SkyFive Properties Blog

In purchasing real estate, you deserve to get the best value for your money. To do this, you need to first undergo the process of identifying the property’s worth before hiring a real estate agent who will help you in buying or selling it. For instance, if you intend to purchase or sell real estate property in Houston, a Houston real estate appraiser can help you identify the property’s worth as they have advanced knowledge and expertise about this matter.

But what are real estate appraisers and what do they do? Continue reading below to know more about their roles and responsibilities.

Check Interior and Exterior Conditions of a Property

As the primary duty of your real estate appraiser is to evaluate your property’s value, they have to see its features personally and examine every part of it. Through assessing the condition of your property, they can provide expert judgment on its value to make sure that it’s highly marketable. Here are the main features and conditions that your appraiser will look for:

• Your property is fit for habitation. The first criterion that a real estate appraiser will evaluate is the existence of your property. You have to provide the location of the property so they could visit it. Also, the property should be located inside a neighborhood near residential and commercial properties, and is accessible by utility services.
• Never forget the outdoors. Even though people will stay longer inside the property, it’s not an excuse to neglect the outdoor condition of your property. The front yard and backyard should be clean and presentable. Enhance the landscape by highlighting its selling points. You can add more decorations, such as flower pots. Eliminate all trash, clutter, and irrelevant objects. Most importantly, the appraiser will measure the dimensions of the outdoor lot.
• Excellent indoor quality for greater marketability. Aside from the exterior quality of your property, the indoor quality will contribute more to its market value. Larger square footage of livable space is naturally better than small ones. The appraiser will assess every part of the house, especially the bedrooms, in which numerous ones will add to the property’s market value. Other qualities to be checked indoors are entrance points, ceilings and walls, emergency exits, and heating and cooling systems.

Appraise the Value of a Property

As the highlight of the transaction, a real estate appraiser sets the value of your property to be sold in the market according to their evaluation and assessment of its overall condition. Aside from real estate agents, real estate appraisers also play a crucial role in real estate transactions, though beginners in the real estate context are still unfamiliar with appraising.

Here are some factors that real estate appraisers look at before estimating your property appraisal value:

• Location: A property located among nature will have greater value than a property near malls or factories.
• Age: An old home doesn’t automatically get a lower appraisal value than a new one. If a home was built 10 to 20 years ago, then it will likely have a high appraisal value. An old home located in historic places that have stood strong for years will also have a high appraisal value.
• Style and Design: Aesthetic appeal such as finishes and decorations will contribute to a higher appraisal value.
• Curb Appeal: This refers to the outdoor appearance or landscaping of your home. Healthy green mowed lawns with flower pots will look more appealing to buyers than tall grasses with unknown plants.
• Square Footage: The real estate appraiser will also look at the square footage of your overall property and assess how well it’s distributed.
• Recent Renovations: Updated bedrooms, kitchen, and living rooms provide higher appraisal value. New technology and devices installed in the house are also excellent contributions to the appraisal value.

Compare Listings  Relevant to Yours

After the physical inspection, appraisers also need to analyze the market environment, particularly the market trend. They perform in-depth research to arrive at the final appraisal by looking at similar properties. These relevant properties are called comparables. Even though the comparables won’t be precisely the same as your property, it will still give the appraiser an idea where to set the bar for your property’s value.

The appraiser can search comparables that are both sold and currently listed in the market. However, these comparables should be those sold only recently, as the real estate market varies all the time. Depending on the features and characteristics of the comparables, the appraiser will adjust the value of your property accordingly.

Moreover, market variability also presents an advantage. Your real estate appraiser can adjust the price if the predicted market trend through market analysis has a greater chance of being favorable to your property. Your appraiser can make further adjustments if you decide to enhance the property itself and the surrounding environment.

Research and Create Appraisal Reports

Through detailed research, the appraiser can finally decide on the final appraisal value of your property and organize all the necessary documents. The appraiser will write and provide pictures of the property in the report, explaining its strengths and weaknesses. For every feature discussed, the appraiser should be able to explain how it affects the market value of your property.

