SkyFive Properties Blog

Starting a real estate business can be difficult enough, but learning how to grow your real estate business is another story.

You must know what you are doing to succeed in this field.

How can you create a real estate agent business plan and still be effective with other aspects, such as client communication or even generating leads?

The truth is that it takes hard work! Learn more about creating a bigger reach for your real estate business by reviewing the 5 tips for business growth below.

5 Tips to Grow Your Real Estate Business

Growing a real estate business into something big doesn’t happen overnight. There are certain things you have to do in order for it to happen.

Check out these 5 tips that may be able to help your business reach the next level.

1. Make a Variety of Contacts

A contact in the real estate world is talking to an adult that owns a property, is already planning to buy or sell, or is someone else in the business.

In reality, contacts are really just people that you talk to and may help you with your business at some point.

Although it may not be the most fun type of thing for people, making these contacts helps you get more business. Being deliberate about who you talk to and what type of people you start up conversations with is a good idea.

2. Realize You Must Be Fast

There are a lot of real estate agents out there, so to be successful, you must be fast.

In previous years, a great agent may have the most knowledge and know the most about upcoming generational real estate habits. Today, a great agent has to be accessible, has to be knowledgable, and to know what clients need quickly.

You have to be able to do more and do it fast.

Having buying leads and being quick with responses is the best way to do this, but also keep up with trends in the market to stay current with clients.

3. Have a Strategy to Create Leads

In order to have leads, you have to make them yourself. People won’t just hand them out. You may be able to buy them from others or you can create them yourself.

Gaining listings is possible by taking hard-to-sell listings, lowering your commission, or even running advertisements. You can also do it by making some phone calls to see what’s available out there.

Find the way that works best for you and your budget. It takes more time to do it yourself, but it will save you money in the long run.

4. Become Excellent with All Types of Communication

Real estate is about connecting with people and figuring out what they really want, even if they don’t know themselves. It’s about communication and conversation.

Learning about how people communicate and the different styles of communication is smart for any real estate agent or anyone working at a real estate business.

Not only are good communicators easier for people to trust, but they are also easier for people to understand.

5. Marketing and Branding is Important

Creating a brand is crucial to any business because it lets the audience know who you are and what you’re about. If you want to keep up with competitors, you have to have a specific marketing target and a brand to show off.

Many realtor marketing ideas have been used before, but you can also be creative and try to generate your own marketing plan with the help of other professionals.

Part of this is having an exciting logo that catches the attention of others. Adobe Spark’s logo maker is a great place to create a logo that says what you want it to say without having to break the bank.

Ready to Get Started?

It’s not rocket science to grow your real estate business, but it does take perseverance and a good plan.

If you’re ready to start expanding the reach of your real estate business and becoming more transparent with your ability, consider checking out our website to see how we can help.

Moving to a new house, are you? Congrats, that is a big step! Hopefully you found your ideal new neighborhood and got yourself a reliable moving company. And so, your new home is in Texas? You will be living in one of the coolest states ever.

But besides horse ranches, ugly insects, and Wild West movies, there are some aspects of this state that most realtors will never mention. As a useful addition to any moving to Texas guide, we put together a list of lesser-known things about the Lone Star State that you ought to keep in mind before finalizing your arrangements and actually moving in.

Prepare yourself for insane heat levels.

To be frank, Texas is seriously hotter than Hell. In fact, it is regularly regarded as the single hottest state among all of the states in the US. You might be faced with completely dry air or with a nasty sticky humidity, which will depend on where exactly in Texas you decide to settle down.

Regardless of your ultimate location, the temperatures are more or less the same, averaging at around ninety to one hundred degrees Fahrenheit in the summertime. If you are sensitive to heat, but still determined to move to this state, consider finding a way to incorporate a pool into your new daily life.

Accept that firearms are an ingrained part of Texas life.

Although you might think that it is a controversial thing, the simple fact is that guns (mostly concealed guns) are peppered all through Texas communities. It is a frequent occurrence that several firearms are owned by the occupants of a single residence. Even if you disapprove, best keep that to yourself.

