SkyFive Properties Blog

Flooring is inarguably among the most crucial elements of interior design. It is one of the first parts of the home a person makes contact with, visually, and physically.

This makes it crucial to invest in quality flooring that will look beautiful for long taking foot traffic without succumbing to scratches and other forms of impact.

So, are you looking to install new flooring in your home, or perhaps seeking flooring remodel ideas? Read on below for some ideas that might inspire you.

1. Go Hybrid for a Unique Look of Timber

Perhaps the best thing about timber floors is the unique, beautiful, and natural look they bring into your home. They are also relatively tough and durable, healthier, and easier to clean compared to other flooring options like carpets.

The main downside is that timber floors can sometimes be delicate, plus installation can be overly taxing. This is where hybrid flooring comes in as a great alternative.

Made from compressed layers of materials like vinyl and laminate, this type of flooring provides most if not all the benefits realized from timber flooring.

Apart from being easy to install, hybrids also come in a range of different sizes, colors, and finishes to choose from depending on your budget. Besides the unique look they provide in each room, the surface is also highly scratch-resistant and waterproof.

2. Extend Your Flooring Outside For Some Continuity

Having a patio in your home is advantageous in many ways. Besides making your property more attractive, it is that place where you can relax, get some fresh air or a good dose of natural vitamin D from sunshine every once in a while.

With some decking in this and other areas around your house, the outdoor space becomes more appealing and functional.

Flooring that resembles your living room flooring in the outdoors or patio can create a sense of projected space when one looks through the glass, thus introducing flow and continuity. There are many different outdoor flooring options to pick from, including composite, ceramic tiles, artificial grass, concrete paving, and a lot more.

3. Imitate Wood with Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic tiles are another great option to consider for your interior flooring. Today’s ceramic tiles come in a broad range of colors to pick from, including those that mimic the look of wooden flooring.

The best part is that ceramic tile flooring has many benefits besides versatile designs and colors. For instance, it is quite affordable, easy to maintain, and fire-resistant.

It is also among the healthiest flooring options, especially due to its slip-resistant and hypoallergenic properties. They can also be installed to match other flooring designs. To create a retro look or an industrial trend in your home patterned ceramic tiles are the way to go.

4. Bring the Outdoors inside Using Vinyl Grass Flooring

Nothing is more comforting than bringing nature inside your home. While most people achieve this by introducing houseplants like the fiddle leaf plant, you could achieve even more using flooring.

For instance, you could use vinyl flooring with a natural, outdoorsy look. This is often called grass effect vinyl flooring, which you could install at a dedicated space in your home to create that outdoor effect.

The importance of flooring on a home’s value and attractiveness cannot be overlooked. If you’re about to take up a flooring remodel or installation project, the above ideas will hopefully get you inspired!

Many homeowners that are looking to sell their home might be wondering about selling their home for cash. Selling your home for cash is possible and there are some steps that you should take, though. Homeowners also must be careful with making sure that everything is done legally and with legitimate buyers. Selling your home for cash needs to be done properly with some legal help just to make sure that things are legit and taken care of professionally and properly. This may mean getting an attorney for escrow or making sure that the home buying company you’re going through is vetted. Not everyone who offers cash for houses is legit, unfortunately.

Is It Illegal To Sell A House For Cash?

It’s not illegal to sell a home for ash. A lot of people may be concerned about letting someone buy your home for cash or selling a home for cash. Selling your home for cash is completely legal, however, there are some things that you should watch out for if you’re considering selling your house for cash.

Taking cash for your house isn’t exactly what it sounds like. Someone can’t bring you $300,000 in actual cash to pay for your home, as that is definitely illegal. Buying a home for cash just means that the new homeowner will not be paying a mortgage and they have bought the home outright. There are still some legal steps that will be needed to ensure the legitimacy of the transaction, the buyer, and the seller. Overall though, it is completely legal to sell a house for cash as long as the proper legal steps are taken.

Is It Safe To Sell A House To A Cash Buyer?

