SkyFive Properties Blog

With over 30,000 residential home builders in the United States today, choosing the right one can feel like a difficult task.

How can you find a home builder that can execute your dreams to create a visionary home?

Read on for our top 5 tips in selecting a home builder.

1. Research, Research, Research

Nothing is more valuable in your search for a home builder than research. You can find out a lot about a potential home builder by a few simple phone calls and internet searches.

• Are they licensed, insured, and do they offer warranties on work performed?
• Do they have good reviews that are easy to find and relatively recent?
• Do they have a professional-looking website?
• How long have they been in business?
• How many projects have they completed that are similar to yours?

Basic research can provide answers to these and other questions which can provide clarity in your decision-making process.

2. Find a Home Builder That Prioritizes Quality

Many contractors do the bare minimum in order to finish a project, get paid, and move on to the next home.

The kind of builder you want to hire for your dream home should be known for their quality of work. Not necessarily the speed with which they perform.

Paramount Builders, for instance, is known for improving the quality of each home they touch. So whether your building new or renovating old, make sure your contractor isn’t the type to choose the quantity of projects over quality.

3. Ask Questions

Don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as come to your mind during the consultation process.

If something doesn’t add up, ask. If they are using terms you don’t understand, ask. If you have customization ideas that you want to try, ask.

4. Can They Communicate?

Communication throughout the building process is vital. There will be times when you need to get in contact with the builder, and times when they’ll need to contact you. There will be setbacks.

It’s absolutely necessary that you are able to communicate well with each other. Your builder needs to be easy to contact, responsive, and accountable.

As you’re performing initial research, pay attention to the ease with which you’re able to make contact, ask questions, etc. And pay attention to how your builder communicates with you.

When the hard times come, having a partner that you can communicate well with will make the difference between a failed project and a dream home.

5. See Their Work in Person

We always recommend seeing a builder’s work in person. Ask if they have ongoing or recently finished projects you can visit. But keep in mind that if their projects are residential, you may not be able to tour a finished space.

If seeing a space in person isn’t an option, request to see an extensive portfolio.

Seeing a space is a different experience than talking numbers over the phone. It could help solidify your confidence in the builder’s ability to execute your vision.

Ready, Set, Dream!

If you want to find a home builder that can make your dream house a reality, follow the steps above.

Keep reading our blog for all your commercial and residential real estate needs. We make luxury living a reality.

Living in Hawaii is like a dream come true.

Beautiful sandy beaches. Tropical trees and warm sunny days. Wouldn’t it be heaven to live on the islands?

It’s no wonder that Hawaii real estate is highly competitive with a low inventory. Buying property in Hawaii can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. Plus, knowing you get to spend your free time basking by the ocean. Why wouldn’t you want to live here?

Continue reading for some top tips for buying property in Hawaii.

1. Urban or Rural Islands?

Hawaii offers some of the most beautiful properties in the world. There are a variety of islands and locations to choose from. It all depends on your personal preference.

Some islands offer larger homes and more land. While other islands offer properties that have the convenience of being near a bustling urban life. If you opt for an oceanside property it might mean a longer commute to work.

However, a house closer to the city could mean less beach time and no view of the sunset on the water. You will have to weigh your priorities when choosing what works best for you.

There are also a wide variety of architectural designs to choose from. Modern styles as well as architecture unique to Hawaii itself. Check out all the new construction Hawaii has to offer!

2. Find Loan Programs You Qualify for

When you are considering loan programs, it’s important to do your research on what you are eligible for. If you are a veteran or active duty military member, then you are eligible for the Veteran’s Administration (VA) Benefit loan program.

There are also USDA and FHA loan programs if you plan on minimizing your initial cash investment. Currently, there are great conditions in the market for buying property in Hawaii. The loan interest rates are holding steady. These are great ways to make your Hawaii home a reality.

So grab your pay stubs, tax returns, and VA documentation where applicable and let’s get you that dream home!

3. Budget Your Loan Payments

Before you can jump into even looking at homes in Hawaii, you should first sit down and determine what you can afford. Budget your monthly expenditures to see how much you’d be willing to pay for your loan.

