SkyFive Properties Blog

Selling a home is an intricate business. After all, most people have (rightly) pretty high standards when they decide to buy. Hence why sprucing up your property before listing it is so vital. But, if you want to secure a quick deal, you’ll need to go even further.

In reality, sales are all about painting a property in the best light. In most cases, that means focusing on a highlight reel, if you will, of critical features. With that in mind, you may be best off focusing on small picture appeal rather than taking on your entire house.

The question is, what exactly should feature on said highlight reel? Honestly, your estate agent can give you more information on this. For now, though, let’s consider three areas of focus that could see you selling in no time.

A room with a view

Houses with a view like this beautiful waterfront home never stay on the market for long. Why? Because no home browser can resist, hence why views can boost value by anywhere between 15-80%. As such, your highlights reel could always benefit from beginning here. Luckily, views largely talk for themselves. Still, you can draw attention here using smart lighting, new curtains, or simple furniture rearrangement. Ultimately, your aim should be to ensure that potential buyers are drawn directly to your waterfront or countryside setting. Get this right, and you may even find that outdated decor or similar doesn’t get a look in.

Making the most of your master rooms

Every house has its box rooms or spaces for junk. While these will, obviously, feature in your ultimate sale, it’s essential they aren’t the main focus. After all, these areas hardly scream ‘stylish.’ Instead, you should go above and beyond to highlight master rooms that genuinely appeal. Vital features such as your master bedroom or your living room will almost always go down best. You can draw attention to these in a few ways, including smart styling or even a few new furniture pieces to add a touch of class. Either way, this will ensure these rooms are the sparkling jewels, while less flattering areas are more easily forgotten.

Don’t forget modern additions

It’s also well worth going above and beyond to highlight any recent additions to your property. Something like a kitchen renovation is guaranteed to go down well for homeowners who want a property that’s ready to go. Making a note of recent works in any listings is, of course, one way to focus attention here. You may also want to draw the eye during viewings by highlighting modern features, cleaning the space, etc. This, alongside the opportunity for further development, could well seal that deal at last.

Of course, your home’s highlight reel doesn’t stop here. You may also want to consider things like curb appeal, layout, and more. But, getting started with these three features at least gives you the best chance of painting a picture of a property that people can easily picture themselves enjoying.

You just have to go for a short drive out of the city to witness new neighborhoods popping up everywhere. The city-centered suburbs are expanding their boundaries further each year.

With such a high demand for new housing, it’s no wonder markets are saturated with home building contractors. It can be a challenge to weed through your options when you are looking for a custom home builder.

Buying or building a home is one of the largest investments that you will ever make, so it’s important to hire the right builder for your project. You need to have confidence and trust that your custom home builder will do the best job for you and your family.

When it’s time to find a contractor, it is your job to do the right research to find the best one. Shop around and use these guidelines to help you get the information that you need to make a wise decision.

Experience

When you trust someone to build your home for you, it’s important that they have enough experience to handle the job. When you are interviewing contractors don’t just ask about the experience of the project manager. The range of experience of the whole contracting team is valuable to the success of the project.

Insurance & Licensing

Never work with a contractor that can’t provide you with a copy of their state license and up-to-date insurance liability coverage. If anything happens during your build, these are the two things that will help protect not only you but the contractor and workers.

Specialties

If you have a specific design in mind, you should research the type of specialty work that each contractor is known for. Not all builders are created equally. You can find builders that specialize in smaller homes, net-zero Homes, or renovation style homes using an existing structure to build a house.

Green Practices

Building contractors have had to adapt many of their practices to keep up with the demand for more eco-friendly guidelines. Research which companies are certified “green builders” to find a contractor that incorporates green materials and practices into their construction.

Reviews

During your search, it’s important to find out what former clients have to say about working with each contractor. Past customers can be a great source of information and recommendation. Talk to family and neighbors about their experiences and start sorting through your recommendations.

Portfolio

Before you make your final decision about your home builder, you should ask for a tour of some of their past projects. This will give you an opportunity to study the true craftsmanship of the job and talk to owners about their experience.