Some homeowners might be worried about selling their house to a cash buyer. This is a common concern when it comes to cash transactions of any kind. Overall it is safe to sell your house to a cash buyer, but there are some steps you should take in order to make sure you are selling to a reputable and trustworthy buyer, whether that be a cash buyer or even a company that buys homes for cash.

When a homeowner is looking to sell a home for cash, they should really look at who they are selling to. A cash buyer may be interested in the home, but may not be trustworthy or truly have the money for the home. Homeowners should ask lots of questions to the cash buyer. One of the most important things that you must make sure of is that the cash buyer truly has the agreed-upon amount that will need to be paid for the home. Cash buyers are not legitimate if they don’t have the funds to pay for the home.

Asking questions to the buyer will help the homeowner to ensure legitimacy. Trusting the cash buyer is a huge part of selling to the cash buyer. Homeowners should have a lot of conversations when it comes to the transaction to make sure that both parties are on the same page. Getting An attorney is a good option just to make sure that it is legally set up and also to look over the contract. Making sure that the contract is completely solid and everything makes sense and is agreed upon by both the buyer and the seller is very important as well.

Selling to a cash buyer is very safe as long as the transaction is made with the right intentions. Getting an attorney will help with mediating and helping to distinguish the contract. Trust and communication are important when working with selling a home to a cash buyer.

What Are The Legal Steps To Selling A House For Cash?

There are a few essential steps when it comes to selling a house for cash. There are parts of selling a home that must be done with the help of an attorney usually. These steps are important just to make sure that everything is legal and there is nothing that either party is unsure of when it comes to the agreement.

The major step that will need to be done when selling a home is the contract. This is a huge part of the transaction as the contract lays out the entire agreement. You can have an attorney look over the contract just to make sure everything is how it’s supposed to be based on what both parties agreed upon. Also, it will help to just clarify anything that might not make sense to the average person.

Making sure the funds are available is also important. When selling a house the seller must make sure that the potential buyer actually has the funds to buy the home with cash. This could mean placing some sort of down payment or hold on the home. Escrow is another essential part as this would be the last step in the sales process. All closing documents will be looked over, signed and the funds will be transferred as well as any legal documents will be taken care of as well.

Do Cash Buyers Fall Through?

Unfortunately, cash buyers can fall through, but that’s why it’s important to take the proper steps to ensure that you’re choosing the right buyer. Most buyers fall through because of funds or agreements. In order to prevent this, you need to ensure that the potential buyer does have the funds to purchase the house and also make sure that an attorney is there with you to go over the contract. This will ensure that both parties know the agreement.

Selling Your House For Cash

Overall, selling your home for cash is legal and very beneficial in some circumstances. If you’re looking into it, just make sure to follow the important steps in order to have a safe and fair transaction. Trusting the buyer is important and making sure that everything legally is taken care of will make sure that everything is legitimate and legally taken care of. Selling your home with cash is beneficial and can be done easily with the help of some resources.

If growing your own fruits and vegetables is something you are interested in, you should not be discouraged by a lack of gardening space or actual experience in planting crops.

Some crops are much easier to grow than others, and you will be surprised to see all the amazing fruits and veggies you can plant at home, even as a beginner and even when available space might be at a premium.

Peppers

If you enjoy eating peppers, you must have noticed they are normally full of seeds. In order to plant your own tasty peppers, just collect the seeds from one that you consumed, use a paper towel to dry them, and then plant the seeds in a pot or in your garden. Peppers can also be grown in small containers. They should be planted in well-drained soil and exposed to plenty of direct sunlight.

Garlic

Garlic is one of the easiest edible plants you can grow, and it also tends to grow faster than weeds. To plant your own garlic, take one of its cloves and bury it in shallow ground, with the pointy tip facing upwards. Water it for a few days, and soon you will see a green shoot rising from it, and growing surprisingly fast. After a while, the clove you planted will grow into an entirely new head of garlic.

Tomatoes

Growing your own tomatoes may seem like a hassle, but in reality, it is quite simple. Tomatoes are pretty versatile when it comes to gardening space – they can be planted outside, in containers, or plant cages. Ideally, you should plant them in summer since they benefit from direct sunlight, and use rich, draining soil. Tomatoes also require generous watering that keeps the fruit from cracking. Once you taste homegrown tomatoes, you will hardly ever wish to eat store-bought ones again.