Once you determine how much you can pay, you should then meet with a licensed Hawaii mortgage broker. Share with them the amount you are willing to spend each month and then determine what that translates to as far as cost.

Do some research on your own about what loan options are available. As soon as you choose a loan, you must get prequalified as soon as possible. If you start looking before you are preapproved for a loan, you most likely will lose the home to other buyers.

The Hawaii house market moves too quickly for a seller to wait. Make sure you take care of the financial side of things before searching. This will not only give you a better chance of snatching up your house but also give you a better understanding of how much loan payments will be ahead of time.

4. Find Your Lender

When searching for a lender, make sure they are a Hawaii-based company. This will ensure that the underwriting and valuation align with the area’s unique properties. They will have a better understanding of the market and how the pricing of Hawaiian homes work.

In Hawaii, there aren’t neighborhoods of identical homes that are all priced the same. So it can be harder for a mainland lender to understand the listing prices. This could cause you to close late once you find your home.

Fee Simple vs. Leasehold

There are some things to consider when you are looking for a home, including the property. In Hawaii, property ownership can either be fee simple or leasehold. In the case of fee simple, the buyer owns the property completely and can make changes to the land.

Leasehold property ownership only lasts for as long as the lease lasts. It’s basically renting the land. It’s important to know the difference when looking at properties because the financing of each type of property is different.

Shorter leases can affect the overall eligibility of 30-year mortgages and can also result in a higher monthly payment.

5. Should You Hire Your Own Real Estate Agent?

When purchasing a home in Hawaii, there are pros and cons to hiring your own real estate agent. Many times buyers will simply hire the listing agent of the home because it tends to be easier and cheaper. In some parts of Hawaii, listing agents are required to attend house showings.

There are also good reasons to have your own representation when buying a home. If you live on the continental U.S., then purchasing a home as far as Hawaii might be trickier. You may need to rely on your agent more than in other circumstances.

6. Condominiums in Hawaii

If you’re more interested in condo life in Hawaii, then you should research the specific financing requirements. Before you can get a government-backed loan, you have to show that your owner-occupancy requirements are met. Lenders prefer that owners will be living in the condos as oppose to renters.

Plus, many Homeowner Associations (HOA) have strict rules about pets and other restrictions. Still, there are many benefits to having maintenance and upkeep taken care of by the HOA. Just be sure you are aware of the expectations.

Buying Property in Hawaii

Ready to find your dream home on a tropical island getaway? We thought so. With the limited amount of land available for construction, finding your perfect Hawaiian home might take some searching.

Figure out what neighborhoods interest you as well as your price range. Many islanders like to live where they play. They spend their weekend hiking, surfing, diving, or taking walks on the beaches. Find the location that works for you and then act fast.

With these tips, you can get started on your search. Discover why so many are migrating to become islanders at this hot vacation spot.

Do you plan on buying property in Hawaii? Have some advice on choosing a home? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Americans spend around $340 billion on home renovations every year.

Fueled by a recovering resale market combined with fewer homes for sale, this trend shows how many homeowners are opting to upgrade their existing property with a view to increasing its future resale value.

But, remodeling your home doesn’t always pay off as much as people hope. If you’re expecting potential buyers to cover a significant part of the expense, it’s important to choose the right home renovation project.

Keep reading to discover the ten types of renovations that offer the best return on your investment.

1. Garage Door Replacement

At the top of the list when it comes to home renovations that pay off, nothing beats a new garage door.

Based on estimates that include the cost of removing and disposing of your old garage door and replacing it with a new heavy-duty door, this upgrade will set you back around $3,600. But, you can recoup over 97 percent of that cost when the time comes to sell your home.

The obvious advantage of this upgrade is that it gives your home instant curb-appeal without costing you a lot of money. As such, it’s easier to get back almost every dollar you spent on it.

2. Manufactured Stone Veneer

It might not be very glamorous, but adding manufactured stone veneer to part of your home’s exterior is a great way to unlock more value on your home.

This home remodeling project involves replacing a key section of siding – such as on your entryway – with stone veneer for a visible and instant upgrade.

Just like a bright new garage door, this accent feature is something that potential buyers are sure to notice and appreciate. And for this reason, it’s possible to recoup around 95 percent of the average $9,000 cost.

