According to billionaire Andrew Carnegie, 90% of millionaires gained their wealth through real estate.

If you’re looking to snowball your money and join that 90%, it’s time to start thinking seriously about real estate investment. But, a lot of people are put off by the amount of time it will take just to manage the properties.

This is where commercial property management comes in. With the right team behind you, making money from your real estate will be a breeze!

Learn more about how a property management company can help you in our guide.

The Pressures of Managing Property

Whilst commercial property investment is a big money-maker, it’s certainly not free of its fair share of pressures. As they say, no pain no gain! Here are just a few examples of the work that goes into managing your investment:

• Finding good tenants
• Keeping current tenants
• Dealing with tenants that don’t comply with your terms
• Maintenance work that needs to be managed
• Fluctuating budgets and cash flows

That’s just a small sample of the many situations you’ll have to deal with. At a moment’s notice, you could be called in to deal with an unruly tenant or a maintenance issue, putting everything else on hold. It’s not hard to see why you’d want someone else to manage all of this for you!

Property investment is a challenging venture that requires expertise, contacts, and persistence. You may avoid the time, effort, and hassles associated with property-related problems by hiring someone knowledgeable. This is one reason why you should consider property insurance for your business. It provides you with financial protection against losses that may occur during normal business operations. The insurance company contributes to paying the expenses of insured losses up to the limits of your policy. You could have to spend the charges out of your pocket if you don’t have insurance.

If you think those millionaires were managing their own properties, you’d be very wrong. They hired companies to do it for them.

What is Commercial Property Management?

A commercial property management company deals with your non-residential investments. These can include retail spaces, offices, shopping centers, and storage facilities. Essential, they deal with all the tasks that keep your property up and running, making sure you’re getting an income from your investment.

The company will have a whole team to take over your tasks. They’ll do everything from creating and renewing leases to getting a maintenance team out to deal with problems, as well as servicing properties and installing integrated systems to keep your sites secure.

They’re organized, meticulous, and have the time on their hands to deal with the problems you cant.

The Benefits of Hiring Property Management

Aside from relieving you of the many tasks that come with commercial property investment, what are the other benefits of a management team? Let’s take a look.

Bring in High-Quality Tenants

Your management team should bring in high-quality tenants to occupy your commercial real estate. They’ll have a process already in place to screen tenants, including interviews and background checks. They’ll make sure to find tenants who will pay their rent every month, stay for longer times, and be less troublesome than some.

Avoid Legal Issues

Legal issues can be a massive pain for real estate investors. If you don’t know the ins and outs of the law, it’s easy to get in trouble!

Luckily, a property management company will know the ins and outs. They’ll know real estate laws like the back of their hand and will stop you from getting in any trouble. From creating leases and evicting tenants, to inspecting the property and collecting rent, they’ll do it all by the book to avoid any legal risks.

Reduce Your Vacancy Periods

Vacancy periods are a nightmare for any real estate owner, commercial, or otherwise. Your property sits vacant and your income stops.

One of the roles of a good management company is to make sure you have short vacancy periods. As soon as your last tenant gives their notice, they’ll start hunting for new tenants straight away. They’ll market your property online, make sure it’s noticed, and work out the best rent to get new tenants in quickly without leaving you short-changed.

Collect Rent Efficiently

If you’re managing your properties on your own, it can be hard to keep up with rent collection. Spotting a missed payment isn’t as easy as you might think! Your management team will do this for you, making sure the rent is always collected on time and you have a reliable cash flow.

Lower Maintenance Costs

By dealing with maintenance yourself, you might find yourself paying more than you should for emergency teams. By hiring a property management company, you hand this role over to them. They’ll usually have a team on hand to deal with maintenance issues, and you’ll know that any problems are dealt with quickly and cost-effectively.

How to Find a Good Commercial Property Manager

If you’ve decided it’s time to hire a commercial property manager, it’s vital you find a great team to make sure you get all of the benefits mentioned above. Make a list of the type of company you’re looking for and the unique needs of your properties before starting the hunt.

If you know any other real estate investors, ask who they use, whether they’d recommend their team, and why. You can also ask in online forums and on relevant social media groups, but be wary of biased opinions here! You should also check online reviews for different companies, finding out what past clients think of the companies you’re looking to hire.

Find Your Property

If you’ve been thinking about investing in real estate but weren’t sure you had the time to deal with it, the benefits of a commercial property management company should have eased your mind. With a great team on your side, you’ll have nothing to worry about! So, what are you waiting for?

If you enjoyed this article, be sure to read more on our blog! We’re a property company run by experienced realtors, helping you find your perfect investments without the hassle.

Sometimes, things happen in life that take your life in an unexpected direction. Whether you accepted your dream job or a family member is in need of care, sometimes you need to move as soon as possible! One of the biggest loose ends to tie before you move away is selling your home.

In 2018, the average length of time a home spent on the market was 68 days! Who has 2 months to wait around for a buyer to appear?

We put together our favorite tips for how to sell a home fast in Miami, or wherever your home is! Keep reading to learn 6 great ways to speed up your home sale process.