On the other hand, if you are a Second Amendment enthusiast, you will fit right in like a key in a lock. For our readers who are not quite clear on it, this informative article is a good starting point to educate yourself about what the Second Amendment entails. That said, make sure to abide by all of the rules regarding permits. Observe the prescribed safety measures for storing firearms at home, using them for sports activities, and using them for hunting when the season rolls around.

Live music is not limited only to Austin.

If you had ever googled anything about the City of Austin, then you probably know that it is hailed as the capital of live music performances. There are innumerable opportunities for this experience, from small-ish gigs in local pubs to full-fledged festivals that blow the clouds off into the stratosphere. Having said that, you should know that, even if you decide to move into some other city, or even a town, you will not be missing out.

The phenomenon of live music is a core aspect of Texas culture – not just the Austin scene, the entire state is one gargantuan live stage. Texans love their music, and you will find beautiful instances of many different genres. In addition to the inevitable country, there is also blues, bluegrass, Tejano, hip hop, various types of rock and a whole myriad of others. Some of the famous musicians who hail from Texas are Miranda Lambert, Beyoncé, and Scott Joplin.

There is a whole lot of history to absorb.

This by no means limits you to just walking around a museum at a snail’s pace. Texas is drenched in history from various and diverse ethnic and cultural sources, such as Mexican, Spanish, Comanche, Caddo, Apache, and the European settlers’ – and all that without even mentioning the renowned struggle for its independence.

One of the most famous historical attractions is the Dinosaur Valley State Park, where, where you can walk the same paths that the dinosaurs walked, quite literally. The park is full of dinosaur tracks that you can follow, not to mention all of the opportunities it offers for picnics, hikers, campers, swimmers, fans of fishing, horseback riding, or mountain biking. See more about what activities are available at the Dinosaur Valley State Park at its official web page: https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/dinosaur-valley

Barbeque is life, but Texas is still vegetarian friendly.

Thinking about the state favorite, it would probably be beef for most people. Most notably, the brisket sandwiches are regularly hailed as an outright mind-blowing piece of food. However, this is the twenty-first century, and some folk want to avoid meat in their diet. If this is the case for you too, never fear! Texas has plenty of options for vegetarians nowadays, although some of your new neighbors might still bring it up as unusual from time to time. That said, meat-free diets are getting more and more mainstream, so people are more familiar with the whole concept than they used to be. Nobody will force meat onto your agenda if you are averse to eating it.

“Don’t mess with Texas” is more than a slogan.

As you might already know, this hallmark phrase became widespread and came into popular use when it appeared as the key marketing slogan of an anti-littering campaign (which, by the way, was a resounding success – good on you, Texans! keep it up!). As a rule, the people of Texas notably take great pride in their home state. If they hear you criticizing it, they will likely get a little prickly on you. If they hear you outright bashing their lovely land, you will find yourself in a heated argument in the span of half a heartbeat.

But Texas people are big on hugs, too.

After the previous point, this might sound odd, but the fact is Texans are warm and friendly people and make a point of being properly enthusiastic huggers. Not a day will go by without getting hugged, getting your back slapped, and/ or hearing a heartfelt “Y’all”. For this reason, residents who have been there a long time might see a newcomer as somewhat stiff or awkward, but fortunately the ice is quick to break, and you will get along in no time flat.

If you are selling your business, one thing you certainly need to do is hire a business broker. A business broker assists with the selling process, helping you to find the perfect buyer while ensuring you extract maximum value from your business.

However, if you take a look on the Internet, you will see that there are many business brokers to choose from. This is why it is crucial to narrow down your search effectively. With that being said, read on to discover the various factors you should consider.

Experience

Experience is always one of the most important qualities you should look out for when you are seeking the best broker. The last thing you want to do is use the services of someone that is going to effectively be learning on the job. You want to be safe in the knowledge that they have sold many businesses before, and, even more importantly, many businesses like yours. Plus, can they provide you with other services? What about a virtual mailbox for the few months after the sale?