Communication

Your correspondence with each contractor right from the start of your research will tell you a lot about who you want to work within the end. Contractors that are quick to answer questions and address issues are the ones that will likely maintain a good flow of communication once your project starts.

Building a home is an exciting project that can be tough to manage is you don’t have the right team behind you. Before you choose a home builder to work with, take the time to conduct your due diligence, and do your research. Don’t be afraid to ask the tough questions. This is your home, and you want to work with only the best.

Every seller dreams of closing a deal at the right price as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, finding a buyer and navigating the process of handing the keys over can be time-consuming. If you’re preparing to sell your property, it’s worth embarking on a small-scale sprucing operation before the for sale sign goes up. Here are some tips to help you make your home more appealing.

Freshening up the paintwork

Many buyers are looking for a blank canvas. If you’ve got brightly-colored walls or dated wallpaper, it’s worth thinking about freshening up the paintwork. A lick of paint can make the room look bigger and brighter and it can modernize the space in an instant. Stick to neutrals to open up compact, cramped spaces and add color with accessories. Hanging mirrors can also help to maximize natural light and create the illusion of more space.

Cleaning, tidying and decluttering

Nothing is more off-putting for buyers than rooms stacked full of stuff. If you’re viewing a property, you want to be able to see each room clearly. Clutter can detract from the visual aesthetic and affect a buyer’s perception of size and scope. Before you sell your home, tidy up, invest in storage solutions to keep clutter at bay, and show off your home in its best light.

Updating the kitchen and bathroom

Most buyers go into a house search looking for a fabulous kitchen and a functional, modern bathroom. If your kitchen has seen better days, or your bathroom is drab, consider some simple updates. Painting the walls and investing in new accessories are great ways to make the most important rooms in the house more enticing. Shop online and have a look for offers like a Bed Bath and Beyond coupon to save money. For the kitchen, look for storage pots, potted plants and vases, and wall art. For the bathroom, adding matching toilet brush and toothbrush holders creates a smart look. To finish, place a couple of plant pots on the shelves and choose a bath mat that complements the colorway.

Creating an inviting exterior

Curb appeal is important for many prospective buyers. Before you put your house on the market, it’s worth thinking about the exterior of your home. You want to ensure that your home looks inviting and welcoming, and you can do this without spending a lot of money. Painting the front door and the window frames is a good place to start. Add planters or window boxes to your porch and mow the front lawn. Replacing old or broken mailboxes and name or number plaques can also help to create a positive first impression. It’s also a good idea to keep your driveway clear so that buyers can see the house in all its glory.

When you put your house on the market, you want to maximize the chances of selling. Pre-sale sprucing can help to make properties more appealing. Simple touches like painting walls, adding finishing touches, and updating dated kitchens can make all the difference.

People often advise against making expensive upgrades to your property, but there are times when they could give you an edge in certain high-end markets. In some cases, these will be inevitable if you’re falling behind and your house just doesn’t match with the rest of the neighborhood.

Still, it doesn’t mean that any and every luxury upgrade will help you score some points. As a matter of fact, some might actually end up pushing away some potential buyers. However, there are add-ons that will usually be a winner with most prospects and will allow your house to stand out for all the right reasons. Here are three upgrades that will make your home more luxurious and marketable.

Getting a New Roof

Getting a roof makeover will not only make a great addition from an aesthetic standpoint but will also be a winner with practical home buyers and real estate investors. Knowing that they won’t have to worry about replacing the roof for years will be a great selling point and could make a major difference.

Metal roofs are one of the best roofing materials if you’re looking for something that will be as luxurious as it is durable. Metal roofs will last for as long as 50 years and come in all sorts of designs and colors. If you want to learn more about metal roofing, we strongly suggest you consult people like Advantage Construction. They’ve been in the business for more than a decade and will be able to introduce you to all sorts of different materials depending on your needs.

Wine Room

If you happen to come across a wine lover, which you’ll do a lot if you’re in a high-end market, then this one could easily seal the deal. Wine is also growing in popularity in the country, with over 40% of people over 21 drinking wine.

This interest has certainly carried over to the real estate industry, and more buyers now would prefer to have a wine cellar in their house over a home theatre, according to a recent study. So, if you want to score points with the wine crowd, you should consider converting a basement into a cellar or create a dedicated wine room complete with LED lights.

