SkyFive Properties Blog

Before you put your property on the market, you need to make sure that it’s in the right shape for sale. There are lots of things that you need to consider and get right before you present your home to the world for sale if you want to achieve the best possible sale price for it. That’s what we’re going to discuss right now, so read on if you think you’re likely to put your home on the market too.

Research the Local Property Market

Researching the local property market in which your home is based is really important. For example, if you find out that there’s a huge demand for garden space in the local market, you can focus your efforts on highlighting your outdoor space and how it can be used functionally when selling it. Things like that have a real impact and shouldn’t be overlooked.

Declutter the Home

Next, you should take the time to fully declutter your home and get rid of everything that doesn’t need to be there. People are not going to want to buy your home or find out more about it unless it’s a space that’s free of junk. They simply won’t be able to see what your home really has to offer if you have it filled up with items and possessions of no interest to potential buyers.

Give it a Deep Clean

Next, you’ll want to give it a deep clean because this is something that browsing potential buyers will definitely notice. They can tell when your home is clean and when it hasn’t been cleaned for months. A deep clean will help you to reach all that dirt and grime that hasn’t been addressed for a long time. Potential buyers won’t only see the effects of this but also smell them too.

Ensure the Basic Functions Are All in Order

The basic things definitely need to be taken care of when putting your home on the market for sale. For example, if you’ve been having drain problems, use a drain service and if the paint is peeling off the walls, repaint. These small things shouldn’t be left for the potential future buyer to find because they might risk turning them off the home and looking elsewhere.

Make it More Neutral

If you want your home to appeal to as many people as possible when it hits the market, it makes sense to make it as neutral as it can be. When you have a home with a neutral design, it appeals to more people and creates a blank canvas that potential buyers can project all their ideas onto, which is a good thing for them and for you.

So, before you put your home on the market and try to sell it, you should think about the things discussed here and whether it might be a good idea for you to carry out the things mentioned. A few simple changes can make such a big difference when it comes to selling a property.

Have you decided that it is time to upgrade to a bigger and better property? If so, you will need to sell your current abode, and you will want to do so quickly and at a good price. With that in mind, read on to discover plenty of useful online marketing tips. When it comes to online marketing you should embrace free online listing websites and directories. Ensure your agent’s listing is up to scratch. Update your Facebook and Twitter pages. Why not look for relevant property blogs that could help to advertise your home?

What about print advertising? A good advert in both the major newspapers and the local newspapers can be a bonus. You could also post flyers on bulletin boards and in popular local shops.

Catching the eye of the buyer

One of the biggest blunders people make is overlooking the importance of the headline when marketing their property. No matter whether you are creating your property’s listing, writing a blog post, marketing on Facebook or Twitter, or writing a magazine post, you need to grab attention with a killer headline. It’s the fundamentals of writing. If a headline doesn’t catch the eye, who is actually going to bother to read the content anyway?

You probably already have a great real estate agency behind you. They will be able to further advise you but it is true that even with their help, some of the work should come from you. The content that you put out there should be great. It should be impeccable photography, incredibly easy to digest content. This is what will make people click and read further. You are selling the lifestyle, not merely your walls, floors, curtains and the furniture! Use descriptive language and speak about the life people could lead if they bought your home. Busy business people may want a luxury executive condo with modern finishes and wonderful city views. Look at what magazines are doing too, and what would attract you.

Does your main image make people click?

The main image you use of your property on websites and portals is so important so it’s best to hire a professional photographer. It’s good to utilize the space around the home, including any outdoor spaces. This sells. Make your home look as if it is the best place to live. Of course, location plays a big part so be sure to sell it on that too. If it’s in a city, that is a big bonus to many for career choices.

It is also great to provide the buyer with any other information you can get your hands on about the neighborhood and the opportunities in the area. Is it a sustainable area? Perhaps it is an up and coming area with new restaurants? There could be some leaflets or flyers that provide relevant information for them about the area which you could hand to them. Show them the best part of living here and what really makes your home great.