1. Scrub a Dub Dub, Clean the Whole House… Including the Tub

Before you sell your home, it needs to be clean! We’re not talking “company is coming over” clean, but more like “cleaning up a crime scene” clean! Everything from the ceiling to the floor needs a once over before you start showing the house.

When a buyer enters a house that is not clean, they wonder how well you have cared for the bones of the house. No one wants to buy a home that isn’t well maintained and has structural problems. Even if the house is not compromised, a dirty house is not going to sell fast.

Many people are choosing to hire professional cleaners before putting their house on the market to make sure the house sparkles. But, you don’t need to hire anyone to clean if you don’t mind putting in the elbow grease to clean under appliances and in all the nooks and crannies.

2. A Picture Says 1000 Words… to Potential Buyers

Buyers almost always look at pictures of a home before inquiring about a viewing. Having bad pictures on your advertisements ensures that buyers will pass right over your ad and to the next one.

Take high-quality pictures of your house and lots of them! Every room and interesting feature of the house should be the focus of a well-planned photo.

Not much of an aspiring photographer? Consider hiring someone to take the pictures for you. Professional home photographers know all the right angles and have better equipment to capture the charm of your home on film (or digital media these days)!

3. Let There Be Light!

Light is your friend when people come to see your house. Looking at a dark house makes buyers wonder what you are trying to hide.

Open all the blinds and curtains or turn on a lamp in a dark corner to bring light into your home from wall to wall! Natural light is the best option, but some rooms may not get much natural light and need a little light augmentation.

4. Make Sure the Price Is Right

Everyone wants to get as much money as they can when they sell their property. But, the buyer is also looking for a good value. You could shoot yourself in the foot if you price your home too high at the beginning with the intention of coming down on the price later.

When deciding how much to put down for your asking price, look at not only the value of your home but also the final selling price of similar homes in the area. If the houses in your area sell for much less than their valuation, you might want to take that into consideration.

Another price trick meant to sell your home quick is lowering the price for cash buyers! Selling your home to a buyer who pays in cash is a much faster way to sell your home because you cut out the financing and bank official headaches. On top of that, you don’t need to worry about the sale falling through as often with cash buyers because they are not dependant on a bank approving a loan before they sign the paperwork.

5. How to Sell a Home Fast While You Still Live There

If you intend to live in your home while it is on the market, go ahead and pack your personal items. Family photos and heirlooms prevent the potential buyer from imagining the house as their home instead of yours.

The good news is that by packing all that stuff away, you are getting a good bit of your packing done for the move!

Also, consider taking out some of the furniture so the rooms feel bigger and have more room to walk around in. If you need to, rent a storage unit nearby where you can keep your extra stuff but still be close enough to grab it if you find that you packed something too soon.

6. Add a Little Curb Appeal to Your House

First impressions are very important for potential buyers. You want them to love the house the second they pull into the driveway.

Fix any minor damage to the front of the house and concrete paths. Fill in any dead or missing grass in the lawn. Whatever you can do to make your house shine will be worth it in the end!

Let’s Get Real About Real Estate

Even if you already know how to sell a home fast, the real estate market changes all the time and it’s confusing! That’s why people spend months and money to get their real estate licenses!

Hiring a well-qualified realtor can boost your chances of selling your house in a flash! Be sure to find a realtor who has an impeccable track record of selling properties in your area. And you can use an ad creator to help with the advertising.

Give us a call if you are looking to buy or sell properties in the Carribean and South Florida areas. Or, if you are anywhere else, stay tuned to our blog for more real estate tips, tricks, and news!

Every year in the US homeowners spend approximately $60,000 on home improvements. Whether you’re planning to sell your home or have just moved in, this is a great way to give a dated building a new lease of life.

However, the average cost of remodeling a kitchen in the US is around $22,000. So what should you do if you don’t have that kind of budget?

When it comes to updating your kitchen, the devil is in the detail. Fortunately, that means there are plenty of cheap ways to update kitchens without spending a fortune. Want to know more?

Then you’ve come to the right place! Read on to find out ten great ways to update your kitchen on a budget.

1. Give Your Cabinets a New Look

Replacing your kitchen cabinets is a surefire way to refresh your kitchen’s look. However, this can be an expensive option. If you’re looking for a cheap way to redo your kitchen, you might want to think about simply updating the cabinets you already have.

There are several ways to do this, including:

• Updating the knobs, hinges, or handles on your cabinets
• Giving your cabinets a new paint job
• Sanding or restaining wooden cabinets

Whether you want to update your kitchen in natural tones or go for something more vibrant, giving your cabinets, a makeover is a great place to start!

2. Give Your Kitchen a New Paint Job

Changing the color of your kitchen, no matter how subtly, will make a big difference in how it feels. So if you’re looking for the simplest and cheapest way to redo your kitchen, this is a good place to start.

You may want to repaint the whole room or add a statement wall. Whatever you choose, the beauty of repainting your kitchen is it’s something you can do yourself.

This means that you won’t have to spend anything on builders or decorators. The only cost you have to worry about is the price of the paint itself.

