SkyFive Properties Blog

When it comes to investing in property, you generally have two options. You can either buy regular standalone homes. Or you can purchase assets that form a part of a shared community.

In the past, building companies constructed homes according to town planning regulations. Local authorities would zone an area for residential development, and then fill it with permitted properties.

That trend, however, is changing. Improved HOA management and a desire for a social living mean that there are more communal developments. And it is changing the investment options for people with cash to spend.

Working out whether you should invest in a communal property isn’t always easy. This type of residential investment offers benefits that push up rents. But, at the time, it also implies added costs.

Homeowners Associations (HOAs) are agreements where the owners of properties pay for community services. You can think of it as a little bit like a voluntary tax. People pay a fee in addition to their rent for garbage collection and community amenities. The benefits are real and tangible and encourage many people to live in these areas. Seniors, in particular, stand to benefit considerably. Many community real estate options provide on-site medical facilities.

The Rate Of Return Can Be Higher

Investors, though, need to be careful. When approaching an HOA investment, you need to consider the rate of return.

Adding up the rental payments and subtracting taxes won’t give you an accurate forecast. Instead, you also need to consider HOA fees too. You may be liable for dues.

Sometimes, the fees are low, and the rental premium is high. In this case, it is worth putting your money into a property. The opposite, however, can apply too.

When searching for HOA properties, be sure to take time to consider all the rules. Some associations, for instance, limit the number of renters you can place in each home. Furthermore, there may be restrictions on how you can modify homes. Many communities have rules for what the properties in the complex can look like. They may also specify particular features.

You Can Scale Up You Investments Easily

One of the benefits of these setups is that they allow investors to scale rapidly. Often, a central agency collects rental payments for owners and then distributes them according to their stake. Thus, you can simply increase the amount of money that you invest in rental accommodation. The more capital you add, the larger your income.

Scaling up property investments is vital for people who want to make a lot of money. You need easy tools that allow you to buy more and more. Some homeowner association developments will enable you to do this.

It Is Trending

It turns out that regular people don’t want to live atomized lives by themselves in big cities. Instead, they want a sense of community and freedom. This type of property development, therefore, is becoming ever-more popular as time goes by. The need for community is driving up values and allowing landlords to charge higher rents.

Refinancing your home is quite a hassle, which is why very few people do it. However, there are several advantages involved if you can do it. But, you need to know when it’s right to make the switch; otherwise, you’ll find yourself in a worse situation and with less money.

A lot of budding real estate investors also refinance their home loans to create funds for another home. So, if you’re considering switching your home loan, below are some of the common reasons to go for it.

To switch to a fixed-rate mortgage

A lot of people find themselves with adjustable-rate mortgages (ARM), which has its advantages but can also fluctuate and cause instability for the borrower. On the other hand, fixed-rate loans stay the same and are therefore easier to plan for.

To tap into the equity

Some homeowners refinance in a bid to tap into equity payments from their new lenders. What this means is that by borrowing more than you were initially owing, you get paid the difference. This could help to make major investments like another home, college tuition for the kids, and so on. However, it would help if you were careful to ensure that you aren’t digging yourself into a hole.

To reduce monthly payments

If your current repayment model is killing you, refinancing to pay lower monthly fees might be a good idea. What this entails is that you switch to a model with a lower interest rate. Also, you could elongate the term of your mortgage to reduce monthly rates. However, this also means you’ll be paying more interest over time.

To save money

This is the biggest reason to opt for refinancing your home loan. In fact, before you refinance, ask yourself if you’ll be left with more money or less. While this is a simplistic way of thinking, it is also highly effective. Also, refinancing could help you save money on interest costs. For instance, some people switch home loans for a lower rate, which means you get to pay less on your mortgage balance.

Divorce

Divorces can be rough, and they sometimes require refinancing your mortgage, especially if one party is keeping the home. That said, you need to ensure that the borrowers listed on the loan are changed (or erased as the case may be.) This might require you to remove the borrower’s name from the document, which will incur costs. So, ensure that they are payments that you can handle and are worth it.

