SkyFive Properties Blog

Since your kitchen cabinets are at eye-level, they’re one of the first things you’ll see when you enter your kitchen.

Because of this, your cabinets can either make or break your kitchen.

Old cabinets or cabinets that are out of style will make your kitchen look shabby or out-dated. So how do you pick the right cabinets for your kitchen?

We’ve put together these nine tips to help you choose kitchen cabinets that’ll fit your style.

So let’s dive in!

1. Set a Budget

Before you start looking at cabinets, you should come up with a budget. Otherwise, you might fall in love with a cabinet you can’t afford. The cost of any cabinet, even if it seems small, can add up fast.

2. Think About What You Do/Don’t Like About Your Current Cabinets

Once you have your budget set, the next step is to look at your current cabinets and come up with a list of things you do/don’t like.

Do your current cabinets have features you must-have? Do you have how they look? Do you need more storage? Do you want to change the design? Or your custom kitchen cabinets?

Write these things down so you can have them in front of you when you start shopping. Without a hard list, you might forget something or get distracted by all the available choices.

3. Pick a Style

There are a few things you should consider when it comes to picking a style for your new kitchen cabinets.

First, you should consider the style of your home. You wouldn’t want to buy sleek, modern cabinets if you live in a rustic barn house. Go with something that will match your house’s design aesthetic.

The next choice you have to make is whether you want closed or open shelving.

Open shelve cabinets have been growing in popularity over the last few years, but they aren’t a good fit for every kitchen. You should only consider open shelving if you’re always an organized person.

Messy stacks of dishes in open shelve cabinets will detract from the rest of your kitchen.

4. Consider Any Extra Features

Extra features can make the price of your kitchen cabinets go up, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t worth it. Many extra features can maximize your kitchen storage space or make your cooking easier.

Here’s a quick look at some additional kitchen cabinet features you might want:

• Spice drawers
• Pull-out trash cans
• Pull-out tables
• Pull-out cutting boards
• Roll-out drawer trays
• Appliance garage
• Swing-out shelving
• Lazy Susan

If you do want extra kitchen cabinet features, make sure you account for them in your budget.

5. Take Current Trends into Account

You should be aware of the current kitchen cabinet trends as you’re shopping.

For example, white is still a popular color for kitchens, but there are other colors rising in popularity. Grey is one of those colors, and many homeowners are choosing their appliances in reds, blues, purples, greens, and more.

And while displaying some of your kitchen appliances, such as a blender or coffee maker, used to be the “look”, now the trend is to keep those items out of the way and out of sight.

Buying cabinets that are out of trend can leave you with a kitchen that looks out of date and somewhat boring. It’s always a good idea to research the current trends before you make your final cabinet choice.

6. Choose the Material

Wood isn’t the only type of kitchen cabinet material out there.

You can choose from a number of materials, including the following:

• Metal
• Melamine
• Thermo foil
• Stainless steel
• Wood

Out of all these choices, wood is still the most popular. But even if you decide to stick with solid wood, you have to choose the type of wood you want.

Here’s a list of some of the wood types you might have to pick from:

• Cherry
• Maple
• Oak
• Alder
• Hickory
• Birch
• Walnut

You can even choose to design your kitchen cabinets out of exotic woods like mahogany, teak, or tigerwood.

If you aren’t sure what type of wood will look good in your kitchen, you can always talk to a kitchen designer to get a few suggestions.

7. Think About the Construction

There are three main types of kitchen cabinets: custom, semi-custom, and stock.

Custom cabinets are the most expensive. They are designed specifically for your kitchen. On the other hand, stock cabinets come in basic shapes and are much cheaper. Semi-custom are a mix of both.

Unless you have an unusually shaped kitchen, stock cabinets are a good choice for most homeowners. They cost less than custom cabinets, but they’re still high quality.

Make sure you research and read more about these types of cabinets before you make your final choice.

8. Pick a Color

Your preferred color might determine the type of material or wood you need. However, you can always stain or paint your favorite wood into different shades.

There aren’t many limitations when it comes to color.

But to make sure it fits in with the rest of your home, make sure you think about the overall style of your house and pick a color that matches the design.

9. Use All the Available Space

Many kitchens don’t have enough storage space. Because of this, you should do your best to use all the available space in your kitchen.

Think outside the box.

Come up with clever storage hacks that fit in areas you would have normally overlooked.

How to Choose Kitchen Cabinets That’ll Fit Your Style

Before you choose kitchen cabinets for your remodel, you’ll need to set a clear budget. After that, consider things like the style of your home, kitchen trends, your favorite material, and—of course—your personal preference guide you through the shopping process.

Would you rather move into a new home than renovate?

Make sure you click here to take a look at some of our available properties.

Last year US homeowners spent nearly 400 billion US dollars on home renovation projects. If you’re looking to add value to your home, consider renovating your driveway into a beautiful and functional design.