An Outdoor Kitchen

Some people will automatically assume that installing fancy water features or a luxurious water park would be the best luxury addition to any backyard, but these tend to be a little too personal for certain buyers. Instead, you should consider adding an outdoor kitchen. Most people like to entertain outdoors and love a nice cookout from time to time, and kitchen space will be a great addition for people with families. The best part is that it’s one of the most affordable luxury additions that you can make.

These are just some of the great upgrades that you can make to take your property to the next level. If you feel like your home can’t compete with other lots in your area, these could very well be enough to make it stand out and attract more offers.

At some point or another in your life, you’re going to find yourself househunting. More likely than not, this process will be fairly complex, drawn-out, and can be pretty stressful. Why? Well, at the end of the day, properties tend to be the most expensive thing we purchase in our lives and are therefore our biggest investments. We’re going to want to make sure that we make the right decision! Now, many of us will have set expectations in our minds and a checklist of different things we want from the property we will ultimately invest in.

If this isn’t your first home, and you’re moving from one property into another, you’ll also have settled into one house and will then need to up and move your whole life in boxes to your next place you’ll settle in. You don’t want to find yourself doing this again in a few month’s time because you’ve chosen an unsuitable property, so again, you’ll put plenty of thought and time in. The good news is that everything doesn’t have to be hard. There are a number of things you can do that will help to simplify your house hunting journey and secure you the keys to an ideal property before you know it!

Use a Reliable Estate Agent

The first thing you need to do is to use a reliable estate agent like authenticorlando.com. You may have heard a few bad things here and there about estate agents. This because some will be untrustworthy and gain the others, who work hard and responsibly, a bad reputation. At the end of the day, a good estate agent will help you to find the perfect property to suit your needs as well as your preferences – whether you’re planning on renting, buying, selling, or anything else.

They will require a few details from you. They will generally ask you for your budget and how much you are able and willing to spend – or what kind of mortgage you’re looking at getting approved for. This will set them a price range. They will also ask for further information about your preferences and requirements. You could benefit from telling them the number of rooms, the number of bathrooms and other additions you might desire- for example, en suites or a garage. Once they know what you’re looking for, they’ll be able to save you time and effort from househunting yourself and will draw up all the appropriate properties for you in your chosen area.

Attend Viewings

Of course, it’s important that you view any properties you’re considering. Seeing them in person will give you a genuine impression of them. Remember, photos can be flattering, so never miss this step!

While there are certain elements of the house-hunting process that may inevitably cause stress or tension, the above steps will help to improve the overall experience for you. They’ll make it much easier to find the house you’re looking for, so implement them into your process!

Real estate business might be a thrifting and one with loads of potential, but generating customers can sometimes be really hard. Big-name realtors juggle several contractors as they have built a name in the game and include several inviting tactics up their sleeve.

Fortunately, as a new realtor in the business, you don’t need to know your stuff or your customers from the start. And you can easily contact leads and generate sales without performing any of the ancient and hurtful techniques of cold calling and door knocking. This is all possible with CRM for Real Estate agents. Yes, all the magic you need to kick start your business and scale quickly is right inside this software.

It is a customer relationship management software where you can get marketing tools to generate leads, organize tasks and clients, and do much more of your realtor activities in one place. But just the piece of technology won’t be able to put clients in your plate for you; it will help you immensely to reach heights when you tune it right. For all intents and purposes for your CRM to be used to its vast potential, below are some handy tips. So get reading!

Build Workforce

A realtor does just fine working alone with no business partner or staff to handle things, but they do miss out on the best opportunities out there for not having a team. If you want to become a company and lead the industry someday, you need to have the right hands aboard. These hands can be your lawyer, mortgage broker, renovators, and builders too. Also, you need to hire staff for conducting in-house operations and generating more sales and clients.

Tune in to your CRM while allowing all staff in on client directories and essential information that is needed by employees to help you run the business. You can use the software to train your employees and help them become tech-savvy with real estate. Soon they will be performing your tasks for you while you have a good time picking properties to sell.