Read reviews

It is always a good idea to read reviews that have been left by people that have already used the broker in question for selling their own business. This is the best way to get an honest insight regarding the level of service you are likely to experience. Was their service efficient? Did they communicate regularly? Did they sell the business at a price the reviewer was happy with? If you come across negative comment after negative comment, you know to focus your attention elsewhere.

Qualifications

Aside from this, you should also discover the broker’s qualifications. It is vital to use the services of a certified broker. You may also want to find out if they have a real estate license and it is advisable to discover whether they work part-time or full-time, as you want to know about their level of availability.

Track record

When it comes to a service like this, track record is imperative. Any broker can say that they have a good amount of experience and that they have worked with many clients. However, figures do not lie. This is why you need to find out about the broker’s track record as of late, so you can get a good understanding of their success levels and their experience. You should discover how many of the listings on the broker website they represent, how many listings they sold last year, and how long these listings were on the market before they were sold.Referrals – If you know anyone that has sold a business within the past few years, you should talk to him or her to see if there is anyone they would recommend. Don’t hesitate to talk to your friends and family, as they may know someone as well.

Fees

Of course, price is an important consideration when you are investing in any type of service, and brokerage is no different. Most brokers will charge a success fee. This is commission that is a percentage of the price paid at closing for your business. This is usually around the 10 percent mark. There may be other fees entailed too, so you will need to ask about this. You should never simply look for the cheapest broker you can find because you are certain to suffer from a lack of quality and you will end up losing money in any case when it comes to the selling of your business.

Marketing

Last but not last, find out how the broker markets listings. Will they place classified print ads? Do they have other online avenues aside from their website? You need to ensure they have an effective strategy in place for selling your company.

Curb appeal is so much more than a buzzword. It drastically affects a buyer’s first impression, so it’s vital to ensure your home looks amazing both inside and out before putting it on the market.

Luckily, improving your curb appeal doesn’t have to complicated or costly. In fact, with just a few simple upgrades, you can make your house seem newer and more appealing to buyers.

Do you want to know how? Keep reading to learn our top 5 tips for increasing curb appeal.

1. Take Care of Your Lawn

57% of people think less of someone with an unkempt lawn. If your grass is brown or overgrown, potential buyers may see this as a red flag and worry just how well you took care of your home.

Before open houses and showings, make sure you mow the lawn, clean up the grass clippings, and trim your hedges. If you have brown patches, try watering your lawn to make it lush and green.

2. Invest in Some Landscaping

If your yard is underwhelming, you may want to hire landscaping services to help. Some colorful and easy-to-care-for flowers or a nice pathway can make your home appear warm and welcoming.

You may also want to trim your trees, especially those that are close to your home. Any old and dirty landscaping lights should be cleaned or replaced to help your yard look well-maintained.

3. Upgrade Your Front Door

One of the best ways to make your home pop is to upgrade your front door. Start by giving it a new coat of paint. You may want to stick with a neutral color, like white or black, but that fresh coat will make your door look brand new.

You can then add interest by hanging a seasonal wreath on your door. Hanging or corner plants are also a great way to make your porch pop. However, be sure not to overdo it—for a small porch, just one decorative element should be enough.

4. Power Wash Your Siding

You’d be surprised just how great your siding can look after power washing it. This removes years of build-up dirt and grime, leaving your siding looking clean and new.

You can also power wash your deck, concrete porch, or your driveway. When you’re done, your home is sure to make a good impression.

5. Update Your Mailbox and House Numbers

It’s not just the “big picture” elements you have to worry about. The small details can also influence a buyer’s opinion of your home.

If your mailbox or house numbers look rusted or dingy, consider updating them. Stick to a traditional black mailbox and go big with your house numbers. You want them to be easy to read from the street as you’re driving by.

Increasing Curb Appeal

Don’t put your home on the market without first updating its curb appeal. Just follow the tips above to make your home stand out from the rest and attract buyers.

Are you looking for your dream home? Then check out our house and condo listings in Miami, Florida.