Potatoes

It is surprisingly easy to grow potatoes, especially since you can do it using large pots, or even giant bags. For example, you can use an old compost bag. Add a few potato seeds to a layer of compost, use another layer to cover the seeds, and then leave them to grow. When you notice leaves growing out, cover them with a little more compost. Repeat the process until the bag is full, and after that, you will just need to water regularly. Ten to twenty weeks later, you will be able to enjoy your first batch of homegrown potatoes.

Strawberries

Strawberries are known as one of the easiest fruits to grow. They can be cultivated in the ground, in containers, or in raised garden beds. It is best to plant them in springtime, as they require six to eight hours of sunshine. Before planting the seeds, you should soak them in water and plant food for two hours. Once you plant your strawberries, you can expect them to crop nicely for three to four years, with minimal maintenance.

Lemons

If you are a fan of making fresh lemonades or you tend to use lemon zest in some of your delicious meals, you will surely benefit from having a lemon tree at hand. All you need to do is pick the seeds next time you use a lemon, clean them nicely, and make sure to dry them properly. After that, you just need to plant the seeds in your garden or in a large pot, and in one to two years, you will get to enjoy your own lemons.

Radishes

Radishes are easier to grow than other root vegetables because they don’t need exceptionally deep soil to thrive. There is also no need to be too careful when it comes to spacing out the seeds, at least not if you stick to smaller radishes. These amazing plants can be harvested a month after being planted and they do not require too much sunlight to grow. Whether you enjoy mild-tasting radishes or more peppery ones, all you need to do is pick your favorites and start planting.

Now that you know which fruits and vegetables are the easiest to grow, you can start creating your little colorful garden at home. Once you discover just how easy and rewarding it can be to grow your own food, you’ll probably want to expand the variety of crops.

It’s no secret that the last few years have been a bit of a whirlwind for all industries – including the real estate industry. Thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, Canada’s real estate market took a big hit in the beginning of 2020. However, when people were forced to work from home, a need for more space arose and a surge in home sales, combined with low inventory, shot home prices up by 13 percent! In 2021, costs continued to rise another 21 percent, while housing supply remained an issue. The national average rose to about $686,000, with busier cities such as Toronto and Vancouver continuing to rise to an average of nearly $1 million in 2022.

So, with all of that information, the question remains: Is now the right time to invest in the Canadian real estate market? In this article, we’ll explore the statistics and predictions of the 2022 market and try to find an answer to that question.

Housing Prices Across Canada

To begin, let’s take a look at the average home costs in different regions of Canada. The Canadian Real Estate Association provides the numbers of the general cost of buying a home in each province. Here’s what they have to say about home sales within the last year:

• Ontario homes sold for an average of $922,580, with properties in the Greater Toronto Area selling for an average of $1.10 million.
• British Columbia homes sold for an average of $992,844, with properties in Metro Vancouver selling for an average of $1.172 million.
• Property costs in Edmonton and Calgary increased by 6 and 5 percent.
• Newfoundland and Labrador was the most inexpensive place to buy real estate with an average cost of $272,964.

As you can see, housing costs vary depending on the area of Canada you’re looking to buy. More populated areas such as Toronto, Edmonton, and Vancouver tend to have a higher cost of living, while less populated regions such as Saskatchewan and the Maritimes tend to be lower. 2021 saw a great increase in housing costs, with a record low supply of real estate and it doesn’t seem like 2022 is going to be much different.

Profitability in Real Estate

Multi-unit housing has become an increasingly popular form of income for many Canadians. Based on last year’s statistics regarding demand and costs, it seems like this trend isn’t going to stop anytime soon. If you’re looking for an investment that will continue to grow in the future, buying apartments or townhomes may be your best bet.

If you’re hoping to make a profit from real estate in 2022, multi-family housing or commercial properties are an excellent investment. Now is a great time to break into this niche of real estate, as many Canadians wishing to live in bigger cities may not be able to afford purchasing a home so they turn to rental options instead.

