SkyFive Properties Blog

You’re paying liability insurance to protect you in case one of your tenants hurts themself in your property. It’s great for peace of mind knowing that you won’t be put out of business in case of a lawsuit.

But, prevention is the best medicine as they say. So, it is always a good idea to accident-proof your property to make it safe for your tenants and not have to ever rely on your insurance company at all.

In fact, you’ll even save money as time goes by without any claims so it is a win-win to keep the property maintained for safety.

Here are some of the ways that you should be taking care that your tenants have a safe place to live.

1 – Prevent slip and falls

Most accidents at home or in a rental property are slips and falls. It can be caused by something as simple as a spill that didn’t get cleaned up, which would be the tenant’s fault, or it could be because the property is not being maintained.

Make sure that any possibility of injury is taken care of. For instance, if you live in the northern US or Canada, then you have to make sure that ice and snow in walkways and driveways are not going to cause a problem by hiring a professional like commercial snow removal Edmonton.

Also, make sure that any tile inside or outside the property is even. Any cracks or uneven tiling should be dealt with immediately. And steps should always have a handrail to make sure that people can access them properly.

While the steps above can greatly reduce the risk of injury, there is always the possibility of accidents happening. Make sure you have business insurance cover to avoid any out of pocket expenses in case of an accident

2 – Keep the structure sound

When the property gets older you’ll need to be doing routine improvements to make sure that the structural integrity is sound. What that means is that you shouldn’t have parts of the house that break and cause injuries.

This also includes times of natural disasters like a big storm. Have a hurricane proof roof if your property is in a hurricane zone.

Railings will need to be checked to make sure that they are not loose. An even bigger area to consider is the foundation. If it is not sound, it can leak and cause water problems that can start an electrical fire. Or, it can even cause the house to lean and cause injuries that way.

3 – Home security system

For both your tenants and for your own property, a security system will prevent any break-ins that could have the possibility of somebody getting injured or worse. Even if your property is in a safe neighborhood, an alarm is a must-have.

You’ll even get a discount on your insurance if you have a security system so it only makes sense. It can be as simple as an alarm that sounds when it is activated, or as complex as a smart system that has cameras and smart locks.

Your tenants will love having that extra sense of security and could even be a selling point on the property.

Manufactured homes are also known as mobile homes. Built from prefabricated parts and then assembled onsite, manufactured homes are a fast and good value option. However, before you buy up all the manufactured homes in your location, it’s smart to look at the pros and cons of this type of property. Read on to find out more.

The advantages of investing in manufactured homes

Reduced cost

Compared to traditionally built homes, manufacturer property presents a cost-friendly option. You can get the latest styles and ample square footage for much less than you would pay for a traditional property. Of course, this is great for investors because they can build or buy more substantial properties and get a better return for their money.

Quality

The quality of US-built manufactured homes for sale is very high. This is because of the red seal program that ensures all homes meet the strictest requirements. In fact, the factory-built nature of the homes means that quality control is excellent. This means fire safety, energy efficiency, and structural integrity are all high for every home constructed.

Quick to put up

If you want a fast turnaround and your investment manufacturer home may be just the thing. After all, there is no waiting around for 6 months plus like you get with traditional homes. Instead, it is possible to erect a manufactured home quickly out of its ready-made parts. This means that it can be earning your money much faster than a traditional build.

Green

Another significant advantage of investing in a manufactured home is that you know you will be doing your bit for the environment. This is because mobile homes are now very energy efficient. This feature is due to the extensive amounts of insulation in the walls and on the underside of the building. Additionally, it is common practice to fit water-saving taps and appliances in mobile homes.

The disadvantages of investing in a manufactured home

Of course, no property investment is without any risk at all. That means any savvy investor will want to know both sides of the story before choosing to go all in.

Land cost

While the cost of manufactured homes is less, you also need to factor in the land to build them. Unfortunately, land can be expensive, and not all locations can site such properties. This can sometimes make finding the right piece at the right price a challenge.

Getting funding

Property investors will know that getting a mortgage for a property can be tough at the best of times. However, getting funding for manufactured homes comes with an additional issue. That is because lenders don’t always like to give mortgages on mobile homes unless they are permanent and placed on foundations or a basement. Something that can add to the cost and the time of your project.

Final thoughts

There are indeed some challenges to overcome, such as securing financing and finding the right location for manufacturing homes. However, investing in manufactured properties can be an excellent option for investors looking for fast turnarounds.

A real estate appraiser’s work includes a lot of responsibilities– taking orders, doing property research, property inspection, taking filed notes transcription, report consistency, accurate reviews, and many more.

To do the work accurately, you need the perfect set of tools that will give you accurate results and will make your work easy for you!

In this article, we’ve created a well-researched analysis of the best real estate appraiser tools of 2020, that will help you find the right appraisal tools to will maximize your productivity.