3. Update Your Backsplash

Retiling your entire kitchen can be an expensive job and is often unnecessary. But if you’re looking to add some nice ceramic work into your space, why not update your backsplash around your sink?

This means you’ll need fewer tiles but it won’t look like you’re cutting corners. Or if tiles aren’t your thing, then look at some wallpaper or lino options.

4. Add Roll-Out Shelves to Your Kitchen

If you’re looking for cheap kitchen updates that will give you more storage space, look no further than roll-out shelves.

These shelves provide extra space and help keep your kitchen more organized than ever. At around $100 each, it’s much cheaper than carrying out construction work to make your kitchen bigger!

5. Shop Around for Countertops

The countertops in your kitchen can make a huge difference to its look. But this doesn’t mean you have to spend loads on them.

Taking the time to shop around for budget countertops can save you a lot of money so it’s one of the best cheap ways to update your kitchen. Rather than shopping at designer stores, visit discount shops or home improvement stores.

6. Change Your Faucet

The faucets in your kitchen are simple enough to remove and replace, and buying a new faucet won’t cost you much! If you want to update the sink area without putting in a whole new sink, this is a great solution to save money.

For help washing bigger pans, opt to higher faucets that allow you to fit more below them in your sink.

7. Update Your Appliances on a Budget

Updating the appliances in your kitchen will make the space feel modern and fresh; fortunately, you can manage this on a budget. Shopping around for appliances from basic brands will save you a lot of money and won’t make a difference. Consider investing in collectramatic fryers to give your kitchen a real sizzle for optimal resale value.

You can also save money by shopping for your appliances during sales. Sign up to local electrical stores to get updates on when these sales are happening.

8. Update Your Kitchen Door

The door to your kitchen sets the whole tone for the room you are about to enter, so updating this can transform the way that your kitchen feels.

Replacing the door with a new one won’t cost you the earth. However, if you want to save even more, look for ways to update your existing door.

For example, you could repaint it or sand it to match the cabinets. This will instantly pull your kitchen’s look together and make it feel really fancy!

9. Try a New Pair of Curtains or Blinds

Popular styles of curtains can change a lot over the years. Updating yours will make a big difference in how modern your kitchen looks.

You may want to opt for a pair of curtains that flatters your kitchen’s new paint job. Or why not transform your kitchen into a modern haven with a sleek new blind? Whatever you choose, this little change will make a world of difference.

10. Experiment with Lighting

You may not realize it, but the lighting in your kitchen plays a huge role in making it feel welcoming. Bright, warm kitchens feel much nicer than dim ones or kitchens with stark lightning.

This might sound like a lot of work but improving the lighting is a great way to redo your kitchen cheaply. Have a look online to kind the style of lighting you want and then head over to discount stores to look for something similar.

You might be surprised at how much of a difference some cheap light fittings from Lowe’s will do for your kitchen!

Keep These Cheap Ways to Update Kitchens in Mind!

If you’ve just moved and are looking for cheap ways to update kitchens, you can do plenty on a budget to make your kitchen look and feel modern. For more tips on how to get the most out of your home, check out the rest of our blog!

Did you know that there are 10.4 million homes in America with an in-ground swimming pool?

Swimming pools can be a great addition to a home because they can act as a communal area for families to relax by and also are great for exercising.

Keep reading to discover whether a swimming pool can increase the resale value of your property.

What Are the Different Types of Pools?

There are two main types of swimming pools that you can install in your garden or yard. The first one is an in-ground pool, these are typically more expensive to install and can also take longer to put in. In-ground pools are installed in the ground, usually with concrete.

The second type of pool is known as an above ground pool. These swimming pools are usually easier to install and made of plastic or metal. They often come with instructions and can be installed by yourself.

Typically an in-ground pool offers more value for your home’s resale price, whereas an above ground pool won’t add that much more value to your property’s resale price.

Why Can Swimming Pools Add Value to Your Home?

Whether a swimming pool can add value to your home depends on a number of factors, such as the neighborhood you live in and whether they have pools, whereabouts you live (people typically prefer to have a pool in warmer climates), and the size of your pool.

Some home buyers are willing to spend more money on properties if they have a pool because relaxing by the poolside and dipping into the cool waters during hot summer months can be the perfect way to unwind.

While other people might purposely choose to buy a house with a pool because of the health benefits. There are many health benefits of pools such as improving overall health and fitness and swimming is a great way of combining both cardio and strength training.

Another reason why a swimming pool can add value to your resale price is that your prospective buyers might love to be outdoors and enjoy spending time in their garden.

However, you must always think about the cost of installing a swimming pool and the cost of maintaining it. If you are thinking about adding a swimming pool to add value to your property because you want to sell it then you also need to think about your prospective buyer and if they can afford to maintain the pool.

How Much Does a Swimming Pool Cost?

The average cost for an in-ground swimming pool is between $35,500 and $65,070. The cost of a swimming pool varies, depending on how big you want the pool to be and the materials it is made out of.

A concrete swimming pool installation will cost around $40,000. While the swimming pool installation cost of a vinyl pool is around $30,000 and a fiberglass pool will cost around $28,000.