In the coming year, it’s estimated that there may be tighter monetary policies as hinted by the Bank of Canada. Rising bond yields, higher mortgage rates, and fixed high-ratio mortgage rates, which have already risen over the summer and late into 2021, could impair housing affordability. This is enough to turn potential home-buyers into renters.

What Could 2022 Bring to Canadian Real Estate?

There are many speculations on what 2022 will bring to the Canadian real estate industry. Experts are predicting that the rapid climb in housing prices may stabilize, if not increase more minutely than the previous year. That, combined with the current low mortgage rates, creates the ideal time to purchase a home.

The Canadian savings rate has changed significantly since the start of the Covid pandemic, exceeding 20 percent in the summer of 2020 and remaining in double digits in late 2021. This means that there is a wealth of well-qualified borrowers who can enter the housing market or upgrade the home they currently own.

The toughest part of being a buyer in 2022 is the housing supply. Record low inventory makes for a very competitive market, which has contributed to the record high home sales. While these statistics should not discourage potential homeowners, it should serve as a reminder that there is still a lack of properties on the market. The housing supply has been low for over 3 years now and without any sign of increasing in 2022, this trend could continue until 2023.

Let’s take a look at Vancouver, specifically. The large city in British Columbia began 2022 with an all-time low housing supply, with an inventory of just 12,179 units. This was a 41 percent drop from the beginning of 2021. It’s no surprise then, that housing costs in this area have skyrocketed and don’t seem to be coming down any time soon. These numbers have popped up all over Canada, mainly in the larger, more densely populated cities. If you’re considering waiting it out until next year, you may find yourself waiting a long time for inventory to pick up.

As you can see, there are many things to consider when it comes to investing in the Canadian real estate market. Whether you’re looking to buy a property for yourself or as an investment, it’s important to do your research and understand what’s happening in each province. Keep in mind that the market is constantly changing, so make sure to stay up-to-date on the latest news. With a little bit of luck and some good timing, you may be able to make a healthy return on your investment in 2022!

via:pexels

The definition of remote real estate investing is broad, but it basically involves owning rental property outside your local market or even country. This could involve anything from vacation home rentals to foreign investments in every corner of the globe. The possibilities are endless, which is exactly why remote real estate investing is growing so quickly.

However, this type of investment is not without risk. As with any real estate purchase, you want to make sure that your choice meets the following: high rates of return, low appreciation in value, and minimal risk for property loss or damage. Here are a few examples of potential selections:

• Vacation Rental Units
• Leisure/Resort Property
• Foreign Investment Opportunities

You can find a ton of different real estate opportunities online to meet your criteria for any investment amount. The Internet age has made it easier to locate, research, and purchase property from the comfort of your own home.

Why Is Remote Real Estate So Popular?

Investing in remote real estate is a great way to save both time and money. With the vast amount of resources available, investing in property can be done from anywhere at any time. It’s never been easier to research property values, the history of a home, market analysis, and estimated expenses. Virtual real estate also allows for investors to be “present” in the deals and management, even from afar. They could successfully manage a rental home without ever setting foot on the property.

Investing in remote real estate also allows for incredible flexibility. Real estate in general offers a wealth of opportunities. But remote real estate opens up a whole new world of possibility! There are virtually no boundaries when it comes to choosing a property to invest in and investors can find just about anything to fit their specific budget and goals.

In some cases, you can invest in property in other states where the market may be more viable and profitable. Investors can find the stable market areas and get the most bang for their buck by investing out-of-state. Many investors have found that home prices in their own local markets have risen so much in recent years that it’s become virtually impossible to find a deal. Instead of turning to foreclosure or other low-end opportunities, investors can instead look out of state and invest where the appreciation has not been as extreme.

In addition, remote real estate investing is a great option for young professionals who want to own a piece of property but have been unable to find local affordable properties. These new investors from out-of-state can get in on the real estate market without having to deal with high mortgage payments or other associated costs that come along with buying a home.

Will This Trend Continue In 2022?