How do you design a driveway and what materials will you need? Designing a new driveway is a great opportunity to get creative and add character to your home. You can make it visually enjoyable for your guests or practical for your home’s drivers.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with new materials and layouts. Today’s homeowners are adding unique twists to their driveways for extra curbside appeal. You can opt for environmentally-friendly options or a classic and timeless design. Read on to discover ten driveway design ideas that you’re sure to love.

How to Design a Driveway

Driveway renovations are one of the most planned home improvement projects for today’s homeowners. You might have a cracked driveway that needs repairs or want to refresh the curb appeal of your home. Whatever the reason for giving your driveway a makeover, there are factors you need to consider before starting on your project.

Consider the Layout

Homes with large front lawns offer more room for renovated driveways, but any driveway can be made into a stunning design. As you design your remodeled drive, you need to figure out how you want your car to get from the street to the garage.

You’ll also need to consider the direction your driveway faces before beginning the project. Consider how many cars will need to be parked and if other cars will need to pass the parked cars.

Do you need space for a turn-around? How much street parking is available? These are questions you’ll need to ask yourself as you plan out the layout of your new driveway.

Choose the Shape

Smaller homes may look better with a straight driveway, but large homes may have space for long, curved driveways. Circular or horseshoe driveways are great for homeowners who want to be able to get to the street without backing out. If you’ve already converted your garage into a living space, a horseshoe driveway makes a convenient option.

If you have any trees or obstructions, you might consider a curved driveway to accommodate the layout of your lawn. Don’t be afraid to stick to a straight design though, because a straight driveway is often easier to build and offers a nice line of vision to your home.

Select Paving Materials

Once you know the shape of your new driveway, it’s time to select the paving materials that you want to use. Concrete and asphalt are traditional choices, but they may not offer much room for creativity.

Today’s homeowners enjoy building their new driveways with brick, stone, or concrete pavers. You can select a variety of shapes and colors to get creative with your design.

Consider Permits

Before you begin your project, check with any permits that need to be followed in your city. For example, if your project requires cutting down a tree you may need to get a permit.

Decorate and Enhance

Even after installing paving materials, you can add creativity by adding hedges or lights along your drive. Simple decorations can enhance the design of your driveway and have practical purposes.

You might also consider adding a modern driveway gate to finish off your new driveway. This will add a safety feature to your home and boost the visual appearance of your design. You can meet with design companies like JDR Metal Art who will work with you to design a custom and handmade metal gate for your home.

Ten Driveway Design Ideas

Are you hoping to add a modern touch to your home? Do you want to find a driveway design that adds character to your lawn? Here are ten driveway entrance landscape ideas to consider.

1. Brick and Grass Intermixed

If you still want to keep some vegetation in your driveway, you can try using both pavers and ground covers intermixed. This gives your driveway a gentle appearance that easily blends into the rest of your lawn.

This design might make a cheaper alternative too. It requires a less expensive brick and the ground covers are easy to maintain.

2. Concentric Circles

If you’re opting for brick or concrete pavers but aren’t sure how to lay them out, try designing them into concentric circles. This design style adds a unique touch to an otherwise simple driveway layout.

3. Porous Pavers

Porous pavers are blocks designed with holes in the middle to allow for grass to grow inside. They’re made of plastic or concrete and make a great option for environmental-friendly homes.

They’re also practical because they allow water to run through the block and down into the ground. This is a helpful option if your area gets a lot of rain and you want to avoid a soggy yard.

4. Imitation Brick

If you want the appearance of a brick-lined drive but can’t afford the cost, try opting for asphalt that’s stamped to look like brick. Going for this option will cost you half the price of real brick while still adding that classic touch to your home.

5. Flagstone

The appearance and texture of real stone can add a classy touch to your driveway. You can check local stone dealers near you for regional varieties to use in your project.

6. Stamped Borders

There are some cool driveways designed by homeowners who added stamped borders to their driveway. You can find a wide variety of stamped concrete in patterns that add a unique twist to your design.

7. Striped Minimalist Concrete

Homeowners looking for a modern design can try renovating their driveway with strips of concrete laid out in a minimalist design. You can alternate concrete with vegetation to add some greenery or combine different types of stone.

8. Circular Driveway with Hedges

If you’re paving a circular driveway, try lining it with brick and hedges to add elegance. This style complements any home and provides an easy way to add vegetation to your driveway.

9. Irregularly Shaped Pavers

For a driveway with a unique and simple design, try using slate tiles cut with irregular shapes. This material is a great option for straight driveways in areas that don’t get much rain.

10. Stones Around a Tree

Before you cut down any trees, consider keeping them incorporated into your driveway design. You can lay brick pavers that go around the tree and add a border around it so that no cars run into it. This will add a unique appearance to your home and can also make the project easier because it won’t call for tree services.

Benefits of a Renovated Driveway

Nice driveways aren’t only about appearance. Choosing to renovate your old driveway can offer major long-term benefits.

Better First Impressions

Curbside appeal is important because it’s the first impression you give guests and potential buyers. If you’ve only focused on giving the exterior of your home a makeover, it might be a good idea to spend some time enhancing your driveway.

When you design it well, it can enhance the layout of your lawn or garden. Even a simple driveway renovation improves the neatness of your home.