Renovations are an essential aspect of selling your home. They not only make your home appealing but also increase its market value. However, most homeowners are afraid to conduct renovations since they do not think they will recoup their investment.

So how do you ensure that the renovation work increases the value of your home? Below are some of the best home improvement return on investment projects.

1. The Kitchen

The kitchen should be spacious, well organized, and have a sufficient working area. Consider installing kitchen cabinets to provide storage space for kitchen utensils.

There are a variety of cost-effective kitchen counters. For example, you can purchase ceramic tiles or tile granite as opposed to the more costly slab granite. These materials will give your kitchen counters an appealing look.

Paint the kitchen walls with light colors. Additionally, improve the kitchen lighting with energy-efficient LED bulbs. If your kitchen floor is in a deplorable state, consider ceramic, vinyl, or plastic laminated floor tiles.

2. Bathroom

The bathroom is a personal area. Therefore, potential customers may show little interest in buying a house with poorly kept bathrooms.

Clean your bathroom tiles and replace those that are broken. If you would want to repaint the bathroom walls, use a primer to prevent the paint from chipping due to humid conditions.

Cabinets and drawers provide storage space for personal effects such as towels, soaps, and combs. If you have a small bathroom, install the cabinets outside the bathroom. A mirror could also be an excellent addition.

Inspect your sewer system for blockages and leaks. Empty your septic tank if it is full.

3. Living Area

The living area is one of the most scrutinized rooms by potential buyers. It is where the family spends time and hosts guests.

Reorganize the living room to ensure maximum penetration of light. Repaint the room with warm complementing colors to improve its appeal. Alternatively, you can take advantage of wallpapers as they come in different designs.

Consider vinyl or wood laminate for your floors. The main advantage of these materials is that they are cheap and easy to install. Besides, they come in a wide variety of patterns.

Accessorize your living room with paintings and live plants to give it a classy feeling. Use picture lights to highlight these accessories at night. A plastic chandelier will not only make the room elegant but will also provide sufficient light at night.

Siding installation is a good way to restore your home’s exterior. Vinyl siding is cheaper compared to concrete or cedar siding.

4. Outdoors

Your landscape is the first impression of your home. The best thing about landscape renovations is that you can do them by yourself.

Choose a grass that is suitable for your climate. Bermuda and Zoysia grass will do well in warm temperatures while Ryegrass is perfect for cold temperatures. Some grasses such as Kentucky Bluegrass have excellent self-repair properties while Buffalo grass is considered low maintenance.

Plant a mixture of shrubs and flowers to make your garden attractive. Use live fences to demarcate various sections of your compound. Asphalt, concrete, and aggregated concrete are excellent materials for your driveway.

Garden installations such as patios, decks, and gazebos are an ideal place to hold family gatherings. With a limited budget, you may have to choose one installation over the other. Plant vines around gazebos to improve their appearance.

Install spotlights to highlight features such as paths and steps in your garden. You may also choose to light up some of the trees in your garden.

5. Energy Efficiency

Most buyers today would want to buy an energy-efficient home. Simple ideas such as installing window blinds or awnings can go a long way in cutting air conditioning costs. You may also choose to tint some of your windows to prevent the sun’s rays from getting into your house.

Strategically plant trees near windows to provide shade inside the house during warm weather. A deciduous tree would be your best bet as it would let in the sun’s rays during winter.

6. Bedrooms

Bedroom wardrobes should have adequate storage space. You will have to be creative if you have small closets. For example, you could install drawers under the bed or cabinets on one side of the wall.

A fresh coat of paint will give the bedroom a new look. Avoid dark colors at all costs.

Most buyers will be interested in the master bedroom. Consider bedroom accessories such as a rug, bedside lamp, artificial flowers, and a wall clock.

7. Pest Control

When was the last time your home had a pest inspection? Pests such as cockroaches and termites will reduce the buyer’s interest in your home. Call a licensed exterminator to advise on the presence of pests in your home.