The last five years has seen a significant increase in out-of-state real estate investors. This is due to several factors:

• Housing costs have hit an all-time high
• Property taxes are rising
• Anti-landlord legislation has been set in place

Many investors are seeking higher returns on their money without added risk. These factors have made it easier for people to invest remotely in any property that appeals to them, whether it’s a single-family home, apartment complex or commercial building. This trend continues to grow and shows no sign of slowing in 2022.

How Remote Real Estate Investment Is Easier Than Ever

In our age of technology, it’s never been easier to access real estate opportunities. Whether you’re a seasoned real estate investor or a first-time buyer looking to diversify your portfolio, there are more opportunities than ever before. Pinpointing the city, neighborhood, and exact property that fits your needs is possible from anywhere in the world. Also, it’s worth noting that remote investing is not just for international investors but also national investors who don’t have the time or ability to drive around looking for neighborhoods and properties to invest in.

There are plenty of tools that help aid remote real estate investing:

• Online platforms dedicated to remote real estate investment specifically
• Digital transactions and documentations
• More complex and diverse photography options–drone photos and videos, 3D pictures, virtual open houses, and more

Where Are The Popular Remote Real Estate Investment Opportunities?

Many cities offer ample opportunity when it comes to real estate investment. In the past, large cities were seen as a no-brainer for property investment. But now, even smaller towns have become desirable places to invest in due to growing populations and the economy.

Smaller markets have been trending recently because they offer a unique opportunity for investors who want to escape mainstream real estate markets and find a boutique market that is easier to break into and invest in.

Districts such as Yonkers, New York have become the hottest areas for real estate investment. These cities just outside of larger cities allow a diverse selection of real estate, access to all the big-city amenities while featuring a small-town charm, and so much more! For those looking to break into remote real estate, these are the types of areas you should be looking at!

For investors who are looking for more variety when it comes to investing, remote real estate investment offers an easy way to diversify your portfolio without sacrificing returns. With so many types of opportunities out there that appeal to all sorts of investors, the trend of remote real estate investment is not expected to slow in 2022.

Hard money loans are an intriguing alternative to standard forms of lending, and they are popular among certain types of borrowers for a few reasons.

If you’re new to the concept of hard money loans, it’s important to get to grips with the concept and understand the benefits as well as the risks involved. So here are a few main talking points to expand your knowledge.

Image Source: Pixabay

What is a hard money loan?

Simply put, a hard money loan is usually provided to people who want to purchase property without having to go through the rigmarole of getting a traditional mortgage.

Hard money lenders can hand over the funds within a few days of an application being made, and they tend to fall outside the bounds of the usual banks and brokers that offer mainstream property loan packages.

People usually turn to hard money loans if they want to flip a property. Buying a dilapidated home, sprucing it up and selling it quickly to turn a profit is appealing, and this type of financing makes it a possibility for more people.

As such it shouldn’t be considered as an alternative to a mortgage if you are hoping to live in the property in the long term.

What are the advantages of a hard money loan?

One of the main perks of finding hard money lending near you is that getting approved is more straightforward. While a mortgage might require weeks of wrangling to get off the ground, and involve a thorough check of your financial status, the barrier to entry for hard money loans is generally lower.

This is because hard money lenders aren’t usually interested in things like your credit score or the size of your pay packet. Instead, they mainly determine whether or not to approve a loan based on the value of the property you intend to purchase.

Likewise because the property itself will be collateral for the loan, you won’t need to stump up a big deposit to get your foot in the door.

Furthermore, since hard money lenders operate outside the heavily regulated mortgage market, they can be more flexible in the terms they offer to borrowers. This can help to take your specific circumstances into account, and also afford you wiggle room with a bit of negotiation.

What are the downsides?

The speed, convenience and flexibility of hard money loans of course means that the individuals and businesses that offer them are invariably taking a greater risk when working with borrowers.

The upshot of this is that interest rates tend to be steeper than they would be if you were buying with a standard mortgage. In addition you may pay higher fees for closing, admin and other services than would be charged by a mainstream lender.