3. Minor Kitchen Remodel

If you’re keen to invest in a more extensive home remodeling project, the kitchen is the best room to turn your attention to.

Modern families spend a lot of their time in the kitchen. This makes an attractive and multi-functional space a big draw for potential buyers.

A new kitchen is also an upgrade that can boost your enjoyment of daily activities such as cooking, sharing meals with your family, and entertaining friends. As such, if you plan to renovate your kitchen, you can benefit from these advantages both while you’re still living there and when it comes to selling your home too.

A minor kitchen remodel involves an estimated cost of around $22,000. Your return on investment for this kind of upgrade can be between 60 and 120 percent but tends to be around 80 percent on average. This means for your initial outlay, as well as getting a new and improved kitchen, you can expect to sell your home for around $18,000 more.

It’s important not to go overboard though. Spending more money remodeling a house than you need to is unlikely to get you more when you sell it. So, forget anything too fancy or expensive and concentrate on details like new countertops, a new sink and faucet, a flooring update, and a fresh coat of paint.

4. Deck Addition

A big yard is already a bonus when it comes to selling your home. But, by adding a deck, it’ll be a lot easier for potential buyers to see themselves making the most of your home’s outdoor space when they move in.

That said, the cost of adding a deck varies a lot. Not only does the size affect the price, but the design and material used can also make a big difference in how much you’ll pay.

For the best return on investment, a wooden deck is the best way to go. The average cost of a 16-by-20-foot wooden deck with extras like a built-in bench and railings is around $13,300. When it comes to selling your house, you can expect to recoup around 75 percent of that cost, with an average resale increase of around $10,000.

In contrast, a composite deck is more expensive at around $19,000 on average. But the return on investment is only 69 percent, with a resale value increase of $13,200.

5. Replacement Siding

Old siding that’s seen better days can make even the nicest home look shabby. And, since it’s one of the first things potential buyers will notice, this negative first impression can drag down the perceived value of your home.

As such, while accent stone veneer on your home’s exterior offers a better return on investment, if the siding around it is old, it’s best to spend your money on updating that first.

On average, replacing 1,250 feet of old siding with new vinyl siding will cost around $16,000. With an average resale increase of about $12,000, this means you’ll recoup 75 percent of your investment.

Buyers notice this kind of home renovation as it improves the aesthetics of your home. But, as vinyl siding is fade resistant and comes with a 10-year warranty, they’ll also appreciate that it also reduces the possibility of future maintenance issues.

6. Steel Entry Door

At an average cost of around $1,800, a new steel entry door is likely to be the cheapest home renovation project there is.

But this upgrade makes a huge difference to the first impression your home gives to potential buyers. For this reason, a new door can net you as much as $1,400 more on your home’s resale value, with a return on investment of 75 percent.

Of course, a new door can set you back less than this but if you have the money, a high-quality 20-gauge steel door with glass panels and a composite stop is the best way to attract a potential buyer’s attention.

As for the color, charcoal grey or black front doors are most popular with buyers.

7. Window Replacement

Replacing old drafty windows with energy-efficient windows is a surefire way to brighten up your home while also improving insulation and reducing utility costs.

And, since many buyers look for a new home with energy efficiency in mind, this home renovation project can get you a good return on investment.

Vinyl windows are often the cheaper choice, costing around $16,800 for an average-sized house compared to $20,500 for wooden windows. By spending out less, you’re also more likely to recoup more of your investment. On average, vinyl windows increase your home’s value by $12,300, while wooden windows offer around a $14,500 increase.

And, as an added bonus, improving your home’s energy-efficiency rating might also make you eligible for a tax credit.

8. Asphalt Shingles Roofing Replacement

Replacing your roofing is a big home remodeling project with an average cost of around $22,500 for asphalt shingles. But if your roof is showing serious signs of wear and tear, it may well be necessary for you to consider this job a priority.

After all, an old roof doesn’t just look bad. The thought of having to pay for replacement roofing in the near future is also likely to put off potential buyers.

Luckily, this roof replacement offers a decent return on investment of around 68 percent. This means you can expect to increase your home’s value by around $15,500 when the time comes to sell up.