There are various DIY pest control measures you can take to make your home pest-free. For example, destroying termite mud tubes, clearing bushes, and sealing leaking roofs can help eliminate termites in your home. Spray insecticides or use termite bails to kill the pests.

Keeping your house tidy will help control mice and cockroaches. Cockroach gel and chalk will eliminate roaches hiding in drawers and cabinets. Use traps and rodenticides to get rid of mice in your home.

Secrets to Home Improvement Return on Investment Projects

A successful home ROI is dependent on your budget and the current state of your home. Preferably, the projects should commence at least six months before you put your house on the market. In such a way, you will have adequate time to convert your home to the buyer’s dream house.

Conduct some research on the pricing of various materials in your locality. Save on costs by conducting the renovations yourself. For example, you could choose to paint and landscape your home.

If you do not have adequate finances, take out a home improvement loan.

Be Smart! Engage the Professionals

Talk to your local real estate agent or property lawyer. to get more information on what buyers are looking for in a home. Do not attempt to start a home improvement return on investment project without adequate financing. Also, complicated works are best handled by professionals.

Browse our website to find the property of your dreams.

You know how wonderful a freshly cleaned carpet looks.

Free from stains, no dirt patches or spots, and totally refreshing. Most of all, clean carpets make the rest of your home look cleaner and well-designed. Carpets make a great foundation to display your home decor items and decorative accents.

But after a week or two after tracking dirt and mud through the house the spots and wear and tear seem to creep back into the carpet. Especially if you’re a pet owner.

So would do you do to maintain that fresh clean-carpet look throughout your home? In this post, you’ll learn some four great tips to preserve your beautiful carpet and keep it well-maintained.

Without further delay, here are the tips.

The Best Carpet Maintenance Tips to Make Your Carpet Last

Follow these tricks and tips. They’ll make your carpet last longer.

1. Take Your Time to Clean It Right

If you can’t afford the expense of a professional carpet cleaning company, use a carpet shampooer with care. Rushing through carpet cleaning can leave soap residue on your floor that can lead to mold and mildew.

If you want to do it DIY, consider using a steam cleaner. While using a pro will do a much better job, a steam cleaner can get the job done and it’s not as harmful than dragging heavy machines on your carpet floor.

Once you rent a steam cleaner from a grocery or hardware store, take a few precautions.

• Don’t wait until your carpet is filthy to clean it. This will make it difficult to pick up the dirt

• Make sure and remove the furniture. Ask for some help for heavy items so you don’t pull out your back.

• Pretreat stains and rooms with busy traffic. Mix a capful of detergent with water in a spray bottle and mist the dirty areas lightly. Let the detergent absorb into the carpet for 10 to 15 minutes before you start cleaning.

2. Clean Stains Immediately

If you get a food, pet, or chemical stain on your carpet, clean it right away. You can use a carpet cleaner, club soda or vinegar to do the job.

Make sure not to rub the stain, just dab and blot the affected area. Never scrub the carpet because it could damage the pile.

3. How to Use Your Vacuum for Carpet Maintenance

When it comes to carpet maintenance, the settings on your vacuum cleaner matter. If your setting is too high, it won’t pick up the dirt. But if it is too low, you can damage your carpet pile as well as the vacuum’s belt and roller brush.

For the best results, while the vacuum is off, set it on a high setting. Next, turn the vacuum on. Slowly lower the vacuum until you feel the vacuum slightly tug at your carpet. You’ll know your vacuum is set to the right height to clean.

4. Wear Indoor Shoes in the House or Go Barefoot

Another thing you can do to preserve your carpet is to walk barefoot. If it’s cold or you don’t want to stub a toe, get a pair of slippers to wear inside the house. You won’t track dirt from the outdoors on your carpet.

The Takeaway on the Best Carpet Maintenance

Now you know four carpet maintenance tips. They’ll keep your carpets or area rugs pristine, in better care, and save you money on cleaning.

Our company provides readers advice about residential homes and commercial properties. Explore our blog to read more great content.