Generally, the report should contain and explain the whole appraising process, including the inspection, comparables, research, and fair observations. As the property seller or buyer, the most important thing to keep in mind is that the appraised value of your property is subject to future changes.

Take Note of Changes in the Real Estate Market

One of the biggest challenges that appraisers encounter is dealing with these market changes. Essentially, market trends create a significant impact on property values due to various influences. The greatest contributor to the varying appraised value of your property is the fluctuating appraisal prices of comparables existing in your area. Appraisers need to be up-to-date with the changing prices, lest you will be put at a disadvantage.

Aside from adjusting the appraisal prices based on the comparables, the appraiser needs to examine the income approach data to predict the fluctuations in the properties’ vacancy rates, which is known as the percentage of all available and unoccupied units in a property. This method will greatly contribute to defining the final appraisal.

Appraisers also have to take note of the supply and demand in real estate. Put simply, having a high demand while properties are scarce can translate to an increase in prices, and having less demand with a substantial number of properties can cause real estate values to drop.

Conclusion

Buying and selling real estate is not a walk in the park. It needs the best real estate appraisers in the field to make sure that the work gets done excellently. Before hiring one, make sure that you have an idea of what appraisers do so you can transact with them smoothly. Hiring appraisers might cost you more than the typical real estate transaction with real estate agents, but their skills and expertise will greatly benefit you in the long run.

For many landlords, resident experience is often just an afterthought, something that is pushed to the bottom of the priorities list as long as rents are paid on time and tenants cause no problems. However, for the most successful landlords, resident experience is a crucial tool to maximize rental income, ensure that the best tenants stay on, and develop greater peace of mind for everyone involved.

But how does the tenant experience work? And how can it be improved so you can optimize your rental income while ensuring that your best tenants stay for the long-term? Here, we take a look at what makes a great resident experience and why you should be looking at ways to optimize tenant onboarding, building and amenities management, and last but not least, a sense of real community.

What Makes a Great Resident Experience?

Resident experience can be loosely summed up as how tenants interact with landlords, the building, with services such as maintenance and utilities, and to a certain extent, with each other. In the past, landlords might have simply sent a “welcome” letter or email and left the tenant to fend for themselves when it comes to setting up utilities, dealing with building problems, and generally interacting the community at large.

However, when the landlord takes a more proactive role, resident experience becomes an effective tool for both parties. For example, creating a viable feedback loop between tenant and landlord to get new residents up and running can be a real USP when it comes to securing the best rents.

If you can offer seamless onboarding for a tenant in a new building then this service can be monetized, effectively allowing you to charge higher rents. Today, with in increasing number of people simply too busy to manage the many challenges of setting up in a new space, this type of service is increasingly in demand.

The same is true for the duration of the rental contract, and residents are much more likely to renew a lease if they have enjoyed a positive resident experience. Here, ensuring easy access to a variety of services such as responsive maintenance teams; easy account management; integrated package delivery and other concierge services; and even setting up or encouraging residents to interact with others in the building through community-based programs are all important.

Unified Digital Experiences

If all of this sounds like more hassle than it is worth, then think again. The difference between a good apartment and a great apartment for residents is undoubtedly the quality of service that complements the building, its location, and any available amenities.

However, managing all of this through email or phone can very quickly become untenable for landlords, and trying to juggle an ever-growing list of resident demands can leave everyone feeling exhausted. Luckily for you, the right kind of technology is now here to help.

Unified digital experiences for residents and landlords essentially aim to provide everything you need from a central hub. You can ditch the outdated welcome letter and simply invite your new residents to download an app for their smartphone and enjoy a true feedback loop for the entirety of the lease. Cost-effective and providing unbeatable experiential value, resident experience apps are the ideal solution for both tenant and landlord.

In essence, a unified digital experience for your building can take in an almost limitless number of services. You can provide easy account management and payment options, access to maintenance services either within the building or by connecting third-party providers, and you can even provide added-value service connections such as house cleaning, furniture assembly, and even dog walking.