Improved Functionality

Renovated driveways not only improve curb appeal, but they’ll also perform better in terms of functionality. Improving your drive will give you more room to park and put less stress on your tires.

They can also improve the way water drains from your lawn, which means you’ll lower your chances of a soggy lawn. Well-designed driveways make it easier for guests to come and go, and for your teen who might be learning how to back out. Depending on the material you choose, a new driveway can also be safer for your kids to play on.

Boost Your Property Value

Redesigning your driveway will boost the appearance of your home and lawn. If you plan on selling, you’ll want to get rid of that cracked concrete or crumbling brick.

Potential buyers may not choose your home if they see that the driveway is in need of serious repair. Buyers often want a home that’s move-in ready, and a driveway repair can add an expense they didn’t plan on. When you upgrade your driveway, you’ll boost the value of your property and make it more desirable for buyers.

Get Excited to Arrive Home

Renovating your driveway is a fun and easy way to boost your home’s value and add curbside appeal. It’s a great project to invest in if you plan on selling in the future. For homeowners still settling in, redesigning your driveway can add ease of living.

Be sure to check with your city’s permit requirements before starting your project. Get creative with your materials, and consider a driveway layout that enhances your home’s architecture.

You can try one of these driveway design ideas to improve your home’s chances of making a great first impression. If you’re currently searching for your next dream home, contact us to explore some of our stunning properties.

There’s no getting around having air conditioning in this climate. Especially considering that local summer temperatures can hit an average of 89F.

But what if your central air conditioning unit or your window a/c just isn’t cutting it anymore? You could stand by the open fridge all day (not recommended), or you could consider the benefits of a ductless a/c system.

What’s ductless a/c, and what’s so good about it? Read on to find out 6 ways it can benefit your home or beach condo…

What is Ductless A/C?

As the name (also called mini-split system) suggests, ductless a/c systems don’t rely on ductwork to distribute cooled air like other HVAC options.

One component of the ductless system is installed in the rooms you want to be cool, while the condenser is placed outside. The indoor unit can cool one space or multiple areas. You can control the temperature of each space independently.

The indoor unit sucks in a room’s air and cools it while spitting out condensation to the outside. However, the outdoor unit is the real workhouse that circulates the refrigerant with a compressor through insulated tubing to the house.

It’s up to you where you place the air handlers. You can mount the indoor components on a wall or ceiling, while the outdoor unit can be mounted above the ground to save outdoor space.

Ductless units are becoming more popular in the area, and this company is one that knows the advantages of using one.

1. Reducing Indoor Noise

While window a/c units can be effective, one of the chief complaints about them is that they are noisy. That’s because the motor is contained within the unit, rather than outside.

With a ductless a/c system, the compressor is mounted outside, so the noise doesn’t fill the home as cool air does. It’s also quieter than a central air system because there’s no air being forced through ducts.

2. The Outside Stays Outside

When you have a window a/c unit, if the seal around it isn’t tight, it can invite indoor air inside. Not only will that make the unit less efficient (especially when it’s very hot outside), it also means allergens can get in.

Ductless a/c does not leave any gaps for outside air to come in uninvited. With a ductless unit, only a small hall needs to be drilled in the wall during installation. Many of the units can clean the air with built-in filtration.

Also, consider that central air and heating requires duct cleaning from time to time to ensure impurities aren’t distributed around the house. Because ductless units don’t rely on ductwork, there’s much less chance of this happening.

3. Saving You Utility Costs

Running an a/c compressor requires power. However, statistics show that running a ductless a/c system can be up to 25 percent more efficient than central air units.

The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) for ductless systems is relatively high. SEER measures how much electricity is used to run the equipment properly. Ductless units run around 13 to 33 SEER (the higher the better), while older a/c units can rate less than 10.

While ductless can cost a bit more initially than central air, you can expect energy savings down the road.

4. Custom Climate Control

With a central air unit, the temperature in your home can still be inconsistent. There are factors such as quality of ductwork and insulation that can affect the climate from one room to the next. Also, while warm air rises, sometimes cool air through ducts doesn’t reach the upper floors as well as lower ones. This is especially true for aging a/c units.

With a ductless a/c, you can place the air handler in the room where you want to be cool. That means the cooled air will be delivered directly to that space. So if you spend a lot of time in the living room, for example, you could put it there. Other popular places for ductless systems are bedrooms and sunrooms. Another place to consider ductless air is for an office in the attic.

At the same time, you won’t be cooling spaces in your home that you don’t use or are already relatively cool. That will make the unit more efficient and easier on the environment.

5. They Can Double as Heaters

Surprise! Ductless a/c units can also act as heaters for those cooler nights in January. That means you’ll not only save money from air conditioning, but you can cut your heating costs from electric baseboards as well with one system.

You may not need heating nearly as often as air conditioning year round, but there have been some record low temperatures reported in the area that will definitely benefit from a reliable heating solution.

6. Useful For Older Homes

Many older homes with limited ductwork (or no ductwork) are fine in the winter time. That’s because you can use a baseboard electric heater, space heater or a radiator to keep each room comfortable if needed.