Without discussing any further, let’s read about the best tools for real estate appraises!

Laser Measuring Device – Measure Distance With Ease!

One of the responsibilities of appraisers is to measure a house.

At the time of your property inspection, measuring the property with accuracy is considered to be the most important thing. And to get the right results, you’ve to choose the perfect measuring tools!

We’ve been using traditional techniques for measuring, but not anymore! Nowadays, laser measure is becoming one of the best measuring tools for appraisers.

Laser measuring tools are equivalent to the size of your cell phone and hence you can carry it everywhere conveniently! you can measure a distance up to 300 feet and it works well in every weather condition!

You can also transfer the measurements into your software easily with the help of its Bluetooth connectivity features.

How to Select the best measuring tools?

To choose the best appraiser measuring tools, here are the few things that you have to keep in mind:

1. Accuracy of the measuring tool.
2. Quality over quantity.
3. Price range.
4. Feedback from actual users!

Drones To Access Hard To Reach Paths!

Drones are another one of the most used appraisal tools in 2020.

They’re inexpensive to use, and have a long-lasting battery backup! Drones with high sensors are giving appraisers a niche in the market and creating expertise that’s in demand nowadays.

How can you use drowns for appraisal practice?

1. You can access hard to reach places with the help of drones.
2. Unobserved areas can be seen with the help of the correct pieces of equipment.
3. Areas of interest can be identified for additional inspections.
4. Prior improvements can be shown with the help of photographs and videos captured by drones.
5. Drones can be very useful for measuring large acreage tracks.

A Perfect Clipboard For Fieldwork!

Whether you’re an appraiser or a realtor, a professional clipboard for fieldwork is a necessity!

Representing your business while conducting your inspections is the first impression you leave on your clients. To make this impression leave a professional impact on your clients, everything needs to be perfect!

What are the key features of a perfect clipboard?

1. There should be more utility than a writing surface.
2. Storage capacity for business cards, extra pens, forms is necessary for a clipboard.
3. Plastic storage clipboard to elevates your professionalism.
4. Weather protection to cover your important papers on rainy or snowy days.

Use of Tablet Or Ipad To Move To A Paperless Office!

The real estate appraisal work no longer needs you to carry a lot of documents to your workplace!

Why do we need to print and dump temporary sketch documents on a paper shredder, when we can create a digital document?  Perhaps, 53% of information theft comes from non-digital sources.

And, as our high tech appraisals are moving towards a paperless office, and here’s how you can skip the paperwork and use the technology, like construction ERP software, to improve your productivity!

How to use Tablet or IPad in your appraisal work?

Scan your documents: Use Apps like CamScamer and JotNot to scan your documents and convert them into PDF for later review!

Make notes: With the help of Apple notes or Goggle documents, you no longer have to worry about carrying a pen and paper to your workplace.

Make Reports: Create, Edit, and share your appraisal report in a minute with the help of Ipad or Tablet!

Communicate with your team: Join Zello and Voxxer that allows you to link up your walkie-talkie style with the rest of your team for easy communication.

Make 3D Sketches: Create 3D sketch floor plans of your home review with apps like Roomstyler 3D home planner, and Autodesk!

Take Accurate measurements: Last but not the least, Intract with your distro laster device to capture and project accurate 3D measurements.

Things to keep in mind before buying your appraisal tool!

Buying the right tool is the key to increase your productivity, but how can you make sure that the tool you’re buying is a top-quality product?

To find the answer to this question, we’ve created a checklist for you which will help you choose the right appraisal tool for you!

Must have features you should look in appraisal tools before buying them!

1. Rewards and recognitions
2. Performance improvements plans
3. Process transparency
4. Performance scorecards
5. Performance insights
6. 360-degree feedback

Most of us like to think of ourselves as weekend warriors in the era of HGTV, but are there some home projects you shouldn’t attempt on your own? Unless you’re a professional, the answer is probably yes.

Along with the following general safety precaution tips during a home improvement project, it’s also important you know the work you shouldn’t try to do yourself.

When you do hire a home improvement professional to come into your home, make sure that you have insurance that will cover an accident if one happens. This is also why you should hire a professional who’s licensed and has their own insurance—you can reduce the potential of being found liable if something goes wrong.

The following are some situations where it’s best to hire a professional, even if you typically are a maven of home improvement.

Floor Refinishing

Floor refinishing isn’t necessarily dangerous if you don’t have the experience, but things might not turn out well.

Too often, people are under the impression refinishing their wood floors isn’t a big project, and the reality is that it’s challenging.

First, you have to know how to sand the floors properly. You need to be able to get it exactly right.

Then, you have to be able to properly layer the new finish so that it doesn’t dry tacky.