Conclusion

In today’s service-oriented world, it seems that one of the last bastions of poor service often lies at the intersection of the tenant/landlord relationship. However, this is set to change very quickly over the next decade. Resident experience will become increasingly important for all landlords and, in order to ensure your rent and tenant retention continue to increase, it’s vital that this often-overlooked aspect of real estate is embraced by all parties involved.

Over recent years, many people have found success by investing in real estate with a view to renting out the property they purchase. With so many younger people now struggling to get onto the property ladder themselves, the demand for rental properties is high. This means you can enjoy huge success with your real estate acquisitions as long as you do your research and know what you are looking for.

It is important that you take the right steps when it comes to your real estate investment, as this could make all the difference in terms of how successful your venture is and how much you are able to make.

You can access all sorts of tools and resources to help you these days, and if you have a portfolio of properties you can even look at providers such as MyOutDesk to help you with their real estate virtual assistance service. In this article, we will look at some of the steps you need to take before making your real estate purchase as an investor.

Some Key Considerations Before Making Your Purchase

There are various important factors you need to consider before you make your real estate purchase as a landlord. One of the first things you will need to look at is the cost of the property, as you need to ensure you can get the finance necessary to fund the purchase.

Before you start looking at property investments, you should take some time to look at your budget, work out how you will fund the purchase, and how much you can afford to borrow/spend. You can then start searching for properties that are within your price range.

Another thing that is extremely important is ensuring you look at the area where the property is located. If you are not already familiar with the area, you must take some time to look into things such as the crime rate in the area, what the local facilities and amenities are like, and how easy it is for people to get around by car or public transport.

All these things will have an impact on how easily you will be able to find suitable tenants for your property, so it is vital that you look into this.

You also need to think carefully about the type of tenants you want to focus on, as this will have a big impact on the choice you make in terms of your real estate investment. For instance, if you want to rent out your property to students, you should look for something that is close to colleges and universities. If you want to rent out to families, look for a property with a decent sized garden and other family-friendly features.

By taking all of these factors into consideration, you will find it much easier to identify the ideal property for your portfolio. You can then look forward to making a regular monthly income from the rental on the property.

When you’re trying to sell your home, the first thing that you need to do is find the right real estate agent. If you choose wisely, you’ll be able to sell the house faster and get a better price for it. A lot of people don’t really know what they’re looking for when they start meeting with real estate agents. There are a lot of them out there, so it’s easy to go for the wrong one. If you’re putting your house on the market soon, these are the things that you should consider when trying to choose a real estate agent.

What Is Your Priority?

Do you prioritize speed or price when you’re selling your house? This is the first thing that you need to consider when you’re choosing a real estate agent because different agents will offer you different things. If you need to sell the house quickly and you want to sell it for cash, you will have to make some sacrifices on price. You will also need to find a real estate agent that specializes in a fast turnaround. However, if you are not in a hurry to sell the house and you would rather get a better price for it, you need to find a real estate agent that is focused on finding the right buyer, rather than finding a buyer as quickly as possible.

How Do They Generate Leads?

When you are meeting with real estate agents, you should ask them how they generate their leads. If you are prioritizing speed, you want to get a lot of people viewing the property very quickly. That means that you need to find an agent that knows how to get real estate leads online passively. They will be able to attract more potential buyers. However, if you’re prioritizing price, you need to be more specific about the buyers that view the house. In that case, it’s best to go with an agent that takes a more targeted approach to lead generation. Those real estate agents will find buyers that are likely to pay the price that you’re hoping for, even if it takes longer.

What Are Their Fees?

The cost is always going to be a big factor in your decision, so ask about the fees right away. There’s no sense in starting the process and building a relationship with a real estate agent only to decide that they are too expensive a few weeks down the line. You’re just wasting everybody’s time.

