Category: Guest Author

5 Real Estate Investment Tips for 2014

Posted on by Jenny Zamora

 

While property investments yield great returns, one must understand that there are certain things governing the property market. So, what are the things that you need to keep in mind before investing in real estate in 2014? Read on to know more.

 

 

Investing in a property has always been a great idea. Whether residential, commercial, retail or industrial, real estate investment has most often been considered one of the best and secured forms of investments. However, with each passing day, changes are rapidly coming up and the same is applicable for real estate investment. So, what are the things that you need to keep in mind for investing in the real estate for 2014. Here’s how.

Have a Clear Understanding

Having a clear understanding is very crucial to property investment. Always keep an eye on the ups and downs of the demand and supply of the market forces. As a prospective investor you must be aware of these ups and downs of the property market and how will these have an effect on the property market. One of the advantages of understanding such market forces is that, it empowers one with the ability to predict market trends.

Chalk a Strategy and Time Frame

Needless to say that a proper strategy and a time frame are equally essential in order to justify the idea of real estate investment; this is crucial to set realistic and achievable goals. This idea is applicable to both long-term and short-term goals; one you have set the goals, chalk out a proper budget and a plan of executing all of them in a proper manner. A budget is essential as this will help you stay focused and move in accordance with the right track. Remember that a plan chalked at the initial stage helps one stay disciplined with the investment methods.

Conduct a Proper Research

Always ensure that you conduct proper research on yields, returns and other areas of real estate. Find out about the current rates and if possible compare them with previous years. A keen interest in the demand and supply of the property market are essential as this will enable you to determine the expected rate of growth and estimate the rental returns on a more accurate basis. Do not forget to check out on anything that can affect the rental returns; for example construction of an array of new apartments may lead to an oversupply in the property market. This can have an adverse effect on the returns; as an investor you need to be more cautious about investment in such a scenario.

Learn to Negotiate

Mastering the art of negotiation is very essential to be able to go ahead the process of real estate investment. For example, if you are borrowing a loan, always ensure that your loan comes with a package and right manner. Understand that the market offers several home loan packages and 2014 will probably see more of that; but a good deal does not mean that it will co0me with the lowest interest rate. But there are several packages that come with multiple features. It is advisable that you opt for a package after comparing the available ones in the market.

Seek Expert Opinion

While you do have to take things on your own, seeking expert advice is always good. Seek expert advice while at the same time conducting your own research. You can seek the assistance of a reputed real estate agent. Place your requirements and to the agent and explain what exactly you are looking for. This will help you achieve your investment goals with more ease.

Whether you are investing on residential real estate or commercial real estate or any other form of property, weighing the pros and cons are is of significance before making a major decision about investments. 2014 is predicted to be a good year for investments. So, if you have any intentions about investing in real estate, go ahead without any second thoughts.

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Five Unique Features to Include in Your Bathroom Remodel

Posted on by Jenny Zamora

You’ve finally saved up or that bathroom remodel of your dreams and you’ve decided that you’re going to have the bathroom that absolutely no one else in your neighborhood has even thought of. How about five tips for a bathroom no one will forget?

Cremo Marble on the Floors and Walls

Cremo marble is pure white but is shot through with veins of real gold. Have tiles of this marble placed on your walls and your floors. If you wish, cremo can also be placed on top of a vanity. Use shiny polished marble for walls and vanities, but honed marble on the floors to protect against slippage. Keep in mind that marble is softer than many other types of stone and will need to be sealed to protect against stains. Whether it’s stained or not, any acidic material that’s spilled on marble must be blotted up immediately to save the stone from etching. To clean, use warm water, some neutral detergent, and a clean cloth.

Gold-Plated Hardware

Faucets and spigots can have traditional looks or can be fashioned into a number of shapes like animals or unique geometric designs. Choose a bold shape for your hardware and then have it plated in gold.  Gold doesn’t tarnish, and all you’ll need to keep it sparkling is a solution of water and vinegar and a soft white cloth.