Gather Client Information

Customer information will be your holy grail in the realtor business. It is a work where you need to connect with clients directly and know about their interests with residences, so it’s best to have all their likes and dislikes in one place. This is where the CRM comes in. It has algorithms installed in it that can help you know where your client visits mostly on the internet to vote out their needs and wants. You can take note of these things collected by your CRM to engross clients most efficiently and acceptably.

Automate

If you didn’t know, automation is the latest manner all businesses are using to make more profit and cut costs. With the use of the right technology tools, you can successfully cut out unnecessary steps in any business operation and reduce costs while getting results faster. And if you use your CRM with the right tools, you will be able to do the same. For example, you can sync in essential programs like google sheets or video chat under it so that the software can make changes and complete tasks as you tune it.

Target Audience

With the data and intel on potential customers and leads devised by real estate CRM software, you can use that information to target your audience precisely. You will know where your future and present customers go to each day, and what their interests are. So if a lead likes to stay on Facebook more to research properties, you can call them out on that platform and get their attention with personalized messages according to their needs. You will know which content they like to engage with on your website and maximize it to get the customers to stay and make sales easy for you.

Moving into a new home is exciting but to make it totally your own, you might be looking to replace some older appliances, or want to revamp your kitchen with stainless steel options, there are some simple ways you can save a good amount of money. (An added bonus, installing new appliances is a way to refresh your kitchen without needing a contractor.)

Let’s dig into three easy ways to save money on home appliances.

Look for warranties that make sense, and simply buy a better product

Not all warranties are created equal. On average, you should be skipping the long-term warranty and putting the money into savings where that extra sum of money can garner interest, and easily cover any repairs you might need several years down the road. A defective product is typically warrantied automatically if you get home and find that your washer and dryer is not functioning. So, if a product says it is already under warranty, there’s almost no reason to purchase an extended service plan. The problem with service plans and warranties is that they have fairly strict stipulations, and the warranty is often more expensive than the price to simply fix the appliance out-of-pocket.

So, instead of being charmed by the salesperson who is looking to up their commissions, look at reviews and consumer ratings, and contact the brand directly if you have concerns or questions about what is covered in a typical warranty.

Consider a refurbished or display model appliance

Stores will cut costs fairly dramatically on any display model appliance when they are looking to sell it, but it doesn’t mean it’s any less in working order than it’s shiny counterpart in a cardboard box. The qualifier is you have to know when a store is phasing out one model for the next so that you can buy it directly from them when it goes on sale. Another option is to consider a refurbished appliance from an appliance outlet, but again, you’ll need to be quick when you do find something you like since they are typically one-off items.

If you are not in a rush though, buying a reduced cost appliance can be a huge cost saver. Just keep in mind that you’ll still want to look for energy-saving appliances.

Look for energy-saving appliances

Finally, look at how an appliance will save you money long-term. Do your research before purchasing, and consider how an appliance will affect your energy bills.

As an example, an older fridge that lets out significant heat has two problems: it is inefficient which means it is automatically using more energy, costing you more on your energy bill, and it is releasing heat into the air on the months that it is working hardest to stay cool, meaning you’re then heating your surrounding area, and forced to use more air conditioning, increasing your energy costs. In a small loft, something like an old fridge can really heat the place up.

Look for lighting options for shop lights like these https://www.lepro.com/led-shop-lights that use LED bulbs, and consider replacing any non-LED lights in appliances like microwaves and freezers. If you’re not sure if a light bulb is an LED, place your hand near it after a few seconds; if it feels warm, it’s time to replace it with a smarter bulb that will save you money on your energy bill long-term.

Appliances are rated on energy efficiency from A+++ to G. Check the label, and avoid any label that falls closer to G; if you’re in doubt, the labels are color-coded. Green is great while red is the least energy-efficient and will cost you more on your energy bill.

Keep these three tips in mind when purchasing your next appliances and lighting to make sure you get the most bang for your buck and reduce your overall costs.

Are you thinking about selling your property? Did you know that is much more complicated than just putting up a ‘for sale’ sign in the front yard? There is plenty of preparation that you need to do before you get to this point. In this article, we will look at some of the things you need to think about.