If you’ve never watched someone use a sander for the first time, look up a video, and you’ll see just how tricky it can be.

If you’re not holding it tightly, it can quite literally run away from you and then bust a hole in your wall.

Removing a Wall

If you want to take down a wall and open up space or so you can redesign the layout, you have to be completely sure it’s not essential.

If a wall is a load-bearing and you don’t realize it, your ceiling might cave in, your roof could collapse or you could eventually be dealing with sagging beams.

Anything structural is probably best left to the professionals. You need to understand how to support weight when you’re doing demolition, and how to transfer weight load properly.

Removing Lead-Based Paint

Lead-based paint is common in homes built before the 1970s, and it needs to be removed by a professional.

There are serious health risks that can come with DIY removal of lead-based paint, and you need a company that’s going to take necessary safety precautions.

Electrical Work

Electrical work is one of the areas where you need to most skill when it comes to home projects. One tiny error or one lapse in your concentration could be dangerous or even deadly.

You should find a licensed professional who has training and experience as well as insurance for your electrical and wiring work.

There are around 45,000 electrical fires a year, so keep this in mind if you’re tempted to DIY a wiring project.

Major Basement Renovations

Basement renovations are a popular project among DIYers, and it can be a fun project as well, because you may be transforming an unusable space into something that adds value and function to your home.

Should you be taking on a large-scale basement reno on your own without professional help? Probably not.

There are a lot of safety elements to consider in basements. For example, you might overlook vapor barriers or fire-blocking barriers.

One of the most dangerous aspects of a basement remodel is called underpinning, where you dig out a basement to make it lower. People have been killed trying to do that on their own because walls or the whole house can collapse.

Repairing Gas Appliances

Gas appliances are similar in difficulty and risks of trying to do your own electrical work.

Gas appliances including furnaces, water heaters, and ovens can cause leaks if they aren’t installed exactly right.

Gas leaks can lead to health problems, fires, or explosions.

Plumbing

Finally, there are some simple plumbing tasks you may be able to do on your own. For example, dealing with a slightly clogged drain is probably fine to do on your own. However, extensive plumbing work should be left to the pros.

While a plumbing mistake isn’t likely going to be fatal, it can cause serious and expensive damage.

For example, if you don’t do plumbing correctly, one small leak can eventually flood your home.

The areas of plumbing you should especially hire a professional to handle are hot water pipes and sewage systems.

If you are thinking about having some guests over, you need to make sure that your house is ready for people. You want your guests to feel comfortable and welcomed when they come into your home, so you need to prepare your house before you have guests over. But if your house is not at the standard that you think it should be, you may need to do a few things to get it ready before your guests arrive.

Clear your entryways

If you are having guests over, you need to make sure that your home is accessible to everyone, so the entryways need to be as clean and clear as possible. Nobody should have to walk over boxes, rubbish or anything else to get inside your house, so keeping your entryways clear is important. If you are having a lot of people over, you may also need to think about any back or side entryways that people may use. People often go all out trying to clean the inside of their home and they forget to clean up outside. Even just a quick sweep of your side driveway or moving your things into the garden shed can make a huge difference to your guests because they will see that you have gone to the trouble to clean your home for them.

Do a household clean-up

If you are starting to notice that you have a lot of junk lying around your house that you need to get rid of before your guests arrive, you should do a household clean up to get your house looking spic and span. Anything that you don’t want your guests to see when they come over should be neatly stored away in one of the rooms that will not be used or in your shed outside. Everything else should be thrown out, especially if it is something that you have not used in a long time or something that you will not use again. A lot of people tend to avoid doing household cleanups because you will have to dispose of the junk from the cleanup on your own. However, if you hire a rubbish removal specialist to assist you with the removal of your household junk, you will find that the whole process is a lot easier to manage. So if you give your house a big clean-up before your next event, your house will stay cleaner for longer after everyone has gone.

Prepare your entertaining areas

If you are going to have people over, you need to prepare your entertainment areas in your home so that they can accommodate your guests. Some people like to entertain indoors around the dining room table, whereas others like to let people congregate inside and outside, so you will need to have both areas ready to receive your guests. Something that people often forget about when they have a lot of people over is if they have enough chairs for everyone to sit on.

If you are trying to bring people together for a meal, having enough chairs is essential because you will want everyone to sit at the table together to eat. If you don’t have enough chairs that go with your dining room table, you should invest in some nice outdoor chairs from Remarkable Furniture. Chairs that are suitable for both outdoor and indoor dining are great to have because you can bring them inside when you have a large number of guests over and leave them outside when you want to sit outside. So if you want everyone to feel comfortable in your home, you need to be prepared to entertain them.