To pay off the loan faster

Being free from your mortgage is an awesome feeling that can’t really be put into words. So, if you can, you should consider refinancing your home loan to pay off your debt faster. For instance, you could reduce your mortgage term from 50 to 25 years. On the other hand, this means that monthly payments will go up, but you’ll pay less interest over time.

Refinancing your mortgage is not without its risk, but if you carefully consider your options, it could turn out to be the best option for you.

Are you having difficulty finding a buyer for your residence? Do you plan on selling your home in the near future and wanted to know how you can make the house attractive to buyers? Well, when it comes to selling a house, buyer appeal is what matters the most. The only way you can attract potential buyers and finally get an offer is by making your home appealing. Since you aren’t the only one selling a house in the neighborhood, chances are you will have to make some improvement.

So, put yourself in the buyers’ shoes and walk all over your compound. Look at the house as if you want to buy it and create two lists. The first one will feature everything that puts you off, and the second will have all the things you want to add or change. Creating the list of things to change can be challenging since you don’t know what each potential buyer is looking for. So here are some simple DIY improvement projects that can make your home appealing to buyers.

DIY Improvement Projects That Can Make Your Home Appealing

Improve Your Curb Appeal

Curb appeal does more than increasing the resale value of your home; it also attracts potential buyers. Remember, this is the first part of the house everyone will see. Besides getting rid of the clutter, improving the landscape, and planting some flowers, there are several DIY improvement projects you can do. Some of them include:

Improve Your Fence, Garden Gate and Porch Railing by Adding Some Unique Cutouts

Other than just repairing your fence, porch railing, and garden gate, you can beautify them by adding a unique cutout design. These cutouts can make your home stand out in the neighborhood. All you need to do is pick the right type of cutout design and add it to the fence, porch, and garden gate. To make these cutouts, you need a reliable band saw. A band saw is the best tool for making curved cuts, cross-cutting lumber, and cutting irregular shapes. You can find more info on bandsaw at woodworknation.com.

Install or Repair the Siding

Other than improving the structural integrity of any house, replacing the siding can boost your curb appeal. It can change the entire look of your home. So you can either replace the house’s siding with a brighter and attractive one or repair the existing one. The siding can also help you change the color of the building and make it stand out.

Replace the Roofing

The roofing is a design element that can complement your home’s architectural style. So, you can replace your current old roof with a modern one. Remember, whether you choose asphalt, wood, slate, or tile roofing material, a great design will define the house’s personality. Plus, a leaky roof is one of the main things that can discourage buyers. And by replacing your roof, you can solve this problem and improve your home’s curb appeal.

Update the House’s Front Entrance

The front entrance and main door play a key role in your compound’s overall curb appeal. Remember, the inside should always match the outside. And the only way to access the house is through the front entrance. So you can add paver stairs leading to your home and even get a new door.

The door is an architectural component that complements the house’s design. Therefore adding a new stylish door can make a significant impact. Replace your current one with a door that incorporates glass panels. Glass panels can help lighten your home’s entrance.

Use Your Beautiful Pet to Attract Potential Buyers

Selling a house with a pet can be quite challenging since there are people who have never lived with pets. Therefore, most homeowners prefer hiding their pets and pet equipment when trying to sell their houses. However, if you have invested a lot of cash to make your home pet friendly, you can use it to your advantage.

Pet Fashion Week advises that you can upgrade your dog’s playground equipment and try and appeal to buyers who own pets! After all, some potential buyers are looking for a house that is already pet friendly. So, instead of getting rid of all the pet equipment in your compound, why don’t you keep them clean? Just make sure you get rid of dog odor and vacuum the entire house.

Simple Interior DIY Improvements

Repaint the House

Dirty walls with scratches or an outdated color can be a turn-off. So upgrade your house by repainting it, before putting it on the market. Paint it with a neutral color scheme that can give your home a prominent look. Neutral colors can attract a wide range of potential buyers.