On top of that, there are also maintenance costs, such as the cost and time of the annual upkeep of the pool. If you are thinking about staying at your home then you need to calculate how much this will be for you. If you want to sell your home then you need to make sure you market your house at the people who can afford these costs.

The average upkeep of an in-ground pool is between $1,200 and $1,800 per year. Pool owners can expect to spend anywhere between $150 and $300 when opening their pools. This includes the costs of removing the cover, reassembling the filter, cleaning and testing the water, and refilling the pool with water.

And then when closing their pools, it can cost between $150 and $300 too. However, these costs could be higher, depending on individual circumstances.

Then there is also the monthly maintenance costs of the swimming pool. Monthly maintenance can cost anywhere between $80 and $150. Alternatively, people choose to maintain their pools themselves, however, this can be quite time-consuming.

Should You Add a Pool to Your Property?

Swimming pools aren’t cheap to install or maintain. However, there are some instances where adding a pool to your property can increase the resale value by up to 7%.

If you are thinking about installing a pool into your garden, then you need to weigh up the cost and work out how much return on investment you might make.

The best way to work out whether a pool is the best option for your property is by hiring an appraiser. The appraiser will be able to work out how much value a swimming pool could add to your property. Ask your appraiser how much your property is currently worth and then ask how much it would be worth if you installed a pool.

If the math doesn’t add up, don’t install a pool. For example, if your property is valued at $350,000 without a pool and the appraiser tells you that a swimming pool could add $30,000 onto your resale value. But installing the swimming pool costs $50,000, then it wouldn’t make sense to add a pool to your garden. As this isn’t adding any more value and will put you out of pocket by $20,000.

Alternatively, if you are thinking about staying at your property for several years and you really want a pool in your garden, then it might be worth installing one and forking out the extra money. After all, it means that you’ll get to enjoy it too.

Boost Your Home’s Resale Value

There are many ways in which you can boost your home’s resale value, such as upgrading your interior or adding a new kitchen.

But you can also add an above ground pool in your garden too, to help boost your home’s resale value by up to 7%. To find out whether you can boost your resale value with a swimming pool, get an appraiser in to check out your property.

If you enjoyed reading this article, be sure to check out some of our other insightful articles about home improvements and mortgages.

Are you looking to sell your home? This is an exciting time, but it’s not easy. If you aren’t willing to make some pre-sale tweaks to your home, you might find yourself missing out on potential profits or quick sales.

Is it time for some quick renovations and remodels?

Unless you plan on selling your home as-is, doing some renovation around the house is a good idea. You want to give your buyers a reason to pay your asking price, after all.

But what are the best home remodels to get when you’re selling your house? We have a few ideas for indoor and outdoor renovations that you can make. Keep reading to learn more.

1. A Garage Remodel

If you’re like most people, you probably never paid much attention to your garage. It’s just where you store your car, tools, and any extra knick-knacks that don’t have a proper place in your home.

When you clear it out to move, you might realize that it’s a mess.

A garage doesn’t have to be pristine, but redoing the floors with a new coating from Garage Force can be a gamechanger. A glossy new garage will be appealing to the right buyer.

2. Upgrade Your Curb Appeal

There are plenty of affordable ways to take your curb from drab to fab. If you’re into a complete remodel you can change your entire driveway to something fancy and new.

For those on more of a budget, clearing out the front yard and applying some paint to the door and shutters makes a big difference.

Take a look at your house from the curb and decide what kinds of things would make your house more beautiful to a passerby. Do you want a brightly-colored front door that pops? Do you need a stone walkway to your porch?

3. Revamp the Bathroom

Bathroom remodels can be expensive, but you can get more money from a remodeled home if you play your cards right. If it’s within your home remodel budget, consider the bathroom as an option.

Again, you don’t need to do the whole thing and it doesn’t have to be a situation in which you tear everything down.

You can redo tile floors on your own if you aren’t interested in hiring an expert, and even that small change can make a big difference.

If you’re willing to make some larger changes, look into redoing your walls and perhaps inserting a new and shiny sink for the vanity.

You can find a selection of the types and styles of Unique Vanities available. The right vanity can change the entire look and feel of the bathroom. This is the most important and sought out first room in the house for buyers to see.

4. Get the Perfect Kitchen

You don’t need the perfect kitchen, but many buyers look at the kitchen when they’re making their decisions.

If you have old appliances, upgrading them to the most modern versions can help you increase your listing price and value. No one wants to buy a home where they’ll have to replace the stove within a few years, or install their own dishwasher.

If you have the funds and space, this is also a great time to install a kitchen island. If an island is a must-have for any potential buyers (you’d be surprised) you’ll be fitting right into an important niche.

These Are the Best Home Remodels for Sellers

If you’re looking to sell your home fast and for a good price, try one or two of the best home remodels first. You might have to put some money into refreshing your home, but the time you’ll save and the money you’ll earn from your sale will be totally worth it.

For more answers to all of your real estate and home improvement questions, check out the rest of our site!

It’s summertime, and you know what that means… pool season!

But, not all home pools are created equally. And, you’ll want to consider all the options carefully before making a decision.