Fix up important areas

It is not always enough to clean up your dining room or outdoor entertaining area when you are having guests over. If there are other areas of your home that people may use while they are over, you need to make sure that they are clean and tidy as well. Areas like the kitchen and bathrooms should always be cleaned before guests come over because you never know who will be using these areas when you are busy entertaining your guests. It is also a good idea to clean these areas before you have guests because of health and safety. Lots of people tend to use the kitchen and bathrooms when you have an event at your house and germs can spread easily in these areas if you are not careful. Making sure to clean these areas before your guests come over and after they leave will lessen the spread of harmful germs.

At the end of the day, you will never be fully prepared for what can happen when you have guests over. However, if you give your house a good clean and make it an accommodating place for all of your guests, you will find that things should run smoothly and that your guests will have a more enjoyable visit when they come into your home.

Being a top realtor means fighting off a lot of competition. To do this, you’ll want to go the extra mile for your customers. When you build a reputation for outstanding customer service, you’ll easily gain a bigger share of the market.

If you want to grow your business, take a look at these top tips to keep your clients happy:

Listen to your clients

Buying a property can be a really stressful process for even the most seasoned buyers. Many people find that realtors don’t really listen to what they’re looking for. Of course, this leads to wasted time for everybody. Instead of showing clients homes, you want to get off your books, take the time to really listen to what they’re searching for. By doing so, you’ll save time and increase customer satisfaction.

Educate customers about the homebuying

If your clients are first-time buyers, they’ll have a lot to learn about how the process works. Even existing homeowners often have very little knowledge about how property transactions work. By taking the time to educate people, you can help boost their confidence. Furthermore, customers will notice when you spend extra time providing them with assistance.

Recommend related services

When people purchase a property, they’ll typically need a range of services to manage the moving process. Use your professional network to recommend reputable businesses. Locate a removal service, find local tradespeople, and provide clients with a ‘moving home checklist’. These little touches have a major impact on the moving process. Customers will recognize that you’re going above and beyond. This means they’ll be more likely to use your services in the future. Similarly, they’ll be happy to recommend you to other people, which can lead to extra business for your company.

Enhance communication

Staying in touch with your clients is really important, no matter what stage they’re at in the home buying process. When you communicate with customers regularly, you get the chance to update your records regarding their search criteria. This enables you to offer a better service and reduces the time it takes to locate suitable properties. Additionally, making yourself available emphasizes the value you place on your customers.

Make thoughtful suggestions

As a realtor, your role isn’t simply to present a range of properties that fit within a client’s narrow search criteria. Your professional expertise gives you the opportunity to make valuable suggestions too. When you can raise an issue that your clients haven’t considered, you can add another dimension to their property search. This helps people to find a property that truly meets their needs, even if they aren’t sure what they’re looking for at the start.

Growing Your Real Estate Business

The real estate sector is notoriously competitive. To successfully grow your business, you’ll need to build up a great reputation. Delivering outstanding customer service is one of the easiest ways to do this. When you’re known for providing great customer service, you can grow your business and achieve your goals in record time.

Having a beautiful home in the tropics means enjoying mild winters, pristine beaches, and plenty of sunshine. But there are dangers you need to be aware of as a homeowner. If you’re spending summer (and even fall) in regions like South Florida or the Bahamas, you’ve no doubt taken all the precautions to prepare yourself and your home for hurricane season. If you’re not taking similar steps with your roof, though, you could be setting yourself up for thousands of dollars in property damage.

Whether this is your first hurricane season or you’re an old pro, we’ve gathered tips that will help you better prepare your roof for the intense wind and rain the tropics are sure to bring.

Inspect Your Roof Annually

The best thing you can do for your roof — even outside of getting it ready for hurricane season — is commit to an annual inspection. If you feel confident inspecting your roof on your own, this can be done by setting aside roughly an hour for a thorough inspection. Make sure you take all necessary safety precautions. Have someone else available to spot you at all times, including when you climb up via a sturdy ladder. Wear shoes with thick, slip-resistant soles. Have tools passed to you, don’t attempt to carry them up as you climb. And always maintain a low center of gravity to reduce the risk of falling.

Once you’re on the roof, check for the obvious things first. Curled shingles or missing tiles are easy to spot. Clear any debris that may be left from previous storms and ensure there’s no moisture built up. Inspect the flashing to make sure it hasn’t pulled away from the edges, and closely examine the perimeter of your roof to check for loose or missing nails, as these could mean it isn’t secured to the rafters as much as it should be.

When you’re done checking the roof itself, it’s time to check the inside. If you have an attic, make your way up there and look for damaged rafters. You especially want to take note of any moisture or mold, as this means there’s a leak in your roof which could be indicative of compromised tiles. If you notice any problems while you’re doing your inspection, it’s time to get some help by searching roofing contractors “near me,” so you can find a talented professional.