Freestanding Mahogany Tub

A true centerpiece for your bathroom with classic charm, choosing a freestanding tub with elegant design is a great option to make your update special. A deep, freestanding tub clad in highly polished mahogany is the best thing for a long and luxurious soak. Again, indulge in gold plated hardware like a hand-held shower attachment. Other options are freestanding tubs made of steel clad in porcelain enamel or Japanese soaking tubs clad in cypress wood.  Any of these freestanding styles instantly serve as a sign of your good taste and sophistication.

A Fountain

A fountain can be a tiny, soothing element in a niche in the corner of the room or it can be the bathroom’s centerpiece. The one thing you’ll need to do is find out if the fountain is in compliance with local building codes that govern plumbing in Toronto or wherever you may live. You may have to install special plumbing for an especially complicated fountain. For that, you’ll want to contact a professional like Brothers Plumbing to be sure the job is done properly.

Decorative Windows

Windows with a touch of leading or stained glass will give even a tiny bathroom a touch of elegance. A west, south, or east-facing window full of stained glass will also glow like jewels when the sun strikes it and throw chips of colored light on the floors and the walls.  This is a very practical choice that can simultaneously provide you with better privacy while also allowing natural light to grace your bathroom.

It doesn’t take very much to make a bathroom that’s ordinary into one that’s spectacular.  Consider these five suggestions as you determine how to make your bathroom remodel truly special.

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Home Maintenance: Things You Should Be Checking During The Winter

Posted on by Jenny Zamora

Home maintenance is extremely important year-round, but even more so during the winter months. With winter comes cold, freezing weather, snow, ice, and more that can cause additional damage to different areas of your home. By taking the necessary precautions and ensuring that you have done maintenance to your home before winter hits, you will be avoiding different common problems that may occur simply due to the weather Below are a few different things that you should be checking in your home either during or before winter to ensure that you will be able to live comfortably throughout the season with little to no issues.

Heating System Tune-Ups

The last thing that you will want to happen during the winter is for your heating system to stop working correctly. This may leave you with a cold house that can be dangerous when temperatures reach freezing levels. Take the proper home maintenance steps and take advantage of heating system tune-ups from professional HVAC technicians who know what they are doing. A tune-up includes a complete check of your furnace or heat pump to ensure that everything is clean and working properly. It also determines if there is any carbon monoxide leakage. This standard maintenance tip is highly important during the winter.

Roof Repairs

Before winter, you will want to make your way up onto the roof to determine if any repairs will need to be made. Some things that you should look for include loose or missing shingles. When snow, ice and freezing rain occur during winter, you may be dealing with major roof leaks and additional damage if the necessary maintenance is not done in advance. Other roofing tips include removing any leaves, pine needles and debris that can hold extra moisture on the roof during the winter. Those who have taken advantage of a real estate warranty may be able to receive their major repairs for cheaper than the regular going rate.

Cleaning the Gutters

Another part of your home that you will want to check before or during winter are the gutters. If your gutters are backed up and full of debris such as leaves, they may cause leaks within your home and ice dams to occur when the snow and rain simply have nowhere to go. Roofing, siding and wood trim can be damaged by blocked gutters. Regularly clean out your gutters and inspect for any damage to avoid problems in the winter.

Outdoor Faucets

Check to ensure that your outdoor faucets are turned off during the winter. While they may not leaking water, that does not always mean that they are turned off completely. Un-drained water in your pipes can lead to the water freezing as temperatures drop. This can cause the pipes to burst as the ice expands within them. Simply turn off the water valve in your home and disconnect your garden hose to check for remaining water and to allow it to drain from the faucet with ease.

Air Leaks and Insulation

If your home is prone to lots of icicles and ice dams, you will want to take the necessary precautions to prevent water from leaking into your home. Hire a professional to check for and to repair any air leaks found around your home and insufficient insulation within the attic of the household. Insufficient insulation can lead to ice dams which can cause major problems during the cold winter months.

Other home maintenance tips for the winter include reversing your ceiling fans, caulking around windows and doors, and diverting water away from your home. By taking advantage of these tips, your home is sure to be in tip-top shape this winter season.