Update Fixtures

Light fixtures, curtain rods, outlet covers, doorknobs, and switch plates are often overlooked, but they can improve the house. Beautiful outlet covers and switch plates that cost as low as $5 can make your home look expensive. Decorative curtain rods and light fixtures can be a tad pricy, but they can also be only improvements that help you make a sale.

Redo Your Bathrooms’ Floors

A DIY installation project can save you a lot of money. Instead of hiring a professional to redo your bathroom floors, why don’t you do it yourself? And spend the cash on beautiful tiles. Look for neutral-colored tiles if you want to add more value.

Repaint the Kitchen Cabinets

Buying new kitchen cabinets can be quite costly, so, instead of replacing them, why don’t you upgrade them? Start by repairing the cabinets and paint them using a neutral color like white. White cabinets can brighten any kitchen, and they never go out of style. Plus, they will be easy to replace in case the future owner needs something different.

Replace the Backsplash Tiles

Replacing the backsplash tiles is another simple kitchen remodeling project that can add style and value to your house. Replace your current backsplash with a modern and stylish one that can complement your cabinets and tabletop. The only hard part of this project is removing your current backsplash.

Moving homes can be an excellent – even a life-changing – experience. It can be an opportunity to leave the old behind, and to turn over a new leaf in all the ways that you might have been dreaming of doing for a while.

But, of course, although a home move can be an excellent opportunity for entering a new phase of life, or for reinventing yourself as a whole, there are certainly a variety of potential downsides and complications that go along with any move – whether you are only relocating a few miles away from your current location, or whether you are traveling halfway around the world to set up in a new country.

While moving homes can present an array of challenges for various facets of everyday life, in general, one of the key areas in which a home move might present some issues is with regards to work.

If you run your own business, in particular, a home move can certainly disrupt your flow and routine in an assortment of ways and can exacerbate many of the complexities that already exist in your job.

Luckily, there are a variety of things that you can do in order to effectively and meaningfully ensure that your business remains successful while you are undertaking a move.

Here are a few tips for successfully running a business when moving homes.

Use the right tools to streamline your operations and reduce unnecessary complications

These days, there are more tools and digital solutions available for managing a variety of tasks and elements of a business than there ever have been before.

Over the course of your normal working week, under normal circumstances, you might not particularly feel the need for some of the more streamlined and advanced of these tools. When you are having to deal with a move, however, being able to streamline things and remove some of the small stumbling blocks and obstacles that would normally confront you, can be a total game-changer.

When undertaking a move, first do some thoughtful research on the right tools to use in order to streamline operations and reduce those unnecessary complications as much as possible.

Free employee scheduling tools, for example, can save you an extraordinary amount of work, fuss, and frustration, and can allow you to keep your employees properly organized and on point even when you, yourself, aren’t available to directly oversee things in the way that you might normally be.

Employee scheduling is sometimes still done on paper. While this may be manageable under normal circumstances, doing things this way allows very little flexibility, requires someone who is available to properly physically distribute the schedules, and is very difficult to amend or adjust once plans have been laid.

Digital employee scheduling tools, on the other hand, allow you to manage schedules on the fly from any location and gives you the ability to adjust as needed with little if any time is wasted in the process.

Of course, there are various other digital tools that you should look into with regards to being able to better manage your tasks and routines – including things like task management systems, video conferencing platforms, and more.

Try to maintain as much routine in your day as you can during the upheaval

One of the most disruptive things about any move is that, by necessity, the experience will be disorienting. All else aside, you will be in a new and unfamiliar location and will have to adjust and settle back into your usual patterns of behavior.

For many people, one clear consequence of this is that ordinary routines – both professional and personal ones – will tend to go out the window. This can, among other things, wreak havoc on your ability to continue successfully running your business when undertaking the move.

To the best of your ability, you’ll want to try to maintain as much routine in your day as you can – even in ways that initially seem small and relatively insignificant. If you can – at the very least – continue to wake up at approximately the same time in the morning, eat your meals at roughly the same times, and maintain a regular exercise routine, there will likely be a positive knock-on effect with regards to your ability to stay organised and on point professionally, too.