Consider Switching to Metal

If your home was built within the last two-to-three decades, it’s possible you’re already enjoying the benefits of a metal roof. Despite their advantages in hurricane-prone areas, however, many homes are still built using asphalt shingle roofs. The typical asphalt roof is resilient, but it doesn’t hold up as well to high sustained winds or even frequent gusts. Tiles can easily be blown off or damaged in a hurricane, damaging the structure of your roof and making it more susceptible to even worse issues like being blown off completely.

Metal roofs, on the other hand, offer protection against winds of up to 140mph. While stronger hurricanes can exceed that, it’s the best guarantee you’re going to get that your roof will stay in one piece. Often literally, as metal roofs are typically made up of far fewer pieces than asphalt shingle roofs, which means there’s less chance of any one piece giving way during a brutal storm. Even outside of hurricane season, metal roofs are one of the most energy-efficient choices and tend to pay for themselves several times over during their long lifetime.

Depending on the contractor as well as the size and shape of your home, a new metal roof will run you anywhere from $15,000-$30,000. This is a massive investment, but if you intend to stay in your home for a long time, you’ll see it pay off in both the superior quality and longevity of the roof.

Invest in Hurricane Clips

If you don’t have the time or money to install a metal roof, there is an alternative: Metal roofing clips specifically designed to help withstand hurricanes. These are a common fixture in tropical-climate homes, but they’re inexpensive to install if your home wasn’t already built with them.

Hurricane clips — also called seismic ties — are designed to help reinforce rafters and trusses so that the structural integrity of your roof stays secure. As you might expect, they can withstand hurricane-force winds and are incredibly long-lasting. With proper maintenance, you should only need to get them installed once.

That said, hurricane clips can be difficult to install. If you feel confident in your DIY abilities, you can install one hundred clips for around $1,000. Otherwise, it’s best to call a professional to help retrofit the clips and ensure your roof stays put.

As you go through your hurricane safety checklist, it’s important to give your roof the attention it deserves. It’s one of the most vulnerable areas of your home during a significant storm, and once it goes, your whole interior is opened up to wind and water damage. If you live in a hurricane-prone area, you owe it to yourself to take these precautions and ensure your home stays safe year-round.

Many houses and commercial buildings have landscapes around them. They are what make the area gorgeous and appealing. However, taking care of the grass, the flowers and even the trees can take up much of your time. You see, nature needs tending if you want it to survive.

If the landscape around your building is artificial, you don’t have to bother with it that much. But, if everything is natural and alive, then you have to look after it. During harsh weather conditions, a lot of things can get destroyed. If this happens, you also need to find a way to restore them. After all, a clean and beautiful surrounding says well about your reputation.

If you don’t have the time to deal with these matters or don’t know how then you should find someone who does. There are licensed and reliable landscaping and maintenance services that you can hire to take that chore off your hands. How amazing is that? You won’t even have to lift a finger. Of course, you can learn a trick or two on how to perform certain things.

Hiring this type of service can really make a difference. There are certain benefits that come with it and here are just some of them:

Professionalism and efficiency

Landscaping and maintenance service is usually an umbrella term for a lot of different functions. If you have a large area around your building or house that needs good landscaping, you can hire a bunch of professionals on the matter. They will do a tremendous job of filling the empty area with natural beauty.

This is because they are skillful and knowledgeable of what looks beautiful around a property. Of course, you can suggest a few ideas on your own, and they will make sure they are realized. How cool is that? Whatever you desire, they will make it happen.

Plus, they are fast, professional, and fully-equipped. The entire landscaping process won’t take much of your time. They will be able to finish the job quickly. This doesn’t mean that they will rush through the process.

What it means is that they already know what they’re doing because they’ve completed many projects like this before. It’s the experience that makes them fast and efficient. It’s always a good idea to trust a professional to do a tremendous job on your yard.

This will make you fall in love with your house or building all over again. An amateur like yourself will probably make things worse if you have no prior experience on the matter. Click on the link for additional information on the subject https://www.loveyourlandscape.org/benefits/the-benefits-of-landscapes/.

Moreover, there are also other services that they can offer besides designing a landscape for your building.

Mowing and leaf removal

Plants and grass grow with time. For example, your grass might not be able to reach the height of a tree, but it can definitely grow enough to make you trip and fall. Plus, an overgrown grass tells a different picture of your home or business. You definitely don’t want to look careless and disorganized.

If you don’t have a lot of spare time to mow your lawn, you should hire someone that can take care of that problem for you. Overgrown grass leads to an insect invasion as well. If you own a dog, it can easily attract fleas and ticks while playing in it. Plus, this might happen to you as well. Ticks can get attached to human flesh as well. It’s not entirely safe to walk around overgrown grass.

