The sun’s rays beam down on the cells, causing atoms and electrons to separate. Commissioning a solar roof for your new-build is a wise choice. Not only will you save energy, but you’ll also add value to your property itself. A large number of businesses and homeowners are now prioritizing solar power for their energy needs.

Green Roofing

The world of sustainable design offers an alternative to solar roofing; green roofing is also a great choice. A green roof is built with vegetation that covers the roofing materials. The vegetation might include bushes, flowers, plants and grass. There are several advantages to having a green roof. These benefits include waterproofing the property; enhancing the air quality; and reducing your heating and cooling expenses. Green roofing is built using crushed aggregate, filter fleece, drainage and vegetation.

Water Conserving Fixtures

When you’re looking to purchase a new build home, it’s a good idea to choose water-conserving fixtures. A few examples of such fixtures and fittings include eco-taps, water-saving showerheads and dual flush toilets. You can also have your drainage system improved. You might do this by building a ‘sustainable drainage system’.

High-Quality Insulation

When commissioning a new-build property, it’s a wise idea to use luxury home builders. You’ll want contractors who can provide high-quality and eco-friendly insulation. There are many different types of home-insulation to choose from. For attic insulation, a few options include:

• Cellulose: This type of attic insulation has been on the market for a long while. It’s fairly expensive and is made with materials including denim and recycled newsprint.
• Spray Foam: Spray foam is now considered one of the best types of insulation. The material creates a barrier that stops air from leaking out and prevents air from coming in. One of the best things about spray foam is that it will mold itself to the changing shape of a building.

With high-quality insulation you’ll reduce your energy bills and make monthly savings.

Smart Tech

Smart technology is an attractive and sought after feature for new build properties. For instance, a smart thermostat can help you to save energy, achieve the perfect temperature, and save money. Most smart systems allow you to control the technology wirelessly even when you’re away from home.

As technology advances, we are likely to see even more eco-friendly property features. Eco-friendly homes are increasingly attractive to the modern buyer, so it’s well worth considering this from an investment perspective.

When selling your property, you want it to appeal to as many people as possible. The more viewers, the more likely you are to generate a good level of interest, and the more interest, the higher the chances of obtaining a decent sales price. If you are considering putting your house on the market and want to generate a high level of buyer engagement, read on. Here are 3 ways to make your home more appealing to potential buyers.

Maximize curb appeal

First impressions are hugely important when it comes to property sales, so you must do everything you can to maximize the curb appeal of your property. Most potential buyers will do a drive-by before making an appointment to view, so you should do the same. Get in your car and drive past your house a few times. Does it look inviting, or could it perhaps do with some TLC before putting it on the open market? Try to see your home as a buyer would see it and make notes of anything you feel needs to be done.

Make sure your driveway is clean and free of clutter. If you have boundary fences that are in disrepair, sort them out and give them a fresh coat of paint. Make your property look more welcoming with window boxes or modern planters placed either side of your main access and filled with brightly colored flowers and plants. The more appealing and well maintained your property looks from the outside, the more chance there is of someone making a viewing appointment.

Keep décor fresh and neutral

If any of your rooms are completely over the top in terms of décor, it’s a good idea to dull things down a bit. You will never appeal to all tastes but keeping things fresh and neutral is less likely to alienate anyone. If you do feel that a coat of paint is necessary, warm stone, creams, and off whites will make a room appear larger and are more likely to appeal to the masses.

If you have an abundance of belongings around your home, try to reduce them where possible. A viewer’s focus should remain on the property, not on your possessions, so declutter where you can, and it could make a big difference.

The price is right

The asking price of your property makes a massive difference to its general appeal. When it comes to pricing, listen to your agent’s advice. You may have expectations that far exceed what’s realistic, so it’s important to take their comments and historic statistics on board. If you price the property too high, you will alienate a huge chunk of your potential market, so don’t be greedy about it. Pitching it wrongly could result in your home being on the market for weeks, which usually results in buyers thinking there is something wrong with it. Get it right from the outset, and you are more likely to achieve your optimum price.

If you are considering the involved and exciting task of selling your property, there is a lot to keep in mind. Not only do you need to deal with your real estate agent and potential buyers, but you need to ensure that you are prepared financially, are ready to move out when necessary, and most importantly that your property is in a condition that maximizes its value.

The Benefits of Home Maintenance

This is where the question arises – are maintenance and repairs important before selling a property? Any potential buyers of your home are far more likely to make the purchase, and at a higher price, if the home is in good condition. People do not want to be buying homes that require work to be done – they value convenience and time, and are willing to pay for it.

Making repairs of essential home areas, namely ones that a buyer is likely to notice immediately, will ensure that home inspections go smoothly and that your agent can be confident in making the sale. On the other hand, a more extensive home renovation can be expensive and intensive and does not guarantee appeal from potential buyers.

With this in mind, there are a number of maintenance and repair tasks that you should complete before selling your property, with some being easier than others.

The Maintenance Areas to Focus On

Once you have decided that maintenance is the right approach to preparing your home for sale, you will need to determine where you want to focus your efforts. Home maintenance is a broad topic that encompasses a number of potential tasks, whether they involve making visual improvements and updates, maintaining the structure of your home itself, or conducting an overview of utilities and safety features.