Become especially mindful of the importance of focusing on your key tasks, and let go of whatever else you can

One of the key bits of advice that is frequently shared an entrepreneurial circles is that it’s essential to abide by the “80/20 rule” – also known as Pareto’s principle – which argues that 80% of your results will come from 20% of your actions, whereas the remaining 80% of your actions will only account for a meager 20% of your results.

This principle is generally shared and referred to as a means of underscoring the importance of being selective.

As an entrepreneur, your time, attention, and energy are your most vital resources and you can’t afford to flit them away on a lot of “busy work,” at the best of times. During a move, this basic principle applies all the more strongly, as your time, energy, and attention will be significantly more inhibited than they were previously.

So, in order to ensure that your business remains successful during your move, make sure that you are spending the bulk of your available time and energy on the specific tasks that matter most – while letting go of whatever you can.

If you will be working remotely, set up a home office space first and foremost

There’s a good chance, if your business is largely tech-based, that you will be able to effectively work from home during a move.

In certain scenarios, working from home during a move might not even be optional, but rather essential. For example, if you’re moving to a different country and haven’t yet set up your new branch of operations overseas.

Whatever the case, though, it’s important that if you’re going to be working from home you create a structured home office space as a top priority, even if that home office space is only a corner of another room that is set aside and apart from the general mess and mayhem of the rest of the home.

One of the chief hurdles that many people first encounter when they begin working remotely, is that the sense of “being at work” is naturally harder to achieve. Having an organized home office space is, therefore, invaluable.

Delegate whatever you can within your business

Entrepreneurs are often very reluctant to delegate anything in their professional lives, largely because they will typically have built their businesses up to more or less solo, and more or less from scratch.

Keeping these basic facts in mind, it’s quite clear to see how an entrepreneur might end up feeling the need to micromanage everything as much as possible.

Ultimately, though, this is an unsustainable approach for various reasons – including the fact that, as any business scales up, the various roles involved in keeping the operation afloat will tend to be more specialized and will naturally require more autonomy in order to ensure maximum productivity and workplace morale.

When you are moving homes, this need to delegate becomes all the more pressing, as you simply won’t be able to oversee things as directly and effectively as you normally would.

Think about things for a good long moment, and come up with a strategy with your most trusted and senior employees – or partners – in order to figure out how different tasks should be delegated, and to what extent you will be involved in the reporting and decision-making process during the period of time in question.

When it comes to joining metal products, there’s no better alternative than welding. This fabrication process is used in almost every industry. Today, the machines that put metal pieces together use advanced technologies. Those who work on them should have particular knowledge and experience.

On the following source, check some useful tips on how to improve your welding skills:

https://www.agriculture.com/machinery/tools/welding/10-tips-that-c-advce-your-welding_245-ar52067.

But, regardless of the years of experience and skills involved in this job, welders can suffer many injuries. They are at risk of trauma at their workplace if they don’t adhere to standard safety procedures and requirements.

Since the danger for welders is lurking on several sides, it requires the universal approach to the issue of occupational safety. Due to the specific nature of the welders’ job and the risks to which they are exposed, providing a safe workplace is a priority.

Protective Outfits

Persons using the welding machine must wear special protective equipment. This gear is adapted to the working conditions. As you know, melting metal can expose you to many risks, such as burns, physical injury, IC and UV radiation, etc.

The authority responsible for occupational safety prescribes workplace safety norms. They commit workers to wear specialized fire-resistant clothing and reinforced work boots. Welders usually put on protective coats or aprons, depending on whether they work indoors or out.

Safety gloves and goggles are something you should always wear when working on the welding machine. And if you work in a noisy place, wearing earplugs is a must. It may seem like too much stuff, but rest assured that everything is there with a reason.

The protective clothes prevent potential burns that can result from sparks or touching the hot metal welder. The gloves also help to withstand the heat when working. In case you don’t have a helmet, goggles are especially important. Apart from burns, they protect the eyes and face from glare and radiation.