Therefore, you should make the right decision and call a professional service to mow your lawn. After they are done, you won’t be able to recognize it, but in a good way. It’s quite easy to forget about taking care of the landscape around you, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

If you seem to forget about it, a professional won’t. You can also schedule regular maintenance so that you won’t have to look at the overgrown grass ever again. A professional will make sure that everything is efficiently mowed and cut around you. Plus, there’s no better feeling than looking at that freshly-cut lawn. Your pet will love it as well.

Another thing that might ruin the appealing look of your landscape is fallen leaves. We all know that during fall, leaves turn yellow and fall on the ground. They might be pretty to look at, but they won’t be so appealing lying on the ground for a more extended period. If you don’t take care of them, they will start to rot and ruin your yard’s whole look. This is not something you want.

Not to worry, because professional landscaping and maintenance service got you covered for that. They will make sure that every single leaf is removed from beneath the trees. Afterward, they will dispose of the pile the best way they seem fit.

This can save you a lot of time because if you have a large yard, you won’t be able to gather all the leaves within a couple of minutes. That’s why it is best to leave it to the pros. If you want to find out more, check out this page.

Snow removal

Winter can be a lot of people’s favorite season, but definitely not for the plants, grass, and trees. It’s a season where everything withers, except the evergreen trees and plants. But what happens when a lot of snow piles up in your yard, and you can’t remove it all on your own? Plus, what if you don’t have the time for it?

This is where landscaping services come in handy. One of the services they offer is snow removal. They come fully prepared and equipped to deal with any amount of snow that lies in your garden. Apart from domestic services, they also perform commercial ones.

If you want a clear path to your building’s entrance, you can trust the professionals to allow that for you. The excess snow will be removed from the area, so it doesn’t cause accidents along the way. It’s quite easy to slip on ice and hurt something. This is the last thing you want happening to you or your fellow employees.

In states and countries where winter is usually harsh, snow can be a big problem. One person won’t be able to remove it entirely. That’s why people turn to professional services for additional help. A team of experts will arrive to start the cleaning process. You can also make this a scheduled thing, at least during winter.

Lawn maintenance and fertilization

As mentioned above, owning a landscape requires care and maintenance. Plants, grass, and trees are living things. You can’t expect them to stay in one state forever. Hiring a landscaping and maintenance service is a good idea for a problem like this. Not everyone knows how to take care of their garden and lawn. Others simply lack the time. Instead, you should look for professional help on the matter.

This way, everything will always look gorgeous and taken care of. Therefore, it is advisable that hire a scheduled maintenance service to check up on your lawn regularly. This way, they will make sure that everything is in order. If weeds are intertwining with your flowers, they will remove them. If leaves are piling up on the ground, they will eliminate them. You get the gist.

Plus, if your lawn needs fertilizing to look greener and fresher, you can trust the experts to do that for you as well. Satisfying their customers is their number one priority. Whatever you need regarding your lawn, they will make it happen.

If you don’t know how to perform the fertilization process on your own, you can leave it to the experts. How amazing is that? Your lawn won’t need your assistance after their assistance. Therefore, if you are in need of commercial landscaping services, all you need to do is find them online.

Eliminating mosquitos and ticks

As mentioned above, ticks can be a huge problem if your grass is overgrown. If you are constantly worried about that, then a professional service can eliminate the threat for good. They will also take care of the mosquitos that are probably bothering you as well. There’s nothing worse than having to listen to their buzzing outside and inside your house. During the summer, they are most active.

Mosquitos are not so dangerous, but ticks are. They can get stuck inside your flesh, and you’ll need a medical procedure to get them out. If you don’t want to deal with a similar situation, you should make sure that the landscaping services eliminate them permanently. Luckily for you, they specialize in this service as well. You won’t have to worry about your family, or your pet getting attacked by ticks and mosquitos.

A few final words

There are a lot of things to deal with when it comes to landscaping and your lawn. Some people don’t have strong gardening skills to take care of the nature around them. Therefore, they turn to professional services to make sure their plants, bushes, grass, and trees don’t wither for good.

If you are among them, you can trust experts to maintain your lawn as well. Whether you require their service for your home or office, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that they will make sure everything looks green and beautiful. This way, every time you look at your landscape or lawn, it will bring you happiness and joy. In the end, that’s all that matters.

Disability and illness are the leading causes of home foreclosures. Medical ailments or personal injury can take you out of work for an extended period of time. Being out of work might mean no wages, which is why you should establish a financial safety net to protect your family and your home.

The current pandemic also serves as a reminder that you should have adequate protection in place in case you suddenly become unable to work for an extended period of time. If you’re moving during these unprecedented times, you’ll want to make sure you’re prepared if you get sick or unexpectedly lose your ability to meet your mortgage payments.