But what about when the warmer temperatures come around?

Obviously, in this case, investing in central air would not be a good option due to the lack of air flow through the house. You could try ceiling fans, but those can only do so much when it’s sweltering out.

In this case, a ductless a/c may be your best bet. You won’t have to worry about retrofitting ductwork into your home, which often is not possible due to space and budget.

Older homes may have ductwork that is damaged or leaking. However, you won’t lose any efficiency through poor ductwork with a ductless a/c.

Ductless For Any Type of Dwelling

Whether you have a one-bedroom apartment or an oceanside home that has many rooms to cool, you can consider a ductless a/c system. Not only is the unit easy to install (by a professional), you can also reap the benefits of lower long-term costs and improved comfort.

If your current a/c isn’t performing the way it once did or your ducts are failing, then a ductless unit is definitely something to consider.

As of April 25th, 2019, home ownership in the United States is seeing new highs with a staggering 64.2% of people living in spaces that belong to them.

That heightened number likely comes thanks to the rapidly improving economy and consequential bullishness on the part of buyers and lenders.

While owning a home can be a lot of fun, it exposes you to a number of things that you’ll need to think about that you may have never considered as a renter. Among those things are deciding when it’s time to replace home windows.

If you’re not sure if your windows are due for a swap, below, we’ve compiled a list of signs to watch out for that can help you better understand when it’s time to pull the trigger.

1. Your Windows Are Damaged

The easiest sign that you’ll want to watch out for is if your windows are clearly damaged. Damage isn’t always as obvious as an outright shattered piece of glass. Damage can come in a variety of more discreet forms.

For example, if your window’s panes seem warped, meaning bent due to moisture absorption, you’ll want to think about getting them replaced.

Warped windows shatter easily and can pose a serious safety hazard.

Also, windows sporting small cracks should be swapped out. We get that the last thing you want to do is reinstall windows and read another “how shutters are installed” guide to get everything back to normal—but keep in mind that cracks grow… fast.

A small crack today could end up being a big one tomorrow, which could then lead to an outright shatter.

2. Your Energy Bill Is Mysteriously Climbing

A good window lets you peek out at what’s going on outside, but doesn’t actually let things in or out.

Unfortunately, as windows grow older, they tend to get lazy when it comes to securing their boundaries. They begin letting your hot and cold air escape. That results in your HVAC system needing to work overtime to compensate.

If you’re noticing that your electricity seems to be going up each month with no explanation, lack of insulation caused by old windows could be at fault.

3. You’re Remodeling Your Broader Home

If you’ve just secured a loan for a home remodel, we recommend putting your windows on your to-do list. Sure, if your windows seem okay, it’s tempting to just remodel around them.

The truth is though that old windows in a newly remodeled home can stand out like a sore thumb. You may have not noticed your window’s age when your home was equally-aged—but when you give your living space a facelift, you’re going to see the contrast.

Avoid the eyesore and give your windows the attention that they need.

4. A Storm Is Coming

When a storm is rolling into town, replacing your windows beforehand seems a little counter-intuitive… Right?

That depends.

If your home does not have storm-ready windows, you can expect that they’re going to shatter when high winds hit them, which can be a real problem. Because of that, it’s always worth being proactive and getting windows that are built to withstand pressure before that pressure blows into your neighborhood.

5. There Are Streaks Between Your Panes

Double and even triple glass pane windows are becoming insanely popular due to how great they are at keeping noise out and hot or cold air in. The big downside with these kinds of windows is that they’re prone to internal leaks.

Multi-pane glass is literally multiple sheets of glass sealed together. When that seal breaks, water can slip between panes, which creates streaks that you can’t clean and that look downright bad.

Are you noticing annoying streaks that you can’t get to in your multi-pane windows? If so, your best course of action is to swap them out.

6. Your Home Is Hitting the Market Soon

Curb appeal is among the top factors that help homes sell. After all, it’s the very first thing that prospective buyers will see when they’re passing by your house. First impressions are everything!

Consequently, if your house is hitting the market soon, you should consider replacing your windows—at the very least, the ones facing your curb.

It might not seem like a window swap will do too much for your selling prospects, but once you have new windows in place, you and buyers will both be blown away by how much staging “oomph” those sparkling sheets of glass will add to your home’s facade.

7. There Have Been Break-ins Locally

Newer windows come with higher standards of safety in the way of increased strength. That should be important to you if you’re noticing that your neighborhood wasn’t what it once was.

Remember, windows represent an excellent opportunity for bad actors to rob you, or worse. Don’t make those intruders’ negative intentions easy to carry out by sporting windows that won’t put up a fight.

So, When Is It Time to Replace Home Windows? It Could Be Now

We get the question, “when is it time to replace home windows?”, all the time. The truth is, there are a vast array of reasons why you might want to take a look at getting your windows swapped out.

Hopefully, our reasons above have given you things to think about. If you find yourself looking for more information on how to best manage your home, or want to move into a new one, check out more content here.