Buying bricks and mortar is a popular investment option, but is it right for you? If you’re thinking about investing in real estate, here are some steps to take before making a decision.

Understanding your options

When it comes to buying properties, there are several options. You can buy to let, you could purchase a vacation home, or you could consider commercial ventures. As an investor, you can work alone, or you can form a company or a collective that benefits from income-generating properties. If you’re interested in commercial ventures, it’s important to explore types of REIT. A REIT is a real estate investment trust. REITs are advantageous because they produce steady, long-term profits, but they’re not ideal for every investor. Before you decide which avenue to pursue, undertake extensive research. Weigh up the pros and cons and figure out what works for you.

Setting a budget

Investing in property is very different to buying a house to call home. With investment opportunities, the aim is to make money. You don’t need to find a property that makes your heart flip. Setting a budget is crucial for any investment. You need to make sure you can afford to invest first and foremost and then decide how much to spend. Once you have a figure in mind, you can start contacting agents and scouring listings.

Deciding which type of property to buy

If you look at the open market, you’ll come across a diverse range of properties. Before you start booking viewings, think about the type of property you want to buy. Are you looking for a home to let out to tenants, or do you want to buy and then sell? Are you keen on a renovation project, or are commercial premises top of the list? Once you’ve decided on a property type, think about the ideal buyer or tenant. What are they looking for? Creating an ideal buyer or tenant persona will help you sell or lease your property quickly. If you’re buying a family home, look for houses close to transport links, good schools, shops and restaurants. For vacation homes, proximity to attractions is always a bonus. Put yourself in your target buyer’s shoes when looking around different houses and look for potential.

Researching the area

Location is key when investing in real estate. Research the local area and take a look at recent sale prices and average rental fees. Look at how rapidly the market is moving and growing. It’s also important to consider the area to maximize the chances of selling or leasing the property swiftly. Some neighborhoods are more sought-after than others. Location is also crucial for commercial operations. Stores in the center of a town or city, for example, will prove more popular.

Investing in property can be lucrative, but success is never guaranteed. As an investor, you should be aware of the risks. Take your time to locate suitable properties, define your target buyer or tenant, and explore different investment options. Set a budget and stick to it.

Seniors in the United States are renting over buying more prevalently than ever before. According to Rent Café, there were 9.4 million senior renters in the U.S. in 2017. More seniors are choosing to rent for a variety of reasons such as less maintenance, less space, the ability to travel more and to save money in retirement.

The Fair Housing Act protects renters from discrimination. Sellers and landlords aren’t allowed to discriminate based on race, national origin, religion, gender, familial status, and now, disability. Therefore, elderly renters can look at the Fair Housing Act as renter protection.

Renter protection through the Fair Housing Act

As the Act states, landlords can’t deny you based on any disabilities you may have. Some landlords think disability correlates with age, when in fact, it does not. The elderly, anyone over the age of 60, are healthier now than ever before. Still, a landlord may assume that due to your increased age, you have a disability and, as a result, will try to deny you as a tenant. However, this violates the Fair Housing Act.

The Fair Housing Act prohibits landlords from asking you any personal health-related questions. For example, an independent senior living facility in San Antonio, Texas, was sued for asking prospective tenants whether they used a wheelchair. Another denied applicant sued a landlord for asking personal health questions.

Other ways the Act helps elderly renters are prohibiting landlords from not allowing you to make necessary modifications to the residence if you have a disability. It also prohibits them from refusing to make accommodations for you if you’re disabled. For example, if you are blind and have a seeing-eye dog and the building doesn’t allow pets, they must make an exception.

If you apply for a rental residence and experience discrimination based on your age or disability, know that the Fair Housing Act will protect you.

Senior housing exemption

Although the Fair Housing Act protects senior renters from discrimination, another act established in 1995 allows properties to file from a senior housing exemption. The Housing for Older Persons Act (HOPA) allows qualifying properties to market specifically to older age groups. Only housing communities can qualify for the exemption, so you won’t find a single-family home for rent that has this exemption.