Before you get down to the details, there’s one major decision that you’ll have to make. Do you prefer a chlorinated pool or one that uses saltwater?

In this article, we’ll walk you through all the differences between a saltwater vs chlorine pool, and help you decide which is best for you. Keep reading to learn more!

How Does a Saltwater Pool Work?

Contrary to popular belief, saltwater swimming pools do use chlorine. A salt water pool will have far lower levels of chlorine than a traditional chlorine pool, but it won’t function properly completely chemical-free.

But, how does it work?

In a saltwater system, chlorine is kept at a steady level rather than added to the pool via chlorine sticks or tablets. Instead, salt is added to the pool, and a saltwater generator produces hypochlorous acid for sanitation through the process of electrolysis.

Bypassing electricity through the saltwater solution, the salt is broken down. Then, it releases this powerful natural cleaning agent.

And saltwater pools aren’t nearly as salty as you might expect. They have about one-tenth the salinity of seawater, making them gentle on eyes and skin.

Comparing Costs

One of the biggest differences when comparing a salt vs chlorine pool is the cost of construction and upkeep.

A saltwater pool will require a much larger initial investment due to the upfront cost of a saltwater generator and installation on top of the traditional pool building budget. But, this spending may soon balance out!

A saltwater pool will require very little spending on chemicals, typically under $100 per year. Traditional pools, on the other hand, may rack up chlorine costs between $300 and $800 per year depending on size, climate, and frequency of use.

While you may spend a bit more per month on electricity for your saltwater generator, you will likely still wind up saving money in the long run. And, keep in mind that you’ll still have monthly electrical spending to operate your pool pump, filtration system, and any extra water features you choose.

Maintenance Matters

Another major point of comparison when it comes to a saltwater pool vs chlorine is the required upkeep.

One of the greatest benefits of choosing a saltwater system is the low amount of maintenance it will require.

In fact, most modern systems will stay sparkling clean for up to two weeks without any intervention. A traditional chlorine pool, by contrast, requires once-a-week maintenance and the addition of chlorine tablets or sticks.

No matter which pool system you choose, you will need to test your chlorine levels and make adjustments regularly. It is also very important to use winter pool chemicals as appropriate.

A saltwater pool’s chlorine level is adjusted via the generator control box, and by adding salt to the water. A chlorine system, on the other hand, must be manually adjusted by physically adding chlorine.

A chlorine pool will also need periodic “shocks” of concentrated chlorine. This process wards off algae and helps to maintain consistent chlorine levels. Shocking a pool involves dissolving chlorine in a small amount of water and adding it slowly to the pool.

A saltwater pool will require this shock treatment far less often, if ever. And, the process is usually only needed after very heavy rain or during an algae bloom, which threatens to turn any pool green.

Pool maintenance is important for ensuring a safe swimming environment, it’s just as important to clean your pool filter as it is to clean the walls and floor of your swimming pool. If you’re not sure of the correct way to clean a filter, consult your local professional.

Pool Features

One major concern when it comes to saltwater systems is how the salt may affect pool parts and features.

This goes for your lighting, liner, masonry work, and more! And, it’s especially important to take note of if you are converting an existing chlorine system into saltwater. After all, those initial pool features probably weren’t designed to work well with salt.

Some features, like artificial rocks and fountains, will need to be constructed out of fiberglass rather than concrete. And, your pool may require more frequent resurfacing.

You’ll also need to consider your yard’s landscaping. A saltwater pool may damage grass or other nearby plants, even if a small amount of salt gets on them. And, a slow leak or overfilled pool can kill even the heartiest of lawns.

Health Concerns

Because saltwater pools use less chlorine, they are gentler on skin, hair, and eyes. And, won’t irritate sensitive swimmers as easily. This is especially important for anyone with allergies or existing skin conditions.

Especially just after shocking, chlorine pools can discolor your hair and swimsuits, and cause itching, burning, or dry skin.

You’ll also need to keep in mind that chlorine is a potentially hazardous chemical. It requires careful storage, and caution during use. Breathing chlorine fumes can cause a variety of health concerns including nausea, dizziness, coughing, and a sore throat.

Always handle chlorine in a well-ventilated area, and avoid contact with your skin and eyes.

While a saltwater pool contains far less chlorine than a traditional system, it’s still enough to kill most harmful germs and bacteria. And, the microorganisms strong enough to survive your saltwater system likely wouldn’t be affected by a higher concentration of chlorine.

Saltwater vs Chlorine Pool –  the Big Decision

Now that you know a bit about the differences between saltwater vs chlorine pool, you’re probably excited to get your home’s newest addition underway!

Be sure to keep all the above factors including costs, chemicals, and health concerns, in mind when you choose. And, hire only a reputable local contractor to complete the job.

Did you enjoy this article? If so, check out the rest of our blog. It’s packed with helpful tips and tricks for property management, home improvement, and more!

There once was a time when timeshares were very alluring. The thought of taking a vacation in a beautiful place enticed many people. But lots of those individuals have learned that timeshares aren’t what they’re hyped up to be.