The first area you might want to consider is regarding visual and aesthetic fixes. Whilst other areas are equally as important within the overall process, visual aspects are the most noticeable in the mind of a home buyer, and should be addressed comprehensively – they are often easy fixes that can have a huge impact on home presentation and sale. With this being said, you should make sure that you do not make any major visual changes that might cater to a specific style or aesthetic. Sticking to a style that is on-trend and appeals to a wide audience will ensure that your home retains a maximized appeal to buyers. You can hire a contractor for these tasks (for things like wall crack repairs and intensive cleaning tasks), however many can also be done by yourself – knowing how to plan a room, conducting general cleaning and oiling decks are examples of this.

Next, you want to be sure that your home is structurally sound. This is an obvious area of importance due to the safety that it provides, and a good place to start is with a building inspection. This will include areas such as the roof and walls of your home and will highlight areas that require maintenance. In particular, looking at long term solutions to damp, fixes to subsidence, and fixing wall cracks will prolong the life of your home and minimize the extent of any future problems. Another possible action to take here may be to enlist the help of a termite and pest inspector.

Finally, you should undertake an overview of the utilities and other safety features within your home. This might include electrical and plumbing, as well as smoke detectors and security cameras. Ensuring that these all work as intended will add to the appeal of your home significantly, as buyers are confident that the home is in good condition. For a better understanding of what you might want to focus on, consider the viewpoint of a home buyer.

Is Any Maintenance Better Left Alone?

If you are constrained by time or budget, you might not be able to conduct significant maintenance and repairs of your home. While it is important that you fix up the property as much as possible, there are some areas in which you might be able to benefit from less or no change. For example, while maximizing the visual appeal of your home is extremely important before making a sale, making significant visual changes in the appearance of your home can throw buyers off. This is most notable in painting, regarding both the interior and exterior of your home. Repainting your home can be a great way to renew the feel of your home, but you need to ensure that you are going with a style that appeals to as many people as possible (as mentioned earlier). Like other maintenance tasks, if you do end up repainting your home, consider learning how to paint walls within your home – it can save you money and give you creative control regarding what you do.

Furthermore, depending on your situation, it might be best to avoid more extensive renovations and remodeling. Whilst redoing your kitchen or bathrooms can be a good undertaking in certain situations, it will come down to the current state of the areas within your home, and whether or not they really need significant change. You should also keep in mind that you won’t be able to benefit from your renovations and that renovating to fit your needs does not mean that the buyer of your home will have the same requirements.

Are you looking for a new front door handle? These hardware pieces enhance the exterior décor of homes, increase security, and speak volumes about the personality of homeowners.

Nowadays, pull handles have become increasingly popular among homeowners, providing modern appearance and high functionality. The model you choose is supposed to be weather-resistant, elegant-looking, and comfortable to use.

These are the most important factors to consider when selecting your entrance door handles as part of your home remodeling project.

Style

The initial factor to take into account when purchasing such a piece of hardware is the style. It’s paramount to match the style of the entrance handle with the front door design, as well as the overall exterior décor of the house. For instance, modern homes would be better suited with some elegant-looking models, not ones with a vintage appearance.

Keep in mind that pull handles are designed to provide a contemporary look of homes, available in different sizes. The shorter ones are better suited for residential front doors, while the longer ones are a better match for commercial facilities.

Additionally, the shape of the pull handle plays a major role in both the look and feel of this accessory. You can choose from a variety of square-edged and round models with unique details, depending on whether you wish to make a statement or opt for a classic look. Also, make sure its shape feels comfortable in your hand, as you’ll be using this accessory an endless number of times throughout the day.

Type of finish

Another indispensable factor to consider when shopping for a front door handle is the type of finish, which affects both appearance and maintenance. For example, chrome, nickel, and stainless steel finishes are believed to be the most appropriate alternative for outdoor conditions due to their longevity, resistance to corrosion, and low-maintenance character. As long as you use wax for cleaning purposes, the shine of your pull handle will remain intact for years. Click here to learn more about the types and uses of chrome plating.

Moreover, the models with polished brass finishes can be of dissimilar quality, mainly determined by the quality of the lacquer. In order for such a polished brass piece of hardware to endure longer, you are advised to purchase a high-end model with high-quality lacquer. Anyhow, the lacquer is still likely to get damaged after a few years, hence exposing the original brass.

In addition, you can purchase a variant with PVD brass finish, which is known to be considerably more durable than polished brass. The brass surface is protected by a special layer that’s ideal for outdoor use, preventing sunlight, humidity, and pollution to cause discoloration.

Material

Choosing such door hardware made of the right material is crucial for blending in with the exterior home décor and withstanding the weather elements of the local climate. The ones made from brass and bronze aren’t suited for humid climates due to the high risk of discoloration.

Furthermore, homeowners dwelling in close proximity to the sea or ocean are advised to purchase a model made from marine grade stainless steel, resistant to both dampness and salt. The following link, https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Brass-Handles, includes some useful tips about cleaning brass handles for better maintenance.

Type of lock

Locks are of crucial importance when installing front door handles, as these accompanying elements provide home security. Homeowners are usually provided with a choice between Mortice locks and tubular latches.

Additionally, mortice locks are known for offering high security due to the use of a heavy-duty mechanism and top-notch cylinders. Therefore, these locks usually come with a lifetime warranty.

In contrast, tubular locks are much simpler and less secure than the previous model. Most homeowners are capable of installing them without any proper tools or training.

Therefore, when purchasing entrance door hardware, make sure you choose a high-quality handle with a strong lock in order to prevent unexpected burglaries. Bear in mind that mortar locks are believed to be at least five times stronger than tubular latches.

Conclusion

It’s vital to choose a nice-looking model with low-maintenance characteristics, safe lock, and resistance to the local weather conditions!