Senior communities

There are many benefits to living in a senior housing community. The best part is several types of properties that cater to the elderly are still attractive to active, independent seniors. Types of properties that qualify for the senior housing exemption include 55+ communities, senior living apartments, retirement communities, and independent senior living communities.

Moving to a senior community gives you more renter protection than any other complex because they work directly with tenants in your age group. Within these communities, you may find they offer more amenities and features that cater to all kinds of seniors. Some features you may find attractive are step-in showers, elevators, emergency call systems, on-site nurses, and nearby hospitals.

Renter’s insurance for the elderly

Most apartment complexes and senior living communities require tenants to purchase renter’s insurance. However, if you find a community that doesn’t, you should consider purchasing renter’s insurance for your benefit. Renter’s insurance covers things like your possessions if your apartment gets broken into, damage to your unit caused by storms, floods, fires, and more.

Renter’s insurance is usually very inexpensive, so the monthly cost won’t hugely affect your budget. However, premiums can vary based on the location, safety features of the dwelling, such as an alarm system, the crime rate of the area, coverage, and more. Having renter’s insurance will only provide more protection.

Unless you are at risk of harming yourself and others in the community, landlords cannot remove you from the premises. If you find yourself needing more assistance for daily activities but don’t want to leave your apartment, consider hiring an at-home nurse or part-time assistant.

If you’re considering buying your first home, there are certain key considerations you should keep in mind. No matter if you’re purchasing it alone or with your partner, you want to be as organized as possible. Which is why you should spend some time researching the steps you should take.

To help guide you in the right direction, here are 5 of the main considerations you should pay attention to:

Your Budget

This might sound like an obvious one, yet it’s surprising how often people go above their ideal budget. Of course, it’s an exciting step. But that doesn’t mean that you stretch your budget to more than you can afford. Therefore, it’s a good idea to sit down and work out how much you can spend at the start.

This won’t only include the amount you invest in the property itself but other costs like:

• The down payment (usually 20% of the asking price)
• Closing costs
• The cost of house insurance

The State of the Market

Before taking the leap and purchasing, it’s worth looking at the state of the market along with any related trends. Various factors can affect house prices; from increased demand to the economy. By discovering this, it will give you a good indication as to whether it’s the best time to buy.

The Size of The Property

Before you set out, you’ll also want to decide on what size property you are looking for. This will include the number of rooms, how big the yard is etc. Significant factors that will shape your final decision, it’s good to have this in mind from the start.

Of course, as time goes on, you might need to make some compromises. But it’s still advisable to have ideal criteria at the beginning of the process. You can then work around any missing factors, to ensure you find the best property for your budget.

The Professional Advice You Seek

When it’s your first property, it’s advisable that you seek professional guidance from a third party. This could lead you to hire a top realtor, mortgage broker, and other related professionals. Using their years of experience, you’ll be able to find the perfect property for your unique requirements.

As a realtor has the know-how, you could discover properties that would have otherwise passed you by. Not only do they take into account your wants and budget, but they can put forward an offer that entices sellers.

Location, Location, Location

A very important factor and consideration is the location of the property. As it’s your first home, you’re likely to have stricter criteria. This could involve being located close to certain amenities or your workplace. Whatever the criteria, you can use this to locate a home that fits into your budget.

Of course, regardless of where you’re located, you must keep in mind that the location will impact the price. For example, if you want a home in the center of a city, be ready to pay a high price for it.

Final Thoughts

So, there you go. There are 5 key things you can consider when purchasing your first home. Of course, everyone is unique and therefore their considerations could differ. But it’s still important to ensure that you’re never in the dark throughout the process.

Renting an apartment is not always as straightforward as we would like it to be. Each potential rental property will have its own list of requirements that you need to meet. Taking the chance to move into your dream apartment might mean needing to make some compromises. How prepared you are to change a major aspect of your life could, in fact, be the difference between finding your new home and having to keep looking.