The second caveat is that hard money loans will require borrowers to repay the original amount plus interest in a far shorter span of time. While mortgages can play out over 20 to 30 years, hard money loans might have repayment schedules that are far tighter.

This goes back to the property flipping purpose of these loans. Operators in this field should expect to have a property brought up to spec and back on the market as soon as possible, hence why hard money loans work in their favor.

If you are confident you can deliver on a property project quickly, and you need a loan that matches your speedy turnaround expectations, the hard money option could be ideal. If you are buying a family home to live in, a mortgage is far better.

A little more than one-third of all U.S. homeowners have a free and clear title without a monthly mortgage payment.

If you’re one of the many Americans who need a home loan to purchase a house, you probably have been thinking about your mortgage options.

Besides fixed-rate and adjustable rate mortgages, there’s another type of loan called a bridge loan.

Have you heard of bridge loans for home purchase? Are you wondering if they’re a good idea? Keep reading and learn more about these types of loans.

What is a Bridge Loan?

When you have to move for a job or other reason, you may not be able to sell your house before buying another one in your new location. When this happens, you can get a bridge loan.

A bridge loan helps solve the financing problem that may arise when you find yourself in a position where you end up with two homes. These short-term loans, usually 6 months to a year, provide cash flow to the homebuyer during this transitional period.

These loans allow buyers to get additional funds or use equity from their current home before a sale is complete. This comes in handy in a tight market. Bridge loans eliminate the need to make an offer contingent on selling the current home.

Reasons to Get a Bridge Loan

Let’s take a look at some common reasons to apply for a bridge loan.

• can’t afford the down payment on the new house without selling the current home
• sellers in the area are not accepting offers with contingencies
• trying to purchase a new home quickly
• prefer to buy a new home before listing the current home
• closing dates are not lining up

These loans tend to come from the lender that is financing your new home purchase.

Good Idea or Not?

We’ve talked about the reasons for seeking this type of loan and it sounds like a smart idea, but is it? While these loans help “bridge” a gap in your real estate dealings, there are some negatives involved.

The interest rates are higher. Trying to manage two mortgages is stressful. You have to have at least 20% equity in your home. The lender may require you to use them to obtain your new mortgage.

What will you do if you have trouble selling your property? It could end up in foreclosure.

Follow this link to learn more about bridge loan investment and a variety of other types of loans. The application process is easy, closings are quick, and the customer service is top-notch. Start your application today and let us help you grow your business!

Bridge Loans for Home Purchase

Depending on your circumstances, bridge loans for home purchase can give you the cash you need to spend on a new home while waiting for the other home to sell. Remember when you get a bridge loan you might end up having to pay off multiple loans at the same time.

Be sure to bookmark our site for easy access to more real estate advice and information!

Even though buying a new home is an exciting process, it can also be a bit overwhelming when you don’t have the right knowledge. By using the services of a mortgage broker who provides recommendations and advice on making the right choice, a lot of people get the help they need when buying a property.

For instance, if you’re looking to purchase property in LA where there is a massive influx of inhabitants looking to make their dreams come true, a Los Angeles mortgage broker can help you go through the process painlessly and stress-free.

Currently, there are over 23,125 mortgage brokers employed in the United States. As you can see, many people are heavily relying on brokers. No matter if you’re looking for a refinance of your existing loan or a new mortgage with which to purchase a home, you will need to decide whether you want to hire a mortgage broker or work directly with a lender.

What Is a Mortgage Broker?

A mortgage broker is an intermediary that helps borrowers and lenders connect with each other. This type of broker will work directly with you in deciding what kind of mortgage you need, and then they will work on finding a deal that matches your standards. They will help you through every step of applying for a mortgage, providing services such as:

• Searching the market to find deals that match your standards
• Suggest a mortgage that will suit your needs
• Help you assess your financial situation

Benefits of Hiring a Mortgage Broker

Now that we’ve gone through what a mortgage broker is, we can dive into the benefits they bring to the table.

Lower Costs and Rates

One of the biggest benefits of working with a mortgage broker is that they should be able to save you money. You’re hiring someone who will assess your situation and needs, and will recommend what is right for you financially. A proper mortgage broker will look beyond the best rate and take into account any applicable fees.