If you’re thinking about investing in one, you may be wondering; are timeshares worth it? Unfortunately, the answer is no.

Here are some of the reasons why you should steer clear of timeshares:

No Investment Value

When it comes to buying into a timeshare, you don’t actually get much out of it. Unlike purchasing a home, you don’t actually own your timeshare. That means there’s no equity, no interest, no nothing.

Actually, timeshares generally go down in value when you get into the contract. If you want a vacation home, there are other ways that you can invest your money.

Annual Maintenance Fees

You may think that your initial payment is all you have to put into a timeshare, but that’s not the case. There are yearly maintenance fees that you must pay in order to keep it.

The huge downside to that is the fees are not a fixed price. They go up in cost every year even though the value of your timeshare doesn’t increase. It’s a lose-lose situation.

Your Timeshare Limits You

Unless you absolutely are in love with one specific vacation destination, you’re going to miss out on going to other places. Because you’ve paid for your timeshare and have annual fees, you may feel the pressure to go to your timeshare every year. But what if you want to visit a different location?

For instance, if your timeshare is in The Bahamas, but you want to visit Mexico, you’ll feel the anguish of spending the extra money to go to a different location, rather than taking advantage of the place that you’ve already invested in.  Keep in mind that canceling your timeshare contract may be difficult, so be sure to read the fine print of your agreement.

Difficult to Rent

You might decide to rent your timeshare while you go to another vacation spot for the year. That sounds like a simple solution to the issue detailed above, right? Wrong!

Actually, many timeshare companies are strict about allowing clients to rent their timeshares. In fact, most of them don’t allow it at all. But if they do, they’ll have very strict rules and you’ll probably have to pay a fee to rent.

All of these timeshare issues are a headache. If you’ve found yourself dealing with the hassle of owning a timeshare, follow this link: https://lonestartransfer.com/how-do-timeshare-exit-companies-work/ to get more information on how to exit out of your contract.

Are Timeshares Worth It?

It’s unfortunate that owning a timeshare isn’t worth the hassle. When you’re listening to the sales pitch, it always sounds like a great idea… until you sign on the dotted line. Hopefully, this information helps you to avoid falling into the timeshare trap.

If this article about “Are timeshares worth it?” was helpful, take a look at more of our blog posts. We publish content on a variety of informative topics!

If you’ve ever wanted a checklist for buying a house, look no further.

Many people think about buying a home because the idea of having a place for yourself is something a lot of people enjoy. The problem is that most people aren’t sure of the things they should do before buying a home.

Buying a home is a major investment, typically involving several hundred thousand dollars. This means you can’t mess up and buy the wrong house or get a loan you can’t afford. Fortunately, we’ve put together a list of things to consider when buying a house.

Use this home buying process checklist to prepare yourself for buying a home.

1. Improve Your Credit Score

One of the most important things to consider when buying a house is if your credit score is good enough. Unless you’re paying completely in cash, you’ll need a good credit score to qualify for a mortgage.

While having a good credit score is important, many people are unsure of how to raise it. It will take some time, but here are the best ways to improve it:

Pay Things On Time

The best way to increase your credit score is by paying things on time. Lenders want to see that you can manage your finances well enough to where you’re not behind on payments. If they see that you’re missing payments or pay too late, they’ll be less likely to work with you.

Don’t Hold Onto Debt

If you’re looking to show financial responsibility, you’ll want to pay off debt as soon as you can. While holding onto debt doesn’t necessarily mean you’re a bad borrower, your score will rise a lot quicker if you pay off the debt quickly.

Use Multiple Sources

A credit card is a common borrowing method that people use, but this is only 1 source. If you can, you should try to get multiple credit cards. This will show lenders that you’re able to manage multiple loans at once, proving your responsibility.

2. Figure Out What You Want

You need to put together a house buying checklist that outlines what you want. Some people want to get a large, 3-bedroom home. Others want a small condo that they can live in when they retire. So what exactly do you want in a home?

You have to keep in mind that buying a home will be one of the biggest purchases in your life, so you must think thoroughly about it. During this time, you should be browsing and compiling a list of homes that you think you’d be interested in.

After you’ve narrowed your choices down to a few homes, you can start looking into showings. Showings are when you visit a house and have a real estate show you around the place and describe its features.

3. Ask Questions and Negotiate

A showing is the best time to ask questions about the home. When you’re dealing with a real estate agent, they’ll often know more about the home than the owner does. This is because they do extensive research on the market and need to know everything to make a good sale.

You should be asking questions like how much the home costs, what the damages are if there some, and what has recently been renovated. You’ll be told these things during the showing, but it’s always a good idea to ask anyway.

Depending on who you’re dealing with, you might be able to negotiate the price. Many homeowners get strict when they’re working with real estate agents because the main reason they’ve hired them is to get the money they want.

In cases where you’re negotiating with homeowners, try to get the price down to where you want, but it should be reasonable. If you try to offer too little, the homeowner may be likely to just turn you away.

4. Save Money and Set a Budget

Having a savings set aside for a home will save you more money in the long run because you won’t have to borrow as much. Many buyers get trapped into mortgages that last well over 10 years and can cost anywhere between $1-2k per month, and that isn’t including utilities.