For example, one particular consideration is the question of pets. For some landlords or rental companies, the presence of a non-human resident is a deal-breaker. For some renters, it’s a very tough question to deal with, too. Not having a pet would vastly expand the range of places you could move into, but it would also mean not having a pet. As anyone who currently enjoys the friendship of an animal companion could tell you, that’s not ideal.

If you do find a place to rent and are able to move in with your pet, it is worth cherishing your newly-found space. What’s more, it is important to ensure you can keep living thereby ensuring your landlord doesn’t regret allowing pets. By adopting the following steps, you can pet-proof your apartment to ensure that it’s always in tip-top condition.

Use a no-chew spray on the furniture

If you’ve moved into a furnished apartment, then it is important to remember that the furniture is on loan to you. When you move out, that furniture should, hopefully, be in exactly the same condition as when you arrived. This is unlikely to be the case if you have a puppy with a fondness for chewing. Dogs, when they are teething, have a tendency to bite anything and everything they can get their teeth around. By treating the furniture with a spray to prevent this, you can remove one of the eternal worries of any pet-owning tenant.

Toys and scratch posts are essential

Many pets, especially cats, will want to deposit their scent around the apartment; and while a litter-trained cat will refrain from “marking its territory” by urinating, they can’t always be trusted to avoid leaving their mark in other ways. Cats like to “pluck” furniture, carpets and anything else they can get their claws into and can leave things looking threadbare. Keep a healthy supply of toys that cats can scratch; catnip-infused mats and scratching posts are a good option and ensure that pet-friendly apartments can remain pet-friendly. On those occasions where cats do pluck the carpet, a rubber broom can restore the carpet’s look.

Have some no-go zones

Any pet owner will be keen to treat their pet as another member of the family, albeit a perpetually spoiled, indulged member. This can mean that we have a rule that wherever we go, they go. But this isn’t necessary for your pet to be happy and, if there are areas of the home where they can do damage in a short time, they should be discouraged from entering those areas. Baby gates can be pressed into service as “dog gates” (a word of warning, they’re probably less foreboding for cats!). Encourage your pets to stick to pet-friendly areas of the home, and there won’t be any problems.

We all love our pets, but sometimes we need to compromise on how much we spoil them in order to ensure we can keep a roof over our heads (and theirs!).

Let’s face it. Dads don’t get enough recognition as parents. But only because much of the expectations of caring for children falls on the mom. Many of us don’t realize just how important the role of a dad is. They are often the breadwinners, disciplinarians, and problem-solvers in the family. We don’t easily see these things at work on a daily basis but yes, dads do fill these roles and they have a great impact on children’s’ well-being.

The great news is that we have Father’s Day to celebrate our love for our dads. If you’ve been meaning to show yours some love, here’s a great idea: create a man cave for your dad! Don’t know where to start? These ideas will help.

Consider the Space

You want to think carefully about where his man cave will be situated. It should be spacious enough for him to do the things he enjoys doing by himself or with his friends. It can be a spare room or an area that is just dedicated to him.

Also, don’t forget the items you will be putting in this room. Let’s say he’s into electronics, ping pong, and whiskey, make sure there are designated areas in the room for him to fulfill these interests.

Find out his interests

Speaking of hobbies, you should know what activities he enjoys doing the most. That way, you can gather his existing items together and bring in new ones to add to the room. You don’t have to go crazy expensive and buy him the newest gadgets and gizmos out there. If he likes watching baseball every weekend, add furniture that is his style but is also ultra-comfy. A simple addition like this will really make him feel at home in his man cave.

Make it personal

Adding personal touches to your dad’s man cave will really make the room extra special for him. Does he have a personal collection of jerseys put away in the closet? Display them artfully in this room. He’ll enjoy hanging around here, even more, when he has a full view of his favorite personal items.