One of the top reasons families sell their homes is because they’re too small.

If you’re one of these families, it might be time to think about moving. But if you don’t know what size house you need, you might move into a house that’s too big.

That’s why we’ve put together this quick guide to help you figure out the best size home for your family.

So let’s dive in!

Think About Your Family Situation

Before you can pick the right size house for you and your family, you have to spend some time thinking about your circumstances.

To start, think about how many people will be living in the house. Is your family growing? Shrinking? Staying the same?

Parents getting ready to have kids might want to buy a home more space than they need right now so they can grow into it. Parents with kids moving off to college might be ready to downsize.

But you also have to consider other personal needs. If you work from home, you might want a house with an office. You might need extra storage space for Christmas decorations or keepsakes.

How long do you plan to live in the house? Just because you want kids in the future doesn’t mean you should move into a large house right away. It might be worth buying a smaller house first and upgrading when you’re ready.

Don’t start shopping around until you’ve thought about these things.

How To Choose The House Size That’s Right For You

Once you have a better idea of what you’ll be using your house for (kids, pets, workspace, guests, etc.), you can start figuring out the right size for your needs.

Here’s a quick list of the main things you should think about.

Number Of Bedrooms

Obviously, you’ll need enough rooms to fit everyone living in your home, but that doesn’t mean everyone needs their own rooms.

Just because you have four kids doesn’t mean you need to look for a five-bedroom house. Instead, you can have your kids double up and buy a three-bedroom home.

Once everyone has a bedroom, you should think about other rooms you might need. Do you want a guest room? A playroom for the kids? An office? A craft room?

For example, a work-from-home family with four kids might need a house with five rooms: three bedrooms, an office, and a playroom. Families that homeschool their children might need an extra room for a schoolroom.

Square Footage

No matter how many bedrooms you get, a house might still be too small for your family if those rooms are tiny. Because of this, you also have to consider the square footage.

Let’s go back to our example family of two parents and four kids.

A four bedroom house might seem like it has enough space for sleeping situations and an office, but if those bedrooms are small, two kids might not fit in one room. So even in a four bedroom house, this family would still be short one bedroom and missing an office.

You’ll also want to make sure the home has a balanced bedroom to living space ratio.

Even if a home has enough bedrooms, it won’t do much good if the living space is too tight to fit in comfortably. As a general rule, dining rooms, living rooms, and family rooms should have enough sitting space for two people per bedroom.

Number Of Bathrooms

Any home you buy should have at least two bathrooms—or at the very least one and a half. This way, there’s still a toilet available when someone’s taking a bath or a shower.

But large houses should have more than that.

For every two bedrooms in the house, there should be one bathroom. So if you plan to move into a five-bedroom house, it should have two and a half bathrooms.

Don’t settle for fewer bathrooms. A family of six trying to live with one bathroom can be a bad scene.

Amount Of Storage Space

If you have a lot of items you need to store, you might need a house with an attic or basement (or both). For other families, a garage might be all they need.

Outdoor Space

Families with young children might want plenty of backyard space for swingsets, sandboxes, or scooters. Even if you don’t have children, pets might need an outside area to exercise.

Other families may want a home with a front porch, back deck, or another area to entertain guests.

So don’t just look at the size of them home when you’re buying. Consider the size of the property as a whole.

Other Rooms/Features

You should also think about any additional features your home needs. Do you want a separate room for a gym? A media room?

If you’re having trouble finding a home that has all the features you want, you might want to turn your attention to building a custom made home instead. While this might be a bigger investment, it’ll ensure you get everything you need to live comfortably.

Spend some time doing some research an getting more info.

What Can You Afford?

Your budget is another main factor that’ll help choose the size home you end up with. You might have to squeeze into something smaller if you can’t afford the size home you want.

But you don’t have to live that way forever.

If you want to buy a bigger house, get your finances in order and come up with a plan. Living in a smaller home for a few years might help you save up enough money to move into the home of your dreams.

How To Know What Size House Is Right For Your Family

Understanding what size house is right for your family can be a challenge, especially if your family is still growing. So spend some time thinking about how many bedrooms and bathrooms you’ll need to feel comfortable in your home. And don’t forget about the square footage!

Are you getting ready to move and trying to find a new home?

Make sure you click here to take a look at some of our available properties.

More than a third of adults don’t get enough sleep at night.

When sleep is essential for physical and mental health, that’s a problem.

If you constantly wake up with back pain, you’re likely among the third of adults who don’t get the recommended amount of sleep each day.

If you’re tired (literally) of waking up with back pain, we have a few tips on how you can get a better nights sleep.

How to Stop Waking Up With Back Pain

You don’t have to accept living with back pain. There are some easy ways to alleviate it. Try a few of the following!

1. Stretch

Stretching throughout the day and before you go to bed will train your muscles to better support your spine. It will reduce tension in your back and improve your range of motion.

There are different stretches you can practice for all areas of your back, neck, and shoulders to ensure a good night’s sleep.