Don’t just look for the real estate agent with the lowest fees either because they might not be the right person for you. Consider all of the other factors and then think about whether you can afford them or not. The key is finding a balance between a real estate agent that works for you, and one that you can realistically afford. It’s also worth remembering that the cheapest ones are cheap for a reason.

If you ask these 3 questions, you should be able to find the right real estate agent to sell your home.

When you plan to relocate to a new area or city, certain factors need to be considered to ensure the move is worthwhile. From the location of the city and its professional opportunities to social, medical, educational, and entertainment facilities, all have to be scrutinized. Among the many cities in California, Palm Springs is one of the most popular destinations that people want to relocate to.

If you’re property-hunting in Palm Springs, consider engaging the services of a professional realty firm like Socal Home Buyers to find your ideal home in a suitable neighborhood of the city. Some of the top reasons to relocate to the city include:

Warm climate

While the weather is rather warm or hot with daytime temperatures reaching a high of up to 100 degrees, many people that want to escape the cold weather in other parts of the country find it ideal. Winters are pleasant, and despite the sunshine, the city can get rather windy at times, which helps people to cool off in the summer.

Connectivity to other major cities

The strategic location of Palm Springs makes it ideal for visiting other major cities like San Diego and Los Angeles. Apart from being in relative proximity to top cities, there are also direct flights to cities in Canada. Palm Springs International Airport offers direct flights to several popular cities, which is great for those that need to travel for professional reasons.

Social scene

For those that love the outdoors, there are a plethora of activities to enjoy during vacation or at the weekends. There are loads of outdoor activities and events hosted throughout the year. Since Palm Springs offers a rugged landscape, it’s ideal for rock climbing, hiking, biking, etc. As far as attractions go, the city has an incredible number of them to keep you busy all year-round, apart from some excellent museums. Architectural aficionados will enjoy the stunning edifices of architectural significance with plenty of guided tours of these landmarks. From sports facilities to a vibrant nightlife scene, Palm Springs has them all.

Best of luxury lifestyle

The city is well-known for its spas and bears the moniker ‘Spa City’ of California. The city offers a choice of spa facilities, along with a wide range of health and wellness treatments for those seeking to indulge and pamper themselves that extra bit. From the finest spa hotels to spa resorts, there are plenty of options to live a good life. There are many options available to build a custom home in the city.

Warm and friendly locals

One of the most attractive features of moving to the city is its warm and friendly locals. Whether young or old, the city is ideal for people of all age groups. The elderly will find plenty of retirees for a company to socialize within the city. Plus, the warm weather all year-round makes it ideal for the elderly. Apart from the affordable cost of living, the healthcare facilities are also excellent. For kids, there are plenty of family-friendly destinations to keep them occupied during the holidays.

So, you already have money from loans, investments or savings. You are now ready to rent or buy a new home. Perhaps you understand that the process of buying and renting homes has never been easier. In reality, fake agents are waiting to scam you. Sometimes, brokers may overcharge the property. In other circumstances, the owner may sell the same property to more than one person.

To have a successful transaction, you have to understand how the real estate market works. You may consider requesting a property tour. During this tour, you determine if the house is fit for your family. In most circumstances, people are usually fooled by newly painted houses.

Here are examples of homes you may not consider buying.

• A home that was previously occupied by a thief and investigations are underway.
• Duplicated real estate listings, either having a cheaper price.
• A home represented by an impersonated lawyer/agent. You can contact the main office to verify the lawyer is theirs.
• Homes with unnecessary additional charges and application fees.
• Real estate with overrated investment potential.
• Homes that have been severely damaged, i.e. a fire-damaged home.

Now you already know the warning signs of real estate scams. With this knowledge, you can now request for a property tour. Here is what to do on the tour.

Getting An Ultra-Modern Home: 6 Things To Do On A Property Tour

1. Talk About The Weather.

Evidently, the weather has always affected the real estate market. Bad weather can destroy massive properties. If you want a long-lasting property, you should avoid areas with calamities. During winter, there are fewer houses for sale. Also, you may be expensively charged due to additional cold-prevention technology. But in spring, there more houses for sale. Real estate vendors compete to sell, and you can bargain the price to your advantage.