Think of lighting

The man cave should typically have a different feel from the rest of the house. It’ll be like his little escape, so make sure to set the mood right. You can easily do this with the right lighting. Instead of using the typical fluorescent light bulbs like the ones inside your house, consider using soft, dimmer lights. This instantly creates a relaxing mood and will make it easy for him to switch to activities like reading, watching games, screening movies, or playing poker with his friends.

Paint the walls

Another easy way to instantly transform a space into your dad’s man cave is by painting the walls. You can go big and bold on this one. Your dad’s favorite color isn’t always going to work. Think in moods and themes. What kind of feeling do you want to evoke? Sporty? Bachelor-like? Intellectual? Decide on a theme you think he’d really enjoy and opt for a wall color that best reflects that.

Consult a pro or get inspired

Some rooms can be really hard to work with, especially if it’s the basement. Don’t be afraid to approach a professional and ask for their help. Interior decorators will give you some ideas that are easy to do and execute yourself. They’re also able to spot opportunities for decorating a space that you yourself would have never thought of. You can also get plenty of inspiration from Pinterest. Just search for a man cave and you’ll be shown millions of ways to decorate a room without spending much.

Buying a new home is a fun, but tedious process. There are so many things to consider, such as how well the property is projected to profit financially, whether there are upgrades you’ll need to sink your money into, or if it’s a place you can even call home. Luckily, we have real estate brokers to help ease the process.

Real estate agents know the ins and outs of real estate, from insider tips for what to look for before buying, to the best geographical locations to get the most for your money. A great real estate agent doesn’t feel like a salesperson. Instead, they should act more like guides on your journey to your new home. For the best questions to ask your real estate broker before buying your home, continue reading.

How Long Have You Been an Agent?

New agents know all of the necessary information to be a great real estate broker, but they may not be able to anticipate problems before they come up. Having a veteran on your side sets you up for success due to their years of experience and in-depth location knowledge.

An experienced real estate professional may possibly have connections with mortgage brokers who can pre-qualify buyers. This way, a loan will be ready if needed. If you do need to use a loan to purchase your home, there are online loan calculators to help you understand what your payments will be.

Another reason to ask your agent how long they’ve been working for is to tap into their connections. They will probably have relationships with other real estate agents who can help you find more listings faster than one professional working alone.

Can I See Your Real Estate License?

As obvious as this question may seem, there are a lot of real estate scams out there in the world. Be certain that the real estate professional you are working with is a licensed professional. That way you won’t have to deal with any issues later as a result of working with an unlicensed agent.

What Locations Offer the Best Bang for the Buck

Knowing how the market is doing in a specific area before you buy will help you a great deal when purchasing real estate. Most people buy homes to set family roots, but eventually, many of these families end up leaving once their kids have left the nest. This leaves the homeowner with a choice to sell and move into a smaller home or continue to live in their family-sized house.

Fortunately, a great real estate agent will tell you beforehand whether you can expect your prospective house to decline or grow in value over the foreseeable future. While a real estate agent will provide you with great answers to your questions, they won’t be able to do all of the research for you.

Check to see which school district the home falls under, and review the ratings of local schools in the area. Families should also see how long it takes to commute to school or to work. Those who want to live closer to a city’s bustling social scene may have to sacrifice time sitting in the car during rush hour.

Your real estate agent, if they are experienced, will be able to provide you with all of these answers and more to help you find the best deal, in the perfect area for you.

Ask About the Price

As a prospective buyer, you should set a budget upfront and see which homes fall in your price range when starting your search. This will help your real estate broker to be realistic with your time and money when choosing a home.

When your real estate agent starts to show you around to different homes, ask what the offering price of the home is based on. Some homes may be extremely low for a reason, and you’ll want to make sure you know what that reason is before you move to buy it. Other homes may have a higher price due to a recent addition or home upgrade such as a modernized kitchen.

When you make your offer, you should base your decision on the prices that other homes in the area have sold for, not what your real estate agent is trying to sell. There are simple ways to help bolster your negotiating, too.