It’s best to rent something like an apartment or cheap home until you’ve built a savings account that allows you to purchase a home in full. You should at least try to get enough to where you’d only need a mortgage that lasts between 5-10 years.

Most importantly, you need to set a budget for yourself. Don’t look for homes that are out of your range because you can get stuck with a mortgage that’s too expensive. If your credit score isn’t good enough, you probably won’t be eligible for a large mortgage.

Set a budget that you know you’ll be able to afford. You should be able to pay the mortgage while affording other things, such as car payments, food, utilities, activities, etc. If you’re looking to buy a new home after you sell your current one, you can learn about listing your home before buying.

Follow This Home Buying Process Checklist

Most people want to buy a home at some point in their lives, but you can’t do so unless you follow a home buying process checklist. This guide outlines all the important things to do before buying a home, so you should take notes and start planning now.

Buying a home can be one of the most exciting yet stressful decisions of your life, so it’s best to be prepared for any scenario. Also, if you’d like the process to go much smoother, consider utilizing the services of a reputable real estate company such as Prestige Properties to navigate you through your home-buying journey.

This will not only spare you more than a few headaches, but you’ll feel better knowing you have someone on your side that is working in your best interests.

We encourage you to start saving money if you aren’t already. Try to think of the places you’d like to live in the future and what kind of home you’d like. If you have a large family, you might want a house with several bedrooms. For those living by themselves or just their partner, a small home wouldn’t be a bad idea.

Browse our articles to get more advice about buying a home.

If you’ve ever been interested in real estate look no further!

Real estate is a complicated industry that involves buying, selling, and renting property. Many people get interested in real estate when they realize that there’s a lot of money to be made.

However, like investing in anything, investing in real estate comes with a lot of risks because you typically have to spend several hundreds of thousands of dollars. Anyone can get started in real estate, but you must be aware of the several types of real estate investments.

Here are some of the most common real estate investment types!

1. Invest in a Large Real Estate Deal

One of the most effective types of real estate investments is joining with others to invest in a large deal. This can be done with both commercial and residential property.

There are 2 main benefits of investing in a large real estate deal:

1. Low minimums – when it comes to property, you can invest as little as you’d like while still being an owner.
2. You don’t have to be an accredited investor – in the past, investors that wanted to buy a property with others had to become an accredited investor. Today, many investment types don’t require accredited investors.

Anyone looking to start investing should look into real estate companies. You can start by checking out ones like Property Manager Insider to learn about some of the biggest ones.

2. Buy a Rental Property

Rental properties are some of the common real estate investment types that many people are interested in. The idea behind investing in rental property is that you can earn a passive income by renting it to others.

Similar to large real estate deals, rental property can come in the form of both a commercial or residential building.

If you were to buy a large office, you could rent out several spaces for companies. Smaller companies typically do this when they’re trying to save as much money as possible, so this investment type is reliable providing that you’re in a popular area.

Houses and apartments are also rented often and can be much more reliable than a commercial building because people are actively looking for a place to stay at all times.

The major downside to buying a rental property is that you’ll have to pay a lot of cash upfront. After your downpayment, you’ll have to worry about maintenance fees to keep the place running. Because of this, you’ll need to calculate whether you’d make a good return on a rental property before buying it.

Rental properties also require you to deal with tenants, which can be aggravating for anyone that’d like to buy a property and forget about it.

If you’re renting out a house, you’ll be responsible for fixing things and ensuring the place looks nice for residents.

Renting out a commercial building gives you a bit more freedom if you’re renting it to one company because you can make them responsible for maintenance. This can also be down with a residential property, but you’d be less likely to get a tenant.

3. Buy and Sell Houses

When people talk about the best practices for real estate investing, many will claim that flipping houses is the best method because there’s a lot of room for profit.

While buying and selling houses allows some people to win big, you’ll have to research the market in which you’d like to buy one. If you buy a house during a down season, you’ll have a hard time selling it.

Buying and selling houses typically requires you to look for a cheap house, repair it and make upgrades, and then list it at higher market value.

Without the research, you won’t know how much the house will sell for or what you can do to raise its value.

The best way to flip a house is to buy one that doesn’t need a lot of repairs because you won’t have to invest much money into it. If it needs a few cosmetic repairs, you won’t have to invest much to do the repairs and will significantly increase the likelihood that someone buys it.

4. Rent a Portion of Your Home

Anyone that already owns a home and isn’t prepared to invest in another property can start renting out part of their home to get an understanding of how the business works.

Sites like AirBnb have become increasingly popular because they allow individuals to rent out rooms and entire homes at a much more affordable rate compared to hotels.

As a homeowner, you can rent out a spare room while earning hundreds or thousands a month. If you’re in a highly popular area, you could rent out the entire home to further increase your profits while you look into other properties.

Start Looking Into Several Types of Real Estate Investments Today

To invest effectively, you’ll need to build a portfolio with several types of real estate investments that allow you to continuously earn a passive income. Anyone new to real estate can get started by researching their local market and learning about what buyers are seeking.