9. Bathroom Remodel

Although it’s made our list, a new bathroom can be a risky home remodeling project. This is because it doesn’t always pay off to upgrade a small room where people don’t spend a lot of time.

That said, if your home is in great shape and your bathroom is letting the side down, a remodel could prove worthwhile.

But don’t splash out on anything too extravagant like a whirlpool bath as these can actually put buyers off. Instead, go for a mid-range remodel, which should cost an average of $20,000. This can get you a return on investment of about 67 percent, or $13,700.

10. Room Reinvention

Remodeling a house to add a new room can make it more attractive to potential buyers. But often, the return on investment isn’t great.

Instead, reinventing an existing room offers a better pay-off at resale, especially if this home renovation increases your home’s number of bedrooms.

You could convert an attic or basement into a bedroom, or you could add a small apartment over your garage. A more cost-effective approach could be to divide a large, unused space to form an extra room.

Since the price of a room reinvention can vary, the resale value increase can vary a lot too. But, an extra bedroom will help your home appeal to a whole new group of buyers so it could give you a lot more options when it’s time to sell.

Remodeling Your Home

As many of these upgrades show, you don’t have to remodel a home from top to bottom to see some serious return on investment.

Often, more visible and less expensive exterior renovations are the best way to increase your home’s resale value. And, these upgrades also allow you to enjoy added curb-appeal while you still live there.

If you’re remodeling your home in preparation of selling it and move out, be sure to check out our property listings. Or, for more advice and inspiration, take a look at our blog!

Photo provided by The Radio Scout.

Are you one of the over 3 million people who bought a house this year and is about to close? If so, congratulations! Or, maybe you’re knee-deep in the home buying process and wondering how the closing process works. Either way, you’re in the right place.

If you want to know exactly what to expect at closing (spoiler alert: it requires a bit more than just showing up to collect your keys!), keep reading. Our closing checklist will tell you exactly what you need to know to finalize your purchase and get your keys!

Closing Checklist: Start Here

The first thing you should know about a closing date is that it’s rarely set in stone. Unfortunately, it might come down to the wire before you get the ok to close from your mortgage broker (it’s not unheard of for closing to get postponed the day before or even the day of).

Of course, there are things that you can (and should!) do to make sure this doesn’t happen.

1. Be Prepared and Check In Often

Make sure you provide your mortgage broker with everything they need in a timely manner. This is where closings often stall. The mortgage broker needs to provide the final approval for the closing as he or she is the one who will authorize the check for the purchase.

While you don’t want to be a pest, make sure you are in close communication with them to make sure everything is on schedule. Your realtor can help with this too. For example, if they need paystubs, ThePayStubs can help you generate instant pay stubs to document your income.

2. Do a Walkthrough

You’ll want to do a walkthrough of the property before the closing, especially if the sellers agreed to any repairs or alterations. Once you sign the papers, the house is yours, so if everything isn’t up to par, you’ll need to know that. Do a walkthrough the morning of the closing, if possible, to make sure everything is to your satisfaction.

3. Bring Everything You Need to the Closing

Make sure you’re prepared at the closing with everything you need. Your realtor or the title company will generally tell you exactly what you’ll need, but in general, a photo ID and a cashier’s check for anything you are paying towards the closing costs is required. Don’t delay the closing over forgotten documents.

4. Be Prepared to Sign Your Name A LOT

Buying a home requires a lot of paperwork and a lot of signatures. Be prepared to sign your name more than you’ve ever signed it before and make sure your signature looks just like your legal signature or else that could hold things up.

5. Get Your Keys and Be On Your Way!

When the closing is finished, you’ll hopefully get your keys and be on your way to your new home! In some cases, though, the sellers get a bit more time in the home before you get your keys.

If this is your situation, make sure you know exactly when you gain possession of the home (this should be spelled out in the purchase agreement) and know how you will get the keys and get in the home when the time comes.

Enjoy Your New Home!

Now that you’ve completed your closing checklist, it’s time to celebrate! Congratulations, you’ve made it through the home buying process, which isn’t always for the faint of heart!

For more information on commercial and residential real estate listings in your area, check out our services and the other areas of our blog.

Did you know that having the wrong lighting can contribute to depression? It’s so important to have the perfect lighting in your home so you won’t fall victim to this.