Fire departments in the U.S. respond to 355,400 home fires every year. This is why everyone should practice fire safety planning. Continue reading to know how to protect your home from fires.

How to Prevent a Fire

The first aspect of your fire safety plan is to know how to prevent a fire. Here are some tips to keep in mind.

Know the Basics of Fire Safety

The best way to prevent a fire is to know what common mistakes can cause a fire.

Leaving the stove and oven on are good examples. Running the dishwasher, laundry machine, dryer, and other appliances when you’re gone or asleep are other overlooked hazards.

You’ll also want to teach your children good fire prevention techniques.

This includes being careful around electrical outlets, not playing with lighters, not turning on the stove or oven, and not using fire-causing hobby items such as fireworks.

Install Fire Alarms and Smoke Detectors

If your home doesn’t already have a fire alarm and/or smoke detector, install these items. These will inform you when there’s a fire or too much smoke, helping you take action.

You should also look for additional products, including smoke and fire curtains.

Use Fire Risk Products Outside

Little items such as cigarettes are major fire hazards. Only use these items while you’re outside. You should also use caution when using other items such as a grill.

Always Keep a Fire Extinguisher Handy

You should always know where your fire extinguisher is in case a fire breaks out. You should also store the fire extinguisher near a flammable area, such as the fireplace. It’s also not a bad idea to keep a few fire extinguishers in your house.

What to Do If There’s a Fire

No one likes to think of the possibility of a house fire. But it’s important to know what to do in case a fire breaks out.

Extinguish the Fire

If the fire is small enough, extinguish it before it grows bigger. Use a fire extinguisher, throw water on the fire, and do anything else you can to kill the flames.

Escape

If you can’t control the fire, escape immediately. Find the nearest door or window you can exit and call for help.

Avoid entering other rooms in case the fires spread to that room. Always feel the doorknob before entering a room. Avoid taking the elevator — always use stairs.

Stop, Drop, and Roll

Were you ever taught to stop, drop, and roll? This is the best way to maneuver through a house fire. You’ll breathe in fewer smoke particles and you have a smaller risk of getting ignited.

Stop what you’re doing, drop to the ground, and roll to safety. Avoid walking and even running.

Safe Yourself First and Then Others

Once you reach safety, you can help others. Run to other parts of the house and open doors and windows. Call out to loved ones and ensure they know how to escape.

If you have pets, rescue them if they’re in sight. Otherwise, wait for a fire marshal to rescue them.

Fire Safety Planning: Don’t Panic and Stay Safe

A home fire can happen more easily than you think. This is why fire safety planning is necessary.

If you’re trying to find a new home, continue searching our website!

More than 5, 000 hail events have hit America in 2018 alone.

Almost all states in the U.S went through at least one significant hailstorm the same year, but most occurred in Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Texas.

Unless you reside in one of the Hail Alley states, chances are hails don’t pique too much of your interest.

Well, they should!

Hail storms result in costly hail damage to the tune of billions every year. Hails can be a nightmare for homeowners as they cause damage to the roof and other properties.

If your area has gone through a hailstorm, don’t sit back, relax and think everything is okay. When hail destroys your roof, it’s usually not easy to spot especially if you have not done it before.

It’s not something to worry about. Use this actionable guide to help you know how to spot the damage hails storms cause on the roof and the proper action to take.

What Hail Damage Looks Like On the Roof

After a hail storm, it may not be obvious there’s damage on your roof. You need to inspect the roof to know if there’s any need for repairs or replacements. Some of the signs indicating hail destruction on the roof include:

• Missing, cracking or bruising of shingles and other roofing material
• Dents on the roof’s ridge cap, vents, downspouts, gutter screens, and gutters
• Damage to casings/windowsills and siding
• Shattered or broken solar panels, window panes, and other exterior elements
• Damage to air conditioners and other items outdoors
• Internal leaking

Remember to prioritize safety while searching for any of the above signs. If you’re using a ladder to access the roof, make sure it’s steady. You also need the proper gear to avoid slipping, falling, and hurting yourself.