The home’s orientation should allow enough sunlight to illuminate the space. When it comes to natural calamities, you can easily spot areas affected by mudflows and landslides. Avoid areas with steep and rough terrain. Instead, choose a relatively gentle area. See the previous effect of floods, thunder, earthquakes and heat waves.

2. Know The Broker And The Agent: If you fail to distinguish between the two, you may end up confusing their functions. As a result, you get scammed. You should understand the main aim of both a broker and an agent. Usually, there are a lot of people involved in the process of buying a house. They even confuse themselves. So, confusion can be normal during the first visits.

First of all, both agents and brokers should have a valid license. In many places, an agent works under a real-estate broker. So, every broker is responsible for their agent’s actions. Both aim at completing the transaction between you and the seller. While on the property tour, ask how each party can help you get the property.

3. Forget About Attractions: Do not be fooled by the spacious and elegant property. Instead, see the environment. If you want to practice agriculture, you may examine the soil. Watch out for the average temperature, availability of clean water, and surrounding animals. Fresh air is essential for any type of property. For this reason, you should check if there are any surrounding industries that pollute the air or untreated sewage.

Deserts can be good for solar productivity. Environments with streams and rivers provide fresh water, while marine environments have salty water. Effects of salty water are well-known. If untreated, salt water can corrode the roofs.

4. Examine The Agent: A good agent should be experienced. This way, you can be confident that the agent understands real estate laws. An agent with a proven track record can help you go through the process smoothly, without worrying about the consequences. Check out for listening skills, and if the agent pays attention to what you say. An excellent agent should understand the surrounding community. Community knowledge will help him compare different neighborhoods and choose the best property for you.

5. Check Crime History.

Studies show that an increase in crime depreciates the value of a property. The effect of crime can be direct, or indirect. The direct effect involves the destruction of property, which causes losses. However, attacks on people can change their lifestyle and induce health problems. This can lead to financial problems, making people resell their property at lowered rates. Both the owner and the buyer should invest a percentage of their money in a safe neighborhood. A peaceful environment can drastically improve the value of the property.

6. Enquire For Social Amenities: From police stations to schools, hospitals, and public libraries, it is difficult to live in areas that are far from social amenities. Often, you may get an emergency. Emergencies range from abrupt sickness, fire, or crime. Quick access to social amenities can help save a fortune.

In property investment, it is about putting your money in the right place, at the right time. You should consider getting a property that is managed in the right manner. A property tour makes you look for the right weather and a pleasant environment. Experienced agents and brokers play a critical role during a property tour. You should ask how old any of the home systems are to see if you would want to invest in home insurances that can prevent any expenditures in the long-term.

The average mortgage in America just hit a new high. US consumers are seeking more than $350,000 to buy a new home or refinance one.

For first-time homebuyers, taking on a loan of that size can be a bit intimidating. Even if the mortgage you plan to get is smaller, you want to be sure you’re working with the right partner.

To that end, you have plenty of questions about choosing a mortgage broker VS lender. Picking the right partner can simplify the mortgage process. Be sure you know the differences.

Mortgage Broker VS Lender: What’s the Difference?

What are the differences between direct lenders and independent mortgage brokers?

A direct lender does exactly what the title implies. They lend you the money for your mortgage directly. There are no intermediaries.

By contrast, an independent mortgage broker acts as a go-between for you and the lender. The broker shops around and gets quotes from several different direct lenders.

Advantages of Working with Brokers

Working with a mortgage broker vs direct lender has a few advantages. First, the broker often has a wide network of lenders they can ask for an offer. They may even be able to speak to lenders who don’t work with individual homebuyers.

Next, the broker may be able to find you a more optimal rate. Since the broker has many client accounts, lenders may offer a lower rate than they would to an individual homebuyer.

Finally, the broker makes applying for mortgages easier. They’ll apply to several lenders at the same time, then present you with all the offers.