If you’re new to investing, we encourage you to consider starting with something like AirBnb. Investing in an entire property is risky, especially if you don’t know much about real estate. Renting out a single room doesn’t come with many risks and you can still earn a lot of money each month.

Browse our articles if you’d like to learn more about real estate investments!

An average American spends $4,700 for an interstate move.

Ideally, the cost depends on the mode of transport, the services you hire, and your budget. The price might also depend on the size of your house and belongings.

Nevertheless, you can still save substantial amounts if you plan well and choose the right movers.

This guide will discuss the main moving options to help you find the ideal cost of moving to another state. Keep reading.

The Out of State Moving Costs Factors

As mentioned above, the average moving costs depend on many factors. These factors include:

• The mileage
• weight
• Packing supplies

Mileage

The mileage is the moving distance. Ideally, the moving costs increase with the mileage. This is because of the high fuel consumption, and possible wear and tear of the transporter.

However, you may still save the moving costs if you plan well. Most full-service movers offer reduced moving prices to fill up the half-moving trucks. You can, therefore, save the costs by finding a truck that was already booked.

Weight

Your moving costs will be slightly higher if your home is bigger, and has many households. On average, the weight of one-bedroom household goods is usually less than 2,000 pounds.

On the other hand, a five-bedroom house might have an average weight of 20,000 pounds, thus, increasing transport costs.

You can cut costs on your moving weight by leaving some things behind. You may also donate the stuff you rarely use.

Packing Supplies

The delicate and fragile goods need proper packaging. The packaging protects them from breaking, and also facilitates the moving processes.

Most moving firms provide the packing supplies at a cost. It would, therefore, be affordable for you to buy your supplies. Besides, you may rent used boxes since they are more affordable.

Average Costs for Using Full-Time Professional Movers

The full-service movers guarantee maximum safety and attention once you hire them. They also have the moving expertise, considering that it’s their primary job.

However, full-service movers tend to have higher-priced services. Most of the firms determine the price using the distance to be traveled.

On average, the price of renting a full-service moving service for 1,225 miles ranges from $900 to $1,000 for a three-bedroom house. The price might go up to $1,500 for the bigger homes.

The full-service movers may be the ideal option if you don’t intend to participate in any packing process. Besides transportation, the full-service firms help in the packing for a move.

They assemble, dissemble, and even arrange your house well. They can also carry out the cleanup activities on your new and old homes.

The Average Cost for Using Moving Containers

Moving containers may be ideal option if you don’t intend to hire full-service professional movers. You may also consider this option if you fear that the professional movers might mishandle your items.

Ideally, you will pack the items by yourself, and then call the truck company to transport the containers. Their role is to carry only, and this means you will unpack and offload the items on your own. Some containers may also provide temporary storage for the goods before you unpack.

According to the HireAHelpers’ price comparison, the average cost for a moving container is $2,231. The cost might be slightly higher if you decide to use climate-controlled containers.

You might find the moving method quite involving because you must schedule a time for the packing and unpacking. You may also hire other people to help you in the offloading process.

The Average Costs for Using a Truck Rental

A rental truck is an affordable option for the mover on a budget.

The rental truck rates vary according to the time and the day of the relocation. In line with the U-Haul quote, the average cost of renting a 10ft truck costs around $1,700. Other rental truck firms, such as the Budget and Penske, are slightly affordable.

The renting costs depend on the fuel charges, the type of trip, time duration, and the type of truck.

Don’t Forget the Hidden Costs

You may face many unexpected costs while moving out of state. The first type of cost is the state income tax, which you must pay when moving to the seven states that do not have the individual income tax.

Besides the tax, you may incur the license registration costs for your car. The licensing prices will differ significantly depending on the rules of your new state.

Other fees should include the termination or connection fees when entering a new state. Lastly, you may incur some household furniture costs. Perhaps, your old bed will not fit into the new home, or your precious glass tables will break on the way.

The hidden costs can be inconvenient, but you keep additional cash to take care of the unforeseen expenses.

Tips to Save on the Cost of Moving to Another State

It’s clear that moving out of state is one of the stressful events. However, there are ways you can make this process stress-free. These hacks can help you save substantial amounts while moving:

Save Enough Money

Cash is the most affordable and convenient method of paying for your moving costs. Credit cards are costly, and they may easily trigger debts. So, choose the ideal moving method which you will use, and then start saving.

Negotiate on Your Relocation Package

You can negotiate for better rates on your relocation package. Typically, the package comes as a lump sum. If the amount does not impress you, negotiate politely so that you may save considerable amounts.

Compare Prices

As earlier mentioned, different moving companies offer varying prices. For this reason, you should compare the different rates to know what you should expect. As you compare, you will know the average cost to pay, and thus, you will plan better and make an informed decision.

Moving Soon? Start Planning Now

The process of moving out of state can be overwhelming. It could even be more stressful if you have never moved for a long-distance before. Get a quote from a reputable interstate moving company like Suddath Moving Company.

However, you can enjoy the process if you plan early and work with the right movers. Also, you should compare prices to get the correct estimate cost of moving to another state.

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