In this article, we’ll go over 7 lighting tips, including how to decide and plan what’s best for that particular room.

Read on to discover how to light your home beautifully!

1. the Perfect Lighting

You might be wondering what’s the best lighting for each room and how to come up with a lighting plan? First, decide which rooms you’d like to change lighting for and what each function of the room is.

For example, in the bedroom, you want to sleep right? Forget blue lights in the bedrooms and go for more yellow tones. You’ll also want the lighting to be lower and more indirect.

Blue is a great color for waking up so it’s great lighting for around your coffee or tea machine. Think of brighter lights for wake up areas and dimmer lights for places such as your bedroom where you’ll want to sleep.

2. Types of Lighting

Did you know they’re 3 different types of lighting? They’re ambient, accent, and task. To come up with a lighting plan it’s important to keep these 3 types in mind. Accent lighting is all about drawing attention, think about lights pointed toward artwork.

Task lighting is more about functionality. It’s bright and focus is on the areas that require lighting. This lighting is more dining rooms, kitchens, and guiding people in hallways and on staircases.

Ambient lighting is at eye-level, eliminating shadows, and lighting the space based on how it’s used. Examples of ambient lighting are a table lamp next to the couch, spotlights, or a lamp that’s tall in the hallway.

3. Layering Is Key

Now it’s the part where you decide how to use those 3 types of lighting. You can layer lights one over the other for harmony. For example, you can have ambient lighting vary between the ceiling to the floor.

Decide where you’d need your task lighting. Once you decide that make sure it won’t overpower your ambient lights. Do you have an area you’d like to draw the eye to? That’s where accent lights will come in.

Get creative, change and vary the heights of your lighting. This will divide up an open floor plan plus give the look of more space.

Are you ready to explore your options? Check out these incredible wall lights lounge.

4. Proportions

You can hang large pieces higher and small pieces lower, just remember that if going for hanging lights you’ll need to be able to move around them easily and see them.

Also, keep in mind when placing lights that you can each other and not hitting their head, for example sitting at the dining room table and then needing to get up.

The placement of lights is very important not just for easily maneuvering around them but also different lighting options for each room.

5. Functional Lighting

It’s great to have a beautifully done room with incredible design house lighting but remember the functionality of lights as well when coming up with your lighting plan. Kitchens, bathrooms, and staircases need to be easily seen.

They’re different ways to design each light combination as well, one example is having stair treads with lights installed. Remember, you can light a space without it being distracting.

6. Consider Bulbs

Think about different bulbs, and consider LED. Did you know LED lights reduce energy use by 85%? This is a great option as well, but if you’re looking for dimming options make sure to check the LED light bulbs you’d like to buy since they all don’t have this option.

LED lights can also have cool lighting for your room since they come in a range of different hues. Check the box for information on the lighting range for LED bulbs before buying them so you can get your preferred hue.

7. Don’t Fear Color

You might not even think about different color options when coming up with your lighting plan. Don’t be afraid to put a light fixture in a bright hue to really add some fun and vibrancy to a room.

You can also have your lighting work as decoration as well. Think about using these bright hues and designs instead of wall art and you can have a beautifully put together room just as much!

Next Steps

You learned 7 tips for having the perfect lighting in your home. Remember the 3 types of lighting as you start your lighting plan, and take all factors into account.

Remember that lighting affects mood as well. Did you know that lighting can affect our eating habits as well? People were found to eat lighter meals and slower in bright rooms, but quicker in dimly lit rooms. Your kitchen and dining areas you’ll want brighter lights to avoid this.

When determining lighting for each room, decide how you’d like to layer the lights and placement whether low or high. Keep in mind the functionality of your lights, and make sure rooms such as the bathroom and kitchen are well lit.

Remember to have fun and don’t fear different colored hues! Check out LED light bulbs as well so you’ll know you’re consuming less energy which helps your utility bill as well! They’re so many lighting options with LED as well.

Would you like to learn more about making your home the home of your dreams? Check out our blog!

The demand for tiny is getting bigger. What we’re talking about is “tiny homes” – those that only have 100 to 400 square feet of space. And up to half of the American population says they would consider living in one.