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Simple Installations At Home: 5 DIY Projects That Are Worth It

Posted on by Jenny Zamora

Completing DIY installations can not only save a homeowner a great deal of money but can give him or her confidence in basic skills that involve areas like plumbing, painting, tiling, or carpentry. Generally, the more successful DIY projects a person completes, the more confidence he or she gains. Here are five simple DIY installations:

Install Resilient Tile

Resilient tile is easy to install, especial if it’s self-stick. Whether it’s self-stick or not, the sub-floor needs to be clean and level. It’s also a good idea that the tiles be dry applied before they’re pressed on. Even with self-stick resilient tile, it’s also a good idea to add a sealer and adhesive to make sure the tiles really stick.

Install a Tile Countertop In the Kitchen

Unlike stone countertops, a tile countertop is something a DIYer can do without help. Because tiles come in so many colors, textures and patterns, the homeowner can create a very unique look. Applying layout lines and dry run layouts will greatly help in creating a countertop that’s beautiful, durable, and unique.

Install a Shower Surround

This might take two people to wrangle the shower panels into place. Since existing wall tiles will need to be removed, walls patched, holes drilled and panels installed, the installation of a shower surround might take the better part of a long weekend. However, a new, dramatic shower surround is worth it just for its looks alone.

Install a Door Casing

If the current door casing looks a little careworn, it’s fairly easy to replace it with a brand new one. It does take a bit of measuring and sawing, but the homeowner can choose the type of molding he or she wants and the results can be quite stunning. One tip to make the job go more smoothly is to make sure that the wall doesn’t have a bump, which can make it tough for the casing to lie flat. Any bumps can be smoothed out by a rasp or a hand sander.

Install a Skylight

Installing a skylight can actually be a DIY project if the homeowner isn’t too anxious about working up on the roof. As an extra safety measure to help get you and your materials on the roof. It’s also a good idea to check with the town’s building authority to see if any codes need to be followed and if permits are needed.
Though they might not be the easiest projects to do, these five installations shouldn’t be too challenging for a novice DIYer. If done correctly, they are certainly worth it. If you’re looking to do these DIY projects in order to sell your home in Orlando, you may want to consult with your Realtor first.

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Four Warning Signs That Your Home Might Be In Major Trouble

Posted on by Jenny Zamora

For many common damages to homes, there are telltale warning signs that allude to the problem long before it officially sets in. It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with what to look for in a home that is potentially vulnerable to excessive damages. These are four warning signs that your home might be in major trouble.

Clogged Drains or Leaky Plumbing

If you’ve noticed a drain that doesn’t seem to flush water as quickly as it once did, or if you’ve noticed a bit of water accumulation under the sink, it’s definitely time to make the appropriate fixes to avoid bigger problems down the line. Steer clear of excessive damage by shopping around for Orlando plumbers for quick and effective repairs to your plumbing problems.

A Weak HVAC System

HVAC systems are notorious for losing their momentum sooner or later. This is often because they are used almost all year round, and they are constantly working to keep homes and other facilities stay neutralized at a constant temperature. Eventually, this can lead to less than satisfactory results. Take caution if you hear any clunking or banging coming from your HVAC system, or if the compressor stays on a lot longer than it should. This is a sign of the system working harder than it should and the fact that it needs repair.

A Weakening Roof

On most roofs, shingles are layered with a solution of granules that provide an extra layer of protection against natural wear and tear. Over time, granule will wear away and expose the shingles to harsh weather conditions which can, in turn, excessively damage a roof. You might be up against a potentially exposed roof if you find bits of granule on the ground and around the area of where gutters drain. If you attack the problem as early as possible, it’s often easy to reroof without starting completely over with a new roof.

A Shifting Foundation

Lastly, a shifting foundation could quite possibly be the worst sign of damage for your home. As soon as you notice any cracking, bulges, or indentations, document it with the date, time, and a photograph. This will help contractors know how to fix the problem.

Above all, keep an eye attributes about your home that don’t seem or aren’t normal. Generally, if you feel like there could be potential damage done to your home due to observing questionable warning signs, there probably will be. Remember to document and contact repair professionals right away!

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