Advantages of Working with Direct Lenders

Not everyone chooses to work with a mortgage broker. Plenty of home buyers go to the source instead.

Some direct lenders may be willing to give you more favorable rates if you’ve done business with them in the past. For example, a bank you have an account with may approve you for a higher amount or a lower interest rate.

The biggest advantage of working with direct lenders is simplicity. Since you’re working directly with the lender, questions can be answered sooner. Paperwork may also be streamlined since you’re handing it to the lender.

Which is Better?

First-time homebuyers do well to compare all their mortgage options. As you start searching for a mortgage, you might want to talk to both direct lenders and mortgage brokers. Then you can decide mortgage banker vs mortgage broker.

Working with the lender is sometimes your better option. The process will be more transparent and streamlined. A broker may have conflicts of interest due to commissions, or you may end up paying more fees.

If a bank has turned you down, you’re not out of options. Searching a phrase like “mortgage lender near me” can help you find more local direct lenders.

Be Prepared for Your First Home Purchase

Now you know the difference between broker VS lender, which is an important step to financing your first home.

There’s so much more to know as you dip your toe into the world of real estate. Check out more insightful articles to learn about realtor fees, finding a builder, and more.

No one likes paying the bills, especially when they’re expensive. This is even more the case when these payouts have alternatives, so one of the most annoying bills to get is the electric bill. Apparently, though, the average American household pays about $110 a month for these services.

Your household doesn’t have to be one of these. In fact, you can pay exceptionally little for energy, all while being more eco-friendly and disaster-ready than those families that are wracking up those bills.

You might be asking, how is this possible? Well, the answer is by using rooftop solar panels!

Read on to learn the top seven things you should know about installing them and why you should get started with said installation immediately.

1. How Do They Work?

Before you can think about installing rooftop solar panels, you probably will want to know how they work. After all, knowing what goes on in your home is important in any situation, but this knowledge is even more crucial because solar panels will affect your day-to-day life.

Basically, a solar panel operates by allowing particles of sunlight (called photons) to have access to the atoms that make up the panel. It frees the electrons from the rest of their atoms, which produces an electric current. After that, this electricity will establish an electric field that can power your home and devices.

That’s a really basic description, but it gets the overall point across. In the end, the bottom line is that the energy from the sunlight is converted into energy that can flow into your lighting and heating systems!

2. There Are Different Types

Despite having similar inner workings, there are multiple different types of solar panels. The one that you see the most, operating in large corporate buildings or powering thousands of devices at once, are different from the ones that you’ll install in your home since they’re so much bigger. They’re made up of more space and are much costlier.

The solar panels that you install in your home are going to have a more consistent size with that of other homes than those between various companies. Rooftop solar panels for the home will generate, on average, six kilowatts of energy.

Unlike the panels for large corporations, you won’t need an investor or a bank of savings. In fact, you won’t need much money at all!

3. They’re Cost-Effective

Solar panels are incredibly cost-effective for homes. Remember the huge size of the average house’s monthly electricity bill? Yeah, one of the biggest advantages is that you’ll be able to drop-kick that bill out the window.

Unlike electricity, gas, and coal, solar energy is a renewable resource. This means it can be used again and again to create more energy. There’s no limited supply. As a result, you won’t waste money on wasted resources.

Not only that, but solar panels are a part of your home itself. They aren’t a separate utility that you need to invest in. Once you install solar panels, they’ll do all the work for you. You can sit back and relax!

4. They’re Energy-Efficient

Another plus to the fact that solar panels are a renewable resource is that they’re much more eco-friendly than other types of power. Nonrenewable resources mean that people will need to go and mine or dig for more of them, meaning that harmful pollutants will be released into the air.

On the other hand, renewable energy is all around us. There’s no need to increase air and water pollution to get it. For an added bonus, you won’t be wasting excess electricity or gas.

Go green. Go solar!