Where, exactly, did the tiny house movement start? And what’s the driving force that’s making it so popular? Keep reading to learn more.

The Start of the Tiny House Movement

Tiny houses are really more of a social movement than they are about real estate. More and more people are giving up their large homes, and all the unnecessary belongings they hold, in favor of seriously downscaled, simplified living that’s also eco-friendly.

The movement began back in 1997 when Jay Shafer built himself a tiny home on wheels. Two years later, he created his own tiny house company, which provides those who are interested with tiny house building plans and a wealth of information about tiny house living.

Growing Popularity

Today, it seems like tiny house companies are popping up all over the country. There are a few primary reasons why so many people find this way of life appealing. These include:

• Environmental sustainability: Tiny houses are extremely energy-efficient and cost almost nothing to heat, cool, and illuminate.
• Simplicity: It’s been said that the tiny house movement is a small-scale rebellion of the nation’s obsession with excess.
• Reduced maintenance: Tiny houses are super easy to clean, and repairs require far less cost and effort.
• Mobility: Many tiny homes have wheels on them, giving owners the ability to pick up and move any time the urge strikes.
• Low cost: You can buy a tiny home for about 10% of the cost of a typical single-family home. Most tiny homeowners enjoy living a mortgage-free life.

Many families who aren’t ready to dive into tiny home living have found alternate uses for tiny homes. They make great mother-in-law suites, offices, art studios, and guest houses.

Is Tiny House Living Right for You?

If you’re considering living in a tiny house, you’ll want to think it through before you start selling all of your belongings. First, you’ll have to commit to a lifetime of minimalism and embrace a lack of clutter. If you’re not 100% sure you can do this, then you’re not ready to live in a tiny home.

Secondly, don’t forget that you’ll need a place to park your home. Make sure you have your land situation figured out and that the area where you live allows tiny homes.

If you really think that tiny home living is right for you, consider checking out a tiny home community where you can live with other like-minded people and share resources. This is one of the best ways to really enjoy your new lifestyle.

Let Sky Five Properties Help You Find Your Dream Home

Not quite ready to jump on the bandwagon of the tiny house movement? No problem!

Sky Five Properties can help you find the perfect home or condo for your needs. Check out our blog for more info on finding your forever home!

Approximately 95 percent of staged homes sell in 11 days or fewer. On average, homes that aren’t staged spend 90 days (or more) on the market.

However, staging homes isn’t just putting a few pieces of furniture in a room and calling it a day. There’s an art to this.

Getting it right is important. One of the best ways to ensure that it’s done properly is to get to know some of the most common home staging mistakes and how to avoid them. Keep reading to learn what these mistakes are.

Avoid Over-Personalizing the Décor

When it is time to sell your home, one of the best things you can do to help it sell faster is to avoid over-personalizing the space. Be aware of your design choices during a remodel, as this may cause potential buyers to turn away.

Be sure to avoid personal collections and photos you have around. The idea is to make it possible for buyers to picture their own items in the space. If your personal items are everywhere, this may be impossible.

Not Shooting and Sharing Before and After Videos

Everyone loves a Cinderella story. This is why interior design makeover shows are so popular. Everyone wants the “ugly duckling” to transform into a swan.

The only problem is that many buyers may not even realize how much time you put into staging your home. They may think it is how it looked all along.

If your goal is to impress buyers, create a before and after video. Keep in mind though that if you want to avoid this altogether, you can always choose a “we buy houses for cash” buyer.

Not Adding Some Contrast to the Space

Sometimes, when you depersonalize your home to sell it, you may go a bit too far. Going through several rooms all with the same monochromatic color scheme may not make buyers turn away, but it won’t make your home stand out, either.

It’s a good idea to add in some contrast in the neutral palette. This adds visual interest to the space and makes it more memorable.

Not Using an Accent Wall

Adding an accent wall to your home is both easy and affordable. While this is true, many realtors and stagers avoid them. A well-planned accent wall can add a bit of drama and depth to even boring rooms.

If you want to try your hand at an accent wall, consider what will contrast with the space. Mixing brighter colors with the neutral palette can work, and so can graphics or removable wallpaper.

Staging Homes: It’s Worth the Effort

As you can see, even though staging homes takes both time and effort, it’s well worth it. By doing this, you can sell your home faster and for more money.