Expert Financial Advice

A lot of the time homebuyers overestimate how much they can really afford. They might overlook some issues like maintenance costs, early renovations, and taxes. With a mortgage broker, you will get a legitimate professional who will do their best to give you great advice. They will give you an honest assessment of what you can realistically afford by going over your financial statements.

Negotiation on Your Behalf

Most banks will negotiate some terms on their loans, and the negotiation can be really stressful. The terms on the loans will vary from bank to bank, and a well-renowned professional will know all the banks involved with lending. Typically, a mortgage broker will be able to negotiate better terms for a loan than you can get by yourself.

Increased Efficiency

Working through the real estate and financial markets is what mortgage brokers do for a living. They are experts when it comes to handling financial matters such as repayments and negotiations. As a result of their experience and expertise, they’re a lot more equipped to close and accelerate deals than a regular person. If you’re hoping for a quick process, then you should definitely consider hiring a mortgage broker.

Added Flexibility

Working with a direct lender could mean getting stuck into a strict set of conditions. On the other hand, you will gain more flexibility in the closing process when you work with a mortgage broker. The professional you’ve chosen to work with can increase leniency rates for any credit issues or paperwork you may encounter, and they can also help negotiate closing times with lenders.

Help With Paperwork

When you’re applying for a mortgage, there will be plenty of paperwork you will need to complete, whether it’s your own records to sort through or forms to fill. When you hire a mortgage broker, you will have someone who knows exactly what forms need to be filled out and what documents you need to submit, which will make your life a lot easier.

Final Thoughts

The bottom line is, hiring a mortgage broker will get you many benefits at a fairly low cost. They will save your money and time while simultaneously ensuring that you get the best possible deal for the situation you’re in.

Moreover, you will get peace of mind from knowing your finances are being managed by someone who has the proper knowledge when it comes to mortgages. Hire a mortgage broker and see for yourself that the process of buying a new home doesn’t have to be difficult.

Older homes are mostly seen as classic, charming, and beautiful pieces of art. They were built many years ago using materials that are mostly not used today and remind us of where we have come from as human beings. Some people love staying in older homes and value them a lot.

However, they can be quite uncomfortable and feel drafty especially when the weather is cold. Modern homes are designed with comfort and temperature in the house in mind. This is unlike older homes that rely on nature for their ventilation.

Image source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-female-doctor-giving-online-consultation-8376258/

Most of them are said to use air leaks for breathing – or rather letting air in and out of the house through transfer by materials used when building them and infiltration. Infiltration is the movement of air through joints and cracks.

This explains the reason why some older homeowners have been looking at the options they have for weatherproofing their homes. During the cold season, people living in older homes are the first ones to be affected. This can be blamed on their seasoned construction that makes them lose heat.

Here are some of the options available for older homeowners who would like to weatherproof their homes;

Point Up Foundations

A bigger percentage of older houses are constructed on block foundations, brick, or stone. When it comes to weatherproofing such homes, the secret is making sure that you have sealed all the necessary gaps that might be available for you to prevent heat from escaping.

You can do that through Polyflex weatherstripping which is used to provide waterproofing coating for brickwork, stone, and concrete. You can use it in and outside the house to ensure that all gaps are blocked.

Polyflex weatherstripping is not only good for weatherproofing but also for preventing the seepage of pollutants, salt, and water

Sealing Door and Window Exteriors

One way of weatherproofing an older home is through sealing door and window exteriors. You can do this by caulking the frame of the doors and windows paying close attention to the areas between clapboards or shingles and trim edges. This is important in preventing water and air infiltration through gaps existing in these areas.

You also need to make sure that joints between different building materials are also caulked. This could be areas such as the joints between stone and wood. When doing this, you need to make sure that the undersides of doors and windows are not caulked.

This is because these areas are very important for letting vapor escape from your home. You can use polyurethane or clear silicone caulks for this work.