What to Do After Noticing Signs of Roof Hail Damage

Immediately seek assistance from a top local Roofing Boise specialist once you get evidence of hail damage roof. The expert will come in to inspect the level of damage and proceed to tackle any minor repairs and leave you with a functional roof.

Roof replacement may be the only solution in cases where the damage is severe.

It’s advisable to take videos and pictures of the current state of the roof. It helps if you have previous documentation of the home before the hail storm.

Consult your roofing contractor and a public adjuster on how to get insurance to pay for roof replacement. Replacing a roof is quite costly; thus, you need to look into channels to help you save money.

Take Action! Don’t Let Hail Storms Destroy your Roof

Anytime you experience a hail storm you need to rush against time to save your home. Contact a roofing company to conduct a comprehensive hail damage roof inspection.

Besides diagnosing the problem an expert roofer will advise on whether you need to make a claim.

If the damage is not too much, the roofer will offer a long-lasting solution to keep your home dry and safe for years. You may want to consider hail resistant shingles if you live in a region prone to dangerous hail storms.

Keep reading our blog for more property tips.

A standard attic remodeling job costs $50,000-$65,000. Maybe you want to get a home-office, playroom, or even or a new bedroom for your guests.

But have you checked on that abandoned square footage in your house? If not, then you should make plans of renovating that attic. It’s a smart way of renovating your home on a tight budget.

Many homeowners often make the mistake of carelessly renovating their attics in a hurry. Learn to do it right! Follow these seven essential tips for a well-done job when remodeling your attic.

1. Follow Safety Codes While Remodeling Your Attic

Before starting the remodeling process, you need to invite a constructional engineer. He/she will inspect the room to make sure that it meets construction safety standards. You should avail yourself physically during the inspection to discover more about the required codes and regulations.

Necessarily, a standard attic should be 7 feet high, 7 feet wide, and 70 square feet. This regulation allows for free movement within the attic. It is known as the ‘rule of 7s’ and is the first test that your to-be-renovated room must pass.

Your attic should have a proper roof structure. W-shaped roof trusses make attic renovation very difficult. Besides, they come with more expenses than A-shaped roof trusses. So, make sure that your ideal attic room has enough ceiling height as per the required guidelines.

2. Get All Essential Permits

Don’t skimp out of this critical step. Most homeowners often underestimate the importance of getting the necessary building permits. Before embarking on the attic renovating process, ensure that you hire certified building professionals.

Why is this essential? Well, renovating your attic using unlicensed personnel may jeopardize its overall safety standards.

Also, you may want to sell the house someday; right? If your buyer’s building inspector finds the attic risky, then you might lose the client.

Besides, the buyer might decide to go to the local authorities to find out if you followed the due procedure of construction. If they find out that you used shortcuts, they’ll likely not buy your property. So, get all essential permits before remodeling your attic.

3. Install an HVAC System

Would you like to stay in a congested attic? Definitely not! A standard attic should have proper ventilation.

Your main goal should be to make the renovated attic as comfortable as possible. Sometimes, the attic may be too hot or cold at different times of the year. You can avoid such a problem by installing a well-functioning HVAC system.

Besides, you should do regular inspection to ensure that the HVAC system is working correctly. If you notice any sight deviation, be kind enough, and invite an expert. This will help you to save costs that come with the downtime of your HVAC equipment.

4. Save Your Plumbing Costs

The whole idea of renovating your attic is to save money. Therefore, if the renovation process falls short of that, then you’re heading in the wrong direction.

If you’re installing a new kitchen or bathroom, ensure that it is closer to the old pipes. You can then rejoin the new drainage system to the old one. Moreover, you can tie the new pipes on the old ones to save space.

It’s always advisable to seek developer services from an expert to avoid unnecessary mistakes. Careless drainage installation can be very costly and can worsen the living conditions of the attic.

So, don’t be so focused on saving drainage costs by doing everything by yourself. In the long run, this wrong decision might catch up with you. You should do thorough research and only pick a certified plumber with a proven track record of service delivery.