For instance, see how many offers the home has received. Homes with multiple offers sell quickly, so a buyer may need to make a strong offer for something they are set on. It also helps to find out how long a home has been on the market. The longer a home is up for sale, the more likely a buyer could get a discount.

What to Look for When Considering a Home’s Condition

A broker can help buyers estimate repair costs for major projects. Ask about the roof’s age, as newer roofs can last for decades. If a roof needs repair, it’s important to determine if the buyer or the seller will end up paying.

Check to see if the walls and attic have insulation, especially if the home is located in a colder climate. The U.S. Department of Energy previously recommended an upgrade if a home has insulation with a thickness of fewer than 11 inches. Putting this upgrade in can help a family save up to $600 a year on energy costs.

You should also review the home’s plumbing history with the real estate broker. Ask if the sewer line has experienced any issues, as well as the plumbing. Burst pipes are one of the top homeowner’s insurance claims, so homebuyers should make sure exposed pipes are protected.

Previous owners should disclose any water damage, but an inspector can review the home to be sure. Long-term water damage can lead to mold and rot wooden beams. Both are dangerous to people’s health and expensive to fix.

Real estate professionals ease the process of home buying, but it’s up to you to ask the right questions to receive the answers you need. Be thorough when you are making your decisions, you’ll be spending a significant portion of your time transforming the house into a home, make sure it’s the one you want.

So, you’re thinking of taking the next step and moving in with your partner. Whether that means purchasing a property outright, obtaining a mortgage, or moving into a rental, there are some things you should think about before taking this step.

There’s a lot more to moving in with a new partner than simply packing your things and choosing the perfect place to live – like choosing what items to keep and which ones to throw or put into storage, how much available money you both have to spend on mortgage/rent and bills, and getting used to spending all of your time together.

Moving in with a new partner can be stressful. It takes a lot of coordination and planning to make sure everything runs smoothly. However, there are lots of benefits of moving in together including:

• The ability to spend all of your free time together
• Being able to share experiences together
• Financial benefits – sharing the costs of rent, food, and bills. Moving in with your partner can also help to reduce fuel costs as you won’t be traveling from one home to another.

Here are some of the main things you should think about before moving in with your new partner:

1.     Your Space is Shared

If you’re used to having your own space, then you may find it hard to share it with another person. You also need to remember that because space is no longer just yours, your partner will have a say in how it’s decorated and furnished. If you’re a hoarder, but your partner wants a minimalist home, then you’ll need to talk about how you’re going to get over this issue.

2.     How Well Do You Know Your Partner?

You may have been in a relationship with your partner for a long time, but how well do you really know them? Did anything happen in their past that they’ve not told you about? You could consider looking them up using a Mugshot Lookup from Public Records Reviews. This site will give you all the information you need about your partner, including their criminal history and employment background. This is a brilliant idea for anyone looking to move in with a new partner.

3.     You Will Spend All of Your Free Time Together

This can be both a positive and a negative. If you’re used to being on your own, then you’ll have to get used to having someone around on a regular basis. However, there’s nothing better than having someone you love available whenever you need them. Just think of all the extra cuddles you’ll get.

4.     You Will Need to Learn to Compromise

Even if you’ve been with your partner for a number of years, there will still be things you don’t know about them. It’s important to remember to talk to one another and compromise on things you disagree on. You won’t agree on everything, so compromising is key.

5.     You Will Need to Learn to Take a Deep Breath

When you choose to co-habit with your partner, you no longer have the luxury of giving each other space after an argument. Neither you or your partner will have somewhere to go to cool off, so you need to take a deep breath and learn to work through your problems.

6.     You’ll Learn About Their Bad Habits

You never truly know someone until you’ve lived with them. Your partner may have a number of bad habits that you don’t know about. Maybe they don’t put their dirty washing in the washing basket, or maybe they make silly noises when they sleep; whatever their habit, you will have to learn to live with it once you’ve agreed to move in together. Try and find out as much about your partner as possible before taking this step.