5. They Ensure You’ll Have Power

Solar power is also a guarantee that you won’t suffer as much in the case of a natural disaster. While it’s still a good idea to stock up on water and put together a survival backpack, solar panels will ensure you have at least some power in your home.

Powered portable solar panels won’t be shut off in extreme weather conditions. This means that during huge snowstorms you’re guaranteed to have heat and during hurricanes you’ll have enough power to keep the refrigerator going and preserve your food.

6. Installation Is Quick and Easy

The lengthiest part of the installation process for solar panels is appraising the property, which won’t take more than a couple of weeks. But once you’re given the all-clear, installing solar panels on your roof only takes two or three days.

You might worry that installation is going to be a tough process, but it isn’t one at all. Give the workers a couple of days, and they’ll have them up there with no damage done to your home whatsoever!

7. You’ll Get Solar Tax Credit

You likely have never heard of solar tax credit before, but it’s another way that you’ll be saving big when you install rooftop solar panels. It incentivizes the use of solar panels for power by providing those who do with 30% tax credit!

This incentive program has been highly successful, and for good reason. In fact, since its initialization, the solar industry has grown by over 10,000%. Everyone is doing it, which is a surefire sign that it makes economic sense!

Install Rooftop Solar Panels Today!

It’s almost as important to do the easy and effective thing for your home as it is to preserve energy and reduce the pollution that plagues our ecosystem. Luckily, you don’t have to choose between these objectives because solar panels accomplish both!

Now that you know all about why you should install rooftop solar panels for your home, check out our page’s ‘developer services’ tab. It’s easy to start installation and begin the process of saving money and energy!

Good luck!

If your home is starting to feel too small for your needs, a home addition could be the perfect solution.

Adding another room to your home may not only increase the resale value, but it also makes your space more functional.

Check out some ways that a home addition can offer you some pretty impressive benefits.

More Space and More Room to Breathe

Maybe you have a growing family, or maybe you’re just tired of the space you currently have. With a home addition, you’ll add a significant amount of extra square footage.

You can use this additional space for storage, a reading room, or anything your imagination can dream up. The beauty of an addition is that the choice is yours as to how you’d like to utilize this new space.

A Home Addition Can Help a Family Member

Many homeowners choose to create an addition to accommodate family members and give them a room of their own. This is quite common with empty-nesters who find their grown children needing a temporary place to live.

Another common use for a home addition is to give elderly family members a safe place to stay. Whether it’s your aging parents or your mother-in-law, it offers a comfortable extra bedroom that gives everyone some privacy.

Whatever way you plan to design your addition, be sure you hire a reputable company. BNW Builders is a good example of a professional builder who can create the addition of your dream. They can help you come up with the perfect plan to make it suitable for your needs.

Additions Might Be Cheaper Than Moving

Buying and selling a home is an expensive and stressful process, not to mention the high cost of moving. With a home addition, you can expand upon the home you already live in and avoid the moving nightmare.

If you plan to live in your home for a long time, an addition will likely be less expensive than a total move. During the process of renovations, you might be somewhat inconvenienced, but it’s still less aggravating than packing and moving in the long run.

In some cases, an addition could increase your resale value, but that’s not always the case. Talk to a realtor in advance and they can give you some advice as to whether or not the new room or rooms will be beneficial to your bottom line.

Expand Your Home with an Addition

From providing an extra room for a family member to giving yourself expanded space, a home addition is a wise investment. Come up with a few different plans before you make the decision, and be sure you hire a reputable contractor like one if you click here.

Increasing your square footage, having more storage, and offering someone a comfortable room are all wonderful ways that a new addition can make your home more enjoyable.

Keep browsing our website for more information about real estate, property management, home improvement, and more.

No home is complete without a long-lasting roof.

The roof is one of the most important parts of a house because it protects the inside from the elements. Roofs are also essential to keep a house cool and warm. While they protect a home, they can also be stylish to give your home a nice look.

Many homeowners aren’t aware of the several options they have when it comes to getting a rooftop. Most think that shingles are the only option for roofing.