Choose a real estate agent

Your real estate agent can be the difference between a house that sells fast, and one that sits on the market for months. Don’t make the mistake of contacting the first agent that puts a flyer through your door. Do your research and find one with a reputable track record, such as Cami Jones & Company. It is also worth talking to other people in your neighborhood who have recently bought or sold a house. Word of mouth recommendations goes a long way when buying and selling property.

Maximize the curb appeal

You want potential buyers to be lining up at the door. You want the offers to be rolling in. For either of these things to happen, you need to go the extra mile. First impressions will always count, so maximizing the curb appeal of your house is essential. Give the front of the house a fresh lick of paint – keep it neutral and in keeping with the rest of the neighborhood. Make sure the front yard is tidy. Mow the lawn, fix any broken walls or fences, and get rid of any unsightly trash cans.

Get rid of the clutter

When making your home attractive to potential buyers, the number one rule is to get it as neutral and to depersonalize it as far as possible. While it is still your home while you live there, you want buyers to imagine what the property looks like with their own furniture and possessions in. That can be very difficult to do if your collection of antique thimbles are on display or photos of all of your family. Put these things away for now – and replace them with a few healthy green plants and bunches of fresh flowers.

This is also great practice for when you are packing up to move – having a big declutter in the style of Marie Kondo means less stuff to pack and unpack!

Light it up

No one wants a dark and dingy house. There are plenty of tricks to give the illusion of light. Make sure all the windows are sparkling clean, and pull any window coverings open as much as possible to allow maximum light. Replace any blown light bulbs and place lamps in dark corners.

You can also paint rooms in a bright, light color and add mirrors to make the space seem bigger and brighter.

Make it smell nice

Don’t make the mistake of trying to cover up any bad smells lurking – get rid of them. Bowls of white vinegar placed around the home for a few days before any viewings will help to eliminate bad odors.

Cramped cities, empty wallets, and advancements in technology have all contributed to the current state of the property market. It can often feel as though traditional homes are always getting smaller, with their prices going up despite the space you’re losing out on. Old, large buildings are split up and turned into smaller properties, while new homes are built to take up as little floor space as possible. This can make it very difficult to find the perfect home for you. That is, of course, unless you decide to go for something truly unique.

Tiny Homes

The tiny home craze has been well underway for several years at this point, but this idea is still very popular today. Tiny homes are small structures that are designed to provide for all of your needs without wasting an inch of the space they take up. Despite their name, these properties can be quite large, and they are often built from things like storage containers, giving you loads of expansion options down the line.

Unfortunately, there aren’t many companies out there that make tiny homes, and this means that you may need to do some work to find a pre-made one. Alternatively, you could also consider the idea of making one for yourself. It’s possible to do this without having to apply for regular building permits in a lot of cases, as you can build your tiny home to meet the specifications of a temporary building, rather than a permanent one. Though it’s worth looking up your local laws to make sure that this isn’t against the rules.

Houseboats

Life on the water can seem like a dream come true for a lot of people. No matter how busy or stressful your day has been, it will be impossible to find yourself unhappy when you feel the rock of the water beneath you. Houseboats come in all shapes and sizes, from small options that are designed for holidays and short breaks too much larger examples that will be comfortable enough to call your home.

Finding the best houseboats for sale can be a challenge, as you need to be near a waterway to find businesses that offer this service. The internet can help with this, though you will still need to search around and visit the houseboats you like before you can choose one. This sort of lifestyle won’t be practical for everyone, though this is something which only you can figure out for yourself. As long as you can drive to work, school, and the sorts of jobs you like, a location on the water doesn’t have to be out of the equation.

Multi-story Apartments

City apartments tend to be quite small, with developers working hard to cram as many people into spaces like this as possible. The market works like this because it’s the best way to make money out of large buildings. This is a big problem for those who can afford to have more space, though, as it can be very difficult to find apartments which offer the same sort of space as a normal house.

Across the world, people have been using a simple solution to this problem for generations, though it hasn’t picked up as much in the West. Simply buying the floor above or below your current apartment will often give you the right to remove part of the floor/ceiling to install stairs. Of course, you’ll need to check that this is possible with the apartments that you choose, but this can offer a neat solution to the problem of space when you live in a city.