2. Exercise

Weak core muscles can prevent your lower back from naturally curving like it’s supposed to. Try out a few core exercises and yoga poses to strengthen your core and help alleviate your pain.

Exercising during the day can also tire you out, leaving you feeling tired enough to fall asleep quickly.

3. Get a Massage

A deep tissue massage can work out knots in your muscles that may be causing you pain. The massage can also relax you and help you release tension all over your body.

4. Try a New Pillow

Using a pillow that’s too high or too stiff can keep your neck flexed overnight, causing your neck pain in the morning. A memory foam or feather pillow conforms nicely to the shape of your neck, leaving it in a relaxed, neutral position all night.

5. Get a Custom Mattress

When you wake up with back pain, your mattress can sometimes be to blame. Sleeping on a soft or lumpy mattress made of synthetic materials can irritate your back.

Try ordering a firmer custom mattress that offers better support and keeps your spine aligned.

6. Reduce Screen Time

Looking down at your phone all day can cause your neck a lot of stress and, in extreme cases, can even pinch a cervical nerve.

Reducing screen time before bed can also help you fall asleep more quickly. Staring at a bright screen keeps you from getting relaxed.

7. Stand Up Straight

Sitting for hours while you’re at work can take its toll on your back. Instead, try standing for a few hours each day. This will strengthen your back muscles and improve your posture.

Getting a Better Nights Sleep

Sleeping in a well-ventilated room with your preferred temperature settings can help you stay asleep, but trying a few of the above tips will help you wake up feeling refreshed and pain-free.

You’ll be well on your way to a better nights sleep.

If it’s the stress of buying a home that’s keeping you awake at night, we can help you with that!

Real estate investing has a major advantage over any other form of investing. This advantage is called cash flow.

The ability to offset house expenses with tenant income can mean nonstop profits for savvy landlords. The process of becoming a successful landlord begins with understanding common house expenses, taxes and tenant responsibilities.

Check out this guide to becoming a landlord and help launch a profitable real estate investing career.

How to Become a Landlord

The most basic step to becoming a landlord is buying a property. Finding an investment property is a simple process in many housing markets. Follow the following steps to locating your first real estate investment property:

Connect with a Realtor

Though it’s possible to drive around your area looking for properties for sale, realtors have access to the multiple listing service (MLS) which can give insider details like property tax information, needed repairs, and school district.

Narrow Down Your Search

Whether you choose to work with a realtor or search on your own, you need to narrow the scope of your search by deciding on a price point and zip codes. Owning a rental property near your home is one of the easiest ways to manage your own investment. The only exception is when your own neighborhood and the surrounding area has a low demand for rental properties.

Get Preapproved

For many, this is the first step in performing a property search. Investing, however, isn’t like buying a car or a home for you to live in. It’s possible to obtain financial partners to help cover the expense of the purchase in exchange for sharing profits. Your investment can have investors, but it’s a good step to find out how much you can buy on your own.

Visit Properties

A walkthrough is critical for an investment property. The condition of the property directly relates to repair and housing expenses. Most rentals don’t require the latest kitchen appliances to attract tenants, but reliable plumbing and HVAC are necessary. Once you have a home under contract, you’ll be able to hire an inspector to make sure everything in the home is move-in ready or whether or not major renovations are needed first.

Market the Property

Once you find and close on the investment property, the next expense comes with marketing the vacant home to prospective tenants. Online services like Homes.com offer a fee to place a listing ad to prospective tenants. Your realtor might be willing to list your home on the MLS so that other realtors can refer your property to their clients.

All landlords need tenants to make a profit making the marketing strategy a big financial factor. Don’t skimp on producing a professional ad because you want to make the best impression with high-quality tenants.

Tenants

Always conduct a thorough credit and background check on new tenants. Past landlord references help give an idea of the tenant’s character and cleanliness. If you choose the right tenants, your property can remain well maintained while making you a profit each month.

It’s illegal to discriminate against a prospective renter based on race, gender, religion, family status or disability. Avoid questions on the rental application that speak to any of these tenant qualities.

Read up on the Fair Housing Act before creating your rental application if you’re unsure where to draw the line. Landlords who violate discrimination laws could be fined or jailed depending on the extent of the offense.

Focus instead on the character of the tenant and his ability to provide a stable source of income for your rental property. The rental application should include minimum requirements for doing business with you in the following areas:

• Smoking
• Pets
• Credit Score
• Annual Household Income
• Previous Evictions
• Length of Employment

You may or may not be able to ask about criminal history depending on the state. This should be a nonfactor if the tenant meets your minimum requirements in the other areas.

Follow Up on References

The trail of paperwork during the tenant screening process can seem endless. In order to save yourself the hassle of a future eviction, these paper trails are necessary.

The tenant’s credit report is full of potential references for you to follow up on. Call past and current employers to verify employment and always call past landlords.

During your interview with the tenant, she may have explained previous situations with housing that you can refer to in your conversations to gauge her level of truthfulness. A tenant willing to lie during an interview cannot be trusted with your investment property.

Read the details of the tenant’s credit report. Don’t ignore red flags. High income means nothing if a tenant carries high debt to match.