Welding Helmet as Essential Part of Safety Equipment

The level of radiation emitted during the melting of metals is not negligible. It is known what impact overexposure to UV and infrared rays have on the skin. The most severe consequence of unprotected welding without facial protection is skin cancer. Because the skin on the face is delicate and very thin, it is directly affected by the harmful particles.

Another problem that can occur due to not wearing a protective helmet is the sensitivity to light. In addition to disabling you at work, this visual impairment can also interfere with your daily activities (while driving, looking at your phone screen, etc.).

Although there are many different types of head equipment for welders, as seen here, all have the same purpose. Wearing protective helmets prevent harmful rays from reaching the welder’s eyes and face and endanger the health.

Employers Must Provide Safe Workplace

As important as it is for the worker to be protected, the same goes for working space. As operating a metal welder is a job of high responsibility, working in a safe place is a must. And if anything is different, that directly endangers employees but also affect a company’s reputation.

The welding machine uses heat and gas to run. For that reason, in a working area shouldn’t be any flammable liquids and gases, as well as materials such as paper or styrofoam. Just in case, keep a fire extinguisher close.

Certain substances used for cleaning and degreasing are a potential danger if found near a welding machine. For example, brake-cleaning agents convert to toxic gases when exposed to UV radiation. These fumes can lead to life-threatening poisoning. Although ventilation is a significant part of every production facility, it cannot protect you in this case.

It’s also important for employees to be able to get assistance should an emergency arise. Ensuring that welders have a communication device (e.g mobile) is important. However, it may be useful to use lone worker devices, which have inbuilt features like man down functionality and SOS buttons that allow them to either quickly get help or automatically (falls from height, trips and slips etc).

One more thing to consider is moisture. Poor construction of the building can lead to leakage and the appearance of water puddles near the welding machine. Most modern appliances are electrically operated, as explained on https://weldingmachinereviews.com/. There is a real risk of electric shock, so most manufacturers upgraded their metal welders with an extra feature – grounding.

Working Schedule

Welding is a responsible job, so employers must provide welders with optimal working hours. Only that way, these workers can follow all safety procedures and be productive at the same time. That’s why they should not work for more than 4 hours in a row. The number of working hours per day should not be more than 8.

Prolonged work is a significant effort, as welders sometimes stand by or bend over the machine for hours. They must have a high level of concentration, which is not possible when they are tired, both mentally and physically.

People working in hazardous conditions should adhere to particular rules. For them, using personal protective equipment is a necessity. For employers, buying protective gear is no luxury, but an investment that pays off. A safe worker is a satisfied worker.

Moving can be really difficult and stressful. You have to not only decide on what neighborhood to live in – but you also have to make sure you like your new place and that you can afford it. There are so many different variables and it can make it less stressful if you ignore some of the fine print and small details.

However, you need to stay vigilant. Avoiding the stress now will just add to more stress further down the road.

In order to make your life easier, we have put together the top 6 questions that you need to ask before moving in order to make sure that you are getting the best deal and will live happily ever after in your new home.

The 6 Questions You Should Ask Before Moving

Before you move, you need to make sure that there are no surprises and that you are budgeting for everything. However, not all costs are transparent and up-front. Here’s what to ask.

#1 – Do I Need Renter’s Insurance?

Some landlords and complexes now require renters insurance in order for you to be a tenant at their property. Thankfully, renter’s insurance can be very affordable. However, it is still an extra cost that you need to factor in your budgeting for your new move. Be sure to ask if you need renter’s insurance early in the process. And if you do, here’s a guide on how to get renters insurance.

#2 –  How Much Will Utilities Be?

While this number will vary from month to month, it is important to ask this ahead of time. Utility cost can range widely from place to place – so you don’t want to be in a 12-month lease and stuck with a utility bill that is 4x over what you budgeted for. If they can give you a straightforward answer – move along. You don’t want to live in a property that is unfamiliar or not transparent with utility costs.

#3 – Is Parking or Internet Free?