Your home is probably your largest asset, which is why it’s important to have safeguards in place to ensure that you don’t lose your home due to medical issues or disability. Read on to learn more about mortgage disability insurance and how it might benefit you.

What’s Mortgage Disability Insurance?

Mortgage disability insurance (MDI), also referred to as mortgage payment protection insurance (MPPI), ensures at least a portion, if not all, of your mortgage, is covered should you become ill or injured and unable to perform your job. If you pass away prematurely with a mortgage balance, this type of insurance can also cover the remainder of your loan balance so your family doesn’t have to worry about meeting those payments or losing their home.

With MDI, your mortgage payments will be covered, either in part or in full, after an elimination period (typically 30-60 days after your disability diagnosis). Depending on your policy, this coverage will continue for anywhere between 1-3 years and will grant you enough time to recover or find another way to meet your monthly payments.

Unlike traditional life and disability insurances, which help families afford various living expenses after the death or disablement of a family member, this type of insurance is only designed to cover your mortgage should you become disabled. The money goes directly to your lender, which means you may need to find temporary relief for other debts, such as auto payments, student loans, and credit card accounts.

What Are The Pros And Cons Of Mortgage Disability Insurance?

If you’re older, work a hazardous job or have a preexisting medical condition, it may be harder to get approved for life or traditional disability insurance. With MDI, there’s almost guaranteed approval, even if you’re in poor health or work in a dangerous profession. Though your premium may be higher under these conditions, you have a better chance of being approved regardless of your medical history or occupation.

Having MDI as a safety net can also help put your mind at ease. As an estimated one in four 20 year olds will become disabled before retirement, many young and healthy homeowners invest in some type of disability insurance to plan for potential roadblocks. Even if you become disabled, you can have peace of mind in knowing your insurance company will send the exact mortgage balance to the lender so you won’t have to handle this money while you physically and financially recover. You’ll also have the comfort in knowing that you won’t lose your home, even if you’re unable to work due to disability.

One downside of MDI is its lack of flexibility. While other types of insurance supplement a portion of your income and allow you to choose how you spend your money, MDI can only be used toward your mortgage. In addition, MDI often carries a higher price tag than term life insurance, and some policies have fluctuating rates. Coverage also declines over time, meaning you’ll likely pay a consistent premium month after month even though the payout declines.

Does MDI Differ From Private Mortgage Insurance?

If you own less than 20% equity in your property, you’re required to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI). Many homeowners are wrong to assume that PMI would cover your mortgage payments if you were to pass away before your loan balance reached zero. While mortgage disability insurance protects you as the borrower, PMI is designed solely to protect the lender if you were to default on your loan. It would not assist your family if you fell ill or passed away, so if you’re unable to meet your payments and only have PMI, your home will likely go into foreclosure.

Unlike PMI, MDI isn’t required for homeowners. However, even if you are paying PMI, you may still want to invest in mortgage disability insurance as an added layer of protection for you and your family.

What Alternatives Could You Consider?

If you don’t have health issues, or you determine that you’re not at a high risk of injury or illness, there may be more affordable and suitable options for you. For instance, short- or long-term disability insurance may be enough for someone who works a low-risk office job or is young and in good health. Conversely, MDI may be necessary for someone who’s in poor health, works a high-risk job or whose ability to meet their monthly mortgage payments depends on their ability to work.

Taking out a home equity loan or opening a home equity line of credit may be another viable option for short-term financial relief if you become ill or injured and are unable to meet your mortgage payments. This type of loan may grant you more flexibility as you have the freedom to choose how you’d like to allocate the money. For instance, you can use these funds to cover medical expenses or to pay off outstanding debt while you recover.

If you’re physically unable to work, you could also use term disability insurance or an equity loan to pay for home accessibility upgrades. Whether you need to widen doorways, install slip-proof tiling or build a temporary ramp, these alternatives provide you with the means to accommodate your home for recovery.

Should You Buy Mortgage Disability Insurance?

If you recently bought a new home, you’ll want to consider what types of coverage you’ll need. Evaluate your current lifestyle and take into consideration any preexisting health conditions before determining whether MDI coverage makes sense for you. It makes the most sense to purchase mortgage disability insurance if you have existing medical concerns or if you work a high-risk job like welding. However, if you’re generally healthy and work a low-risk job, you probably don’t need an MDI policy right away.

If you have limited savings left after paying your down payment, you may be worried about how you’ll be able to keep your house if you unexpectedly fall ill. Especially if you have family members who depend on you for housing, this type of coverage may protect you from eviction or foreclosure if you become disabled.

Keep in mind that many lenders have a mandatory waiting period, which means you’ll still be responsible for 1-3 months’ worth of mortgage payments before your benefits kick in. Knowing this, you should still plan to have savings on-hand in case you experience a sudden loss of income due to illness or disability.

How Much Does Mortgage Disability Insurance Cost?