House Expenses

Reliable tenants have many housing options. Don’t assume that they don’t expect your property to be well maintained just because they are renters. They may not know the difference between a ductless air conditioner from National Air Warehouse and a second-hand unit you find on Craigslist, but they expect a clean, well functioning residence.

Consider the workload of an apartment complex. When something breaks, tenants expect immediate repair and not to have to spare any expense. This is less realistic for a privately owned single-family residence, but you should still have a plan in place to promptly respond to repairs.

Your housing expenses will cover both maintenance and repairs. Consider contracting a handyman to cover all upcoming damages to your property. Using the same person for regular maintenance can mean getting a good deal on ongoing services.

Be sure to choose a handyman who lives and works in the area where your property is located. A long drive is a deterrent for anyone and can prolong their ability to do a quick repair. The right handyman means low housing expenses in the long term.

Budgeting

Housing expenses can make or break your profit on a rental property. If it’s your first time owning a home, you might not know what to expect and how to budget for your investment. It’s important to not overspend or under prepare for housing expenses.

Network with other landlords to find out how much to budget for your property. A local real estate investment club or realtor can connect you with other landlords willing to answer questions. Some realtors are also property managers giving them insight into the costs associated with providing maintenance on a rental home.

Here are a few common fixed housing expenses you should expect to pay outside of repairs and maintenance:

Water and Sewer: If utilities are included in the tenant’s rent payment, be sure to include that in your annual expense budget.

Electric: This expense is usually the tenant’s responsibility unless the home is vacant. With multifamily housing, shared spaces like hallways and storage units incur this expense.

Trash and Recycling: Trash pickup is one easy way to help your tenants avoid rodents. Consider adding this expense to your rent to ensure your property is always serviced.

Insurance: Check your first mortgage statement to ensure insurance costs are included. If you don’t see the expense itemized, set aside the premium amount each month to be paid once each year. Installment insurance payments generally incur a fee.

Homeowners Association Fees: Many subdivisions who offer amenities like a swimming pool or tennis courts charge monthly or annual HOA fees. The HOA manages the shared amenities and creates bylaws for the entire community. Most condominium buildings require HOA fees.

Managing a property is a time-consuming process. The learning curve is steep but it’s worth it, in the end, to be able to anticipate housing expenses before they arise.

If you have a full-time job, hiring a property manager might be the most reasonable solution for maintaining your property. You lose the option to get hands-on experience, but if they keep you updated with reports and maintenance schedules you still get an overview of what’s needed to run your business.

Taxes

No matter whether you get a mortgage loan or pay cash for your rental property, taxes are due every year. Property taxes are often included with your mortgage payment, but not always.

Check your mortgage statement to avoid unneeded property tax delinquencies. Expect taxes to increase each year as property values rise. To accurately estimate your property taxes for the upcoming year, look at next year’s tax bill, not last year’s.

Your rental property is considered a source of income and must be filed on your tax return each year. Consult with an accountant to decide whether it makes sense for you to form a business or keep the income in your personal name.

The tax code changes each year which means that this year’s deductions might not apply next year. The number of deductions you’re allowed can save you hundreds, sometimes thousands, each year in tax liability so always consult with a professional to ensure you’re getting the maximum benefit.

Making Your Investment Work

Keeping good records of house expenses and income makes managing your property easier year after year. It helps you decide whether your investment is working or whether changes need to be made.

When tax season rolls around, you can make the process relatively painless by handing over all your documents at once. Commit to your rental property for the long haul for the biggest opportunity for a return on your investment.

Being a landlord isn’t a get rich quick scheme, but it’s a good option for building wealth over time. For more real estate market information, visit our website.

Staging a house is something that helps buyers really be able to imagine themselves living in it. So if you want to sell your home faster, then staging can be a clever way to do just that. You get to present the home in its ‘best light,’ so to speak, making sure that it looks spic and span, and allows the buyer to see their things in the home.

If you are selling in a competitive market, then it could be the thing that helps your home to stand out from the crowd. Plus, it is something that more and more people are used to seeing, because of show homes and so on; they want to see homes in this way.

If you’re wondering what staging a home really means, then it is the process of being quite strategic about arranging furniture and your decor to make the home look its best while selling. It could be that you pack away a lot of your items and belongings to show a cluttered environment, or could simply involve repainting in rooms to give it a fresh and light feel.

Staging your home, alongside having a good realtor like Doug Hopkins that will really sell the home for you, has been shown to make a difference to how fast the home sells, especially if you are having trouble selling your home. So here are some tips and tricks to staging your home for selling.

Get Rid of Clutter

As briefly mentioned above, clutter is a no-no when it comes to selling your home. When a potential buyer looks round and all that they can see is mess and things on every possible surface, it just shows to them that there could be a lack of storage, as well as it just generally looking messy. So look at what could be packed away, or thrown away. If you have things on top of the refrigerator or on top of kitchen cabinets, then clear them away; it all helps.