There may be some free or cheap perks to living certain places that actually make it more affordable than some of your other choices – and vice versa. Be sure to look at extra fees such as parking, pet rent, internet, and things of that nature.

#4 – What Is The Deposit?

Make sure that you have enough cash on hand to pay for the first month plus the deposit. If you don’t, then that place isn’t going to work for you and your budget.

#5 – What Is There To Do In The Neighborhood?

If the representative you’re talking to can’t tell you any good qualities about the neighborhood and where to eat and shop – you may want to look elsewhere. Either they aren’t very involved in the area themselves, or it’s not a nice area to live in.

#6 – What Are The Amenities?

Sometimes, certain places have gyms, pools, parks, and laundry services that can make living there more affordable than a place that looks cheaper on paper – as you can do things like canceling your gym membership and laundry service.

#7 – What Type Of Property Do I Need?

When moving, your priorities might have changed in terms of what you’re looking for in a property. Whether it’s condos on the beach or an apartment in the city, it’s important to figure out what type of property you need.

There are lots of different types, so it’s worth considering what you need and what’s affordable for you and your household.

Selling your home can seem like quite an overwhelming prospect by itself. But if you throw in the fact that you need to sell it quickly, for whatever reason, then it can feel even more daunting. However, with the right kind of approach and some planning and preparation, you can be in a good position to sell your home, and make sure that things run smoothly, and importantly, quickly.

Choose the best time to sell

One thing to think about, before you start to out the sign up outside, is the current housing market. If you want to sell and do so quickly, then you need to be able to put the house on the market when there is a demand for your home. According to home selling sites like www.brothersbuyhomes.com, it is a fine line. Too many properties at once and your home could get a little lost. Too few, and people can be quite picky. There are some seasonal changes that can impact how fast you can sell a home.

According to www.primelocation.com, selling your home in spring and autumn can be the best times of the year. Homes do sell all year round, but people tend to not be looking around the holidays, or around the summer when they’re on vacation or away with other things. So that could be one of the first things to consider if you want to sell quickly.

Agree 0n an accurate house price

It is so important for any home that you want to sell, to have the right kind of price on it. If you want to sell quickly, then this is even more important. Of course, you might have an ideal figure in mind, but you need to think about what you would really accept. Overprice the home, and there can be a lack of interest, which can really impact how fast you are able to sell it. Approach a few realtors to get quotes on what they think the home could go for, and then you can make a decision from there. It is always helpful if they all say around the same thing, however, you’d be surprised at how the quotes can vary.

Prepare your house for sale

When it comes to your home, first impressions do count. So it is important to take some time to plan and to prepare your home for sale. A realtor will be able to photograph your home in the best way, and one that makes it look good. But when potential buyers come to view them, it needs to match up, otherwise, they can be disappointed or even confused. One consideration, especially for a fast sale is who the ideal target market for the property is. Who would look to buy it? Then you can dress the home accordingly. A young family, for example, would enjoy seeing lots of storage and your baby crib. A professional couple could be swayed more with a more modern and minimalist look, with anything child-related hidden away. The trick to it all is to make sure that your home appeals to the people that are going to be the most likely to buy the home.

The average consumer checks their phone 52 times a day according to a 2018 Global Mobile Consumer survey from Deloitte. Consumers are so attached to their mobile phones they are four times more likely to view an SMS marketing text then open an email. They are also more likely to read the entire text without getting distracted by other media.

Because of this, SMS marketing has become one of the most invaluable tools for real estate agents. It provides many advantages over traditional marketing methods and offers potential buyers a quick and easy way to get information on the property of their choice.

Why use SMS marketing?

Studies show 80-90% of home buyers start their search online, with 30% from that group beginning their search on their mobile device. Insights like these underscore just how vital SMS marketing can be for real estate agents looking to get ahead.

Using SMS marketing to further your business is relatively straightforward. There are multiple software services out there that can help you set up your campaigns. Once you have chosen and subscribed to a service, you can use it to contact clients and set up auto-reply systems to free up your workload.

How can it help?