The property market is ever-changing, evolving, and becoming something new. This means that one of the most valuable resources to have in this field is knowledge, and this is exactly what you’ll get from a professional real estate company like Skyfive Properties. Finding a home that meets your requirements isn’t too hard, but digging out the perfect place is a different matter entirely. In such a complex market, it always makes sense to have the right kind of people behind you, and this will often be the biggest influencing factor in your home-buying experience.

Hopefully, you should be feeling inspired to start looking at homes you would have never considered in the past. It’s easy to pick the norm when you’re going through a process like this, but this always means that you’re going to miss out on the features which come with homes that break the mold.

Planning to expand your interior living space? Nowadays, a room addition project costs a lot. And you might even have to stay at the hotel until the construction work is done on your property. If you don’t want to go through such inconvenience, why not remodel empty spaces in your house instead? Compared to constructing a new room, space remodeling is cheaper and less time-consuming. It is even doable for a DIY job. That means you don’t have to pay professional service, and just be creative on your own. And with the help of Garage Floor Atlanta, maintaining and repairing your garage flooring will be much more convenient and cost-effective.

Garage areas are often a remodeling target in residential properties, especially if you have a larger space, even with your cars inside. Some homeowners recreate their garage into spaces for hobbies, workouts, kid’s plays, and other leisure activities.

For your residential or commercial garage remodel, check out these amazing design tips below:

Create zones

When remodeling your garage, the first step you should take is to create zones. There should be a designated area for your cars and bikes, workshops, and relaxation. You can either go for an open plan concept or get creative with partitions. Either way, your different zones will stand out naturally. You just need to be good at organizing the furniture and other decor items. Opt to install smart storage in each zone, so it’s easier to clean and declutter.

Install adequate lighting

Adequate lighting makes any space more livable and enjoyable. The same is true with a well-lit garage area. Now, you can make use of your garage workshop space day and night. You can’t always rely on the natural light that enters through an open garage door since not every day is a sunny day. Additionally, remember to run enough outlets for your gadgets and power tools.

Get some furniture

Spend some alone time watching your favorite tv series or reading a new book without any distraction by creating your own space in the garage. Don’t hesitate to fill the area with a comfy leather sofa, chairs, a coffee table, and lamps to warm-up space. And don’t forget to put some style and elegance there.

Do a floor makeover

Never underestimate the importance of installing the right floor type for your garage. Making the wrong floor choice either leads to early repairs or labor-intensive cleaning tasks. To save time and money, choose a garage flooring that is resilient, durable, and resistant to weather and stains.

Polished concrete flooring is highly recommended for garage spaces since they can stand well against heavy traffic without any wear and tear. The type of flooring has a stain-resistant finish making it easier to clean and available at low prices. If your garage floor is still in good shape, all you need to do is some floor washing, painting or polishing and it’s good to go.

Improve insulation

A place is only livable when it’s properly insulated. That’s why space insulation should always be on top of your renovation priority list. You can use a space heater when warming the garage during the winter season and an air-conditioning unit installed in the wall or window during the hot summer months.

Update plumbing

Get a readily available water source in your garage by updating plumbing. Advanced plumbing is required when adding a kitchenette or half-bath in your garage.

To replace old plumbing, make sure to ask the help of a licensed plumber instead of troubleshooting the problem on your own. You also need to deal with exposed pipes around your garage, which are potential safety hazards.

Get a new door

To complete your renovation project, get your garage a new door. There are plenty of options you can find in today’s market. You can find just any door you want regardless of material, style, design, color, and size. Additionally, a new door won’t bother you with the noisy operation, malfunctioning parts, and repetitive repairs.

For easy and hassle-free shopping, consult with experts in your local area. Popular companies like Garage Door Repair Calgary or Home depot offer free consultation and estimates for your garage door needs.

Make your garage a beautiful extension of your home by planning the renovation project carefully. Choose a design that helps maximize space while maintaining functionality in your garage. Lastly, don’t hesitate to ask for advice from professionals!