Your insurance premium will depend on several factors, including your age, occupation, the amount of current mortgage payments you have, and when you apply. It’s usually paired with traditional life insurance or bundled with other coverage, which can help lower your rate, though it may be purchased as a stand-alone policy as well. Based on your policy, you can expect to pay premiums on an annual, semi-annual, or quarterly basis.

Some insurers overcharge for specific coverages. The best way to ensure an affordable rate is by weighing all of your options. When shopping for a policy, consider the benefit and elimination period of each insurance company. In general, policy premiums will be cheaper when there’s a longer elimination period. Depending on your specific situation, you can use these factors to ensure you select a policy that fits both your budget and needs.

Who Offers Mortgage Disability Insurance?

Most mortgage lenders offer this type of insurance directly to its customers, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you should jump on the first offer you receive. If your mortgage lender doesn’t offer an MDI policy, you should ask your real estate agent for referrals that they trust in their network. You can also purchase a policy through a private insurance company or life insurance provider.

You should bear in mind that lenders often have a limited window after you secure a loan for when you can apply (usually within 2 years of closing on your home). If you miss this window, you may have a harder time finding an MDI policy, or you might need to look into alternatives like a term life insurance policy instead.

Should You Add Additional Riders To Your Policy?

MDI plans themselves are often sold as riders on a term life mortgage insurance policy. This type of coverage can supplement whole life insurance policies and can be coupled with other policy riders for more comprehensive coverage. While MDI covers your monthly mortgage payments, it may make sense to tack on additional riders for homeowners association fees, real estate taxes, homeowners insurance and other mortgage-related expenses as well.

Some insurers even offer a return of premium option. If you choose to opt for this type of insurance rider, you’ll receive a refund for any paid premiums if you don’t end up using the policy during your term. While adding these features can raise your premium, these customizations may be well worth the investment.

Concluding Thoughts

Mortgage disability insurance can provide peace of mind and valuable coverage should you become disabled or pass away. However, whether or not it’s necessary will depend on your unique needs. Before settling on a policy, be sure to consult a financial advisor or insurance agent to determine the best coverage for your needs.

Realtors and real estate business will always be in demand. But that doesn’t mean that you can always get better clients or good reviews. The primary thing in any real estate business is making connections and building a client base. For this, a good set of basic and supplementary skills are required. These skills attract customers to your business and allow it to expand. Your business is also significant to clients as they depend on it to provide themselves with quality living.

Do you think you’re a reliable and versatile professional that customers rely on? Well, below are some handy tips to get you started with establishing unbreakable bonds with clients:

Understanding and Negotiating

In the real estate business, communication is key for clients. It is the most important thing that clients look for in a realtor. Buying property is always a significant investment, and buyers are mostly serious and in need of comfort and satisfaction with the information they get. Hence, a good realtor must strive to make their clients comfortable and open up about the property they desire to indulge in with their services.

Negotiating is also a critical factor in the real estate business, and clients are always looking for a better price that can speak for their property. Clients like to have their realtors as negotiators as well. This is a skill that not everyone in the field partakes to satisfy both their profits and the buyers’ prices. Finding the best offer for the client is the ideal aspect for them, but it can be hard to achieve. Make sure to give a client enough time to talk the terms and come up with a good deal together. Take an example from established realtors like at RE/MAX to get better information on skills.

Responsive

Most of the communications of real estate deals are on the phone or over the internet and email. And this means that the customers need enlightening day to day or weekly about properties. They may visit you once or twice but other than that your talks will be virtual. Often during these long distances relationships between buyers and realtors become sour and end on not so good terms.

Being highly responsive and communicative to the clients’ messages and inquiries can mean grounded and secure connections that go a long time. You can set up a response system in your office by appointing a few employees for the task and getting some new technology that automates the answering system.

Utilizing New Technologies

Technology is on it’s way to advancement, and it is bringing good change to the world. Appointing modern technology means that your firm can be perceived as ahead of its time or going with the flow. Anyone of these attributes can mean good for your business.

It’ll not only make your work look advanced and expert, but the technology resources can also improve the overall performance, which can pull in more customers. Hence, technology shouldn’t be taken lightly, if anything, it is a customer magnet and effective for any business.

Knowledgeable

The real estate area is much of a mystery to a significant number of the public. People don’t really know their stuff when they buy for the first time, and most families don’t get to buy many houses in their lifetime. So they depend a lot on realtors to provide the information on different areas above all else.

A real estate agent must contain enough knowledge to help a customer make their choices. And for customers who have some experience of it, they should provide enough information not to look unprofessional in front of them. For overall satisfaction, you can train your employees as well and make your office resonate steadfastness. You can also create a website or a blog that provides consistent and relevant information and help your agency come off as innovative and upbeat.