SMS marketing services allow you to set up campaigns to help streamline a variety of your services including:

Share property and agent contact information

Imagine a potential buyer passes one of the properties in your portfolio and sees your yard sign and real estate sign rider telling them to text a code to a local number to learn more. They text the code on the sign rider and instantly receive a reply with a beautiful photo of the house and more information on the property, like the number of rooms, facilities, and price.  At the same time, you get sent the texter’s cell phone number so you can reach out to them. That’s SMS marketing in action.

Studies conducted by Salesforce and HubSpot, two leading customer service companies, show that texting someone your contact information makes it 100 times more likely to connect and do business with them. SMS marketing software allows you to automate this to save time. If a client texts a specific code to a number, they can be automatically sent your contact information and a short introduction to schedule a call or appointment with you. Automating this service allows you to respond to leads instantly, even beyond business hours, and makes the client feel they are being attended to right away.

Grow your database

Many consumers prefer to be contacted by text versus email. With this in mind, you can set up an SMS opt-in service for clients to subscribe to. Make it simple and easy to join, like texting a keyword to a number so clients can automatically sign up for updates and alerts from you on potential properties they may be interested in. This can help you grow your leads. Remember to keep in mind that people prefer to receive marketing texts once or twice a month. Daily mass text blasts would not be in the best interest of you or your clients.

Reach your target audience

SMS marketing services help you save time by sending one message to multiple members of your client database in one go. If your database is sorted and organized, you can reach a target audience with a specific message.  Are you looking to set up a series of viewings for a chic apartment next weekend? With an SMS marketing service, you can craft and send an invitation to all your clients who are specifically hunting for apartments. Pace and target messages you intend to send to specific groups and audiences to get the most from the service. Clients may be at different stages in the buying process or looking for different things.

Keep in touch

As your database grows, SMS marketing services can help you stay in touch with your many clients. Set up automatic messages to remind them of appointments they have to view a property or send them updates on new properties or services you offer. It’s a great way to help you create value for yourself in the eyes of your clients.

Make your website mobile-friendly

With more and more internet users accessing the web on their phones, it’s important that your online assets are optimized for the mobile view. This greatly increases the chance of visitors to your website staying longer and browsing your portfolio. It’s also important to include a call to action button that’s visible at any given time on your site. You can link this to your SMS software and, with one tap on this button, viewers should be able to reach you via text (or call if you prefer) to make an inquiry or schedule an appointment.

SMS marketing has enormous potential for real estate agents. Keep an open mind and experiment. Advancements in mobile technology are growing by leaps and bounds with benefits to both agents and clients, so it’s best to always be on the lookout.

Selling a property is not always easy, especially when you consider that buyers form impressions within seconds. The average human being takes just 7 seconds to create opinions and ideas. If you’re selling up, it’s vital to impress from the outset. Here is some essential advice to ensure you get off on the right foot.

Presenting your home professionally

Viewings play a crucial role in selling houses, but not all buyers will reach this stage. For many, photographs and brochures are incredibly influential. If a prospective buyer doesn’t like what they see in an online gallery or listing, they won’t make an appointment to view. As a seller, it is critical to present your home professionally and show it off as best as you can. The quality, range, and clarity of images are important. Hire a professional photographer to take shots of your home and tidy up before they arrive. Open the curtains to maximize natural light and make sure there’s no clutter visible. It’s best to choose a bright, sunny day to capture photographs for your brochure.

Choosing the right real estate agent

Many buyers will buy a property based on size, aesthetics, and practicality, but there are additional factors to consider. When you hire a real estate agent, you want them to play a positive role in the process. The relationship between buyers and realtors can be influential, and you want buyers to warm to the house immediately. If your real estate agent is well-presented and they are friendly, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic, this will work in your favor. Take your time to meet different agents, talk about the services they provide, and look at their track record. Use your own intuition and opinions to select a firm you believe will work tirelessly to achieve your objectives.