Fireplace Dampers

Most older houses come with fireplaces with dampers fixed above the firebox. They are used for closing the flue to ensure that heat loss is limited when the fireplace is not in use. Most homeowners only inspect their fireplaces when preparing their homes for the winter season.

However, sometimes the dampers might be shut or completely open, something caused by fallen debris or damage from old age. This causes heat loss and might make a home quite uncomfortable.

You need to ensure that the damper works well to keep your home warm at all times. You can call an expert to fix it in case of any problems.

Door Weatherstrips

Even though they are old, some older homes already have weatherstrips mounted on the surface of their doors. These might include things such as sweeps on the floor and rubber bulbs on the jamb of the doors.

If you have done everything to weatherproof the home but still feel that it is still uncomfortable, you need to inspect the seals to see if there are any drafts. You can do this using an incensed lighted stick and adjust the seals to cover any gaping holes.

You can also check any metallic weatherstrips to see if they have all their sections or if some of them are bent from damage and old age and repair them or replace any parts that could be missing.

Conclusion

Living in an older house can be fun but uncomfortable especially due to the escape of regulated air in the house.

However, you do not need to hire someone to take care of insulation for your home. You can weatherproof your older home using readily available materials on your own and make it more comfortable for yourself and your family.

Hosting an Airbnb location is an excellent way to make upwards of five figures per year in additional income. The amount that you make is dependant on how well you’re able to host as well as the quality of your rental unit.

Hosts that make the most money put real effort into their Airbnb designs. We’re going to look at some Airbnb design ideas today, giving you a little inspiration to find the look that will make your rental more enjoyable.

Hopefully, the Airbnb host tips below inspire you to curate the best possible experience for your guests. Let’s get started.

1. Peaceful Bohemian Getaway

The bohemian look is a popular one among Airbnb hosts. It’s something that people long for but don’t often achieve in their normal lives.

People with busy lives or different social expectations might not invest time into making a comfortable and stylistic home environment. That’s where you come in.

Try creating a super-cozy environment with muted and warm color schemes. Then invest in a number of plants to line the shelves, walls, and surfaces. The idea is here is somewhere that feels partly tropical, partly nap-worthy, and very comfortable.

2. Regal

On the flip side of things, some people enjoy stepping away into an air of classiness. If you own a Victorian home or have a traditional space that could get reworked into an art-deco environment, you should capitalize on this potential.

This style is emphasized by a lot of geometric patterns, 20’s-style artwork, and muted furniture tones.

3. Off-Grid

There’s a big market of people who are really looking to get away from the humdrum of normal life. These are the individuals who would love an Airbnb that’s simple, remote, and closer to glamping than staying in a hotel.

Make sure that the structure is safe, has heating abilities, and provides some small activities for people to participate in (Yatzhee, checkers, crosswords) if you don’t have electricity.

4. Standard Respite

While many of us are interested in a little variety, there’s nothing wrong with sticking to what we know. A lot of people enjoy very standard and comfortable housing.

Think a standard hotel. Just visit a hotel or two to pull ideas from and make a mirror image. People enjoy the familiar comfort.

5. Personal Curation

Another aspect of Airbnb that guests enjoy is the fact that they’re staying in someone else’s space. In other words, they appreciate the care and design work that other individuals invest in their property.

If you’re not very confident about your interior design, try taking some home staging classes.

6. Ever-Changing Trendy

There’s a reason that home trends are popular. People enjoy hunkering down in a place that’s on the cutting edge of trends on social media platforms and magazines.

If you’re one to follow those things, try mirroring your Airbnb designs and see if it helps your reviews at all.

7. Simple and Comfortable

At the end of the day, there’s something about a room that’s straightforward and very comfortable. You might just need a soft bed and a big couch in front of a television to make someone happy.

It’s a simple thing to design and it’ll serve anyone who enters your doors.

Looking for More Airbnb Designs?

Hopefully, the ideas above helped you think about how to decorate your Airbnb. It’s challenging to come up with ideas on the spot, so a little help goes a long way when it comes to staging a home.

We’re here to help with more information. Explore our site for more ideas in home design, passive income, financial wellness, health, and more.