If you to learn more about staging homes, finding great real estate, and more, be sure to visit our blog. We post new home-related information all the time.

In 2018, a study concluded that 85% of staged homes sold for 6 to 25% more than unstaged ones.

Therefore, home staging is a crucial part of selling a property.

A lot goes into that process and making the place look perfect isn’t always as easy as it might seem. There are home staging tips to follow and details to always keep in mind.

More than making it look pretty, the home stager needs to decorate the place to make people say “This could definitely become my new home”.

One way of doing so is by adding some green to the place. Don’t know exactly how to do it? Keep on reading.

Home Staging Tips Using Plants

Using plants to take the home decoration to the next level is a smart move, particularly for your wallet. If you know where to look, you can buy plants for great prices without compromising their beauty or quality.

But how can you choose the right plants and use them to improve the aesthetics of the home? Just follow our five tips:

Go for Real Plants

Not everyone loves getting real plants because they need some maintenance to stay alive.

However, when you go for real plants, you bring an authentic touch of Mother Nature to the place. And we can guarantee that that’ll always be more appreciated than going for artificial ones.

If you don’t know where to get your greenery, look at this site. You’ll find plants for all tastes and styles!

If You Have to Use Fake Plants, Go for High-Quality

Sometimes buying real plants isn’t a viable option, and we understand that.

But if you need to go for fake ones, you can’t just buy the first ones that you see. Even if it costs you a bit more, our advice is that you go for high-quality plants that look realistic.

Mix Several Types of Plants

Everyone expects to see a vase with some flower during a home visit. It’s not that impressing.

Going for a few different plants shows that you put some thought into the greenery in the house which always causes a good impression.

Plus, more variety means more color and textures. And, when well done, that can make for amazing home decor!

Know Which Plants Are Best for Each Room

The variety of plants is important, but you also need to know where to put what. Here’s what you should have in each room:

• Colorful flowers in the front porch;
• A bouquet in the dining room, in the center of the table;
• A simple plant in the bathroom, with no crazy colors or patterns;
• Succulents in the bedroom.

Don’t Go Overboard

Plants are beautiful and you could have them in every single room in the house. But that doesn’t mean that you should.

Choose a few of the rooms where the plants would look best. And don’t go for giant plants! No one wants to live in a jungle.

Time to Go Plant Shopping!

The benefits are clear and the home staging tips we listed are easy to follow. So now it’s time to go buy the greenery!

If you take some time to really think about the plants you choose and where you’ll place them, you’ll see that the home will get a whole new vibe.

And the potential buyers will see it too!

Want to know more about how to make a home look and feel perfect? You’ll find everything you need to know on our blog!

What kind of gutter system do you want? We all want gutters that do their job and last for years. There are copper, steel, vinyl, aluminum, and zinc gutters to choose from.

The majority of people have aluminum gutters. The material has certain advantages the other materials just don’t have.

Continue reading to learn the five benefits of an aluminum gutter system.

1. Customization

Aluminum is a very malleable metal. It can be bent and thinned out so much that a person can crumple it in their hands! For example, The Trough Man offers custom aluminum bending.

Malleability allows you to order custom aluminum gutters. The metal can be bent to the right shape for your home. Aluminum is especially the best option for people with oddly-shaped houses.

A flexible metal means a gutter system that properly fits. If you want your gutters to function at their best, they have to be fitted to your house as best as possible.

2. Doesn’t Rust

While aluminum doesn’t rust, it does corrode. Rust develops when steel or iron corrodes and makes these metals prone to more rust. The noticeable flakes expose the metal underneath to the air and the process repeats.

On the other hand, aluminum corrosion creates aluminum oxide rather than rust. Aluminum oxide actually stops the material from corroding more. It’s a hard material that acts as a barrier between oxygen and aluminum.

Aluminum oxide looks very much like aluminum and can be covered by lime, tarnish, calcium, and water stains. The inability to rust makes aluminum a popular gutter choice because it can last longer than materials that do rust.

3. Durable

Aluminum can match and even exceed the strength of steel. It has been used for spacecraft, military aircraft and vehicles, and shark cages!