You may have the best contractors like Toronto Roofers to work on your roofing but it is always better to know a thing or two about it.

Continue reading to see a roofing materials comparison and gather roofing ideas.

Asphalt Shingle Roof

Asphalt shingles are one of the most popular materials used for residential roofing because of their affordability and effectiveness. They’re made out of composite roof materials, such as fiberglass and asphalt.

One benefit of using asphalt shingles is that there are a wide variety of colors to choose from. They have a shorter life span than other materials, but they happen to be the cheapest roofing material, costing around $5.50 per square foot to install.

Asphalt shingle is easy to install, taking about 1-2 days to place. The shingles will then be good for up to 10 years, in which they’ll have to be replaced.

Metal Roof

Metal roofs are designed to withstand extreme weather conditions and are made out of several metals, such as aluminum, steel, and copper. They can be shaped into both panels and shingles.

These roofs are often used for greenhouses in which collecting rainwater is beneficial. They are also useful for cabins because the sleek metal will prevent potential damage to the wood.

While metal roofs are strong and lightweight, they are also expensive. Copper and zinc are the most expensive metals, with steel and aluminum being the cheapest.

Slate Roof

Slate is a type of roof that is made out of stone. Unlike clay and concrete, slate is a rock that’s mined from quarries. This makes it more expensive because it isn’t as common.

Slate is more durable than other roofing materials and lasts a long time. It also requires highly-trained professionals to craft these and install them.

One downside to slate is there aren’t many color options. Alongside having few color options, slate can cost upwards of $80 per square foot. Because of its price, it’s typically only seen on larger, wealthier homes.

Clay and Concrete Tile Roof

Clay and concrete tiles are very common in Mediterranean and South American-styled homes. They don’t insulate heat very well, making them useful in warmer climates.

These heavy tiles cannot combust, and they allow water to slide right off, just like metal. Clay tiles are generally reddish whereas concrete tiles are gray. Concrete is usually cheaper than clay, but it is also heavier.

Both clay and concrete are more expensive than asphalt shingles and metal, and they last much longer. Their weight can make them difficult to install, but they don’t require much maintenance due to their durability.

Wood Shingle and Shake Roof

Wood shingles and shake roofs have been used for many years because the technology wasn’t advanced enough to produce asphalt shingles and metal roofs.

These roofs are completely natural, as they’re only made out of wood. The main difference between the two is that wood shakes are handmade. This makes them have a rougher texture and lack of consistency.

Wood shakes can leave gaps if not cut properly, which can allow for leaks to occur. Because they take a long time to produce and install, they’re generally more expensive than shingles.

If you’re considering getting a wooden roof, decide whether the region that you live in is suitable for one. Wooden roofs do not perform well in regions that have a lot of rain and humidity.

The moisture can make the wood rot, split, and produce mold. This type of roof is also highly vulnerable to fire, and some areas may not permit them.

Duro-Last Roofing

Duro-Last roofing is designed to provide buildings with a durable flat roof that will last for a long time. These roofs are common amongst warehouses and larger stores, such as retail stores.

If a building already has a flat roof installed, the Duro-Last system can usually be installed on top of the old one without removing it. This allows for a building to remain functional and avoid the risks that come with having an open roof.

Business owners often opt for Duro-Last because they come in a variety of colors and sizes. Each system is fitted exactly to its building, so there’s no need to include joints.

The lack of joints prevents your roof from having any weak spots. The Duro-Last system is also waterproof, preventing any water from leaking into the ceiling.

You can do further research to learn more about Duro-Last roofing, but we recommend it for any building that is equipped with a flat roof.

Make Your Roofing Ideas Come to Life with These Materials

Every material has its benefits, setting them apart from others. It’s up to you to decide which material is best suited for your building. Keep in mind that some are more costly than others, but also more durable.

While asphalt shingles are the most common materials for roofing, the other materials are stronger and last longer. No matter the structure, there’s a material that will complement your building, whether it’s a home or a business.

Feel free to browse our blog for more roofing ideas and advice about real estate.