Depersonalize the Home

It is a good idea to have the home look like people live there, rather than a cold and sterile environment. But it is also a good idea to make sure that the home doesn’t look too personal to you and your family. Little trinkets and things could look nice on display, but things like photographs are best packed away. The reason being is that it helps them to imagine what they’d put there on the wall, or imagine their photos there. If your child’s artwork is on display then it can be hard for them to imagine themselves living there when all they see is your family.

Rethink Furniture

You might have got used to having your furniture in a certain way. But for staging your home, it really pays to create a look with the room that is much more aesthetically pleasing. So it could be that you rent some furniture until you sell, if your couch is a little worse for wear, perhaps. It could also mean moving furniture around, and even packing some furniture away to create a more open and airy space.

Some people are perfectly happy with buying a home off plan, or even one that has already housed a family. However, for others, only a property that is specially designed for their needs and wants will do. Of course, if you fall into the latter category but have never built your own home before, let alone a dream property, it can be something of a daunting task. Luckily, you can get some help and advice by reading our post below.

Your Needs

The first thing that you need to consider when it comes to building your dream property is how you want to live there. After all, not all of us conduct our lives in the same way.

Of course, such needs will encompass a range of other categories that must be thought through carefully as well. In fact, many people focus on how they will fit out the inside of their dream home including the type of kitchen, and the even home-wide tech they will use.

Although, it’s also important to remember that you need to consider the location that you are looking to live in here as well. This being something that may be as broad as a state or as narrow as a particular plot with a specific view.

Oh, and don’t forget to include energy issues as well, including how you will generate your own, as well as ways of keeping your consumption as low as possible. Something that can not only benefit your wallet but the environment too.

Permissions

Once you have has a good think about all the things that will make the home you are building your dream property, you then need to move onto getting permissions to create such a home in the location that you have chosen.

Of course, this means applying for and being granted a building permit which will include you providing that the building you are creating meets with national, regional, and local building codes. Something that will mean your project will be subject to inspection both during after the build.

The Build

Once you have your permissions sorted, it’s time to move onto the really tricky bit, the build itself. Of course, many brave souls attempt to build their dream home from the ground on their own, but this can prove a lengthy and exhausting process.

Happily, there are also providers that specialize in custom built homes and can even be involved from the draft stages. Something that means they know exactly what your vision is and can help you achieve it at every point of the process. All without you having to get involved with any of the heavy lifting!

Finance

Finally, if you don’t have the financial resources to create your dream home, it can be incredibly tough to get your project to the stage where you even need to consider the issues discussed above.
To that end, it’s crucial that you look for a way of funding your dream home project. Something that releasing some capital from other investments, or even seeking a property development loan from the bank can help you achieve.

It doesn’t take long for water to soak into the wood of your property and cause thousands of dollars in damage. Storms, leaking pipes, and busted appliances can all cause serious issues that aren’t just a headache to deal with but also an ache for your wallet.

To protect wood from water you’ll need to know a few things. Lucky for you, we’ve got 5 tips to prevent problems.

5 Tips for Property Managers to Protect Wood from Water

Protecting your property from water damage is an investment of time and money that will pay off in huge sums down the road. Whether you’re protecting a wooden frame of a building or using decking oil to protect additions to a home, there’s plenty you can do to prepare.

1. Keep It Dry

Let’s face it, wood that faces the outside is going to eventually get wet. Water is a death sentence for wood as it causes it to break down at a very fast pace.

Your best bet to help your wood survive the storm is to keep it dry. Drying out wood takes a lot of time, so consider preventing as much contact with water as possible with sealants.

2. Inspect for Mold

Left unchecked, mold will spread and potentially become deadly. The mold isn’t just dangerous for the wood but also your health.

Check for spots of mold in any areas that receive constant exposure to moisture. This includes outdoor furniture and basement construction near pipes and water heaters.

3. Proper Design

There’s actually a lot you can do to prevent things like rain and other normal water exposure to your wood. Constructing overhangs in a way that sends shedding water away from your walls and into proper drainage areas is one of the best things you can do.

When inspecting your property for improvements you can make or finding the right business property, keep a focus on design elements that can prevent disaster.

4. Check for Gaps

Over time, certain fixtures like doors and windows will expand and allow more moisture into the home. You may even need to replace your front door if the frame has expanded and allows rainwater to seep under the door.

Perform regular inspections of your windows, doors and any other portals to the outside during storms when it is easier to find leaks.

5. Hidden Damage

We’ve talked a lot about inspection, but what about the areas that you can’t see with the naked eye?

Wooden fences that are planted into the dirt, decks, and porches that have a buildup of soil and debris around the foundation and wooden frames behind drywall and appliances can become damaged without you knowing. Check these areas on a regular schedule to avoid nasty surprises.

You Wouldn’t Want Your Wood to Get Wet

Even with all the precautions you can take, let’s face it, wood can and will get wet eventually. Once you find signs of water damage or mold you need to act as quick as possible to protect wood from water.

Protecting your property is tough and water is one of your biggest enemies. Good luck in the fight to keep your property and real estate safe from the storm. Check out some more tips and information on property and real estate.