The trick is to combine other materials with aluminum to create aluminum alloys. These alloys have a boosted strength compared to regular aluminum. That’s why you can crumple aluminum foil but not an F-16 fighter jet.

The thinnest aluminum gutters are more likely to crack from extreme temperature changes. The thickest ones can withstand snow, ice, heavy rain, and the weight of branches.

Aluminum gutters can last from 20 to over 30 years. They only have to be repainted once every 10 years, whereas steel should be repainted every 4 years to prevent rust.

4. Lightweight

Aluminum gutters come in .025, .027, and .032 gauge or thickness. You can find .025 aluminum gutters in stores. Professionals usually install medium-weight aluminum.

The heaviest aluminum, .032, is also the strongest. The benefit of using a lightweight material for your gutter system is that it’s easy to install compared to other materials.

For example, steel is about 3 times denser than aluminum, making it much heavier. One cubic foot of copper weighs over 3 times more than aluminum. You can install .032 gauge aluminum gutters for maximum strength and they’ll still be lighter than the strongest steel or copper.

5. Price

Aluminum gutters are moderately priced compared to other gutter materials. Copper and steel are the most expensive, which can be up to $30 per foot.

Vinyl and plastic are usually under $4 per foot. They’re inexpensive and lightweight, but don’t have the durability aluminum has.

The cost of aluminum gutters fluctuates with the metals market. They can be $5 to $8 or $10 to $15 if prices for the metal increase.

Consider an Aluminum Gutter System

Although aluminum isn’t the least costly, it has advantages over plastic, vinyl, and more expensive materials. It’s durable and lightweight at the same time, making it an appealing choice and a possible DIY project.

You also don’t have to worry about dealing with rust or an ill-fitting system. Consider installing an aluminum gutter system for your home.

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You spend your day running from point A to point B and handling your business. Unfortunately, you’ve only got 24 hours to spend each day, and honestly, keeping your house spic and span isn’t high on your list of priorities.

The good news? You’re not the only one who feels this way. Research shows that the home cleaning industry grew during the five years leading up to 2019.

The question is, how exactly do you go about hiring the best home cleaning service? We’ve compiled a guide for finding the best cleaning service for the place you call “home sweet home.”

Let’s get started!

Check out Home Cleaning Service Testimonials

One of the most important factors to consider in your search for a home cleaning service is the kinds of reviews they’ve gotten.

Leading cleaning services, like Magic Helpers, often have testimonial sections on their websites where they showcase compliments from their past clients. Check out these sections to see how many positive reviews. Does it seem that the cleaning service has a good track record of success in meeting people’s needs over the years?

Also, what exactly are clients saying in their testimonials? Look for buzz words like “professional” and “great customer service,” as these are essential qualities for your chosen service to possess.

Service Offerings

Be sure to hire a cleaning service whose service won’t just meet your needs but rather will exceed your expectations.

For instance, are you looking for recurring cleaning services? Or are you seeking one-time services to prepare your house to go on the market? Maybe you simply need a good spring cleaning every year.

Whatever your situation may be, make sure that your prospective cleaning service has the bandwidth, capability, and willingness to handle your request. Ideally, your chosen service should offer an a la carte or all-inclusive option to fulfill your wishes.

Also, make sure that you ask the company what exactly their services involve? For instance, in the kitchen, will they also remove cobwebs from below your cabinets, or dust from your baseboards?

The more you understand about their service offerings up front, the less likely you are to be disappointed once your first cleaning has been performed.

Experience

Finally, be sure to ask your potential cleaning service about their industry experience.

Extensive cleaning experience can help you to feel confident that the company is concerned about their reputation and thus is worthy of your trust.

How We Can Help

In addition to offering tips on how to find the right home cleaning service, we provide real estate guidance for individuals looking for their dream house.

We’re proud to be a leading real estate firm that is passionate about helping people to achieve their property ownership goals. For this reason, we provide top-tier market intelligence along with the negotiating power you need to seal the deal.

We can help you whether you’re looking to buy a luxurious Miami condo or a Miami Beach waterfront home. In addition, we can make your purchasing process easier whether you’re buying your first home or your fifth one.

Check us out today to learn more about how we can turn your real estate dream into a reality this year.