Injecting curb appeal

Many buyers want to invest in a home that looks inviting and attractive from the outside. While kitchens and bathrooms might steal the show, curb appeal is a contributing factor for most people. You might not be able to overhaul the exterior of your home, but simple touches make a difference. It’s a great idea to tidy up lawns and flower beds, clear driveways, and add plants. Window boxes, hanging baskets and potted trees add instant appeal. You could also freshen up the paintwork and replace damaged or dated door furniture, fencing, and paving. Move your car if you have a viewing, and make sure trash bags and rubbish bins are out of sight. You want to maximize the chances of a buyer falling head over heels as soon as they see your home.

It takes a matter of seconds to form a first impression. If you’re selling your home, you want buyers to take an interest from the outset. Some people will make a decision based on photos alone, so getting your brochure and online listing right is vital. To improve your chances, present your home in the best light, add curb appeal, and hire an experienced real estate agent with an excellent reputation.

Let’s face it, tenants don’t care for their rental properties in the same way they do about their own home. While you don’t want to spend thousands of dollars decorating a place that may be ruined by tenants, you also need to provide a good living space that will attract tenants to your property. If you are a first-time landlord or you just want some new decorating tips to make your properties stand out, read on.

Tackling Mold

Mold is a big problem in many rental properties, so getting this under control from the start is the best way to deal with the situation before it becomes too big of a problem. Mold can cause many health issues and your tenants are liable to sue if the mold becomes detrimental to their health. Never paint over mold, as this will not solve the issue. For more information on preventing and getting rid of mold in your property, follow this guide.

Decorate for Your Audience

When decorating the property, consider your target audience and who will live in the area you have invested in. From this, you can determine what kind of fixtures and decorations may look best. As a general rule of thumb, being as neutral as possible opens up a wider range of audiences to live in your home. If you need some inspiration, check out rental properties in your area online to see what properties are doing well and who their target audiences are. Use your monthly rental fee as a guide to your decorating budget. The price will determine a tenant’s expectations of a place.

Opt for Tile

Using tile is the most durable option to prevent mold and to avoid more maintenance. Tile is also immune to infestations and can look great in the right colors. Try to stick to dark tile colors; dark tile with light or white grouting can become very grubby looking, especially if your tenants don’t clean the bathroom regularly.

Avoid Light Colors

Light walls and light carpets are a big no-no in rental properties if you want to avoid having to redecorate between every tenant. Unfortunately, tenants won’t look after your place the same as their own home, meaning light walls often get hand marks, splashes from food, and other stains that can be hard to get off and may require repainting. While light colors may look nicer, they don’t stay clean for long. The best neutral colors include grays and mid-tone browns.

Fill Those Gaps

When decorating, be sure to fill in any gaps that are around sinks, windows, stoves, and bathrooms. These gaps can manifest over time into bigger problems that are harder to fix and unfortunately, most tenants won’t let you know there’s a gap until it becomes a larger problem, such as an infestation of insects. You can buy a gap filler from any home store and it is simple and easy to use. Despite filling gaps, unexpected problems arise. If you don’t live close to your property or you’re on vacation, it may be that you want to entrust a company to handle your property. Many landlords benefit from property management companies. If you think this would be the best route to take, Bay Management Group is a great example of some of the property management companies in Washington DC that can help you with upkeeping your rental properties.

Always Get Warranties

While you may roll your eyes at extended warranties, when renting out a property, paying the extra cash for warranties on the important items could save you a lot of money in the future. Any major appliance in your rented property, whether this be a washing machine, cooker or refrigerator should have an extended warranty. Keep all your receipts in a folder for easy access in case your tenants call in the middle of the night to say the refrigerator has broken.

Spend Extra on Bathroom Fittings

One place you should never scrimp on decorating is your bathroom. It is better to spend the extra money on bathroom fittings, such as faucets that are durable and will last for years. Cutting costs here could lead you to have a flooded bathroom and faucet fittings that break far too easily. A sturdy, more expensive faucet can last a lifetime and can be refitted to most baths/sinks.

When decorating your rented property, the primary focus should be durability and livability. Following these tips can aid you when decorating your rental properties.