5. Insulate the Attic

You can insulate your attic using fiberglass or spray-foam. However, experts prefer spray-foam for roof installation. It creates a tight air barrier that is essential for room protection.

Besides, spray-foam roofs provide an extra overhead room. Your attic should have an ample overhead space to allow for fee airflow within the room. Therefore, to have a complete attic room, ensure that its roof is made of an airtight material.

You also need airtight roofing to ensure that the attic is always kept warm. Sometimes, the conditions of the attic room can be very challenging. If you don’t have money to install a properly working HVAC system, ensure that your roof is adequately insulated.

6. Use Knee Wall Storage

Having overhead storage facilities isn’t advisable because your attic needs ample space. Also, bringing in large wardrobes will eat up your space. Therefore, install recess cabinets, cubbies, and perimeter drawers on knee walls.

You should save every inch of space. Contact room designers to get more details on how you can get more of your attic room. They’ll help you with this and give you more space-saving techniques.

Also, ask them for an overall opinion on how you should position certain items in the attic room. It would be wrong if you throw in everything everywhere without any proper arrangement.

7. Install a Ceiling Fan

For better climate control during warmer weather periods of the year, put in a ceiling fan. You can also use the ceiling fan reversely in the colder months of the year to blow down warm air.

Don’t let your headroom stay idle when you can fully exploit the available space. Ceiling fans are relatively cheaper than standard HVAC systems. So, if you are looking for a cost-friendly option, go for them.

For well-distribution of warm or cold air, install the ceiling fan at the center of the attic room. Hire the services of an expert for an efficiently done job.

Remodeling an attic requires patience and expertise. Consult widely before embarking on the construction journey. Your preferred mode should be cost-friendly yet efficient at the same time.

Life in the Attic!

As a homeowner, you should get value for your money, and that’s why it’s advisable to only employ certified personnel when renovating your home. Otherwise, you’ll end losing a lot of money that should be used for more constructive purposes.

Explore our blog for more information on what you should do when remodeling your attic.

Grand Designs, the inspiration behind many people sitting down and working out if they could build their own homes. And, for the most part, it is extremely possible. There are a few points that you will need to pay attention to unless you are having an accessory dwelling unit – which is a great way to move forward with your unique home plans.

Preparation

Most of the designs that people create for building their own homes are pretty pared back. They include what people think are the things that they need. Then, the opposite end of the scale is the glass walls and self-washing windows. The more quirky the house, the more likely you are going to have to spend out on a professional project manager. And an architect.

If you are applying for a mortgage to cover the cost, you are going to need a really big deposit too. The home doesn’t have standard plans that can give them a good idea of the value in the end. So the more professionals you have onboard to support your case, the better.

Research all of the available materials to do the job, what are the eco options? What lasts the longest? How can you maximise your cash and house size?

Finances

Typically home builders will need a lot more money than people building any other house. They will usually have to buy the land and fund all of the planning permission before they will be considered for a loan of any kind. Mortgages for self-builders will tend to be interest-only too. The bank still needs to protect its investment.

On average, you are looking at around 6 months to get all of the finances set up. And during that time you can burn through your own cash pretty quickly.

You’ll need to consider insurance costs too. You will need to have self-built property insurance. Most policies won’t cover what you have built so far. So, you are going to need a structural warranty for a 10-year period, and one for defects in design. Then things like fires, public liability, theft and storm damage – which are all a risk when the property isn’t complete.

In general, you shouldn’t release any payments ahead of schedule either. You will probably be asked more than once, but this puts you in a position that you may lose your money, and the contracted companies might skip town or go bust.

You will still be liable for stamp duty too. So check your tax position.

Kit Houses

If you really can’t see yourself spending months watching a house go up, then you might consider the ADU mentioned above (usually put on the same land/site as the main dwelling), or a prefabricated home. They work with clients closely to create what they are looking for and usually come in a lot cheaper than building from scratch.

When it comes to housing, there is no real one size fits all option if you are looking to branch out. It pays if you have a really good architect friend, though!