7.     It’s Okay to Have a Bit of Alone Time

Just because you live together, it doesn’t mean you have to be with one another 24/7. As much as moving in together is about spending time with someone you love, you’ll also want to spend some time alone. Whether that’s reading the latest romance novel or meeting friends for a coffee, it’s up to you. Giving your partner space will show them that you trust them and it will also give you something to talk about when you see each other again.

8.     Your Relationship Will Get Even Stronger

Cohabiting isn’t always easy, but it can be extremely rewarding. Living with your partner can help to strengthen a relationship.

9.     You Need to Talk About Money

Before moving in with your partner, it’s important to talk about how much money you have available for bills each month. Knowing where you both stand can stop problems from occurring in the future.

10.  You Need to Talk About Your Future Plans

It’s always a good idea to talk to your partner about what their plans are for the future. If you’ve both got different ideas of what you want, then you’ll need to come to a compromise. There’s no point in moving in with someone who wants something completely different to you.

From choosing the perfect home and moving your stuff to decide on who pays what, there are a lot of things you need to think about before moving in with your new partner. While it will take a fair amount of coordination and planning, once you’re in, you’ll know that you can spend every day with someone you love. What could be better than that?

Today we’re partnering with the team at Restumping Melbourne, who are experts in the ways of reinforcing your home or business’ foundation. It sounds like something that’s so obvious, your home is affixed to the ground, so there shouldn’t be anything to worry about, correct?

Not so much, unfortunately. The Sky Five Properties team makes a point of partnering with companies who support our desire to always share the information that matters with our readers and customers. Today, Restumping Melbourne shares those sneaky signs to look for, so that foundation damage is never an issue.

Foundation damage is a big deal. And it’s one of the things that home renters and owners are notorious about slightly blurring their eyes to the issue of until it’s far too late. Worst-case scenario, your home’s skeleton (think about the beams, pillars, and other structural components) is irreparable and you need to look for new or temporary housing.

Exhale – we’ll make sure that this doesn’t happen if you follow the correct steps. A more likely situation – you’re going to have to deal with expensive and time-intensive updates or repairs. There’s a reason that home renovations are up there on the most stressful life events you can deal with, but if you know the signs, you can bypass all of these. Best case, you follow the tips below, have candid conversations with those you trust, and keep that money in your bank account where it belongs.

Excessive Moisture

Number one piece of advice – excessive amounts of moisture. Great in the sky after a drought, not great on the floor of any of your rooms. It can be as minimal as condensation that only appears to increase on your windows and as serious as puddles on the floor. When you see this, you should call a contractor right away to assess, and you should continue to ensure that regular maintenance of your home is a priority.

Wall, Floor and Ceiling Cracks

Next up on the priority list – cracks in the ceiling, floors and walls. If you live in an older home, it may seem normal and potentially even give it character. But anything wider than a 1/8 of an inch – and honestly of any length – you should keep an eye on.

If you think about it, this symptom makes the most sense of foundation damage. The foundation is buckling or moving and so too are pieces of your home. They’re not always going to move in the same direction, especially if your home is built on unstable ground or tricky terrain. Instead, it can feel like it’s pulling away from itself.

Foundation Movement and Uneven Floors

Now we have a game for you to play. Take a ball and roll it from one end of the room to the other; or rather, see if it rolls by itself. Sloped floors are another tell-tale sign that your foundation needs examining. It’s for the same reason as mentioned above, the stumps or poles in your foundation are faltering, meaning that over time, your home will end up being different heights.

Windows and Doors That Don’t Open and Close Properly

Finally, think about your windows and doors. We’re betting that they were a bit part of why you chose your home, so you should definitely take care of them. Do they all open and close properly or do you find that some of them swing open of their own accord or stick when you’re trying to close them? The worst is when this happens during especially warm or cold weather (and for some reason that always seems to be the case!)

All of the above are easy to avoid if you work with the right professionals. Questions? Reach out to us and be sure to check out the Restumping Melbourne site.